Chapter 14 Mine
Eden’s Point of View
“Smile.” Father encouraged, his voice slightly above the wedding march, as he clenched my hands tightly. “You look like you are being forced to do this.”
“Aren’t you satisfied that I had agreed to sell my life to you?” I questioned back, because honestly speaking, there is nothing to be happy about. I was getting married to a madman; my hopes and dreams of ever having a happy home were all in the mud. “What more do you want from me?”
“A wedding is supposed to be the happiest day of a girl’s life, and you are not looking very happy.” His voice came back harsher. I should have known he was giving me an order and not a suggestion. “Once we go in there, everyone will know you are unhappy. Dr. Adler is a generous person; he might cancel this wedding at your slightest discomfort.”
“Well, guess who isn’t so generous.” I sneered, contempt laced my tone, and father felt it because I felt his body stiffen in response. Since I am doing it anyway, why not let out all these frustrations? “If you are so convinced that you can do better than me, why not wear this wedding gown yourself and marry Theron?”
I glanced at him, raising my eyebrows, and Father stared down at me scornfully. I was certain that if we weren’t on our way to get me married, he would have hit me.
“Watch your tone, young lady.” He said warningly, “I am still your father, and I deserve some respect from you.”
The doors opened almost immediately.
“Now, you need to smile, or else everyone will know you are unhappy with me.” I threw his advice back to him. See how he likes it.
The music intensified, and we moved to it, walking towards the altar where Theron stood, his hand held in his usual half-up style, allowing the lower part to flow down to his shoulder. He was wearing a grey colored tuxedo, his face sharp and almost cutting, and once again, I was drawn in by his eyes.
His silver eyes made him seem like some kind of predator, dangerously charming, and yet so beautiful.
This man is so hot, I am one of those lucky girls who ends up with a charmer, but he is a devil, but at the same time, I know I cannot have it all.
I could feel every eye in the hall following my movement, but I was never the one who had to stumble because of people I didn’t know.
“Thank you.” He muttered as we got to his side. Father nodded before leaving.
Not a lot of people were present; it was just some family members, and most of the guests were from Dr. Keegan and his wife.
I felt my heart stop when Theron moved closer to me, and he slowly lifted the veil that was covering my face. His eyebrows moved up, his steel-like gaze settled on my lips, and his face tightened.
Which made me wonder if I had something on there.
But there wasn’t much to figure from his probing gaze. Was he impressed? Was he angry? Was he satisfied?
His face was just like a billboard… like a statue…like a lifeless piece of rock, which made me even more frustrated than I already was.
I mean, it wouldn’t kill him if he showed even a little bit of emotion. Does he really have to walk around hanging the sign ‘I am a psychopath’ on his head? This is someone who really needed to smile today. I wonder why no one told him to.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Dr. Theron Adler and Dr. Eden Montclair…” The priest started the ceremony, and the music quieted. I could hear people whispering behind us. “…in holy matrimony.”
Theron’s fingers twined with mine, and it was almost impossible to look away from him.
The priest turned towards Theron kindly.
“You may say your vows.” He cleared his throat, but Theron was quick to answer, almost as though he was expecting the priest to ask.
“We don’t have any.” His gaze not once leaving mine. “Can we please proceed with the ceremony?”
“Uh… okay.” The priest seemed confused, looking at us weirdly, and I smiled to ease the tension so he wouldn’t start to suspect anything. “Do you, Dr. Theron Adler, take Dr. Eden Montclair to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to protect, till death do you part?”
My heart was thrumming in my chest, and unintentionally, my lips began to quiver as I realized this wedding was taking place.
“Yes, I do.” He answered briefly, and then the priest turned towards me.
“Do you, Dr. Eden Montclair, take Dr. Theron Adler to be your lawfully wedded husband to love and honor him, until death do you part?”
The question resounded in my ears, I don’t love him, and I am sure he doesn’t love me either. Tell me one good reason why I should be doing this. My eyes unintentionally shifted towards the audience, people who were sitting, waiting carefully for my response, and my father’s eyes hardened.
I could read the warning in them.
‘Don’t you dare ruin this.’ They tell me. ‘The fate of the hospital lies in your hands.’
My eyes flickered back to Theron, who seemed insulted by my quietness, and with a sigh, I simply gave in.
“Yes, I do,” I answered lifelessly.
“With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife.” The priest smiled, and my heart started racing, so fast and so hard that I felt dizzy. “You may kiss your bride.”
In an instant, Theron grabbed my face, his fingers curled underneath my jaw, as he slammed his lips on mine, in a hungry and passionate kiss.
Even though Theron and I have never had any intimate physical contact together, not even a hug, he kissed me as if I were his first love.
Hungry and demanding, but he soon broke the kiss, leaning in, his eyes fixed on mine, he whispered in my face.
“You are mine now, Eden.” He tells me purposely. “Mine.”