Loveless Marriages Novels & Stories

Avery’s face became plastered with plush pink, “Just him…” she replied, clearly flustered. “Do you love him?” Lovelyn asked. Avery nodded, “I do…” “So why won’t you marry him?!” Margaret and Adrian exclaimed, their faces etched with a mix of perplexity and confusion. “Because sometimes, love is not enough.” Lovelyn replied. “Well then, if love is not enough. Just talk to him, let him know what he can do to make it work” Alex chimed. “You see, women often do what they believe is right for both parties or at least, most women do. They make the harder choices, sometimes sacrificing their own happiness for a better future.” Lovelyn responded thoughtfully.

I accept out of spite, drinking it while Lucien works on his laptop like I'm not there. Thirty minutes in, I break the silence. "How many couples will be there?" "Eight, including us." "Do they all have real marriages?" His fingers pause on the keyboard. "Define real." "Marriages that started without contracts." "Most marriages are contracts, Mara. Some are just more honest about it." "That's bleak." "That's reality." He returns to typing. "James and Victoria Worthington married to merge family fortunes. Oliver Grant married his assistant to avoid a sexual harassment lawsuit. The Pattersons have an arrangement where he keeps a mistress and she keeps his credit cards."

"He is still going to love you." "Epeidí i alítheia eínai óti o gámos den eínai ómorfos. Because the truth is, marriage is not beautiful and that is why he would know all that." Rhea looked down at her daughter as she said those words. "Marriage is ugly. You see the absolute worst in someone. You see them when they're mad, sad, being stubborn, when they're so unlovable they make you scream."

As they led Liam away in handcuffs—again—as Jennifer documented everything for her report—as I stood in the penthouse alone once more—I finally understood: Some marriages were destroyed by hate. Ours was being destroyed by love. And I didn't know which was worse.

Emma gazed at the sparkling diamond ring on her finger, feeling its heavy presence. The ring symbolized a commitment, but not one born of love or choice. Instead, it represented a binding agreement, a contract that tied her to a stranger. She had always envisioned her dream wedding, with a loving partner, laughter, and joyful tears. But this reality was far from her fantasy. The man she was engaged to was practically a stranger, someone she hadn't fallen for, hadn't shared memories with, or built any connection with.

“Stop thanking me Amara, I’m only doing what I should.” “Whoever ends up marrying you will be one lucky woman, cause you’ll make a very good husband.” I gulped my wine and had a refill. “I don’t know about that. Maybe some time in the future but for now, I don’t intend to get married, ever.” There was no place for love or a family in my life. My parents already disappointed me, and I didn’t want an innocent child to suffer the same way that I did. I might want to believe I'm better than my parents, but I still had their blood coursing through my veins. I didn’t want to take chances. Men like me were made to be alone for the rest of their lives.

I could hear his controlled breathing and feel the weight of his stare pressing against me. "Listen, Nelly," he said, at last, his voice even but firm. "This marriage will be purely contractual. No strings attached. In public, we’ll pretend to be a loving couple. In private, we go our separate ways." His eyes burned into mine, leaving no room for misunderstanding. "Especially for my parents—we just need to convince them we’re in love so they’ll stop meddling." He exhaled slowly before continuing. "If you agree, I’ll take care of your grandmother’s medical bills. It’s just for a year, and then we both walk away. No complications, no expectations."

I felt a sharp ache replace the love I once felt. I immediately turned off the screen, not wanting to listen to whatever was left for them to say. The room seemed to spin, and my fingers began to tremble as I staggered back, my vision blurring from the sting of unshed tears. The words still linger in my mind. A bet? My marriage — my entire life– turns out to be just a sick game to Martin. A cruel game.

Lola responded with a tighter hug. They talked some more, and when Lily finally decided to leave, She was left with deep thoughts regarding all of Lily’s worries, she herself have those thoughts already, what is it really that makes them decide to get married, maybe Love is enough? She just doesn’t have the answer, because her mom married her dad out of love too she believes, but where did that end up? Well not everyone has the same fate, but can they blame her for not having faith in the institution of marriage, for not believing love is enough to trap someone in marriage. Her view of marriage is a trap, that is difficult to get out of.

But since she needs to get to her parlour appointment and she needs someone to take care of her bags, she was considerate enough to let me sit in the car. An hour or so pases and Lisa walks out of the parlour with her almond brown hair glossy, her nails and eyebrows done. I look at my own reflection in the car mirror. My eyebrows were never considered from the time I was eighteen, nor my grooming. Since I am not their daughter. And she gets everything as now she is eighteen and ready for the marriage trials. Also, she is the perfect mate type because all she thinks about is marriage and spending the money of her husband. I don't fall into that. I wish I did though. Maybe then I wouldn't have