RAVEN.
Dread gathered in my throat as Kaden and the strange woman disappeared from my eyesight.
“Should I go after them or stay put?” I whispered.
The stuttering of the cameras had lessened, and I noticed that the guests were now making their way to the reception.
I said “thank you” to a few more guests before my mom accosted me and wrapped her hands around my wrists with a smile on her face.
“You look tired, Mom. You should rest.”
She ignored me.
“Congratulations, dear. Let’s head to the reception now. I put some food for you and…” Her brows furrowed as she trailed off, searching for Kaden. “Where is your husband?”
Hearing the word made my skin sizzle. “I don’t know,” I lied through my teeth.
As her hands dropped, her brows drew closer in a frown. “Find him. You know why we’re doing this, dear. It has to go right. Go find him.”
I swallowed thickly and clasped my hands to keep them from trembling. “Okay, Mom.”
“I’ll go find your dad.” And with that, she left.
Unease filled me as I followed the path I saw them go through.
I reduced my steps to soften the clicking of my heels as I got closer. When my eyes fell on them, my stomach dipped.
They stood so close to each other, closer than Kaden and I had throughout the day.
“… all for you to get married? Just like that? Why, Kaden?” Her very soft voice asked.
“Why should I answer that?”
“Who is she, and what does she have on you? You can talk to me.” Her well-manicured hands found Kaden’s chin.
“I do not owe you any explanation, Bella. This is my life and what I do is my concern.”
She took a small step back and my heart skipped. I wanted to turn, and leave but my legs wouldn’t budge.
“You’re right,” she sniffled. “I’ll leave, and you’ll never have to see me again.”
Why did I secretly wish she would do just that? Leave and never return?
I did not expect what happened next. Kaden closed the space between them with a step and gently grabbed her by the shoulders. The lady, Bella, tilted her head to meet Kaden’s gaze.
Since I was standing directly behind them, I couldn’t see what they were doing.
I quickly averted my eyes. Were they kissing?
An invincible bucket of ice dropped on my head and I felt a migraine coming.
When I lifted my head again, Bella’s hands were around him in what looked like a passionate hug and Kaden wasn’t pulling away.
Her eyes connected with mine and a mischievous smile tilted her lips. She ran a hand over his back and neck, pulling him closer to herself.
She mouthed the words “He’s mine,” to me.
“Oh my goodness,” I said, but it was barely above a whisper.
I finally turned and moved back on autopilot without caring if Kaden acknowledged my presence.
“What the hell were you expecting?” I asked myself.
That a man who didn’t know or want me up until a week ago would suddenly be committed to me?
Way to be delusional, Raven.
I still didn’t know why he chose to marry me.
I fought the tears that threatened to ruin my makeup for the tenth time today.
“Why is this happening to me?” I sobbed silently.
If it weren’t for my parents, who needed help with their company, I wouldn’t be doing this.
Mom had been much happier since they got cleared and the figures started going up. I wanted to keep it that way. I owed her that much.
“What are you doing here?” Kaden’s voice startled me from behind.
Rage threatened to blind me. “You couldn’t even wait twenty-four hours after getting married before jumping on another woman?”
“Watch your words. And what do you mean?”
“Don’t play dumb. Are you the type to get married and still sleep around? If that’s what you want, why did you choose to marry me?”
“I didn’t.”
“What?”
“Look, let’s get this reception over with, and we can move on.”
“Who is she?” I asked with a tight feeling in my chest.
“What?” He flashed me a coy smile. “ Are you afraid she’ll come and steal me from right under you?” He closed the gap between us and my breath hitched.
“I know this is a marriage of convenience, but I need to know what you want, where you stand, and what this means to you.”
Him being that close to me made the hair on my skin stretch. Memories of his soft lips on mine at the altar came running back.
For a brief moment, I thought he would kiss me again, but he suddenly pulled back, and his face went impassive.
“My grandfather planned a honeymoon for a few days. We leave immediately after the reception.”
“I can’t do that. I have a job and a life. You don’t expect me to throw everything away when you say so.”
“I think I do since you agreed to this.”
“If I had another choice, I would've taken it,” I said, my voice shaky.
He looked at me with disbelief but said nothing.
“Why are you doing this, Kaden?” I asked. “What are you getting out of this marriage?”
“By the time we get back, your things will have been moved into my apartment.”
It started to dawn on me that this might be an irreversible change in my life. Living with a man I barely knew.
What else would be expected of me?
Color drained from my face and my breaths became shallow. A sharp pain crossed through my forehead as the migraine increased in intensity.
Kaden seemed to notice because his expression changed by a fraction. “Are you okay?”
I would have asked if it was worry I heard in his voice if I wasn’t trying to stop myself from fainting.
Before I could respond, vomit rose to my throat and I lunged to the side to hurl my breakfast —that initially tasted like cardboard— on the floor.
Whatever was between Kaden and I went down the drain as his brows furrowed and he asked, “I hope that is not what it looks like, Miss?”