Husband

Ava

Present

I stumbled into the mirror.

"God, Ava..." Mom came to my side and grabbed my forearm, helping me stand properly on my feet. "How much have you drunk, darling?" She stared into my eyes, worried. "Today is your wedding day, do you remember that?"

I clenched my hands into fists as anger rolled through me. "I'm fine, Mom. I know how to handle it."

She cupped my face, looking into my eyes. "You know, I'm afraid of your father, Ava. I'm afraid of your brother. I'm afraid of everyone but you..." She swallowed hard. "But you're the only person who understands me, who supports me, who cares for me. You have always been there for me, honey. Don't do this to yourself, please don't do this..."

I grabbed her hands, and my eyes watered seeing my mother in sadness. I love her so much that I could do anything for her that was why I was marrying a stranger because I wanted her happy. I sacrificed my life for her. I agreed to an arranged marriage so my father would not divorce her. If he divorced her it would kill her.

I shook my head, trying to be brave in front of her. I wanted to be fearless for her and us. "I'm so happy today, Mom. Don't you remember I wanted to be a bride since childhood?" I smiled at those memories when I dreamed of becoming Henry's wife. Henry Robinson, the most popular fashion designer in the country, and my ex-boyfriend. He was my first love and childhood sweetheart. I cherished that man with all my heart, but he never felt the same. He never fell for me. He never loved me back. He broke my heart into a thousand pieces. And when he left me, I fell in love with alcohol, smoking, and drugs. My only world swirled around them. "You know very well that I can't live without smoke and alcohol. I needed it every day if I had it a little bit..." I forced a smile. "But I'm sober today." It was half a lie because my vision was blurry because of a bottle of hard liquor I had taken half an hour ago.

********

I walked down the aisle with my father. I couldn't see things clearly because of the veil hanging in front of my face, but despite that, I could figure out what was going on. The church buzzed with excited chatter, but once I stepped in, it fell silent. "You told me they would do a small ceremony but here I could feel hundreds of people," I murmured to my father.

He squeezed my arm in warning. "Just keep your mouth shut and do what you said." He gritted his teeth out, I could practically feel his ugly snarl carved his wrinkled face.

Though my insides were crumbling in anger I kept quiet and did what he said. After all, I had no right to speak. He snatched it a long time ago. He might be showing a perfect father figure in front of the public but in reality, he was selfish, heartless, and vicious. He sold me off like cattle. He wanted to save his company, so he used his daughter to take back all his shares. I was just a pawn in his plan. Anyway, he had never considered me his daughter; he had never loved me once, he never cared about me. I was just a girl who was a burden on him. Now he would get rid of me and get his company back.

I was going to get married to a man I had never seen before; he was a stranger to me. He was the man who won me at the auction.

Auction? Oh yeah, my father just auctioned me.

Disgusting.

"Ava," Father whispered in my ear while throwing a fake smile. "Be an honorable wife, honey."

I didn't reply to him and kept quiet because I wasn't sure if I was going to be a good wife.

When we reached the altar, he lifted my veil, revealing the man I was marrying. I froze. I stared at the tall and muscular man in a dark suit, he was staring at me with his stunning gray eyes. He had dark hair that was thick and lustrous. His facial features were hard, slender nose, prominent jawline, and sharp cheekbones. He was the man of dreams. Why did he want to marry me? Why did he win me? Why did he spend millions of dollars on me? He would get any beautiful woman.

He saw the shock register on my face before I could hide it. A small smile played on his lips as his eyes ran down the length of my body and that made me weak at the knees. He extended his hand in front of me asking for my hand. My father handed him my hand. When his skin touched mine, a shiver ran down my spine. His palm was cold so cold. I was 5'8 inches tall excluding the three-inch heel I had worn, but despite this, he was a few inches taller than me.

The priest began. "Friends and family..." He continued his prayer.

I tried not to tremble, but my body couldn't help it. I had consumed half a bottle of liquor in the morning and here the man standing in front of me kept staring at me. It made me feel self-conscious.

The priest's voice rang out. "Do you Dave Francis take Ava Miller to be your lawfully wedded wife, to share your life openly, standing with her in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and love forevermore?"

Dave's jaw clenched as his eyes narrowed. "I do." He said through his clenched teeth, causing me to frown.

It was my turn to say 'I do.' For a moment I considered saying no, but I looked at my mother who was sitting beside my father, smiling at me and I said, "I do."

After that, we exchanged a ring. I couldn't believe I had become someone's wife. When we asked to kiss, "You may now kiss your bride." Something happened that I never expected.

Dave spun around and walked down the aisle. He stopped next to an attractive brunette in a blue dress. He grabbed her hand gently. "Let's go, baby," he said and headed for the church exit.

What the hell is this?

A tall and muscled man approached me. His dark and terrified eyes met mine. "Fuck you, Ava Francis! Welcome to our world, Mrs. Francis." He mocked and turned around before following Dave.

Another man approached me, he was tall and slender with a hint of boyish vibes. "To be honest, I feel sorry for you." he sighed and followed his friends.

I stood there shocked, cold, and confused. What was that? My husband left me here alone like an idiot. Why did he marry me when he already had a beautiful girlfriend? My mind was unable to process anything as I blinked once, twice, and thrice as tears gathered in my eyes. Everyone watched me and waited for my next move. I didn't move from my place because I knew I would not be able to walk in that state.

Is this my fate? Would I never get happiness? Do I even deserve happiness?

********