Chapter 4 VOWS AND VENDETTA

LILLIAN

I tighten my hold on Rachael's tiny hand. I can feel his dirty stare on me, but I keep looking at the floor. Even after eight years, I cannot look him in the eye. He ruined my life eight years ago and separated me from the love of my life. But Grayson is not aware of his father's wicked deeds.

"Hello, Son, do you not think it is unfair that you are getting married without inviting your father?" Grayson's father says, hugging him, and looking at me once again.

This time, my eyes meet his briefly before I look down again.

"Why did you bring her here, Dad?" Grayson says, looking at his ex-wife, Sierra.

The memories of eight years ago hit me hard as I stare at both of them. I could remember how his father threatened me to stay away from his son.

"You know Sierra is like a daughter to me, Grayson." He says, with his devilish smile.

"No, she is not. And I made it clear that I don't want to see her again." Grayson responds.

Sierra, who has been standing quietly, decides to move closer, making Rachael hide behind me. Why is she scared of her mother?

"Gray, I am sorry for everything. But you cannot let our relationship die because of a minor incident." She says, attempting to touch him, but Grayson moves further away from her.

"If cheating on me with multiple men is a minor incident, then you truly need help."

"Listen, I do not have time for this. I need you to get out. My soon-to-be wife is waiting at the altar." He says, looking at me.

"Are you going to choose this worthless girl over me?" Sierra says angrily, making Rachael flinch.

Before Grayson can respond, his father speaks up. "I know you are a very intelligent son. And I will always support whatever you do. But I need you to think clearly. Marrying someone who doesn't belong to the same social class as you is a slap to your face." His father

says, pinning me with a disgusting look.

Grayson did not say anything. Although a part of me is hoping he would at least defend me. But he only tells the pastor to begin the ceremony. He did not even look at me.

Why would he want to look at a worthless girl? I think silently. But this worthless girl was once his entire life. Another voice in my head responds.

I don't concentrate on what the pastor is saying. My mind is all over the place. I do not understand how one's life can change so quickly within three days. Never have I thought that I would come across Grayson again, talkless of marrying him.

"You may exchange your rings," the pastor's voice interrupts my thoughts. Grayson takes two mini boxes from his assistant, who is standing close to him. He puts the ring on my tiny finger gently, without looking at me. And I do the same to him.

"Now repeat after me." The Pastor says, joining our hands together. Immediately, his hands make contact with mine, I shiver slightly, and my heart starts beating fast. As I repeat the vows, I cannot help but think of how different life would have been if we had not separated.

Although I gave up on my dream wedding a long time ago, this is not how I wanted it to be, and Grayson knows that. I have always wanted a simple, loving marriage. Not a cold one, where my husband cannot even look me in the eye as we repeat our vows.

Grayson steps closer to me, pretending to adjust my veil, as he leans into my ear and whispers his own vows. "I vow to make you regret every single day you spend with me. I vow to always make you remember that you are nothing but a means to an end. I vow to make your life hell. I vow to hate you for the rest of my life. And when this marriage comes to an end, remember you chose this life due to your greediness."

He straightens up slowly, adjusting his three-piece suit. And smile at a beaming Rachael. Only I know the vows he whispered to me and the weight of the invisible knife he had just driven over my chest.

I try to fight back my tears, but it is difficult. Instead, I sob quietly, under my veil.

"You may now kiss the bride." The pastor says, with amusement in his voice. Grayson did not kiss me. Instead, he picks up his daughter and leaves me at the altar.

Well, happy married life to me.

I remove my veil and break down in the church. I do not care about the pitiful look the pastor and his driver have on their faces. I cry profusely, with no one to console me.

I miss my parents.

I miss my daughter.

I did not choose this life for myself.

Grayson's driver informs me that it is time to go home, and I obey him silently. I do not have any strength left in my body. And I did not miss the sympathetic look he was giving me. As we make our way home, I cannot help but be anxious. I already signed my life to the devil.

What more can happen?

As he drives closer to the house, my heart beats faster than usual. I rub my palms together nervously. I get out of the car and head inside. When I get to the doorway, I see flowers at the entrance.

And when the door opens, I am met with colorful flowers and balloons. I look up to see Rachael walking towards me, holding a small flower bouquet.

"You look so pretty, and thank you for marrying my daddy." She says, as she hands me the flower, and pecks my cheek.

I can feel Grayson's heavy stare, but I don't dare to look at him. I know he warned me not to get closer to Rachael, but I cannot help myself.

"Does that mean I can call you my mummy now?" She says, catching me off guard. I raise my head to look at Grayson, but he's already looking at me.

"Listen, Princess, the fact that I married her does not mean she's your mummy, okay? Just address her as Miss Lillian, okay?"

"But daddy-"

"No buts, princess, it's time for bed." He says, picking her up. Once again, leaving me alone.

I drop the flower on the table and head upstairs. I do not know whether I should go to his room or go to the guest room. As a married couple, we are expected to sleep together, right? The thought of sharing the same bed with him brought a cold shiver to my chest. Even though I despise him, I cannot help but want to get close to him again.

I change out of my wedding dress and drag my tired body inside his bathroom.

My entire body is sore and aching. I am desperate for a hot shower. As I step inside the massive bathroom, I sit in the bathtub, as the hot water pours over my body, slowly melting away my tension. I cannot remember the last time I have been this relaxed. I slide deeper into the tub, the warm water cocooning me like a hug.

I do not know when I fall asleep in the tub until Grayson's cold voice booms from the bathroom door.

"What the fuck do you think you are doing!"