The contract wedding.

CHAPTER ONE

SALLY

"You can't keep that look on. Otherwise, people would think we are selling our daughter off."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes inwardly before forcing out a smile. I dared not do that for everyone to see.

I wasn't exactly annoyed about the whole matchmaking. I was supposed to be upset, angry, and all. But, I was calm. I had mixed feelings and wasn't sure how to feel about this wedding.

It was still like a dream to me. I was over the moon two weeks ago when my parents told me after returning from the office that I would be getting married to his friend's son, Alexander. I couldn't deny the fact that I had a little crush on him for a while now, after the family date we had five years ago.

He was cute. He had the perfect height. He was so calm and peaceful.

But I never knew that I was only being sold off to a billionaire's son, so my dad's company wouldn't be ruined until I saw the contract.

A business partner eloped with the company's income, and my dad was scared that the shareholders might sue him. He was also scared of becoming poor, losing all he had worked on since youth overnight.

I saw the papers this morning. There was an agreement between the two companies to bring their children together.

I didn't get too angry, and the only reason was that I had a crush on Alexander.

"Sally, you have to leave this place and go far away from here. It's not too late."

Jessica, my kid sister, who was only eleven years old, had said earlier when we saw the agreement together.

"Where would I go? I owe everything I am to my parents. They gave me a life, and I can't ruin that life when I have the opportunity to save it."

I couldn't let Jessica know that I wasn't angry. I am her role model. I always told her about how women should fight for their rights.

I could see my mom's smiling face from her seat. Jessica was seated beside her. She had a pale look, her eyes boring on me. I flashed her a reassuring smile, letting her know I would be fine.

My parents had her ten years after I was adopted.

I stared at the smiling faces of everyone present at the wedding hall. I wished this marriage didn't have such an attachment. I would have been the happiest bride on this planet.

It was a small wedding setting with only family, friends, and some business associates, but I could say the press already got hold of it.

The wedding hall is small, but it's packed with details that show extravagant expenses for a simple wedding. The walls are painted a soft cream colour, and the floor is covered in a plush, white carpet. The windows are adorned with delicate lace curtains, and there are vases of fresh flowers scattered around the room. As I walk down the aisle, the light from the windows catches the sequins on my wedding dress, making me glow like an angel. My father walks slowly, savouring the moment as he is ready to give me away.

My groom was standing in front of the altar with a smile on his face. He was handsome, if I must say, yet arrogant.

This was the first time I would see him after five years, apart from the times I saw him in magazines and on social media.

Behind his smile, there was this darkness I couldn't explain, and I wondered if I was the only one who could see it.

Things happened so quickly, and we were already reading the vows and exchanging rings. We signed our marriage certificates, and it was time to take pictures with the family.

I walked out with my mom beside me this time, while my dad walked with Jessica. Alexander's father, Williams, and his son were already standing outside and whispering to each other.

They stopped talking and approached us, while Williams smiled at us with his eyes fixed on me. Alexander brought out his phone and buried his face in it.

He had been like that since we got seated. I noticed Alexander only smiled whenever he saw something on his phone. He didn't even look at me.

I stared at him. I was admired. He was so soft and gentle. He lifted his index finger and pushed the hair that covered his face backwards.

My heart melted at the way he acted so soft and calm.

The sun was shining brightly, and the air was filled with the scent of fresh-cut grass and blooming flowers. The front of the wedding hall is surrounded by lush, green lawns, and a stone fountain trickles peacefully in the background.

The photographers had already begun to line up, about to capture the family for the perfect shot. Cameras began to flashlights on our faces even before we approached William and my husband.

"Sally Anderson," Alex's father greeted me with a smile all over his face.

I bowed my head in greeting, but he quickly grabbed my arms.

"You are now my daughter-in-law," he told me. "There's no need for all these formalities. You are my daughter, too."

I forced a tight lip smile. Something is definitely off about him. He was a ruthless businessman; even my dad never spoke well of him, despite being friends. I wonder what changed all of a sudden he took an interest in our company, someone who couldn't joke with one dollar, promising my dad an investment worth millions.

I stole a glance at the arrogant man I married. He didn't even spare me a glance. He was still on his phone.

It was hard to believe that I would end up with such a man; I had thought he loved me too. But at this point, I didn't care, I loved him, and that was it.

"You are just so pretty," he confessed as he caressed my face, seeing some reporters around us. "Your eyes are so sharp and charming."

I deepened the smile on my face. I was struggling to make it look real. I didn't like Alexander's father one bit.

I doubted if my husband was interested in me, not after making me wait for him at a restaurant for more than three hours. I had to leave and told my friend to wait for him since he had refused to pick up his calls.

"What an arrogant jerk," I muttered beneath my breath, my brows furrowed at him.

"Excuse me," Alexander said, walking away from us.

My mom and dad were standing in a corner, watching and my father-in-law catch up.

I walked to my mom, and she smiled deeply at me. Jessica was there, too. It was hard to read her expression because she was always frowning.

But, today. Even though mom kept reminding her to smile, the smiles came out as very fake.

I remembered how Jessica and I rejoiced when we heard that I would be getting married to Alexander. An arrogant fool who sent engagement rings through his driver—I can't believe Beverly and I prepared a lot for the party.

Talking of Beverly, I have been searching the whole place for my best friend. I hadn't set eyes on her since the wedding came to an end.

"Beverly is supposed to be taking pictures with us," my mom began as she searched the place with her eyes. "Where is she?"

I breathed out heavily and leaned against the car.

"I have no idea."

She hated the jerk so much that I had to beg her to come for my sake.

"You should be happy, you know."

I smiled deeply. I could not tell exactly what my feelings were.

The photographers were already all over the place, setting their cameras and getting ready to take the main photos before we moved to the hotel for the reception.

"Go after your husband," my mom whispered in my ear.

I knew she was trying so hard not to let people notice the differences between me and Alexander. She wanted everyone to see that we were close. I hurried out of the place towards the path of the building he had followed.

I could perceive his strong perfume from a distance. I traced where the scents were coming from.

He walked out of the room and brushed his shoulder against mine.

"Alexander!" I shouted.

He stopped and turned around to face me. Before I could speak, he opened his mouth and began to speak.

"I have a very important meeting to attend to," he informed me, with his thick voice piercing my heart. "You would come home after the reception or something."

I scoffed.

Alexander didn't spare me another glance. He walked towards his car and entered it. I was stunned, but I wouldn't let go.

I rushed towards the car and tried to stop him. He was already seated, and he gently pushed me to a corner and slammed the door on my face.

"I am sorry," I thought he was going to apologise. "You can not ride in the same car with me. You have to find your way home."

The car zoomed off before I could even say anything, and my knees became weak. I turned around, and guess what?