Chapter 7

Natalie’s POV

Present...

“Do you Natalie Miller take Cyrus Knight as your lawfully wedded husband?”

I came out of my thoughts when priest’s voice fell on my ears.

My heart stopped beating for a second hearing the word Husband and the name Cyrus Knight in one sentence.

‘Am I really marrying a womanizer for whom this sacred tie of marriage is nothing more than a deal?’

I lifted my down casted eyes up to look at the man who is looking down at my helpless state with amusement in his blue eyes. The man who is purchasing me, just for the sake of his revenge.

For a moment I contemplated screaming ‘fuck off’ to everyone present in this hall and run away from here.

But just one glance in the direction of Edwin and I knew that I can’t do that.

I closed my eyes for a moment and gulped the lump which has formed in my throat before whispering, “I do”.

“Do you Cyrus Knight take Natalie Miller as your lawfully wedded wife?” Priest asked the same question to him and he replied in his deep voice.

“I do”.

“In the name of God, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride”.

My body stilled and my heart beat increased hearing priest’s words.

Before I can prepare myself, I felt a hand wrap around my waist and next I was pulled against a hard, masculine chest.

I lifted my eyelashes to stare right into those blue orbs which are staring down at me without moving.

He leaned forward and my breath hitched when his warm breath fanned against my lips. I gulped.

“Not going to push me away tonight, huh?” he whispered only for me to hear, mere an inch away from my lips.

My jaw clenched at the way this man mocks me all the time. Seeing this a smirk appeared on his face which I so badly want to wipe off of his unnecessarily handsome face.

He placed his other hand on the back of my neck and covered his lips over mine.

I clutched the side of my dress so tight that I am sure my knuckles would have turned white and closed my eyes.

I thought he is just going to peck me as there are so many people around us.

But he is still kissing me even though I am not kissing him back. His lips are moving rhythmically over mine.

I pressed my palms against his chest to push him away but instead of leaving me, he pulled me more into himself.

After sucking the life out of me, finally he pulled away from the kiss but again instead of pulling away from me, he leaned towards my ear and whispered,

“This is just the beginning my wife. I won’t be stopping just at a kiss” he said causing goosebumps to rise all over my skin.

With his signature smirk plastered on his face he pulled away from me to face the crowd who is clapping and cheering.

All the guests started coming towards us on the stage to congratulate us. I just stood there like a robot, offering a fake smile to everyone and repeating the same ‘Thank you’ again and again.

I was very bothered by his hand which was placed on the small of my back, drawing small circles.

Just as I was about to tell him to take his hand off of my body, I saw his father Curtis Knight making his way towards us and stopped myself.

He had this charming smile on his face and I could see from where this jerk who just became my husband, got his looks from.

“Congratulations son” he gave Cyrus a manly hug and patted his back before pulling away.

He moved his gaze towards me to look at me with the same smile on his face.

“You are looking very beautiful dear. I don’t know what you did to my son but it seems like he is smitten by you” he joked in a teasing tone and I just flashed another fake smile of mine.

“I know he can be handful sometimes but still take care of him. I wish you get all the happiness in this world” he said while patting my head gently just like my father used to do.

Tears started stinging the back of my eyes because of his sweet gesture and kind words. And for the first time tonight a genuine smile made it’s way on my lips.

“Thank you” I whispered.

He nodded his head with a smile and turned to look at his son, “You too, take care of her” he said and I saw Cyrus nodding his head.

After him my family came forward to do the same and I went back to my robotic self.

When my mother came, I didn’t even bother to flash a fake smile at her. I simply just didn’t look at her as if she wasn’t even here at all.

Just like how she has ignored me all my life.

Shawn came forward and my body visibly went rigid when he suddenly hugged me.

“You look stunning as always sweetheart. Just as I always say, your beauty never disappoints” he whispered huskily in my ears before pulling away.

I felt a shiver running down my spine followed by my whole body covering with goosebumps.

Cyrus noticed this as he was standing close to me. I could see the look of confusion on his face but he didn’t say anything.

“Take care of my sister Mr. Knight” he said to Cyrus and again turned his gaze back to me before saying, “And you, just because you are married doesn’t mean our old relationship will change. You are still my… sister”.

He smirked making me swallow hard. He intentionally paused before completing his sentence.

My hands which were holding the small flower bouquet, started shivering.

Everything about Shawn, his voice, his words, the way he looks at me, everything just creeps me out.

“Are you okay?” I came out of my state of shock and anxiety hearing Cyrus’ voice.

“Huh?”

“I asked are you okay?” He said glancing down at my shivering hands. I gulp again trying to stop myself from shaking and reply,

“I am okay. Just a bit tired”.

He didn’t look convinced but still nodded his head and let go the matter.

“Now it’s time for the dance of groom and bride. I request the couple to make their way on the dance floor”.

I hear the announcement and sigh. How long it’s going to take? Why are there so many ceremonies?

Cyrus offered his hand for me to take and after sighing one more time, I place my hand in his.

“You are not refusing tonight?” he mocked once again.

“I wish I could. Because I swear to god that I am not even a tiny bit interested in dancing with a jerk like you” I said.

The amusement disappeared from his eyes replaced by anger. His lips which were smirking a moment ago turned into scowl.

“But you don’t have any other choice princess. Because a thing which has been bought using money has no right to refuse to its owner” he spat on my face and I felt a pang of hurt in my chest.

He didn’t wait to hear or see my reaction and started walking towards the dance floor, dragging me along with him.

Placing both of my hands on his chest he pulled me closer to himself, wrapping his arms around me.

The slow song started playing and we started moving to the rhythm.

Our close proximity is reminding of the dance we had in his birthday party a week ago. The moment when all of this started.

“Are you reminiscing about our first ever dance?” he asked. I lifted my eyes up look him in the eyes.

“Why would I reminisce something that…?” my words died in the back of my throat when I felt his cold palm resting against the warm skin of my back.

Just like that day and my breath hitched.

“Now I think you are thinking about that night, aren’t you?” he said after looking my expression.

“Why don’t you try pushing me away tonight? Try insulting me the way you did in my party”.

I decided to ignore his words and waited for the song to finish, so that I can get away from him.

But it feels like my lack of response didn’t sit well with him. His demeanor changed from playful to serious in an instant. His hold around me tightened as he pulled me impossibly closer to himself.

“I don’t appreciate anyone ignoring me Amber” he gritted out in my ear.

“And I prefer ignoring those who waste their precious time and effort in mocking others” I spat with the same venom.

“Don’t worry, you will be learning so many things going forward. I will make sure to teach you a good lesson” his words held promise.

Finally the song ended and I instantly pulled away from him taking two steps back, as if his touch was burning me.

I heard everyone applauding and hooting.

Cyrus was about to reach to take my hand in his when Amanda came and stood between us. Her back is facing me as she is looking at Cyrus.

“Care to have a dance with me?” she asked in her seductive tone. Cyrus glanced at me for a second before taking her hand, “Sure”.

Giving them a fake smile I came down from dance floor and made my way in the corner of the hall.

I sighed in relief that finally someone was able to get him off of me. The man wasn’t leaving me alone for a second.

I saw how Amanda was clinging onto him like a leech. I moved my gaze from her to him to see what is his reaction to Amanda’s not so decent actions.

My heart stopped beating for a moment when I found him staring right into my eyes.

He smirked and started caressing her back with the tip of his fingers, while still keeping his eyes locked with mine.

What in the hell is this man’s problem?

Is he trying to make me feel jealous?

If yes, he must be so stupid to think that it would affect me in any way. He can go and f**k all the women in this world and I wouldn’t care a bit.

Flashing him my biggest smile, I looked away from him not wanting to see his childish behaviour.

At last all the ceremonies ended and we made our way out of the hall. His car was parked right outside with two men wearing black were standing near it’s door.

Upon seeing us, or I should say Cyrus coming out one of the man opened the door for him.

He entered inside and I followed him. We both settled in and the driver started the car.

I was staring out of the window. I could feel his gaze burning the hole in the side of my face. But I didn’t acknowledge it.

The drive was silent until he decided to break it to ask,

“Do you remember the conversation we had on the day I asked your hand in the marriage?”

I shifted my gaze and settled it on his face.

“I told you that I would make you regret rejecting me and disrespecting me in front of everyone” he continued.

Yes I remember each and every word that he said to me that day.

“So, do you regret it?” He asked making me clench my hands into fists. But I kept my cool and replied,

“I am regretting”. His smirk widened upon hearing my words but it soon disappeared as I continued,

“I regret ever crossing my path with you. I also regret not breaking that sculpted nose of yours with my punch which you like to keep high at all times” I said.

I could feel him seething in anger. His hands balled in fists to his side, whereas his jaw clenched so tight that a bit more pressure and it would crack.

Now it was my turn to smirk at his reaction. I successfully managed to hurt his ego.

But it disappeared as soon as it made it’s way to my mouth and my eyes widened in shock when he growled low in his throat,

“Get out of the car”.