Our First Night

Ellie's POV

Just then his towel fell down, I quickly scanned through as I saw his abs and hot sexy body with a huge dick. I've never seen anything like that before.

Not even this type.

I became ashamed and turned around not to look again.

He quickly turned me around and made me face him.

I felt my heart slam against my chest.

“Why are you ashamed? Haven't you seen this before?” he asked with a straight look and I shaked my head, shivering.

He looked at me intensely, and I didn't know what was in his mind as I quickly closed my eyes.

This is beyond me. Whatever I'm feeling right now, I don't think it's appropriate. My husband is sexy indeed, I can't let him know of my consciousness. That's why I can't look.

“You can take a look if you want.” Like he knew I wanted to.

Before I could say a word, he covered the distance between us and I found myself walking backwards, and he walked forward also as he pinned me to the wall.

"Don't you want this?" he asked. No emotion in his voice. Just his eyes on me, flat and unreadable. Like even this was something he had been told to do.

We both didn't want this. I knew that. He had made it clear enough, cold since the moment we met, ignoring me all through like I had begged for his attention.

I wasn't going to do this. Not with someone I don't love. Not even in a forced marriage.

Who did he think he was?

“Let go of me and stop flaunting your naked body.” I stared at his face this time. Not blinking. Not shaking anymore.

His expression changed. A smirk crossed across his face.

“Okay, suit yourself, I never wanted it either, it's what every newlywed does on the night of their wedding.” With that, he left without picking up his towel.

I pressed my back against the wall after he left, waiting for my breathing to slow down.

Should I have said yes? I asked myself.

No, I quickly shook it off, picked the towel up and walked to the bathroom.

I stepped out. Jayden was on the bed, book in hand.

All the roses, light candles and decorations were taken off. I guess he told the servants to do it while I was taking a shower.

He turned a page. Didn't look up. No words either.

I kept my eyes down as I walked to the closet. Closed it and changed to decent nightwear.

I busied myself arranging my clothes in the closet, taking longer than necessary. Anything to avoid walking back out there and facing Jayden.

I hate his guts. I already hate this marriage.

It took a long time before I came out. He wasn't in the room.

I took a deep breath and went to sleep immediately.

What a long day…

Morning came. I freshened up and went downstairs.

The dining table was already set. Joanna didn't look up. Mrs Spark didn't acknowledge me.

Another day for the new invisible bride.

I stood there for a moment, not sure if I should sit or wait to be told.

Mr Spark was the only one who smiled. "Good morning Ellie, come sit."

I pulled out a chair and sat down quietly. Jayden's seat was empty.

"He leaves early," Mr Spark said, like he already knew what I was wondering.

I nodded and reached for my food.

He left early. So where did he sleep?

Well. I. don't. care.

We ate quietly for a moment before Joanna spoke.

"Jayden isn't back home, Dad. He went to a club last night." She smiled at her phone. "I bet his wife couldn't take care of him. Mia sent me the cutest pictures of both of them together. They were really meant to be, until…"

Mr Spark's fork went down. "That's enough, Joanna."

She leaned over and slid the phone to her mother without another word. Mrs Spark glanced at the screen and the corner of her mouth lifted. They didn't speak. They didn't need to.

I kept my eyes on my plate.

My fork moved but I couldn't taste anything. I had eaten enough. I pushed the plate slightly forward.

"Excuse me." I stood up and left.

Their laughter followed me up the stairs, loud enough that I was meant to hear it.

I closed the room door behind me and sat on the edge of the bed.

Who leaves for a club on their wedding night?

The thought settled somewhere it shouldn't have.

I wasn't supposed to care. I hadn't wanted this marriage either.

But there was a difference between not wanting something and being thrown away like you meant nothing.

That night was supposed to be valued. Not tossed around. I don't like him, but that didn't mean he would have done that.

He's going to get more of me. My worst side. And I'd repay him for what he did. This is just the beginning.

I couldn't sit in this room and think about the worst husband I was forced to get married to.

I needed to speak with Mr Spark about my career, about my life outside these walls. Because if I didn't hold onto something of my own, this house was going to swallow me whole.

Hours later, Jayden still wasn't back.

I wouldn't call it waiting. I just hadn't moved from where I could hear the front door. I wanted to see the face of someone who could leave his wife on their wedding night without a second thought. I wanted to hear what he'd say.

I also wanted to avoid him entirely.

Both things at once.

Mr Spark had already left for work, he had been dressed for it at breakfast.

I needed something, anything, to fill the silence he left behind.

Then it hit me. I hadn't even properly looked at this place I was now supposed to call home.

I started with the garden.

I stopped at the entrance and just stood there. The roses were everywhere. Deep reds, soft pinks, whites arranged in a way that felt deliberate, like someone actually cared.

The colors pulled against the walls of the building in a way that didn't make sense on paper but worked completely.

They had taste. I'd give them that.

"My Princess."

I spun around. A maid stood a few feet away, a quiet smile on her face. I hadn't heard her approach at all.

I almost laughed. Even here.

"Can you not call me Princess?" I said gently. "Please tell the others too. Just use my name."

She looked uncertain. "Alright, Mrs Ellie. Mr Spark assigned me to you. Anything you need, I'm here."

"And are you?"

"Irina."

"Okay, Irina." I turned back to the garden. "I don't need anything. I'm just looking around."

"I can show you around if you'd like."

She did. Room by room, floor by floor. Patient and unhurried, never once making me feel like a stranger or the invisible new bride, even though I was.

By the time we finished, I realized my chest had loosened somewhere along the way. Jayden hadn't crossed my mind in almost an hour.

I was walking back through the lounge when I heard Joanna's laugh cut through the hall.

I kept walking.

Then one sentence stopped me cold.