"Mommy, ayaw ko po! Dad, please! " I pleaded with my parents, tears streaming down my face. They wanted me to marry the son of their business partner. But sh*t! I didn't want to. I was too young-barely 18! Worse, I already had a boyfriend. Sh*t! What kind of life is this?! "You'll marry him whether you like it or not. It's final!" my mom said coldly, not sparing me a glance. My dad sat silently, reading a magazine, his legs crossed as he lounged on our sofa. "Daddy..." I called out, hoping for some support, but he didn't even look up. "Go to your room and get some rest. Tomorrow is your wedding day," he finally spoke, but that was all. Damn it! This is hell! "M-Mommy huhu..." I sobbed harder. I didn't want to marry because I knew it would only lead to pain and misery " I choked out through my tears. "No. He'll never hurt you. Trust me. Stop crying and get some rest," Mom said dismissively as she stood and left me crying on the sofa. "D-Daddy..." I called again as he, too, stood up. He glanced at me, emotionless, before walking away. All I could do was cry. Tomorrow was my wedding day. There was no escape. My life would turn into hell starting tomorrow. I was about to marry a man without a heart, someone who wouldn't care if he hurt me emotionally or physically. Wedding Day As I walked down the red carpeted aisle, I fixed my gaze on the man waiting for me at the altar. His perfectly sculpted face was devoid of emotion. His piercing blue eyes stared at me, making my knees weak. "How pathetic you are. You couldn't even do anything to stop this nonsense of a marriage," he muttered coldly when I finally stood before him. He gripped my hand tightly, and I bit my lip to keep from crying out in pain. One question remained before I would be bound to this heartless man, who could never love me. "You, woman, do you vow to stay by this man's side in poverty and hardship, with respect and love?" the priest asked. "Say you do, woman, and prepare to suffer. You ruined my life, so I'll ruin yours too," Zyrus whispered maliciously, his cold words sending shivers down my spine. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "I, Lhianne Aurora Acostora, am willing to stay, respect, and love this man, Zyrus Clark Dillesh, forever. So, yes, I do, Father," I said boldly, shocking my now husband. "Zyrus Clark Dillesh, you may now kiss your bride," the priest announced. "The pathetic woman," Zyrus muttered icily. "Well, this isn't new to you." He lifted my veil and, without hesitation, claimed my lips. I felt like I was floating as his soft lips pressed against mine. Startled, I pushed him away when he bit my lower lip, leaving it stinging. I stared at him in disbelief, but he only smirked back at me. My gaze shifted to the churchgoers clapping enthusiastically. Mom's smile stretched wide, while Dad remained emotionless as always. I sighed deeply, bracing myself for the life of misery that awaited me
Chapter 1
Lhianne's P.O.V
"What?! You're already married?! How?!" Vinze asked, his voice filled with shock.
Vinze is my boyfriend. We've been in a relationship for one year and six months. And now, I'm telling him that I'm already married.
"Is that why you're breaking up with me?" he asked, his tone laced with pain.
"I-I'm sorry, Vinze," I said, struggling to hold back my tears.
"No, love. Please tell me you're joking. Please! This is just a prank, right?" Vinze pleaded desperately.
"I-I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Vinze. I didn't want this. I had no choice... I'm sorry," I sobbed, begging for forgiveness.
"Sht... This hurts. Haha. It's so cruel-just yesterday we were happy together, and now you're telling me you're already married. Fck!" Vinze slammed the table at the coffee shop where we were talking, startling me.
"This is absurd!" he shouted before storming off, leaving me crying at the table.
"I had no choice... I'm sorry," I whispered to myself, knowing he couldn't hear me anymore.
"Where have you been?!" I was startled when someone suddenly grabbed my arm tightly.
I trembled as I saw Zyrus, his eyes blazing with anger as he gripped my arm painfully.
I had just returned from the coffee shop where I had broken up with Vinze. I ended things to spare us both from further pain.
"Z-Zyrus... W-what are you doing? You're hurting me," I said, almost in tears, trying to pull my arm away from him.
"It hurts, huh? It hurts?! Then answer me! Where the hell have you been?!" he yelled, dragging me to the sofa in our house and roughly shoving me down.
Yes, our house. We live under the same roof, though we sleep in separate rooms.
"W-with a friend..." I answered softly.
"A friend? Really?! Are you itching that much? Is that why you met your lover to scratch your itch? How shameless can you be?!" he spat, not caring if his words hurt me.
I bit my lip to stop my tears. I gasped when he grabbed my chin, lowering his face to meet mine.
"My dear wife! You don't need someone else to scratch your itch because I can do that! Your husband can do that very well!" Zyrus said firmly before forcing a kiss on me.
I whimpered and struggled as he deepened the kiss. I pounded on his chest to push him away, but his strength overpowered me.
He only let go of my lips when we were both out of breath. I tasted blood from the cut on my lips.
"That's your punishment! Don't you dare see that a**hole again, or I'll k*ll him," Zyrus whispered in my ear before leaving me in shock.
Sh*t! He's a monster!
Lhianne's Perspective
I sighed deeply before heading to my room, my lips still throbbing from the wound Zyrus left.
As I ascended the stairs, I saw him rushing downstairs, talking on the phone. He didn't even acknowledge me as he passed by.
"W-where are you going?" I asked hesitantly, stopping him mid-step.
"Why do you care?" he replied with a raised eyebrow. I couldn't answer before he turned and walked away again.
"Will you be back for dinner?" I asked softly.
"No! I don't want to share a table with a b*tch!" he shouted before slamming the large front door behind him.
I glanced at Manang Elsi, who came out of the kitchen. Manang Elsi is our only helper. She's kind and understanding-the only one who knows what's been happening between Zyrus and me in the three days since we got married.
As for my parents, they left for a business trip right after the wedding. And here I am-alone again.
"Are you okay?" Manang Elsi asked. I gave her a faint smile and nodded.
"Go and rest. I'll call you when dinner is ready," she said warmly, her tone almost bringing me to tears. She reminded me so much of my mom when I was little.
"Okay," I replied softly and went upstairs to my room.
"Manang, please eat with me. I don't want to eat alone," I said, inviting Manang Elsi, who stood by the side of the dining table.
"A-ah, but, ija-"
"Please, Manang. I lose my appetite when I eat alone," I said, almost like a child.
"Oh, fine, fine. I'll join you. But you'd better eat, okay?" she said.
I smiled sweetly as she sat beside me, joining me for dinner.
"Where's your husband? How could he leave you here alone?" Manang asked as she chewed her food.
"Probably out with his friends," I replied simply, and Manang fell silent.
I shot up from the sofa when the front door opened. My brows furrowed as Zyrus stumbled in, clearly drunk. It was already midnight.
"Y-you're drunk," I said softly as I approached him.
"It's obvious, isn't it?!" he said sarcastically.
"Why are you still awake?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
I sighed, noticing how handsome he was-his perfectly arched brows, piercing eyes that seemed to burn through me, the sharp bridge of his nose, his soft yet thin lips, and the strong jawline that clenched whenever he was angry.
"Hey, woman! Stop staring at me like that. You're creeping me out!" he said.
"I was waiting for you," I replied simply.
"Oh really?! Why? Because you want me to scratch your itch, huh? My b*tch wife?!" he sneered.
"You're drunk. Let me take you to your room," I said, reaching out to support him, but he stepped back, almost falling. Thankfully, he caught himself.
"Don't! Don't touch me. I can handle myself without you!" he said, starting to walk unsteadily past me.
I quickly grabbed his arm when he nearly fell over.
"Let go," he protested, but I tightened my grip.
"Stop being stubborn. I'll just take you upstairs and leave right after," I said softly, helping him walk up the stairs.
This time, he didn't resist and let me assist him. Thankfully, Manang Elsi didn't wake up from all the noise we made.
"Ugh... you're so heavy," I complained to Zyrus as I struggled to drop him onto his bed.
"Then why did you do that?" he asked.
"Because you're drunk," I replied with a grimace, starting to take off his shoes so he could sleep more comfortably.
"What are you doing, btch? Are you going to fcking r*pe me?!" he accused, attempting to get up, but I quickly pushed him back down.
"I'm not a b*tch!" I snapped. After removing his shoes, I adjusted him into a more comfortable position on the bed.
"Yes, you are!" he insisted. Just as I was about to leave, he grabbed my arm and pulled me down, causing me to land on his chest.
I caught a whiff of his cologne-it wasn't overwhelming. In fact, it was enticing.
"You're really a b*tch," Zyrus muttered again. I looked at his face, stunned. How could this heartless man still look so handsome even while drunk and disheveled?
"I'm not a b*tch... Why do you keep insisting that? Why are you so mad at me?" I asked boldly.
It was true-I didn't understand why he was so angry with me when I hadn't done anything wrong.
Before I could react, he suddenly pinned me to the bed, positioning himself on top of me.
"Z-Zyrus, w-what are you doing?" I stammered, pushing him away, but he didn't budge.
"Yes, I'm mad because you're a b*tch!" he spat, his piercing blue eyes glaring at me.
Those beautiful blue eyes... they always seemed to melt me.
"A b*tch that can control a beast," he added, making me frown in confusion.
What's he talking about?
"Wha-"
Before I could finish, he kissed me. It wasn't rough, but it wasn't gentle either-just the right amount of pressure.
I tasted the alcohol on his lips. My eyes closed as I gave in to the softness of his lips and the warmth of his kiss.
"Tch. My kisses are sweet, right?" Zyrus smirked when he finally pulled away, both of us catching our breath.
I stared at him, still dazed, while he grinned at me.
"Leave now," he said, rolling off me and lying back down.
I wasn't sure how I made it back to my room, still in a trance and touching my lips.
Sh*t! I don't know how, but... I loved his kisses.
Frustrated, I got out of bed and ran my hands through my hair, ruffling it messily. I grabbed my phone and checked the time.
3:16 AM, and I still couldn't sleep. I wanted to cry out of frustration, but no tears came.
I slapped my forehead, trying to erase the memory of Zyrus kissing me earlier. Sh*t! His sweet kisses and soft lips...
I climbed out of bed and left my room, heading to the kitchen. I paused on the second step of the stairs when my eyes landed on Zyrus's bedroom door.
"Hah... He's probably asleep. Lucky him, hmp!" I muttered, rolling my eyes before continuing down the stairs.
Yawning, I walked toward the kitchen, but I froze when I saw a shadow seated at the dining table.
My heart raced. Was there a burglar in the house?
I frantically looked around and grabbed a flower vase nearby. Gripping it tightly, I whispered to myself, "Don't be scared, Lhia. You need to catch this thief."
Despite my trembling hands, I cautiously approached the figure. Taking a deep breath, I raised the vase, ready to strike-
"What the fck are you doing, btch?!" Zyrus's voice startled me as he turned around.
"Z-Zyrus... It's you," I stammered, lowering the vase.
"Who the h*ll else would it be?" he snapped, irritation evident in his voice.
So early in the morning, and he's already grumpy. Must be on his period again.
"Why are you up so early?" he asked, annoyed, before sitting back down.
I rolled my eyes behind his back and only stopped when I felt light-headed.
"I couldn't sleep because I kept thinking about you," I whispered to myself as I walked to the table and set the vase down.
"What? What did you just say?" Zyrus barked.
"Nothing," I replied quickly, heading to the fridge for some water.
"What the?! Anyway, are you still going to school?" he asked.
"Oum..." I answered while sipping my water.
"What the h*ll is oum?!" he asked, clearly annoyed.
"Yes, I'm going back to school. I'll return on Monday since I only took a week off for the wedding," I explained. I frowned when I noticed him staring at me blankly.
"Why are you here? Why are you up so early too?" I asked.
"I didn't sleep," he replied, avoiding my gaze.
"Huh? Wait, are you still drunk?" I asked, confused.
"Just hungover. But why the h*ll am I telling you this? Go back to your room!" he snapped again, his tone sharp.
"Fine... Good mornight," I muttered, turning to leave.
"What the? Good mornight?!" he echoed, bewildered, as I giggled while climbing the stairs.
To Be Continued...
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