Chapter 3 Getting to Know the Billionaire

Evelyn's POV

"Have a smile, Sydney. Charles led me down the aisle, whispering in my ear, "This is your moment.

To say I was nervous would be an understatement. My face was burning, my knees were shaking, and my palms were perspiring.

I looked stunning in a mermaid gown that was designer. Olivia must have chosen it because everything was to her liking.

For the first time in a very long time, I had made a big effort with my appearance. At least, I hoped it went well.

I hated this situation. Although fate had other ideas, I had always imagined my dad to be the one to lead me down the aisle. Charles was there, at least. I was aware that he harbored fond memories of his younger brother.

When we arrived at the altar, I was standing by my future spouse.

He hadn't given me even a sidelong glance, so perhaps I missed the moment. His expression was fixed on the priest, not showing much happiness. Hell, he didn't even appear content.

I was still in awe of his effortless good looks despite all that. In person, he looked even more amazing.

He was taller than me and had a figure that any woman would kill for. He was smoking gorgeous. His eyes were emerald ice and his hair was dirty blond. Surprisingly, I thought it was his best feature-they looked cold. I still had not figured out the secret they held.

These resembled a forest. One that would envelop me. Although I had never been interested in getting lost, I would gladly volunteer to do it if it could be done in his forest.

We exchanged vows and all the formalities of marriage. His voice itself gave me the chills. This was no ordinary shiver. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced before; it was powerful and personal.

My cheeks flushed when the kissing moment came around. I had a mental image of a dramatic movie kiss. A kiss that would make me feel butterflies in my stomach.

Once more, my imagination was completely derailed by reality. It was just a little kiss on the corner of the mouth. That was not considered a kiss!

I found it amusing that I would receive my first kiss on my wedding day, but it now seems even more absurd. Even after the banquet for my wedding, my lips remained virginal.

Everything happened so quickly that I found myself stuck in the billionaire's vehicle pretty quickly. Excuse me, but didn't my husband's automobile also technically belong to me now?

There was an overwhelming smell of him in the limousine. My mind was seduced by it and my nostrils were filled. I will soon be able to run my hands over his gorgeous hair and smell his perfume up close.

But one thing troubled me. He hadn't glanced at me or said anything to me. His brows wrinkled as he hurriedly typed on his cell phone. He appeared preoccupied.

I had no idea how the whole wifey thing operated, but I figured I'd give it a go. I tried to grab their attention by gently clearing my throat, but I didn't.

Yes, perhaps I was too sensitive. I gave it another go.

He questioned me, his eyes fixed icily on his phone, "Do you need something?"

Despite its coldness, his voice seemed to me like melody.

"Umm, I was thinking that since we don't know each other we could maybe start by introductions," I started making an effort to speak up a bit.

He did not respond. I was starting to feel strange.

"So, I'm Evelyn Richard. Well, Mont...."

"I recognize you. I wouldn't get married to someone I don't know."

That was unexpected. Alright, so perhaps I was just being naive and immature. He was not helping, and I had no idea how this operated. Did newlyweds act this way in general, or was it just me?

"How about you tell me more about yourself or maybe I'll go first?" I asked more than I spoke.

"There's nothing to tell."

I'll tell you about myself instead, then. First of all, I enjoy..."

"Please, might I have some peace? Is that how you always speak? If that's the case, I apologize, but that's quite low."

My heart stopped for no apparent reason. Now that he was staring at me, I felt self-conscious.

Charles gave me that focused look in his eyes for milliseconds before beating me black and blue.

That intense stare told me that a volcano was going to erupt, and I would never forget it.

"Fred, I don't understand w.."

"Avoid calling me Fred. I will never be called Fred. I am only that to my friends and family," he angrily spat at me.

Now my heart was thrashing around inside my rib cage like a caged bird.

"But I am your wife."

"You have no right to fling that nonsense in my direction. Although you are officially my wife, this is all merely an arrangement in the eyes of the outside world."

His voice was growing louder, almost explosive. His knuckles had gone white and his face was flushed with rage.

"I'm not sure I understand. Yes, this is planned, but I believed you had given your consent."

There would be tears soon. I was keeping them back, but eventually, any moment would become a breaking point.

"I never wanted this marriage; in case you were unaware. I don't want any of it. Our marital status is ineligible."

"Please don't say that. I swear to do my best to treat you like a nice wife. I'll alter my voice if you don't like it. I'll attempt to speak up more.

"And what if I tell you I hate everything about you then what?"

"I'll change myself for you."

This was different from what my father had always taught me-that I shouldn't change who I am to win someone over-who would love me for who I am. My heart demanded it. I was willing to go to any lengths to ensure our relationship worked. "So that tells me how cheap and undignified you are."

I gave in to my tears at last. My heart was being pounded by him. This was quite nerve-wracking.

"What the heck is happening? Although I haven't met you before, it seems like you have a lot against me."

"You simply had to enter my life at the perfect time, when everything was radiant. You seem content with this arrangement."

"Did I ruin something precious to you?"

Indeed. Indeed, you did! You are the reason I am not with the love of my life at this moment. She is everything to me. My surroundings. I wanted her beside me at the altar. I wanted to give her my wedding vows." "You have a..."

"Yes, I am in a relationship, and I have no intention of breaking it off. She is the one who deserves to be my wife if anyone."

My veins filled with adrenaline. Was he falling in love with someone else? It appears that this was not your typical romantic relationship. He was utterly enamoured with this woman.

Now there was sadness in his eyes. His beautiful eyes betrayed the deep anguish and sorrow I could not ignore. My beating heart was mercilessly wounded by the realization that I was the source of this agony.

He was on the verge of crying. I'm not sure why, but seeing him in such horrible shape stung so much.

"She is stunning. She is the ideal woman I could have only dreamed about. I cherish her. "I am deeply in love with her," he said, gazing at his trembling hands as though she were in front of him.

I was crushed to my core when I heard Frederick admit his love for someone else. It was obvious that I had no hope of succeeding with him.

"What about me?" I instantly regretted saying those words and croaked.

It was obvious that I was asking for trouble. I was already being called cheap and undignified by him. What more could I ask for?

To me, you are insignificant. You don't appeal to me. Even as friends, we can never be. Simply avoid me and don't attempt to convince me that I'm not a human."

He spoke with a great deal of power and command. They gave me the chills. The vehicle abruptly stopped. I suppose we were "home."

Frederick got out of the car and slammed the door in my face, full of tears. Having been kindly granted access by the chauffeur, I trotted followed Frederick, who was already standing near the entrance of 'the mansion'.

He forcefully opened the doors and barged inside. I resembled a lost puppy sprinting after him, with the exception that puppies are adorable. Tears were streaming down my cheeks, making me look even more awful.

After a protracted battle with my excruciatingly long heels, I was in at last. Frederick was already stumbling wildly upstairs.

"Fred," called a sweet, peach voice.

He seemed to come to a complete stop upon hearing that voice. Curious, I turned to see where the beautiful voice had come from-the opulent living room.

My shock kept me motionless. The scene that met my eyes left me speechless. A woman was standing there. Not just some average Jane like myself, but an incredibly stunning woman.

She looked gorgeous in a long-sleeved, crisscross bandage dress that accentuated her soft proportions.

She was inches taller than me. With her warm chocolate eyes and mascara highlighting her lashes, her face exuded angelic beauty. Her face was perfectly composed of all her characteristics.

Her well-groomed hair was a rich chestnut color. What made her appearance so similar?

Frederick appeared to inhale deeply, and his chest began to swell once more. I watched my husband come down the stairs in a different person.

The man I'd spoken to in the automobile wasn't the same as him. He looked kind, gentle, and affectionate. He was standing apart from the woman I was starting to believe was his girlfriend.

It appeared that he did not consider himself deserving of her closeness. He appeared upset.

"I apologize, Aria. I am entirely to blame for this. I ought to have spoken up for us. I ought to have..."

Aria. I could identify her now. Olivia's closest friend was her. It was clear that I was losing this game.

"It's not your fault, Fred. I'm so infatuated with you that I still adore you just as much, if not more, than before."

Aria had been crying, too. Her eyes were swollen and red, giving off the impression that she would cry shortly.

"Aria, you are loved. I have always done so and I always will. Nobody is going to stand in our way. Not this marriage, either," he reassured her.

He was disturbed by her tears. that I was able to determine. He didn't seem to be at all phased by mine.

"At this moment, all I need from you is one thing. I need proof that you are still in my life. I must sense your presence beside me, honey."

I see. Honey, she just gave my spouse a call.

"Anything, sweetie. I'll do anything for you; just say the word."

"Kiss me."

easy to understand and uncomplicated. She had just asked for a kiss from my husband. I had the feeling that I was invisible.

When he suddenly turned to face her and closed the distance between them, my heart fell apart.

His mouth looked so delicious that it fell straight onto Aria's. My entire universe collapsed.

In my marriage, I thus happened to be the other woman. It wasn't just any greasy, ravenous, and demanding kiss. It was perfect, slow, and passionate. Their lips were moving in perfect synchronization.

Frederick expertly wrapped Aria's hands around his neck, ensnaring her by the decanter-shaped waist in his arms.

They were ardent partners in love. They knew the method and had the experience. I had no prior experience. In matters of the heart, I was just like any other person.

What on earth was I thinking? Someone like me could never entice him. He was way above my pay grade.

Aria's tanned legs encircled Frederick's chest, and the kiss intensified. It was not just any old kiss. It was truly remarkable. This billionaire was extraordinary in every way.

Most likely to his bedroom upstairs, he led the two of them upstairs. Let me say, 'Enjoy their wedding night.'

For me, he was too busy. He'd never be interested in me. I was never going to get my desired love.

I was left behind having a self-pitying party for myself. I'm crying so much that my eyes hurt. The lovebirds had probably been listening to my incessant sniffing as background music.

I stumbled upstairs, exhausted, and discovered my bedroom, where my bags had been placed. I had to fight for a long time before I succeeded.

I fell onto the bed and fell asleep right away. I was unable to take a shower or change. All I could hope for was that when I awoke the following morning from this nightmare, I would laugh at how ridiculous and unreal it had all been.