Chapter one

“…I now pronounce you as husband and wife! You may kiss the bride.” The Priest say with a teasing glint in his eyes knowing he’s done that several times before.

Dahlia’s eyes fell on the man in front of her who is now her legal husband. She waited patiently for him to lean in and kiss her but he didn’t, refused to obey the priest. Her heart fell to her feet but not in disappointment, anger.

How dare he disrespect her in front of the so many people his father decided to invite to their wedding? Doesn’t he respect his father in the least to comply and keep the facade for the people he’s invited? She doesn’t expect much from this stoic faced cold hearted man.

Instead he rushed down the three steps at the alter then vanished from the church leaving her face heated at the blatant humiliation. He should’ve at least leaned in and touched her cheek or something.

Embarrassed, Dahlia slowly followed him outside, her head bent, not able to stand the humiliation with so many eyes watching their every move. As soon as she stepped outside, a black Aston Martin zoomed off probably containing her husband within. Her hands balled into fists, nails digging into her palms.

A presence behind her told her she wasn’t alone so she turned around to see who it was with her only to come face to face with her new father-in-law. The man who’s proposed this entire drama a few weeks ago to her and she accepted within hours.

Forcing a smile to her face, she stood there watching him while grinding her teeth inside her mouth. She’s never felt so disrespected in her life like she does at this moment. Not even when they threw her out from the orphanage she grew up in at barely eighteen. All she wanted to do is murder her husband in cold blood and won’t regret it with the anger boiling within her.

Andrew Caine was in his late fifties with only one interested heir to inherit his billion dollar fortune and multinational companies. The heir was supposed to be married for a year before he inherits his birthright but he wasn’t ready to settle down so Andrew did what he saw fit.

She had no idea this was going to turn out to be such a disaster. His son, Ethan Caine might be the man who’s featured in every woman’s dream but it doesn’t cancel the fact that he’s an asshole with no emotions and feelings.

“I’m sorry about him. He’s finding it hard to get over my threats this last few days. He will come around.” Andrew said, his eyes watchful of her reaction.

“I’m sure I can handle it, sir.”

She reassured him though deep down she has so many doubts after meeting Ethan today for the first time and seeing how emotionless he was. She’s thought the media were exaggerating how coldhearted he was but she was proven wrong. He is a stone!

Andrew’s hand went to her shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze like he believed in her. “I know you can. You’re a strong girl, Dahlia. There is a reason why I chose you.”

“Thank you, sir.” She shuffled on her feet then blurted out. “How am I supposed to get to the house?”

“My driver will be here to drop you off. I guess the guests will have to complete the wedding ceremony all by themselves?” He chuckled when she shrugged her shoulders with a blush.

“I cannot go back in there.” She looked away, embarrassment coming back in full force. Damn her husband for belittling her and showing her just where she belong.

“I understand. Go home and rest, dear.” With that he squeezed her shoulder again and turn around to go back inside the church.

The driver came few minutes later and she entered the Bentley in her white simple wedding dress. Sitting on the plush leather seat, she closed her eyes to keep her anger at bay. She cannot react like the person he’s expected her to be. She is not that person.

Few minutes later, the driver drove straight to a beautifully built villa after passing through the security checkpoints. Her mouth fell open on instinct while her whole body rise from the slumped position she was in to check around where chauffeur brought her.

Is this heaven on earth? Where the hell are they? White House?

The car was parked at a parking lot before the driver got down and opened the door for her. Her mouth wouldn’t just close on its own till she had to use her fingers to do so. She stared at the building in awe, totally out of element because this was unexpected.

She knew the Caines were extremely rich and influential but she had no idea they have castles and White Houses in their names. Was she supposed to live in this world? Yeah, just for a year.

Her legs felt jelly as she make her way to the only entrance she could see upfront. A large double white doors that lead to the White House with several burnishing windows. Whoa, the Caines are fucking rich that she wanted to vomit.

Walking to the door, she realized that it was already open so she pushed it inside and entered. Of course she doesn’t need permission. She entered the house slowly, her eyes on her feet so as to not stain the expensive marbles on the floor.

Dahlia perused the living room for a great deal long time, taking in the limited edition European furniture, heaven-sent paintings, expensive glasses. It’s just the living room, she cannot wait to explore the entire villa by the end of the day. She is suddenly not exhausted.

Her eyes fell on the floor where she’s supposed to strut to get to the spiral staircase in front of her that will lead her to the next floor in the house. There are discarded pieces of clothings all over the floor from a skimpy skirt, to a tank top and panties.

A gasped escaped her, already trying to connect the dots. There is a woman in this house and she’s seen Ethan’s Aston Martin at the parking lot which means… she didn’t complete her thought when a maid hastily came and greeted her then packed the clothes, placed them aside.

Before the maid could leave, Dahlia called out. “Hey, what’s your name please?”

“My name is Quinn Austin but you can call me Mrs. Austin, I’m the head of the housemaids here.” The woman named Quinn answered looking at Dahlia from head to toe.

She already knew who she was, that plain wedding dress gave her away. Mrs. Austin felt bad that she had to see those discarded clothes on the floor and probably know that her husband might be up there fucking another woman right after they got married.

The girl already looks nice and innocent, not the type Mr. Caine usually brought home. No wonder Andrew felt the need to get him a wife even just for a year. There are rumors and the housemaids already know what is going on. Ethan Caine just got married but he is up there with one of his many whores.

She felt bad for the young girl. Things are only going to get nastier by the day.

“Mrs. Austin.” Dahlia called out with a nod then smiled politely despite herself. “Can you show me to my room?”

Mrs. Austin a woman in her late forties gave a nod, her expression carefully blank after years of working for Ethan Caine. “This way, Mrs. Caine.”

Dahlia faltered at the name, it sounded weird that she will have to change her name to another man’s that doesn’t give a damn about her. She shook her head, things are going to have to change.

‘Mr. Caine will have to take his whorish behaviors elsewhere. Not in their marital home where the disrespect is right in my face.’

Dahlia thought as she followed Mrs. Austin up the stairs with tentative steps. She watched the wall with expensive paintings but sadly, she’s never understood paintings and what they meant so she just appreciated the beauty and bold strokes.

They passed a door where weird sounds were coming from, her face heat up when Mrs. Austin halted for a beat then continued walking. Now everyone knows what he is doing with the woman inside while she was there being lead to her own room. On their wedding day.

She swallowed her tears. Is that how this marriage is going to be? She didn’t sign up for this! Mr. Caine didn’t tell her his son had the physical attractiveness but behind it lies a man with dark heart that doesn’t beat at all. Does he even have the heart?

As soon as she was shown to her room, she thanked Mrs. Austin and sunk to the floor to ball her eyes out. She thought there would be companionship. Maybe even friendship but not this humiliation!