Chapter 3

Dorry

Wearing a pink wig, a white maxi dress, and my favorite stilettos, I walked confidently into the old municipal hall, a smile plastered on my face.

I wanted to savor my last moments of being single—of being free. Because the moment I met Mr. Purple Tie, my freedom would end.

Even if this is just an arranged marriage, even if it’s purely for formality, I know it will still have a significant impact on my life. Especially since I don’t even know the man I’m about to marry—his personality or true nature.

That’s why I put in so much effort to look my best. I don’t want to embarrass myself. I don’t want to be judged poorly.

I want to surprise my soon-to-be husband. I want him to see that I’m more than just wealth. I’m beautiful and sexy, too.

Yes, I was forced into agreeing to this marriage, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try to make an impression. After all, I know he’s probably coerced into this as much as I am.

They say first impressions last forever, and I’m determined to make mine unforgettable.

But all my thoughts, plans, and preparations for impressing him vanished in an instant.

My confidence crumbled. My shoulders slumped. The sweet smile I had practiced disappeared, replaced by one of dismay.

“Sh*t!” I cursed repeatedly, staring at the man in front of me, his eyes closed, wearing a purple necktie.

I blink several times. I rubbed my eyes, hoping I was seeing things wrong—that it was just a trick of the light or my imagination.

I had just returned to the country; maybe I was still adjusting to all the unfamiliar faces. But no matter how many times I blink, he doesn’t vanish. He was still there, exhaling sharply as he raked his fingers through his hair.

It was real. He was real. The man I never wanted to see again was standing right before me.

“You!” We exclaimed simultaneously as our eyes finally met.

My jaw dropped, my eyes wide as saucers.

At that moment, I didn’t care about looking good in his eyes or appearing foolish. To me, he was worse—infinitely worse!

Why him? Out of all the men in the world, did it have to be him? I felt like lightning had struck me. Why did it have to be Nelson?

Questions swirled in my mind, confusing and frustrating me to no end.

I could tell he felt the same way. His expression gave it all away—he even looked angry at the sight of my pink hair.

Who wouldn’t be shocked? We had a past. No label, but it left a stain—a stain I can never erase.

As my mind raced with countless questions, I couldn’t stop myself from sizing him up—from head to toe—just as he did to me.

I couldn’t deny that he looked like a completely different person now. Just like me, it seemed he had prepared for this day. Like me, he wanted to make an impression.

Part of me wanted to walk up to him and tighten that purple tie around his neck—tight enough to cut off his air.

He looked at me as if he were some flawless Adonis, which irritated me. Yes, he was nothing like the Nelson I used to know—the one who never wore a shirt, had messy hair and was an absolute lunatic with perverted tendencies.

“Are we really going to go through with this?” he asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

It was like waking up from a trance. I wanted to shout, “No!” I didn’t want to marry him.

But I couldn’t. I had to go through with this. I had to do this, even though every fiber of my being screamed against being tied to him. Backing out wasn’t an option.

“Okay, then, let’s do this,” he said, his voice nonchalant, as if this were just another mundane errand.

I didn’t respond. I just glared at him, my gaze burning with intensity. But it didn’t seem to faze him.

He smirked—that annoying smirk that made my blood boil.

“Mayor, we’re ready,” he said abruptly, pulling me close by the waist. My lips parted in shock.

I was utterly taken aback. I couldn’t even reprimand him. I thought we’d just stand before the mayor like lifeless statues.

But no, Nelson’s twisted mind had other plans. Sure, his appearance had changed, making him seem more decent and serious. But deep down, he was still the same perverted jerk, now squeezing and caressing my waist.

Recovering from my shock, I glanced at his hand on my waist, then shot him a glare as I secretly pinched him hard.

He bit his lower lip and narrowed his eyes, leaning closer to me.

I turned my face away, and his lips ended up grazing my ear. “Make sure you won’t regret tying the knot with me,” he whispered, making my eyes widen and my lips tighten.

The nerve! I turned to glare at him again, my eyes now slits of fury.

If it weren’t for the mayor and his secretary, who were also our witnesses, I would’ve twisted his arm and made him regret ever speaking.

Instead, I forced a smile—a bitter, fake smile—as our gazes locked in a silent battle.

My heart raced with anger, my blood boiling. His words echoed in my mind.

“Regret.” What if I do regret this? What if marrying him turns out to be the worst decision of my life?

It felt like he was warning me—threatening me—that he’d make me regret it.

I knew Nelson. He was a lunatic with perverted tendencies. What if he does something terrible?

Fear crept into me, but I was determined to see this through. Even if he’s a jerk, I won’t back down!

Steeling myself, I met his gaze again.

I pushed him slightly and flashed a sweet smile that made him blink in surprise.

“You talk too much, Nelson. Worse than a woman!” I hissed through gritted teeth.

He quickly recovered with an infuriating smirk. But I knew he felt something from my earlier sweet smile.

“And what if I do regret this, Nelson? So what? I’m only human—I make mistakes. But you know what? Don’t worry about my regrets or feelings. Focus on yourself—on your feelings. Because maybe you’ll be the one who regrets this, not me!”