Chapter 0003

•ANEIRA•

In the car from the wedding, Rafael looked out the window and barely looked at me.

I didn't even know what his relationship with my sister was like, but when my mother told me he loved Narra, I thought he would be happy we were married.

"Any plans for our honeymoon?" I glanced at him, hoping to lift the tension in the air.

He looked at me, scoffed, and looked away. "I thought we talked about this, Narra. There will be no honeymoon and no party to celebrate our wedding. You're my wife on paper alone." He looked at me, causing my heart to race before he looked away.

Though I wasn't in love with him, I wanted to put on a good show for my father so Rafael would pay for his hospital bills and cancel all the money that he owed him.

But his response, which contradicted everything my mother had told me, confused me. I didn't even know he considered our marriage to be civil, with no intimacy.

Although my mother had told me that marrying Rafael would have certain benefits, I thought they were because he loved my sister and wanted her to marry him.

"On paper alone?" I scoffed. "Why did you marry me, then? How could you take me home with you if your intentions are not because you love me?"

"You agreed to this," he retorted, looking at me. "Through this marriage, I will pardon your father of his debt and pay his hospital bills until he's discharged as a healthy man. Isn't that enough for you?"

I gulped, looked away, and wiped the tears that silently fell on my cheeks.

I wondered if Narra knew that her marriage to Rafael would be loveless, but to save my father, I would do anything.

***

"I thought we would sleep in the same room. As your wife."

"Not tonight."

"How much did he owe you?" I leaned toward him.

I stood near the bed with lingerie, which didn't cover my breasts and vagina.

I didn't know whether to be grateful I wouldn't be sleeping with him regularly or be concerned I wasn't turning him on.

"Sandra will come in the morning and help you prepare for your day. This will be your room, and if you need anything, you can ring for the housekeeper, and she will assist you. Unless I ask to see you, my bedroom remains private. Do you understand?"

"How much did my father owe you?" I stopped him when he turned his back to walk to the door.

He took a moment before turning around and looking at me. "You knew this and agreed to the terms. Your father owed me fifty million dollars and couldn't pay it. With his pending hospital bills, the total amount is fifty-one million, so your mother agreed that our marriage would be payment."

"Payment?" I scoffed, confused and hurt. "She—"

My heart thumped in my chest as I wondered what my mother had gotten me into. She never mentioned my father owing Rafael that much money.

"You're a smart girl, Narra. Don't make this more difficult for me. Once I have a son through you, I will consider a divorce."

"I want five years, even if I haven't borne you a son. Those are my terms when I agreed to marry you."

He chuckled as he leaned forward, closing the gap between us. "Oh, Narra, you won't divorce me until our son is 18. Did you think it would be easy to escape me when your father owes me so much money? You're mine, and the divorce will be on my terms."

"What is the point of keeping me here when you hate me?" I sneered. "You should let me go once you have what you want."

"Pay me back the money your father owes me with interest, and maybe I might let you go."

"I hate you, Rafael."

He walked to the door and left.

Sitting on the bed, I released the tears that were stinging at the corners of my eyes.

I thought I had escaped the hell of my mother, only to be thrust into another hell with Rafael Sterling, the worst man I could've chosen as a husband.

I scoffed, took my cell phone from the counter, and called my mother as I wore a robe.

"Narra."

"It's Aneira," I sneered. "What have you done? Did you sell me to pay off my father's debt? You threatened to put me in jail because you want me to marry a monster who wants me to be his breeder? You told me he loved Narra!"

"I saved your life, Aneira. Your sister was going to marry him if you hadn't killed her in that accident. Do you prefer being with Rafael or in a jail cell for the rest of your life? You choose, girl, and I'll make it happen."

"Mom, I want my life back. I can't be with Rafael any longer. If you have ever loved me as your daughter, you will tell Rafael to set me free."

"You seem to forget that your father is in the hospital, and he's the only one who can save his life. If you want to leave him, will you pay him all the money your father owes him?"

"My father told me he's in the hospital because of you. Is it true?" I stopped pacing.

"Your father has bizarre hallucinations. Sweetie, you should be happy that you married a wealthy man. He will take care of you and us. You owe me and your father for all we've done for you, and you should be happy that you're saving his life."

"You've done nothing for me but make my life miserable, and now you've given me to him as a sacrifice. I will never forgive you, Mom. You've ruined my life and taken away my freedom of choice. My father wouldn't have agreed to all this."

"Stop whining, Aneira, and work to have a son for Rafael. He's really not asking much of you. Call me when you're expecting Rafael's first child. This is your time to show me if you're good at something. Bye now." She hung up the call.