THE LUCAS' REJECTED MATE

TER

of Rej

mercial empire, even before the signatures on our marriage license dried. Even still, the realization of the reality

was projected over the shining marble flooring by the entryway chandelier, which shimmered like a thousand stars. And there he was, my future spouse and the heir apparent

you?" Like a dagger cutting through qui

this marriage, two strong families came together to form a merger. In our agreement, love had

. I was only a nice face to smile and nod at his side; he was usually gone, traveling for work or entertaining customers at opulent parties. At home, he was aloof, preocc

g out the ideal outfit, and making sure everything was just so. Foolishly, I thought that maybe, just maybe, he might notice me. But as the night

saw his hand linger on her arm and his grin, which was unlike any smile I had ever seen aimed at me. I knew, even if the

firm voice, but my hands were shaking. What on earth are you doing, Lucas?

op talking nice to yourself. This marriage is an agreement bet

in the large, empty dining room. The rejection was not only psychological; it was also bodily like a heavy w

ld be silent for days or even weeks at a time, leaving me to worry whether he would ever return. When he did come back, it

way she looked at him. And why would she not? Strong, affluent, and unreachable, Lucas embodied everything she had ever desir

chest as I stood still at the door. My feet would not move, no matter how much I wanted

s arm and said, "I miss you, Luc

ut a wistful and frustrated sigh. "Sop

s only a roadblock in their path, and it was obvious that

abandoned and so alone in my life. I was in pieces at Lucas's behavior, but there was nothing I could do

my tears seeping into the pillow. This could not contin

the shadow of rejection. The solution wasn't clear. I had to

way from the one person I had ever love

ld discover a means to take back my life, to emerge from the darkness and into the light. And ma

d through the curtains. The dawn of a new day brought with it the prospect of a

ction, and heartache would follow. I was, nevertheless, resolved to confront it, whatever the cost

hat love, regardless o

w when I went into his study altered everything: a letter from Sophie,