Chapter 1
I glanced at myself in the mirror.
Beautiful white satin and lace covered my body.
My hair was left open in soft waves around my face and decorated with white flowers as if I were a wood nymph.
My eyes were bright and my lips pink and full.
A slight blush decorated my cheeks and my fingers delicately held a small bouquet of fresh blossoms.
Everything about the venue, the dress, all these decorations and the laughs of the people around me was happy but I...
It was my wedding day and I was the only one who wasn't happy.
This wasn't a marriage based on love.
It was pure business.
I was being used as a medium to strike a business deal between two affluent families and I wasn't the least happy about it.
I felt sorry for myself but I also felt sorry for the guy I was being married off to.
The poor guy had barely just returned from Amerino but in order to claim his inheritance he was forced to get married to me.
Derek was a handsome guy.
I had only seen him once and at twenty four, he seemed to be at the peak of his youth.
I did not know how he felt about this marriage and I couldn't bring myself to pity him more than I did myself because in the end, he could always leave me to be a trophy wife and play around with other women but I...I had no such choice.
I was getting married to him to save my family's face and I'd have to stay loyal to him to save my new family's face.
"You look beautiful." My elder sister spoke, her eyes brimming as she gently caressed my hair, careful not to ruin the hairdo.
"I know it's hard and I know that you hate it right now." She continued and I turned around to face her.
She looked up at me, her eyes hopeful.
"But trust me.
You're a kind girl, Rylee and the sweetest sister I could ask for." She sniffed.
"And I hope...no, I know that you won't be unhappy.
I know that Derek will love you.
Sooner or later, he'll realise your worth and cherish you so much..."
A tear slipped down my cheek.
"I hope, you, my lovely sister will find your way to all the happy moments in life." My sister choked.
Overwhelmed with emotion, I hugged her.
"I love you, Sarah." I sniffled.
"I'll miss you so much."
We separated when a staff person knocked on the door.
"Miss, it's almost time." She smiled at me, completely unaware of my inner turmoil.
I shall make the best out of it.
I thought, reassuring myself as I took my first step out of the room and walked towards the aisle, at the end of which, stood my future...my to-be husband and the key to what was either going to be a life full of happiness or sorrow...Derek Lewis.
The dress was beginning to suffocate me.
The ceremony was long over and I knew for a fact that everyone...including my husband had retired to their respective rooms.
Nervous, I knocked at the door of our room and entered.
Derek was spread out on the bed, shirtless and sleeping.
I heaved a sigh of relief and quickly slipped into the bathroom.
Stripping out of my dress, I made sure the door was locked and stepped into the shower.
The hot water worked amazingly to calm my nerves.
I was relaxed knowing that Derek was asleep.
That way I wouldn't have to worry about the "after the marriage" part at least for tonight.
Drying myself, I looked around for clothes and realised that I had completely forgotten to bring in a fresh change of clothes.
I did not want to walk out naked.
Panicking, I looked around.
Grabbing a bathrobe that was clearly too big for me (it was probably meant for Derek), I slipped it on.
As soon as I stepped outside, I gasped as strong hands grabbed my waist and I was pushed into the nearest wall.
Shocked, I glared at Derek.
"What kind of a behaviour is this?" I tried to push him away.
Derek smiled a lazy smile.
"Isn't this what you want?" He asked.
"To sleep with the rich heir and play in money."
I was furious.
How could he assume such a thing.
Angrily, I shoved him off.
"No, you're mistaken." I retorted, clutching my bathrobe tighter.
"I have absolutely no intention of sleeping with you and that is not why I'm here either." I spat.
"It was your father who talked my father into this.
I hate this just as much as you."
Nearly tearing up, I grabbed a pillow off the bed and flung myself on the couch.
Turning around, I gave him one last bitter look.
"I do not want anything of yours and I'd rather you kept that in mind and never insult me again!"
Derek, seeming a bit taken aback at my outburst, was at a loss for words.
"O-okay, I guess.
If you say so." He almost spoke in a confused pout and for the first time I realised that he might not be as bad as he seemed.
Maybe he was just afraid of being used, just like I was.
After all, he was just a twenty-four year old with the same insecurities and fears like me.
The next morning, I woke up to the sound of shower running.
Since I was a very light sleeper, I got up from the couch and headed towards the bathroom.
Suddenly, the door of the bathroom was flung open and I gulped as a shirtless Derek stood in front of me, wearing only a towel that hung low on his waist.
His hair was wet and tiny droplets of water sat on his eyelashes.
I tried hard not to get distracted by his body.
He was well-built but not ripped, exactly how I liked.
What was I thinking?
A small smile played on his lips but I couldn't figure out why.
"Good Morning," He greeted me with a short nod and smirked.
"You were pretty yesterday but not so much now that I see you up close." He leaned in close as if trying to find flaws.