CHAPTER 4

The dress was beautiful, with a sparkle that extended to the tips. Ashley looked at the bed and saw a pair of high heels. She hated wearing heels and was clumsy with such things. When she finished getting ready, she went downstairs, and Oliver and Madalyn's gazes turned to her. She looked into Oliver's eyes, which had a different expression this time, almost indecipherable. He silently reached out his arm toward her, and Ashley simply obeyed.

"You're making a big mistake, Oliver," Madalyn's shrill voice made everyone turn their attention to her. "There's still time to back out of this madness."

Oliver opened the car door for Ashley, and since they got married, this was the first time he had been kind to her.

"Don't interfere in my business, mother," he said before closing the door.

But Madalyn stood there for nearly five minutes, trying to convince her son that marrying Ashley had been the worst mistake of his life.

Unceremoniously, Oliver turned in the car and sat next to the woman. The car started, and they went somewhere, doing things that Ashley had no idea about. On the way, she wondered about how Oliver treated his own mother. It's always said that you can choose a good husband by observing how he treats his own mother, and in this case, Oliver was not a good man to marry. The problem was that she was already married to him.

The car parked, and through the window, Ashley could see a crowd of people entering a restaurant when Oliver's hand grabbed her face, forcing her to look at him.

"Don't tell anyone that you were forced to marry me," he said, with his face close to hers. "Say that you love me and that I make you very happy."

"Or what?" he challenged, staring at her. "Will you lock me in a basement for the rest of my life?"

"You shouldn't be joking with me, let alone doubting what I'm capable of," he blushed.

"And you should know that I'm not afraid of your threats," she said, still staring into his eyes.

"Just do as I ask, Ashley," he opened the door, "and I promise to make your life less miserable."

Oliver knew that this was no guarantee that Ashley wouldn't open her mouth and tell everything to their future partners, but he needed to trust her. He opened the other side of the car and took her hand, which made Ashley wonder. It was clear that he pretended to be cordial in front of everyone; his future was at stake. He smiled, and only at that moment did Ashley realize how beautiful his smile was. Two dimples formed on the man's face behind the unshaven beard, giving him a charming charm. That was when Ashley was forced to look away, realizing that at that moment, she didn't feel hatred for him but attraction. Oliver was a handsome and powerful man, but he was also arrogant and selfish, and she could never like a man like him.

People compartmentalized him, and occasionally, Ashley was forced to stop along the way to listen to useless conversations. When they finally arrived at the table, there were five people there. Ashley felt comfortable noting the presence of two other women. She forced a smile when Oliver introduced her as "my wife."

"When did you get married?" asked a man with a funny mustache.

"Two days ago," Oliver replied. "Ashley and I have known each other since college, and we fell in love."

"And you didn't invite any of us?" the other man asked. "How considerate, Oliver White."

"You didn't marry this beautiful girl just for the society, did you, Mr. White.

Oliver huffed. He tried to disguise his nervousness with that question, but he could barely manage it.

Ashley laughed inwardly, feeling an immense happiness seeing her husband trying to find justifications for his lies.

"Oliver and I love each other," she spoke up, saving her skin.

"How can anyone love Oliver?" said the blonde sitting next to me. "How can you?"

That was a great question, Ashley thought.

"Don't exaggerate, Anny," Oliver interrupted. "Ashley has many qualities, and one of them was seeing the best in me. Isn't that truly love?"

That was when their eyes met. Ashley was almost hypnotized as Oliver leaned in and kissed her. It was a different kiss from the one the previous night. There was no urgency, just calmness.

She found herself still with her eyes closed, as if savoring that moment, when she realized that Oliver had already pulled away.

"From the happiness on the girl's face," the man with the funny mustache said, "you're telling the truth."

Ashley took a while to understand what the man had said, and when she finally realized, she wondered if she had truly enjoyed being kissed by him. She shouldn't be falling for Oliver, not after he forced a marriage between them.

Dinner was served, and among the plates of food, a document was passed to Oliver's hands. His eyes sparkled. It was the partnership agreement he desired. He took a pen out of his jacket pocket and eagerly signed the document. Soon, glasses were raised, and a cry of victory echoed throughout the restaurant.

Time passed so quickly that Ashley barely noticed. She felt that at least those people were kind to her and felt comfortable for the rest of the night. But now that the society agreement had been signed, the men stood up, ready to leave. Amid handshakes and hugs, Ashley heard compliments from everyone, saying that Oliver was a lucky man to marry such a beautiful woman.

As soon as the men disappeared, Oliver's smile also vanished.

"She was a great actress," he commented. "The performance of a love-struck face convinced them that we were a happy couple."

But Ashley knew it hadn't been an act. The love-struck expression had been genuine.

"For helping me tonight, I'll do anything you ask," Ashley's eyes lit up, "except for a divorce."

The sparkle disappeared. But here was a great opportunity for Ashley to alleviate her suffering. So she made her decision.

"I want to sleep in separate rooms," she ordered. "From now on, I don't want any physical contact with you."

Oliver smiled; he didn't want to believe it was true.

"We're married, Ashley," he said. "And I'm a man. I need to satisfy my desires."

"Ask the other woman to do that, then," I swallowed dryly as I realized the madness of what I was saying.

Then Oliver wrapped his hand around her waist and brought his face close to hers.

"I'll do what you're asking," he whispered, "as long as you let me stay with you just one more night."

A shiver ran through her body. But Ashley didn't have time to think. A hair pull made her body separate from Oliver's. She was thrown to the ground, and a woman appeared, climbing on top of her, undoing her entire hairstyle. Then Oliver rushed to the two women and separated them.

"What are you doing here, Stefany?" he asked.

Ashley took a while to get up. She did it on her own because Oliver seemed to have eyes only for the woman who had attacked her.

"So, this is what you married?" Stefany asked. "I asked you to wait for me, but you want to do everything your way, Oliver."

"I couldn't wait for a year," he said. "I needed to close this partnership as soon as possible."

"Throwing our love in the trash?"

Ashley looked at the two, feeling extremely embarrassed.

"Ask for a divorce," Stefany turned to Ashley, looking directly into her eyes.

"I can't," Ashley replied.

The woman raised her arm and slapped Ashley's face. The burning sensation she felt was not greater than the shame she was going through. The attention of everyone present turned to her.

"Let's get out of here," Oliver ordered, grabbing the woman's arm and dragging her out. A few minutes later, the driver appeared, telling Ashley that Oliver had already left and had given instructions to take her to the mansion.

Ashley returned home with sore feet and her dignity shattered. Oliver didn't sleep at home that night or the nights that followed. She always found herself alone, and when he did show up, they didn't exchange a word.

A month after the wedding, Ashley fell ill and ended up in the hospital. When the doctor who saw her appeared, she had a smile on her face.

"Congratulations," he said, making Ashley find it strange and bizarre. "You're pregnant."

That wasn't possible, she thought, but deep down, Ashley knew it was.

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