Chapter Eleven : Fake or real, it's legal!

"Jason, why did you consent to this marriage in the first place if you didn't want me? What actions of mine have earned me this humiliation?" Emma became agitated as they entered the mansion.

“Since you've asked, I'll respond to you. Jason shot out, "I consented to this terrible marriage ecause my dad threatened to give my cousin my fortune if I didn't marry you.”

Emma's countenance betrayed her inner conflict as she felt a flash of indignation. Although she accepted that there was no love in their marriage, she still didn't understand why Jason kept becoming involved in her personal life.

"All right, I get it. But Jason, why are you meddling in my private life? Why would you humiliate me like that in public? Are you aware of how embarrassing it was?” Emma demanded, a hint of exasperation in her voice.

“Emma, you are my wife. Fake or real, it's legal. Even if we don't mean anything to each other behind closed doors, you should at least act like a decent wife in public,” Jason shot back, taking off his shirt and making his way upstairs.

Emma was clearly not believing this. "Really?"

Jason turned and said, "I'm done with this conversation," disappearing from sight.

Emma let out a long breath and fell back onto the couch. Her eyes landed on the red wine bottle resting on the bar counter. She moved in its direction, with shaky hands she poured herself a glass and took a drink, doubt whirling through her head. How did she end up here?

Emma took another drink of wine, holding out hope that its soothing effects might calm her racing thoughts. But the knots in her stomach and the strained atmosphere that surrounded her new home could not be undone by any amount of booze.

She looked into the fire, finding little solace in its crackling flames from the chill that was beginning to seep into her bones.

What had happened to her life? She used to spend her days studying and her evenings partying till dawn, but that was only a few months ago.

Happiness and love felt so far away. She felt even further removed from those carefree days now that she was forced into a loveless marriage for the sake of her family's needs and financial gain.

She heard the creak of the front door opening as she took another drink of wine to warm her throat. Her body stiffened, not knowing whether she should be hoping for Jason to come back or for a servant to show her some attention. Rather, a recognizable voice said.

"Emma? Are you here?" She looked over and saw Raymond, Jason's cousin, come into the living room. It was the first time she had really seen him. He was rather tall, attractive (he was descended from Astor, of course), and his hair was neatly arranged.

Though not directly brothers, the two young men couldn't have looked more alike. She had only seen him once before now- at the wedding .

Her lips remained pursed in a grin.

"Raymond, what are you doing here?" Emma questioned, taken aback.

He smiled at her hesitantly. "I saw Jason's actions while at Dave's party. come to see how you were doing. I wanted to make sure you're fine "

Swirling the deep crimson wine pensively, Emma peered down into her glass. At this hour of the night? She pondered in her head.

"Let's just say I'm fine." She held back. “But you're the last person I expected to see here, so it really surprises me to see you here.”

Raymond sat down next to her. "Well, I suppose the fact that it's your first time has surprised you this much. Since this is my cousin's residence, I come here whenever I want and see Jason mostly without warning.” He paused “My cousin can be a brute," he said, pausing with a sly smile. That wasn't how you should have been handled."

Emma let out a sigh and cleared her mind. Her lips briefly curled into a grin. "Raymond, thank you. You are the nicest of all the Arstors."

Aside from his parents and maybe Raymond, it was well known inside the Arstor family that Emma was not well received by the majority. She met quite a few of them on their wedding day, and they didn't exhibit the typical warm feelings that in-laws are said to have. She didn't understand why though.

Emma let out a sigh. "The other members of your family believe that I am unworthy of Jason. As it is, they hardly put up with me."

Raymond scowled. "Don't give them any thought. Jason's icy disdain and their criticism are far from what you deserve. It is his fault if he is unable to perceive your heart."

The things Raymond said didn't really soothe her. Emma lost herself in the mesmerizing dance of the flames as she stared into them. "It seems that this family has reached a final decision on me. To them, I am nothing more than a tool, a pawn in their political and power struggles."

"Are you really concerned about it?" Raymond enquired.

Emma looked up at him. If it worried her that Jason's family didn't want her, it was something she hadn't given any consideration to. Yes, she had a thing on Jason since they were little, but she had been making every effort to ignore the emotions ever since he informed her he loved someone else.

“The amusing part is…well, I'm not sure”. Emma answered back.

With a sardonic smirk, Raymond studied Emma's face. She looked so much more attractive with her blonde hair.

Emma contemplated Raymond's question as she gazed thoughtfully into the fire. "When I was a girl," she said softly, "all I wanted was to find happiness and love. I believed that my future would be safe if I could only marry nicely. However, I never thought it would turn out this way."She let out a sigh. "I was initially hurt by Jason's aloofness. But I've realized over time that his viewpoint isn't really that important. What hurts most is his family's contempt," Emma said. "I try not to show it, but I feel deeply hurt by their criticism. I've just ever desired acceptance in my life."The dull agony of rejection stirred within her again as she looked dejectedly into the wine.

Raymond gave her a contemplative look. "Don't worry about what other people may think. You are too excellent for anybody to evaluate you harshly; you are compassionate and educated."With a contemplative face, he met her eyes and spoke softly but sincerely.

Emma felt comfort in the understanding she found there as she lost herself for a minute in his loving gaze.

But before she could respond, the sound of footfall creaking on the stairs cut through the stillness. Emma and Raymond looked down to see Jason approaching and buttoning his shirt. His brows furrowed a little as he saw his cousin seated behind Emma.

"Raymond?" Jason inquired stoically.

Raymond assumed a graceful stance. "I stopped over to see how Emma was doing after the party incident. Cousin, don't worry, I was just heading out."Emma felt the strain underlying the two men's courteous exchanges as she looked between them.

She was fully aware of their past antagonism, which had long simmered but was now intensifying due to her marriage to Jason.

Raymond gave Emma a courteous nod. "Be good, my lady. With a kind grin, Raymond replied to Emma, "I hope the rest of your night proves more peaceful. He turned to face his cousin, his look returning to one of mild indifference.

Jason's cold stare trailed after Raymond as he left.

The couple avoided looking at one another, and an awkward quiet fell over the living room.

Emma was about to excuse herself when she heard Jason ask;

"What was he doing here?" His tone was distant, but underneath it was a stream of jealousy, knowing how his cousin could be.

"Everything is good now.” In an attempt to diffuse the situation, Emma said calmly, "Raymond was just leaving."

He didn't want to inquire further so as not to stir up some thoughts he didn't want in Emma. His icy stare swept across the room, finally settling on the half-empty wine bottle that remained unopened on the side table.

Jason said, "I see you've helped yourself to the wine. Having trouble sleeping?"

Emma scowled. "Not exactly, I needed something to help me relax.”