Chapter 2

Haden's POV

My head throbbed with a pounding headache, and my eyes stung with ridiculous pain. Hangovers were never enjoyable, yet I couldn't seem to resist the allure of drinking despite the consequences.

As the sun's harsh rays pierced through my window, I groggily checked the time—it was 11:00 am. The realization that I had slept that long only made the headache worse.

Feeling restless, I turned around in bed and spotted a glass of water and an aspirin thoughtfully placed on my nightstand. Aubrey must have been the one to put them there. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her predictable yet caring gesture, even though part of me appreciated it.

Regardless of my annoyance, I knew that water and aspirin were just what I needed to alleviate the throbbing pain. Swallowing my pride, I reached for the glass of water and the pill and downed them with a reluctant sense of gratitude.

I went downstairs and into the kitchen. To my surprise, pancakes lay on the counter while Aubrey stirred some food. It seemed like she was preparing lunch.

Her black hair was tied in a neat ponytail that reached midback. I hadn't realised her hair was this long. She wore a simple dress that reached above her knees and an apron tied over it. 

She still hadn't noticed my presence. I cleared my throat, causing her to yelp. Her hand grabbed unto the pot, and she got burnt. 

"Oww!" She yelped as she turned to me. I realised she had a bandage on her forehead. Is she accident prone or something?

"Don't just stand there like the idiot you are. Put your hand under some running water!" I shouted.

She turned away and did as I instructed.

She winced, trying to hide the pain, but I could see the discomfort in her eyes. 

I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt for startling her, and I knew I needed to be more careful with my approach. "I'm sorry for surprising you like that," I said sincerely, hoping to ease her nerves.

Her eyes widened at my words. 

"Remember what I said yesterday, Aubrey. I don't want anything from you. I'm not gonna eat your food," I dismissed any thoughts of a friendship. 

"I-I thought I should at least cook for you, Haden. After all, we are living together. We should at least try to get along." 

"I don't want anything from you."

Her head hung low as she turned off the stove. The lunch she was making had already burnt. I felt some kind of way towards her. Pity, maybe? She untied her apron and went upstairs.

I finished eating the pancakes because I was hungry as hell. It's not like I had to tell her I ate it, I had too much pride for that. Besides this is my house and I can do whatever I want. As much as I hate to admit it, the food was delicious. 

No sooner than I finished eating, I heard the doorbell ring. 

I'm not in the mood for guests. I just wanted to bury myself under my covers and sleep until whenever.

Opening the door, I was greeted by my mother and father's jolly faces staring at me.

"I have good news for you, Haden," my mother cheered.

She pushed past me and strode inside as my dad followed her. Whenever your mom says it's good news, it has to be bad for you. 

We sat in the living room as I waited for her to speak. 

My mom paused and looked around the house, "Where is Aubrey?"

"She's upstairs, I'll go call her." 

I went upstairs and knocked on her door. A few seconds later, she opened the door. Her eyes were red, which indicated that she was crying. 

"My mom and dad are here. They want you to come downstairs so they can talk to us together," I explained, and she nodded.

I held her hand, and she gasped.

"I'm only doing this, so my parents don't suspect a thing," I said sharply.

"I know," She whispered, her small hand entwined with mine.

As we walked downstairs, I could see my mother beaming with joy. We sat on the couch opposite my parents and gave them our full attention.

"Good day, Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt," Aubrey greeted politely. 

"Nonsense dear, you may call us Anne and Richard. There is no need for formalities," My mother smiled and my father agreed.

"Alright." 

"Goodness! What happened to your forehead and hand?" My mother exclaimed.

"It's nothing. I'm just clumsy that's all. I fell and bumped my head yesterday and this morning I accidentally burnt my hand while making lunch," Aubrey laughed it off. 

I was the one that caused her to burn her hand. And here she was being modest. A pang of guilt ran through me. 

"You should be more careful dear. And what happened to your wrist?" My father questioned and I stiffened.

"Well, I got burnt while using my flat iron rod. How silly of me," she chuckled.

"Haden you need to take care of your wife. Look at how many incidents she's already had. You should be cooking for her and treating her like a queen," my mother scolded me like I was a little kid.

"Oh where are my manners. Shall I get you both anything to drink?" Aubrey questioned.

My mom laughed at how frantic Aubrey was, "Its quite alright honey. We're good." 

"I have a surprise for the both of you," My mom said as she rummaged through her purse and revealed two tickets.

"You are both going to Tahiti for your honeymoon. I know you might have wanted to decide for yourselves but Haden use to go on and on about that place so I thought it would be a nice gift for you two," She exclaimed.

"What!?" I questioned in disbelief.

"Are you deaf? I said you are going to Tahiti for your honeymoon and I already booked a private hotel. It is absolutely wonderful," My mother rambled on.

"I have work mom. There's a lot of stuff I still have to do here," I reasoned and my mom rolled her eyes.

"I don't care. Your brother will run the company while you're away. But you are going to Tahiti to spend quality time with your wife. You deserve this Haden. You both do. I don't want it to seem like I'm forcing you, considering you're a grown man but sweetie you've been working hard so please just take a break," My mother said sternly.

I couldn't argue that so I just settled for it. Aubrey was smiling widely.

"I always wanted to go to Tahiti," She admitted dreamily and my mother smiled at her.

"You see Haden, your wife wants to go. This is perfect. You will have such a good time." 

My parents spoke to us asking how we are adjusting to our marriage life. In about two hours they left but not before embarrassing me with childhood stories. Man, isn't that line universal.

"What the fuck? You could have said you didn't wanna go," I yelled at Aubrey.

"Haden I always wanted to go to Tahiti." 

"I don't give a fuck about what you want," I shouted.

"Haden please calm-

"Shut up. Just shut the fuck up you whore," I yelled and she flinched. She wore a look of hurt on her face and tears pooled in her eyes threatening to fall at any second. But I didn't care about her feelings.

"You ruined my life. You could have said no to this stupid marriage proposal but yet you agreed. What are you after? Money? Is that what you want? You gold-digging slut." I knew I was pushing it too far but I just wanted to hurt her.

Couldn't she understand that she ruined my life? Why would I want to spend time with someone I didn't love.

A gut wrenching sob was heard as tears flowed down her cheeks. 

"I'm n-not after your money. My family is wealthy too," She hiccupped making me clutch my stomach, releasing a throaty laugh.

"I know your family is wealthy Aubrey. But you don't have anything going for yourself. You're dependent. So I know that it's money you're after and I promise I will find a way to get out of this marriage and leave you without a damn cent. I will never love you Aubrey. You are nothing to me. You're just a worthless little whore and I can't stand your presence. You disgust me," I seethed. I was so angry with her.

I looked up at her and saw a broken look on her face. I felt a little guilty for what I said and realized that maybe I overdid it. 

"I-I," She was lost for words as tears fell from her eyes. She wrapped her arms around herself as if she was cold. 

She darted to her room without sparing a second glance and shut the door. 

Whatever. I couldn't care less about her. And some part of me was glad I hurt her feelings. She deserved it. She didn't care when I had to marry her and leave the woman I loved.

The next few weeks passed by in a blur. Aubrey managed to keep her distance from me. I hadn't really seen her since but she still prepared meals for me which I just gave to my best friend, Vincent, at work.

"This lunch tastes amazing. Your wife can really cook," Vincent admitted while he greedily ate my lunch.

I rolled my eyes at his words. 

"Hey! Why don't you try some?" He suggested.

"Because I-

My phone rang, cutting me off in the process. Checking the ID, I saw that it was my mother. In the next two days I would be going to Tahiti with Aubrey.

"Hello mom." 

"Hello Haden. I just called Aubrey and she informed me that she wasn't feeling well. She also said that you both would go on vacation whenever she gets better," My mother explained.

"Oh yeah, sure mom," I answered with pure glee. Was Aubrey really sick? When I thought about it, I hadn't really seen her lately.

We chatted for a couple minutes then she hung up.

"So you're not going on your honeymoon anymore?" Vincent questioned.

"Nope and I'm glad." 

"I never got to meet Aubrey remember? I was in Italy during your wedding." 

Vincent was supposed to be my best man but his grandmother was on her deathbed and she asked specifically for him, so he had to go. He still felt bad about not being there for me but I told him not to worry. It's not like I was marrying the woman of my dreams. 

"You don't have to meet her she's not important." 

"What? Why do you say that? I'm sure she's cool." 

"No I can't stand her Vincent. She is just a gold digger and I'm trying to get rid of her as soon as possible."

"Wow. She's that bad huh?" He asked.

"Yup." 

My phone rang again. It must be my mom. What could she want now? I answered without checking the caller ID.

"Yeah Mom." 

A soft giggle was heard over the phone and my heart melted.

"It is Ivory silly but you can call me mommy if you want," She chuckled warmly and I laughed along with her.

I smiled foolishly as I spoke over the phone, "Sorry, I thought it was my mom."

"Haha. Well how have you been?" She asked. 

"I've been well. How are you?" 

"Well," She paused, "I've been okay," her voice sounded strained. Something was definitely bothering her.

"Are you sure?" I pressed. 

There was a short pause then she answered.

"Yes, I'm fine," she reassured me. 

"I heard you got married."

"It was all my dad's doing Ivory. I still love you and I will be with you. I promise you that." 

"I understand so don't beat yourself up about it. And I love you too ."

"I need to see you Ivory," I blurted.

"I haven't seen you in so long. I know you got married but you never reached out. You didn't call or anything. I figured you didn't care anymore or you're busy with your new wife," She whispered and my heart clenched.

"That's not it baby. I promise I only want to be with you. Gosh, I miss you so much," I sighed.

"I miss you too. There's something I have to tell you Haden. I contemplated telling you this. I don't want to ruin your life or anything," she took a deep breath. 

"What is it ? You can tell me anything baby," I coaxed her gently. 

"Haden I'm- 

There was a brief pause on the line before she continued.

"Haden I'm pregnant."