na F

felt my heart sink. The ring was gone. How could this hav

slipped into his pocket and emerged with a small box. He opened

s if it were made for me. I looked up at Ryder, searching for answers in his eyes. How

as wide and uncomfortable. Like he was forcing it. The exaggeration e

and that was it, the officiant had a

ficiant's voice, instead of cutting

Ryder bring his hand up to cup my cheeks. My face flushed a deep shade of red and I clenched my f

lips brushed mine possessively, he sharply inhaled before parting his lips and slowly

uncharacteristically. I couldn't resist the innate need to bring him close

a little. I avoided looking into his eyes and j

y was the only one present from Ryder's family besides his busine

as that even possible? Could that be the reason he was this cruel? Because

my trance. She whispered some words into my ears, "Do not

starting in my stomach. As Ryder as I turned aw

ty-three years of my life with. But we were doing it for dad. For him to finally rest in heaven knowing

you're going to pay for eve

*

ay he didn't even look at me throughout the ride to his home. But why di

he type that wouldn't do anything unless he had something to gain from it. He had

at he wanted, he would toss me away like trash. He was like that.

ath. Sure, he probably didn't get all this through honest means. Who knew

hrough meticulously manicured lawns and gleaming fountains, leadin

which slid open with a soft whisper. Ryder o

ong he can kee

arble floors gleamed beneath my feet, and a chandelie

greeted us with a gentle curtsy. "Welcome,

late fifties, golden

aving mine. "Thank you, Alice.

own my spine wen he called me that. I

ess artwork and plush carpets that silenced our footsteps. We ascended a gran

Their sweet fragrance filled the air, and I felt a pang in my che

s, then walked to a closet to pull out a n

oom. I had just slipped off my wedding dress and was abo

landed on me. I quickly grabbed the nightgown and pul

. "We're married, Bunny. I own you," he

my skin crawled with discomfort. I hated being cal

Ryder seemed to enjoy my discomfort, his eyes glinting with amuse

me if I was going to survive this. I walked to the closet and grabbed a white duvet an

er but as I was about to open t

re going?" Ryder's stern

s standing by the dresser, a few feets away

ail of his muscular physique seemed to glow in the dim light. His broad shoulders, his tone

. My heart pounded in my chest as each step I took drew me clo

as his arm rose above my head, landing on the wall above me,

lifted my head, whispering, "Look at me,

gaze, mustering the courage

d his lips, "The r

u