Chapter 2
Ruby stood at the altar in a scratchy white dress, a homer of lilies held tightly in her grip. The dress was cheap, and it was the closest thing to a wedding dress she could find in her closer but she didn’t mind he had always thought she would wear bet mother’s wedding dress on hes wedding clay, but she couldn’t bring herself to wear it for this occasion She didn’t asmider than a wedding
irant to satisfy her father’s selfish deures.
The clock ticked past three. She could hear the whispers snaking through the pews like smoke, mingling with the scent of the lilies in her hand. Melanie smirked at her, her eyes glistening with triumph.
Ruby knew what everyone was thinking. Her groom couldn’t even be bothered to show up early to their wedding. Her feet were starting to hurt in the cheap heels she was wearing
The past week had passeal with her holding her breath. Ever since her father’s ultimatumn in the kitchen, she had been unable to breathe. He had her where he wanted and he knew it. He knew she would do anything for her mother, and she hated hum for that She hated them all.
Her mother had gotten into an accident 6 years ago, and had slipped into a coma. Initially, her father had stayed by her mother’s side, along with her brother. But that only lasted for a week. Before she knew it, her father had brought in Beatrice as his new wife, and months later, her mother was declared bram dead. Her father insisted they pull the plug but she refused, strongly believing that her mother would one day wake up. She thought her brother would support her, but he stood by their father and his new family instead. And then insurance informed her they would stop paying the medical bills. She was all on her own. So her father knew she would have no other choice if he gave her that ultimatum.
The church doors tore open, breaking her out of her thoughts. She turned along with their small audience to see who it was, It was him, her groom.
Alex Blackwood carried an air of confidence with him, capable of making even the biggest rooms seem small. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of him in his black suit. He looked so good. She had always thought he looked good, even when they were children, but nothing could have prepared her for how deliciously sexy he looked. Despite agreeing to the marriage, they hadn’t met all week. This was the first time she was seeing him in years. He strode down the aisle with his eyes focused on her, and she looked away, clearing her throat.
“My apologies.” He said as he came to stand in front of her.
It was simple, short, and formal. No explanation as to why he was late. There was no warmth in his words, and his face was devoid of emotion, mirroring his tone.
She nodded. “It’s alright.”
The ceremony began and she paid no attention, she completely zoned out. The officiant droned on, his voice was like a white noise backdrop to the troubled thoughts in her mind. She murmured “I do” whenever she had to, and the words tasted like charcoal on her tongue.
The ceremony passed really quickly, and she was thankful for that at least. It was now time for the reception. She had no idea why they had to go through the trouble. None of them wanted this marriage, their families didn’t care either, 30 she didn’t see why they bothered to even set up a reception. She just wanted to be done with it all. But instead, she was on the dance floor with her new husband, having their first dance as a married couple.
She gingerly placed her hands on Alex’s shoulders, barely touching him. His hands were around her waist, his touch as light as a feather. He was obviously respecting her personal space just as she was respecting his. She was grateful for that. The music started and they moved slowly to the sound.
“You’re not little Ruby anymore” Alex suddenly said..
She glanced up at him. “I could say the same for
you.”
“You remember me. He said, sounding a bit surprised.
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Chapter 2
She shook her head slightly, trying not to smile. “How could I forget! You bullied Scott and I for years. Where is he anyways! She asked, looking armed the room.
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Sconway Alex’s younger brother, and back when their families had been close, She and Scott were inseparable. They were the same age, so they automatically became best friends, often plotting their revenge on Alex for the playful pranks he did
“He’s been out of the country, he’s flying in tonight” Alex informed her.
She nodded
They danced in silence for a short while, until Alex spoke again. “Why did you agree to this, Ruby? It’s quite surprising that Robert Smith gave his precious daughter to me, given my most recent reputation. I mean I know he’s getting two percent shares, but that’s barely enough to sacrifice his daughter. Or did you cry and beg your daddy dearest to let you marry mert
She felt a stab of pain in her chest but ignored it. “I could ask you the same thing, Alex. I know what my family is getting out of this marriage, but what’s in it for you?”
“My father thought having a wife would make me more responsible.” He answered, “his words, nor mine
“I doubt you agreed to marry me just because your father said sor She argued.
“Why do you think so?”
She gave him a pointed look, as if to say he already knew why. But he only shrugged, so she had no choice but to spell it our for him “Everybody with an internet connection knows about your exploits over the years, most especially about your stance on love and marriage. You don’t do love, you’re photographed with a different woman every week
Alex’s eyes hardened, and Ruby stopped, feeling like she had said too much. “I’m sorry.” She apologized.
There’s no need for that, Alex said. “I’m glad you know what you’re getting yourself into. This isn’t going to be a marriage full of love and laughter. I hope you do not have such expectations. I’m sure we’re both aware that this is all a business. transaction. And if I must answer your question, Ruby, my father has something I want, and this marriage was the only way to get it back.”
Ruby nodded, suddenly feeling suffocated. They weren’t the only ones on the dance floor now, half of the party had joined them. She could see Melanie and Ethan wrapped in each other’s hands, laughing at something she wasn’t a part of, and her heart constricted in pain. She hadn’t even been given a chance to mourn the loss of a love she had known for the past three years before she was shoved into a loveless marriage with Alex Blackwood.
She felt tears prick at her eyes, but she pushed it all back. The last thing she wanted was for Alex to get the wrong idea.
She was doing this for her mother, and no one else, not even herself.
So she swallowed down the pain and danced with her husband, putting on a carefully guarded plastic smile for the cameras and for the world to see.
A few hours later, the reception came to an end and it was time to leave. This was the part she hadn’t thought about, the fact that she would have to move in with Alex. Her family left without saying goodbye, and now she was sitting in a car with Alex by her side, staring straight ahead. They hadn’t said a word to each other since their conversation earlier, and it was getting increasingly awkward by the second.
The car slowed to a halt in front of an apartment complex, and they stepped out. She glanced around and wrapped her arms around herself, like they could protect her from the bite of the chilly night air,
“What Is this neighborhood not good enough for the precious daughter of the Smith family?” Alex asked harshly, pulling her luggage out of the trunk of the car
She frowned at hun. “I didn’t say that.” Yes, the neighborhood looked a little sketchy, but she wasn’t even thinking about that
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Chapter 2
till he mentioned it.
They walked into the building, and she was grateful for the liule bit of warmth the building provided. Then they got into the cranky elevator to get up to Alex’s apartment on the third floor. But before the doors of the elevator could fully close, she saw a mouse run their way, she let out a loud shriek and grabbed on to Alex’s arm. Her stream must have scared the mouse because the poor thing ran back in the direction it had come from, its tail barely escaping the closing metal doors of the elevator.
She let go of Alex’s arm, her cheeks burning in embarrassment. “Sorry..
“You’re probably going to be seeing a lot of those around.” He simply stated.
The first thing she noticed when he opened the door was how small the place was. It was an open plan type of studio apartment, the bedroom, living area and the kitchen were all merged into one, with a door that must lead to the bathroom in one corner. It was small, but it was clean, it looked cosy, but she could only assume that Alex must hate the fact that he had to share his space with her now,
“Make yourself at home. Bathroom’s over there.” He pointed at the door in the corner, then started moving a blanket and pillow to the couch that sat on one end of the room.
She
gol
her pyjamas from her bag, and walked in the direction of the bathroom. But as she reached for the door handle, she heard Alex’s voice.
“Ruby? You do know that divorce isn’t an option in the Blackwood family right?”
She
Wallowed the lump in her throat. “Yeah…”
“You know what that means then? You’re stuck here, for life.”
