Dave Francis was the richest banker in the country. I was supposed to marry someone else but he won me in the auction. I had no choice but to marry him. I didn't know how long he would treat me like trash. How many times would he crush my soul? He made me believe that I was worthless. He saw me as worthless. I was a waste of his money. I was a waste of his time. He was my husband but in the name only. Join the beautiful love story of Ava and Dave.
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?
********
"Miss Camille Davidson, what a small world?" A chill went through me when I heard his dark, yet sexy, voice. I lifted my chin to look at him. Once my eyes locked with his, I couldn't stop myself from shivering. He was no longer the man he was eight years ago. He appeared to be formidable and cruel. His blue eyes nearly looked dark due to rage. As I gripped the serving tray, I retreated my steps, my cheeks burning from humiliation. Everyone was watching us with keen interest. There was a time when Scott Martinez used to work for me, and now I am working for him. I was fully aware of his intentions. I knew why he was there and what he wanted from me. This time he would never let me go after all I was the one who had destroyed his small world. I murdered his brother.
He kneeled next to me and grabbed my bruised elbow roughly. Tears broke through my eyes as the sharp pain shot through my hand. “You have no fucking idea who you’re messing with and what I’m capable of doing with you and your poor family!” he snarled, squeezing my elbow harder, giving me unbearable pain. “Don’t you dare to raise your fucking hand ever again! And If you dare do it again, I’ll do something you’ve never imagined in your entire life!” He whispered threateningly, making my breath hitch in fear. “Now, get the fuck out of my sight!” I grimaced at the pain. I hate him fiercely! ___________ Henry Robinson is the most famous fashion designer in the country. He has every single quality that every girl dreams of; handsome, rich, and powerful. But he is also the second name of the devil; arrogant, cruel, vicious, and most importantly, he has no heart for the people who come into his path. Alice Bennett is a simple, hardworking, and kind-hearted girl. She has dreamed of becoming a successful fashion designer. But what will happen when Alice Bennett accidentally comes into the path of Mr. Henry Robinson? Will he let her go or will he keep her in his golden cage?
His hand wrapped in her hair, yanking her face up to him to look into his angry eyes. "Tell me where the fuck is he?" He growled, making her shudder in fear. "Tell me now!" "I..I..won't..." she whimpered due to a sharp pain shot through her skull. He grabbed his pistol and pressed it right on her temple, snarling, "Are you going to tell me or do you wish for death?!" "I want to die…" she cried out. Anger roared through him, he pressed the gun in her temple wanting nothing more than to kill that bitch right that moment but something snapped inside him when his eyes fell on her body, and a cruel smile curved his lips. "Not before getting a taste of you!"
He kneeled next to me and grabbed my bruised elbow roughly. Tears broke through my eyes as the sharp pain shot through my hand. "You have no fucking idea who you're messing with and what I'm capable of doing with you and your poor family!" he snarled, squeezing my elbow harder, giving me unbearable pain. "Don't you dare to raise your fucking hand ever again! And If you dare do it again, I'll do something you've never imagined in your entire life!" He whispered threateningly, making my breath hitch in fear. "Now, get the fuck out of my sight!" I grimaced at the pain. I hate him fiercely! _________ Henry Robinson is one of the most famous fashion designers in the world. He has every single quality that a girl could dream of; handsome, rich, and powerful. But he is also the second name of the devil; arrogant, cruel, vicious, and most importantly, he has no heart for the people who come into his path. Alice Bennett is a simple, hardworking, and kind-hearted girl. She has always dreamed of becoming a successful fashion designer. But what will happen when Alice Bennett accidentally comes into the path of Mr. Henry Robinson? Will he let her go or will he keep her in his golden cage?
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
"Get undressed and wait for me in bed. Keep your legs open until I finish my shower," he commanded with the power of his Alpha status and as her mate. She wanted to resist. "Do you think I'm the same Luna you forced in the past? I refuse to submit to you. I won't let you touch me." He growled softly, feeling a hot desire for her. She was no longer the unattractive Luna he remembered - she was gorgeous. He wanted to devour her with his tongue. He pulled her close and pushed her onto the bed, licking the back of her ear, making her moan in pleasure. He whispered, "I won't touch your body. Just your p*ssy until you beg for more." He used to be next in line for Alpha and was under the control of his grandfather, the Alpha king. He had to accept mating with the woman he disliked the most - the daughter of one of the most powerful Alphas in the werewolf kingdom. If he didn't, he might lose his chance at being Alpha king after his grandfather's death. He thought he was mateless at the time. He didn't choose to mate with the unattractive woman, so he cheated on her day and night. But, one drunken night, he lost control and slept with her. Later, he forced her to break their mating bond. But, he discovered she was carrying his triplets. He forced her to be his mate again, or she wouldn't see her children again. Six years later, he was no longer weak. He was the Alpha king of werewolves.
For three years, Jessica endured a loveless marriage while her husband pretended to be impotent. His lies unraveled when a pregnant mistress surfaced. After six months of secretly collecting proof, Jessica threw him out and built her own billion-dollar empire. After the divorce, she transformed into an irresistible figure, attracting admirers. As she left her office one day, she met Kevan, her ex-husband's brother. He stepped in, confronting her. "Was I just a tool to you?" Jessica's lips curled into a calm smile. "How much compensation do you want?" Kevan's voice softened. "All I want is you."
It took only a second for a person's world to come crashing down. This was what happened in Hannah's case. For four years, she gave her husband her all, but one day, he said emotionlessly, "Let's get divorced." Hannah's heart broke into a million pieces as she signed the divorce papers, marking the end of her role as a devoted wife. Within Hannah, a strong woman awakened, vowing never to be beholden to any man again. Embracing her new life, she embarked on a journey to find herself and command her own destiny. By the time she returned, she had experienced so much growth and was now completely different from the docile wife everyone once knew. "Is this your latest trick to get my attention?" Hannah's ever-so-arrogant husband asked. Before she could retort, a handsome and domineering CEO pulled her into his embrace. He smiled down at her and said boldly to her ex, "Just a little heads-up, mister. This is my beloved wife. Keep off!"
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."