Substitute Groom: Married to an Enemy

It’s a beautiful springtime morning in England, squinting, Moriah looked at the sunlight that was already peering at the half opened curtain. Every single cell in her body was charged with excitement, she jumped out of the bed, darted to the French window and flung it open. The chirping of the birds and fluttering sounds of their wings waltzed into her ears like a symphony. Countryside fresh air filled her lungs as she took a deep breath. A smile painted on her face, she couldn't contain the joy in her heart and it's overflowing. The entirety of her body was filled with energy like that of a four year old child that could jump and run around for hours without feeling tired. What made her feel that way? Today is the day she had been waiting for. The day of her wedding. Finally, the love of her life, the man of her dreams will be forever hers. She would spend every waking moment of her life with him. Shaun Stanton, one of the heartthrobs in London, her boyfriend since high school

“Very well, if you don’t want to do it. I will talk to your father about it,” Ethan said and walked toward the door. Hearing Ethan’s words made her panic and quickly held his arm, “No, don’t talk to my dad.” Ethan turned towards her and told her with a straight face, “If you don’t like to do it, I will not force you. But I can’t deceive your parents, so I’d better talk to them.” “No, no, please. Okay, I will —” she could not finish her sentence because of the discomfort and dread about the thought of consummating their marriage. She didn’t want to do it with the man she doesn’t love. However, it came to her mind what her parents told her after the wedding banquet. She should give her husband his marital privilege. She is his wife and ought to fulfill her husband’s needs. “Are you sure?” Ethan asked, frowning at his wife. Moriah found it hard to answer his question as there was a lump forming in her throat. She held her silk robe tightly and nodded. “It’s getting late and they'r

Moriah was surprised to see Ethan was having breakfast in the dining room when she came down after getting ready for her duty in the hospital. ‘Didn’t he leave the house last night? When did he come back?’ She asked herself while she sat. They had their breakfast in complete silence, ignoring each other’s presence. Moriah's phone rang when she was just leaving the dining room. She pulled her phone and responded to the call immediately. "Denver, is anything wrong?" she said. “We need you here right now, there was a road accident and many victims needed an urgent surgery and we lack doctors,” Denver was panting when he spoke from the other end of the line. “Alright, I’ll be there in thirty minutes,” she put her phone in her bag and walked out of the mansion in such a haste that she didn't notice the servant greeting her. Opening her car door, she felt a hand hold her wrist. She turned with a tinge of annoyance in her face. “What do you want? I’m in a hurry and need to perform a s

A knock on the door took Moriah back to the present time. She sighed before telling the person to come in. Her heart almost jumped out of her chest, seeing Ethan come in. "What are you doing here?" coldness seeped through her voice. She stood up and looked at the files behind her desk so she could turn her back on him. The sight of her husband disgusted her and she can't bear to look at him. "Picking you up," Ethan said casually as if it was their usual routine. Her hands froze momentarily and continued to search. "I have somewhere else to go, you can go back first," she said, still pretending to look for a file. Moriah finds it revolting that after he went with his lover for a check up and the possibility that his lover was pregnant. Disgust churned inside her and felt like throwing up any minute. Does he think that she is a cheap woman and begging him to throw her a little time? There might not be love in their marriage, but she wanted respect. She can't accept the fact tha

Fiona knocked at the door and entered when she heard Moriah give her permission to enter. Hearing the assent, Fiona went in and found Moriah sitting on the couch reading a book. "Moriah, dear," Fiona called out to her. Moriah turned towards the owner of the voice and put down the book on the coffee table. Moriah smiled. "Mom, do you need something?" "I want to go shopping, can you come along?" asked Fiona with puppy eyes. Seeing her imploring eyes, Moriah can't say no to her mother in law. "Mom, give me a bit of time to get ready," she headed to the closet to change. She undressed facing the mirror. She gasped upon seeing numerous hickeys on her chest, the valley between her breasts. Moriah gritted her teeth seeing her reflection, her fury burned all the more. She needed to buy a night gown for tonight's black tie event as the concealer couldn't hide the marks Ethan left on her body. "You don't need to worry about the evening gown, your gown will be delivered in the afternoo