CHAPTER 3

The sun was already high in the sky when Ashley woke up in the room, alone. The messy and empty bed reminded her of the pain she felt and the disgust every time Oliver touched her body. Even though Oliver was a handsome man, Ashley felt no attraction towards him.

She descended the stairs still in her nightgown. She walked through every room of the immense mansion, but Oliver wasn't there. Ashley hurried back to her room, dressed, and left. Her stomach growled with hunger, but she needed to see Ethan and find out if he had kept his promise to give her father a more comfortable life.

She left the mansion without the security guards noticing and walked on foot to the old house, which wasn't far away. She caught sight of the old house, and her eyes teared up. Her life had completely changed in less than forty-eight hours. One day she celebrated her graduation, the next she was forced to marry and abandon her dreams. How would Ashley get out of this situation? She still didn't know.

She climbed the stairs, and the door was open. She entered the living room and saw Ethan sitting in front of the kitchen counter. The man looked worn out.

"Hi, Dad," Ashley spoke from behind him, causing Ethan to jump out of his seated chair.

"Ashley," his eyes widened when he saw his daughter, "What are you doing here? Oliver won't like to hear this."

"Oliver doesn't control me," she approached and hugged her father. "I never thought I would miss him so much. How are you? Why are you still here?"

"Oliver's henchmen came here yesterday afternoon to inform me that you were already married," there was a lot of resentment in his voice, "I hope one day you'll forgive me for this terrible mistake."

"There's no point in crying now, Dad," Ashley scoffed, "It's already over."

"Did you sleep with him?"

"What choice did I have?" she knew she had a choice, "I just want to know if he will fulfill what he promised and give one of his houses to you."

"He asked me to wait," Ethan didn't want to explain these things to Ashley, "I'll be leaving soon."

But Ethan didn't seem happy with that possibility. The regret of losing his daughter in a gambling bet was evident on his face.

"I think it's best for you to go back home, Ashley," Ethan pleaded.

"I'm not Oliver's prisoner," she snapped, "There's no specific agreement in this fake marriage saying I'm obliged to be locked up in that mansion."

"This house isn't the same without you, my daughter."

"I miss it too," she lamented, "I wanted to go pay my college tuition, but now I don't know what to do with my own life."

Silence hung between them. While Ethan blamed himself on one side, Ashley searched for a way out on the other.

Meanwhile, in the White mansion, Oliver returned home two hours later, accompanied by his mother, Madalyn.

"You married that useless Ethan's daughter?" She seemed displeased. "We had an agreement, Oliver. You were supposed to marry Stefany."

"I couldn't wait any longer, Mom," he snapped at her. "My time was running out, and if I didn't get married, I wouldn't secure the partnership."

"So, you married someone else?"

What Oliver and Madalyn didn't know was that Ashley was behind the door, listening to the entire conversation. Horrified to learn that Oliver had married her as part of a contract, she became even more horrified. That's why he was in such a hurry to carry out this marriage.

"Besides, this marriage has an expiration date," Oliver continued, "In two years, I'll ask for a divorce so I can marry Stefany. Isn't that what you want so badly?"

"We all know that Stefany is the love of your life," Madalyn said, "Besides, she's wealthy and can help you expand your business."

"Things aren't that easy, Mom," he groaned.

On the other side of the door, Ashley was already preparing to leave and go back to her room when she heard Madalyn speak.

"Bring that woman you married here, because I want to meet her."

Ashley heard hurried footsteps approaching the door and almost jumped when she came face to face with Oliver.

"Eavesdropping?" she hadn't noticed how muscular Oliver was, not even last night.

"I heard a different voice and came to see who it was," Ashley shrunk back.

"Spare me your excuses," he grabbed her arm and dragged her into the office, "This is Madalyn, my mother, and this is..."

"The poor girl you married," Madalyn said, looking at Ashley with disdain. "How old is this girl, Oliver?"

Madalyn scrutinized Ashley from head to toe. Every detail of the girl went through her stern gaze.

"Nineteen years old, twenty," he replied, but he wasn't sure, "I have no idea."

"You married a girl without even knowing her age?" Madalyn seemed horrified, "What kind of irresponsibility is this, Oliver?"

"Does her age matter?" he snapped.

"I'm eighteen," Ashley replied, interrupting the two of them who were discussing her life without realizing she was also present.

Of course, Madalyn wanted to stay there prolonging the subject and asking questions about Ashley, searching for ways to criticize her in the future, but Oliver ended her intentions when he informed Madalyn of his plans.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Mother," he looked at his wristwatch once more, "But Ashley and I have an engagement, and we can't be late."

"We do?" Ashley asked, casting a doubtful look at Oliver.

Once again, he grabbed her by the arm and dragged the woman up the stairs. Ashley could already feel her arm hurting from the times Oliver held and dragged her whenever he felt necessary. He opened the bedroom door and ordered her to take a shower and put on the dress he had bought for her.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"None of your business. Just obey me."

"Are you going to fulfill your partnership now that you're married?" she cornered him.

Oliver looked into Ashley's dark eyes before rushing towards her and pressing her against the wall.

"From today on, you'll learn your place in this house, Ashley," he pressed his face, leaving his fingerprint marks on her soft, pale skin. "Didn't your father teach you that it's ugly to eavesdrop on other people's conversations behind closed doors?"

Ashley struggled to push him away, pushing Oliver back.

"I can file for divorce today," she said, wiping her face.

"You can't," Oliver said, "Those papers you signed yesterday force you to stay married to me for two years."

"That's impossible," she couldn't believe it.

"You really thought I married you because you attract me or something?" he was rude, "Look at yourself, Ashley, you're still a girl, you're not my type."

She thought about questioning him, fighting against the facts, but she had no strength.

"Do as I told you and get ready immediately," he pointed his finger in her face, "Be ready in one hour."

"I hate you, Oliver White," she shouted through the tears already streaming down her face.

"What a beautiful conscience," he looked at her one last time, "I don't like you either."

And the slamming door was all Ashley heard from him.

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