The Marriage Effect Novels & Stories

“You need to secure that stability.” I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to snap back. The old man was right, of course. In our world, marriage wasn’t just about love or companionship; it was about power, alliances, and control. My marriage would solidify my position, ensure that no one could challenge me, either within the family or outside of it. “I’m working on it, Nonno,” I replied, keeping my tone steady. “But it’s not as simple as you think.”

"Ready to go home, husband." They were going back to the same spot they had left that morning, but as essentially different people, Grace thought as they drove through the familiar streets of their neighbourhood to their flat. Marriage had formalised what they already were…….partners, family, and each other's home…….not because it had altered them. "Max, what do you want to do for the rest of our wedding day?" "Order takeaway, sit on our couch and look through our wedding photos while pretending to watch something on N*****x."

Annoyed at how messy it looked, she muttered, "I'm not hungry." Elijah frowned, clearly displeased by her response. "Do you know the essence of marriage?" he asked. Marcia shook her head. "You've said it yourself—marriage is pointless. If someone's going to cheat, they'll cheat regardless!" Elijah was speechless for a moment. He flicked her forehead lightly and said, "Is that what you took away from my words last night?" Sliding his arm around her shoulders, he added with a subtle tone, "The essence of marriage is three meals a day and sharing a bed at night. Four things, no more, no less."

"Without a word. Without an explanation. Do you have any idea what that did to me? To us?" Her eyes didn't budge. "There was no 'us,' Kai. There never was." The words hit me like a perfectly placed slap, but I wasn't backing down. "You expect me to believe that? After everything we shared, everything we- "Don't romanticize it," she cut in, her razor-sharp voice slicing into my thoughts. "Our marriage was a contract. Nothing more." I felt a cold shiver run down my spine, and I straightened in my chair. "A contract?"

"Now that is the only thing that put our marriage to asunder. He has the money, he should get a cook." Ema folded his arms as he wondered how much of a problem the contract marriage would turn out to be. Their house would have a chimney, he thought. Arguing morning and night, day in and day out would rent their marital home in flames. The chimney would help with emitting all of the heat. "Since you won't be working, you should try and be a nice little housewife." Ema told her dryly. "A nice little housewife? Seriously?" Lila was waving the fork dangerously now and Ema feared she would pierce her spotless face or even her pretty eyes with it.

Ash lingered on to that kiss because he didn't remember the last time his lips had touched Bright'. "Bright...what are you doing?", he protested as Bright pulled Ash by his shirt and kissed his neck. Ash closed his eyes and sighed because he was failing miserably at keeping Bright away. "We've been married for a month now, Ash. A month of tolerating each other's ridiculous behaviour. We deserve us an Emmy", Bright chuckled. Ash sighed. He was so turned on by his husband.

She poked his red nose playfully. “Older men tend to spend more for young girls. Just two bankrupt fogies were enough for me in the past.” “You got married twice?” Eric gasped, as his heart thumped at the mere thought of a competition. “No, I compelled them, fool. They signed everything in my name without any fuss. A marriage certificate was necessary for the legal flow of funds; otherwise, I am not crazy to marry anyone. Humans! My foot! Have you seen any wolf marrying a steak or meat loaf in your life?”

I allowed myself a slow exhalation, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. Marriage. Most men would see it as political theater. A strategic absurdity. But Alejandro Cortes would understand. Marriage was not symbolism. For us made men, marriage was ownership. Access, proximity, and above all, control. Not just over territory, but over the man himself. Because power was easiest to dismantle from the inside. And Alejandro Cortes was a fortress worth breaching. My smile lingered in the darkness. He hadn’t said no. And men like us— We both knew what that meant. War was coming. One way… Or another.

||||| I did not know what was so special about this marriage. It is true that I did plan to get married at some point, but I always expected it to be more work than this. But this one, this marriage with Xander King, this seemed to be extremely easy. It was effortless. I could do it as easily like I was breathing. Maybe it was the lack of pressure and stress. The thing is, when it comes to a real relationship or a real marriage, we always have to worry about the other person and if we would hurt the other person or if we would offend the other person, we have to constantly worry about the other person's feelings.

i muttered, clinking my glass to his in a bitter toast. “Is that so?” He chuckled, his gaze soft and unintrusive. “Not... not all, maybe,” i admitted reluctantly. “But the kind I keep meeting? Yeah. Definitely trash.” I laughed, though there was no humor in my voice. I had been talking too much, I know, but it was as if once I start, there is no stopping. “Seven years of marriage,” i continued, shaking my head, “Gone in an instant, and for what? A spark with an old lover, my stepsister!” I looked away, focusing on the golden lights. “Turns out I was... disposable.”