The Other Man's Child

not see me as his daughter, or just a pawn to secure a deal? After a week and one day, I stood at the altar wearing a white dress I hadn't picked myself. Tom Harold stood across from me, a grim e

fe. I remembered her instruction. "Wear it on your wedding night, darling; he won't be able to resist you." I pulled it out and slipped it on, standing in front of the mirror, partly bashful at how exposed I looked, especially for a man who had never seen my body before now. Rowland would have loved it. My heart ached. I sank on the bed. I wondered what Rowland was thinking when he left. Did he even think of me? I sighed. "Pull yourself together Selene. You have a husband now and it's not Rowland. We have to make this work" I waited on the bed I was to share with Tom. The clock ticked, evening turned to darkness, and soon I was asleep. The sound of the door creaking open scared me. I jerked awake. My body ached from exhaustion. "Tom, you are back!" He walked to the dresser. Pulling off his suit slowly. My chest pounded. I walked towards him, stopping close enough for my body to brush against his back, and wrapped my arms around him. He turned around slowly to face me. "Look, Selene. We were both forced into a marriage we never wanted by our parents. But I would take care of you to the best of my abilities. We shouldn't rush this" My hands dropped, partly shocked and partly relieved at his decision. "Its fine Tom" I said. His eyes trailed their way to my bosom. I caught the look of desire in his eyes. I wrapped my arms