All Chapters of To Hate, To Love, And To Wed: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I’m standing in front of the mirror, nervous. My frayed nerves are not even about the party or being in a room filled with influential men and women—I’ve attended many such parties for at least sixteen years in a row, I’m already used to it. My birthday parties are after all business gatherings. I’m nervous about meeting Michael Black for the first time. I’m afraid of becoming someone’s wife-to-be barely twenty four hours after my heart was broken. A marriage of convenience. He’ll meet me today, and I’ll wear his ring today. And maybe in weeks, if I’m lucky, I’ll officially become his wife. Adaline Black.What was I thinking yesterday when I barged into my father’s office and made that decision? I shake my head to push the doubts away. It’s done. There’s no undoing it now.The door swings open, and Kate steps inside with a huge grin. She’s always so enthusiastic for my birthdays you might even think it’s hers. Good for her. I don’t like to consider Kate a household staff—maid as

I’ve never felt this way… weak, dull, unable to properly move my limbs. My eyes flutter slowly, fighting to adjust to the dim light above me. I bink up at my ceiling. But it’s not really mine. This looks different, the color is off, the light too dim. And the sheets feel different—smoother, silkier. Not like my usual fluffy ones.I shift slightly in bed with a strained groan and the dullness of my limbs drives tears out of my eyes. Is this what it feels like to die? Am I having a nightmare? My mind floods with thoughts as I move again, my eyes finally opening fully. Gritting my teeth, I try to move again, exhaustion keeps me down, my vision blurring, almost dragging me into an unconscious state. I blink hard, fighting to stay awake. It already feels like I’ve slept longer than I’m supposed to.“How are you feeling, Adaline?” I hear a thick voice, immediately feeling firm fingers stroking my hair. The touch is so soft and gentle it almost makes me sick. My stomach twists as I try to

“Can I get my phone? I’d like to call my father.”The door slams shut and the lock clicks. A tremble shakes me to the core as I hear Michael’s heavy footsteps approaching from behind. “Why?” He asks.“I…” I swallow loudly. “I want to call my father and let him know I’d like to call off this engagement.”It feels as though time has come to an abrupt stop. One moment, Michael is standing behind me, the next, he’s in front of me, jaw locked, eyes tight and narrowed on me. He suddenly scoffs. “Are you still under the influence?”“No. I’m completely sober.” Apparently his hand crashing into my ass sobered me up. “I’m simply choosing not to go ahead with this engagement.”“Why?” He quizzes, his face dropping. “Because you don’t take no for an answer and I don’t think I can handle a man who doesn’t take no for an answer.”Silence.I feel his gaze burning into me but I don’t have it in me to look up. A moment passes, Michael steps into me, his hands shooting forward and cradling my face, t

The moment my eyes open, bile rushes to my throat and I jerk out of bed, bolting through the room and into the bathroom. I fall on my knees in front of the toilet and bury my head into it, heaving out the acrid burning my throat.Remind me not to drink recklessly next time. I feel a firm hand on my back, rubbing in circles, another gathering my hair out of the way.“Are you good, baby?” A groggy voice echoes across the bathroom and I know it’s Michael. I can’t believe he’s seeing me in this state. I look up at him with tired eyes, my mouth opening to respond, but another wave of bile shoots up my throat and I bury my head into the toilet again.“There… let it all out.” Michael says, his voice patient, his hand still moving across my back.When I’ve emptied my entire stomach into the toilet, I stand on shaky legs, closing the lid and pressing the flusher. Michael leads me to the sink and helps me put a paste on my toothbrush, his presence looming behind me as he watches me brush my m

The interior of the yacht, unlike the white exterior, is steeped in darkness—deep, opulent black. Rich ebony wood lines the floors, velvet midnight furnishings exuding an air of luxury. The golden fixtures cast a moody, seductive ambiance, making it feel intimate.But that’s not exactly where my focus is at.I’m mostly focused on the table in the center of the room, adorned by white and red rose petals, candlelights flickering between them. Two chairs sit opposite each other. It’s a date. Me and Michael are having a private, extravagant date, here on the yacht he gifted me.He’s a thoughtful man, a man who knows how to woo a woman. It’s why I’m afraid of letting him in. He’ll consume me, manipulate me with his unending kindness and thoughtfulness until I’m unable to function without him, until I’m completely dependent on him.I don’t want that anymore.Still, I find myself smiling at him, and I know my eyes must show my excitement, maybe even the emotions that are starting to grow.