Chapter 2 The Choice Wrapped In Chains

The night was still and peaceful, but Vanessa's mind wasn't as her thoughts were filled up.

She sat on the fur rug at the center of her bedroom while resting on her bed, as she stared at the wall as if it held answers to her questions. The shadows from the rustling trees outside danced across her bedroom walls, echoing the chaos inside her thoughts.

A marriage?

With Cathan?

Vanessa had always imagined marrying for love, or so she thought, but love won't stop the bakery from shutting down. Love won't erase their debts, and love surely won't pay her brother's school fees.

She climbed on her bed, hugging her pillow tightly to herself, as the memories rushed to her, the memories of that night at his mother's mansion. She had crashed into the coupe glasses, as she was trying to pour some champagne into the glass. Giving her a very scornful and demeaning look he said;

"You should watch where you are going, you dummy."

Looking directly at her.

And now he needed to marry her?

For his business. For his image. And because her family was in desperate need of his help.

The Next Day

As she walked into the living room, she was met with the familiar aroma of green tea and saw her uncle anxiously pacing around. He stopped when he saw her walk in.

"Did you sleep well?"

Vanessa didn't reply.

He gestured to the steaming mug on the table. "Have some tea."

She sat, fingers tightly wrapped around the mug, but didn't drink.

"Why did you agree to do this with him?" she finally asked.

Her uncle sighed, as he sat across from her. "Because we are not left with much of a choice. Cathan's family helped us keep the shop from being seized since we did not have the money to pay for the rent. They protected us more than you know. This marriage will keep that alliance."

Vanessa's stomach tightened. "So I'm the mode of payment."

"No," he said firmly. "You're our only hope."

She looked away, as she thought to herself. Hope should not feel like chains.

Later That Day...

Reinell, her younger brother found her sitting on her bed, knees pulled to her chest.

"Are you really getting married to him?" he asked softly.

" I guess I am." She said almost in a whisper

He sat beside her. "You don't have to marry him; I can quit schooling to assist at the bakery."

She looked at her brother as she held his face in her hands

"No," she said. "You will finish schooling, you will become a surgeon as you have always wished."

Reinell looked sad. "But will you be happy?"

She tried to smile brightly. "I might not be, but I will be happy if you keep studying and become a great surgeon. That will be more than enough to make me happy."

"I promise to study hard and make you happy". He said as he pulled her into a tight hug.

" I better head to Cathan to give him my reply before it gets late," Vanessa said as she loosened herself from the hug.

Some hours later, the same black car pulled up to the mansion gates.

This time, she didn't feel intimidated.

Cathan was waiting in the study, sitting on the couch, a cup of coffee on his desk, glancing through some documents with a pen in his hand and his butler by his side. He looked up when she entered, his expression unreadable.

"Will you do it?" he asked.

Vanessa's voice was quiet but steady. "I'll do it. But on one condition."

He raised a brow. " And what's that?"

"This will never be more than what it is. A deal. Nothing more."

A smirk appeared on his lips. "That's the only thing we agree on."

" Alright then."

As she signed the papers, she wondered in her heart what life would be like living with him.

With the butler ushering Vanessa out, the door shut behind her.

Cathan stared at the empty seat Vanessa had sat on some moments ago; with her back straight, and chin high, she hadn't begged him. She didn't even flinch when he laid out the terms.

And still, something about her had gotten under his skin.

He slowly took a sip of his hot coffee, but the scalding on his tongue did nothing to relieve the irritation, or the strange sensation he felt.

She hated him. That was very much obvious. And he didn't blame her.

He had not forgotten the event years ago when he had scornfully spoken to her with a few careless words. He had not even realized who she was.

Now, she was about to become his wife.

What an irony that was.

This was not about romance or love. He didn't have the time or patience for that. It was about convenience, control, and protection of his assets and his legacy.

But still...

When she had looked him in the eye and said, "This will never be more than what it is," it had stung more than it should have.

Cathan set the cup down and walked to the window, as he watched her figure disappear through the gates.

He didn't need her affection, her approval, but for some reason, he couldn't stop wondering.

What if she never sees past what I've been?