What transpires when a billionaire and his wealthy spouse have a one-night affair that develops into something more? Something that even our key couples didn't anticipate. Explore the touching and heartbreaking tale of Rhys and Celestine. California's sultry beauty, Rhys Alastair succumbs to the allure of a one-night fling since his late grandfather set him up for marriage. His heart already belonged to someone else three days before he was meant to meet his future wife. Rhys could already see his marriage imploding. But when his one-night affair turns out to be his bride's sister, he's about to get the shock of his life. No, actually his bride. When the man who had been living in her head without any restrictions turned out to be her spouse, Celestine could not have been happier. Her hopes are dashed, though, as he confesses to her how repulsed he was of her on their wedding night. Will the discovery of Celestine's pregnancy with another man cause them to divorce, or will Rhys's icy-heartedness and fury survive their marriage?
Chapter 1 HIS WILLFUL WIFE
"What?!" Rhys snarled as he heard his grandfather's will. An influx of anger and devastation bubbled through his veins. Even in the grave, his grandfather still had the power to make him feel uncomfortable and agitated.
The Alastair's ex-family lawyer gulped his saliva more times than he could remember. The man was almost as old as Rhys's grandfather, it's a miracle he's still alive at this time even though his frail heart dies every time he comes across Rhys Alastair.
If it wasn't because his best friend had called in a favor, he wouldn't be the one reading out Marcus's will. And oh, how he wished to turn back the hands of time.
Alastair noticed the pale look on the old man's face and tried all he could to control his anger. He didn't want to be the reason for Benson having an heart attack and joining his grandfather in the grave.
"Why didn't you stop him?" Rhys asked in a very low voice but one could still hear the anger he was trying not to show.
"You know how your grandfather is, Rhys. What an obstinate mountain he is. The old man died and left me to be at the receiving end of your anger." Benson shook his head as he adjusted his glasses.
It remained a mystery to him which factors-choosing the lady Rhys would marry or the fact that his grandfather had bequeathed him all of his possessions provided he married within six months of his passing - made Rhys more irate.
Benson had always thought his friend was playing a very risky game at forcing Rhys to get married or watch his grandfather's hard-earned money ending up in the hands of his avaricious family.
Marcus was very sure that his grandson would do as he asked, even though he didn't need his grandfather's assets.
He'd worked as hard as the previous Alastair men to make a name for himself but Marcus knew his grandson would rather burn in hell that let his aunts and uncle take a penny from his properties.
Rhys stood on his two feet and rubbed his face with his palm, this was not going the way he planned.
"Is the girl's family aware of this arrangement?" He asked.
"Yes. Marcus told them the day he made his will." Benson replied and Rhys chuckled. He really had no say in this matter, did he?
He turned to look at Benson and forced a smile " Please tell Bane to make arrangements for our meeting with the Zane's. We'll be visiting them to discuss the wedding arrangements in the next three days."
Benson looked pleasantly surprised and very relieved as well. A part of him was so sure that Rhys would reject the will. He had to commend his friend's trust in his grandson. He wished he had that same amount of trust in his own grandson but that silly boy left him to face Rhys alone.
"Of course." Benson nodded and stood up to walk out when Rhys called out his name.
"Benson, thank you." He smiled genuinely at the old man.
The old lawyer smiled at the young man who was almost a perfect image of his late grandfather and walked out.
A few moments later, the door clicked open and a young man with black hair that had streak of blue dye in it walked in.
"Bad news?"
"The worst news!" Rhys replied with an exasperated breath. He was genuinely tired, his bones were aching and he was extremely sore all over his body.
"Remember your grandfather means well." Bane stared at his best friend with eyes full of concern. Everyone knew how close Rhys was with his grandfather. His death was not an easy toll on him not to talk of the heavy blow that his will must have delivered.
"I'm not sure about it this time, Bane." His shoulders hung down.
"Hey, why don't you take the week off? You need it." Bane suggested and Rhys didn't even bother fighting it. He simply agreed.
"We're going to see my bride soon. I want to make a good first impression." He didn't have to, he couldn't care less. He could be a fucking asshole if he wanted to, just to make his soon-to-be wife call off their marriage but he was going to honor his grandfather's wishes.
Celestine would be his bride and he would give her everything a husband should. Everything including his heart, no matter how long it took.
The crisp, nighttime air made for the ideal club environment tonight. The moon was high in the sky, full of peaceful majesty, and the night sky was devoid of stars, symbolizing the emptiness in Rhys's existence. It felt like all form of life and joy had been sucked out of his body the minute he saw the life drain out of his grandfather's eyes. Almost instinctively, he walked to the upper section of the Exclusive club, a waiter served him a drink in a flute glass and he downed everything at once, before signaling for more.
"Rhys darling, you shouldn't drink so much." A beautiful brunette in scarlet lipstick and a dress that showed off her feminine features walked her way to the man dripping of loneliness.
Rhys breathed out in frustration, all he wanted was a moment of peace and quiet. Was that too much to ask?
The beautiful lady obviously couldn't read the room, neither did she have an observing eye because she would have seen the way his shoulders tensed when she touched his bicep.
"Come on, tell me what's wrong. I promise I'll just listen."
It took all he had within him not to grab her hand away from him and crush it till her bones turned to powder, considering his size and her petite frame, it wouldn't be so hard.
"I would move away from me faster than I could blink my eyes If I were you, Charlie."