Chapter 5 My Cold First Kiss

Ava's POV

I have always been a simple girl, content with whatever little thing I had. But now, I've become the envy of many and the most heartless girl on earth to Mrs Miller.

I thought back to the will and a shiver ran down my spine. It's been two months since it was read. Why did Richard make me his sole heir? The peculiar condition of the will still shocked me to this day and made my blood boil.

The condition was that I had to marry his son, who I thought died a year ago. Why did Richard lie to me? And was the so-called Orion not present on our wedding day?

There was only one reason I could think of. One that made me realize how miserable I felt. The idea of marrying a poor girl must have made him fake his own death.

Mr. Miller left this mansion for me and my supposed new husband, his son. It was a bit isolated, far from the busy city life and noise. Somehow, the dense forest that surrounded the mansion made me calm.

I had my sister admitted into the hospital for her treatments already, so I could face the papers and manage all that was left for me.

I felt a strange sense of excitement and unease as I buried myself day in and out into the business of the company. I've hired more staff to manage the mansion.

I stretched, got up from my desk, and decided to explore the mansion to ease the tension. I ventured into the greenhouse, and it was filled with exotic plants, most of which I had never seen before.

As I explored further, I stumbled upon a hidden door in the back wall. With a trembling hand, I pushed it open and stepped into a secret room.

The room was filled with bookshelves, each one crammed with ancient tomes. In the center of the room, a small ornate desk sat, covered in papers and maps.

What has Richard been doing here?

As I moved closer and examined the papers, I realized that they were all related to Orion. Information about him and a red-haired woman, holding hands and walking around in several places.

Did he run away with his girlfriend? I clutched my chest at the thought of betrayal and rejection.

It seemed Richard suspected Orion didn't die and had been trailing him. But why didn't he tell me? Why did he even marry me?

Just as I was about to leave the secret room, I heard a noise from behind me. I turned around, my heart pounding in my chest. Standing in the doorway was a man, his face hidden by the shadows. As he stepped into the light, I gasped.

The man was strikingly handsome, with piercing green eyes and a strong jawline. I couldn't stop the excitement that was bubbling inside me or how my nipples hardened almost immediately.

I haven't gotten a chance to see my supposed dead and now alive finance but this man standing right here is everything I had imagined Orion would be.

He moved closer to me and pulled me into his chest, tugging at my waist. My breath caught in my throat as he leaned in, his lips slightly brushing my ears and... Hold on, this could be a killer. I didn't even know who he was and yet, he was holding me this close.

I pulled away immediately like a cold bucket of water had just dumped on me and stared him down.

"Who are you and what do you think you are doing?" I barked, raising my voice slightly.

He gave a dry laugh and clapped his hands, mockingly.

"Well, if it ain't my father's little whore, or should I say, my wife?" he drawled sarcastically and ran a hand through his disheveled hair.

God I would so love to get lost while pulling at those beautiful brown hair. Wait, did he just call me a whore?

"I am not a whore, Mr Orion," I said out loud, standing defiantly. I hated myself for feeling excited at the presence of a man who left me at the altar because he was a scared little pussy.

"If I am indeed a whore," I taunted, with an air of confidence, "doesn't that make you a scared little pussy?" I voiced out and he pulled me in angrily.

I gasped as my breast hit his chest forcefully. He was furious but he still looked good. I couldn't stop thinking about him taking me right there; I mean, he's my husband, after all, right?

What is wrong with you Ava! He left you and he lied about being dead! Can't you understand that?! He hated the mere sight of you; that was why he faked his death to be far away from you!

Thinking about this caused a wave of anger and betrayal to well inside me.

"How dare you speak to me like that? You gold digger!" he barked with so much hatred in his eyes.

I would have flinched or cowered back in fear but, no. I refuse to let him intimidate me or talk down on me.

He grabbed my chin and forced me to look up into his eyes. His beautiful green eyes.

I slapped his hand away and struggled to move out of his grasp. "Let me go, you overbearing son of a gun!" I screamed and he held me tighter.

The sleeve of my gown fell loose, revealing my left breast. Fuck I should have worn a bra!

I immediately rushed to cover it up with my hand, but his hands were faster, and within a second, his large hand covered my breast most delicately and confusingly.

His hands were warm and hard against my plump breast and I couldn't help the gasp that escaped my lips.

"Let me go!" I said hesitantly. Do I really want him to let me go? I thought stupidly as my nipples hardened.

But before I could say anything else he pulled me up onto the desk, his hand still cradling my breast. I opened my mouth to utter my disapproval but he took the opportunity and captured my parted lips with his.

My eyes widened in shock at what was going on but he intensified the kiss. I couldn't stop my hands from reaching into his hair and pulling him closer but just then, he pulled away and spat.

"I was right. You are a whore. And I promise to make this marriage a living hell for you," he growled in a cold voice that chilled me to the bones.

His hand tightened around me painfully and then without warning, he pushed me to the floor and walked away and I just knew;

This was only the beginning of my nightmare.