CHAPTER 3

"I still don't understand why you're still living with that man. You've been married for a year, but he still doesn't consider you his wife,” said my best friend Gemma.

We were currently in a popular and expensive coffee shop.

I took a sip of my coffee before answering. "We are married, Gem. We promised in front of God that we would be together forever, through thick and thin."

Gemma's eyes rolled. "Excuse me, it should be ‘you promised'. Not ‘us’ because we both know that it was only you and your husband's family who wanted the two of you to get married. If Aunt Amanda and Uncle Samuel hadn't scared him, he wouldn't even agree to marry you."

I pouted at what my best friend said. "Do you really need to remind me of that?"

She rolled her eyes again. "If only I could remind you every day that Navid doesn't love you." Gemma sighed. "Why are you putting up with him? There are many other men out there, Elle. Men who will love you, a man who will take care of you and appreciate you."

“But I won't feel the same way as them," I answered quickly. I smiled bitterly as I looked at the cup of coffee in front of me. "I love Navid, Gemma. And of all the people who know me, you know the best how much I love him. Yes, it hurts. It hurts to think that he can't love me and that he was forced to marry me. But what can I do? My love for him is still stronger. The love I feel for him is stronger than the pain he makes me feel."

Gemma's face scrunched up. "You know what? If there was only an award for being a fool and being a martyr wife, you'd probably be one of the nominees."

I laughed softly at what she said, then shook my head.

"I hate you!" I said while pouting.

Gemma grinned. "But my husband loves me."

I immediately pouted. "You really are a good friend, are you?” I said sarcastically. “Instead of cheering me up, you're only letting me down. So much for being a best friend.”

Gemma laughed out loud. "I'm just telling the truth. My husband really loves me."

I snorted. “Alright, the luckiest wife in the world! You're the one with a loving husband. You're the lucky one when it comes to love."

Gemma's laughter grew louder. "I really am."

I just shook my head again.

If only I was as lucky as Gemma is when it comes to love.

I looked at my cell phone, which was next to the cup of coffee I was drinking, when it suddenly lit up.

It was a text message.

I took my cell phone and read a message from my mother-in-law.

After reading the message, I stood up and slung my bag over my shoulder.

Gemma looked up at me. She frowned as she held her cup of coffee. "Oh, where are you going?"

"Mama Amanda texted me. She wants me to go to the mansion." I went close to Gemma and kissed her cheek. "I'm leaving. See you next time," I said, then walked out of the coffee shop.

Gemma’s gaze followed me with a frown. "Who will pay for your coffee?" she asked loudly, but I just waved at her with a triumphant smile on my lips.

She called my name again, but I didn't look at her anymore until I was completely out of the coffee shop.

I can't help but chuckle. She will definitely call me and reprimand me again.

I could already imagine how shrill her voice would be while scolding me.

"What are you doing there? You look stupid."

I turned to the source of that voice and was surprised when I saw Navid with his hands in his pants pockets while his cold eyes focused on me.

He was standing in front of the coffee shop and only a few steps away from me.

"Navid," I called out to him in disbelief.

He turned his back on me and started walking. "Let's go. They are all waiting for us."

I was still stunned as my gaze followed him.

I can't believe he's here. Is he picking me up?

I couldn't help but feel giddy at that thought.

Navid turned to me, and he still had a cold gaze while staring at me. "How long do you plan to just stand there?"

I was slightly startled when Navid spoke again.

I looked at him, and our eyes met. Unconsciously, I touched my chest, where my heart was located, when suddenly, my heartbeat increased.

He turned around again. "If you don't want to go with me, just say it. You are wasting my time."

My eyes widened when he started walking again.

I hastily followed him. "Navid, wait." I called him loudly, but he didn't look back at me.

He just kept walking until he reached his car, and I kept following him.

When I reached his parked car, he was already inside and sitting in the driver's seat. One of his hands was holding the steering wheel of the car, while his other hand was holding his cell phone, which was pressed to his ear. He’s on a call with someone.

He was saying something, which I couldn’t hear because I was still outside, then he put down his phone.

He looked at me again with his cold, piercing eyes. He opened the car window and shouted at me. "What? Are you coming with me or not?"

I hastily opened the passenger seat when he yelled that and sat there. I put my bag on my lap.

Navid started the engine and drove.

We were both silent. No one spoke, and I could only hear cars honking.

I wanted to start a conversation. I wanted to ask him where we were going. I wanted to ask if Mama asked him to pick me up. But I knew it would be useless.

I knew he wouldn't answer me. Also, he didn't like me asking questions.

So it was better for me to keep quiet. Or else, I would ruin his mood, and I didn't want that to happen. I didn't want him to be angry with me again, even though he was always angry with me.