Chapter 1 1

Mathilda's POV

September 28, 2017

What is the greatest regret you've ever faced in your life?

If anyone were to ask me that question, I wouldn't even need to think. My greatest regret is marrying Fredric.

Yes... marrying him was the saddest, most painful mistake of my life.

People think stories about cruel husbands, arranged marriages, and wives forced into loveless relationships by manipulative grandmothers are nothing more than fiction-tragic tales that belong on television screens or in novels.

But the truth is, those stories happen in real life too. They happened to me.

If I could turn back time-if I could undo that wedding that took place just a month ago-my life wouldn't have turned into this endless misery.

"What are you doing in my bed? Get out!"

The harsh voice came from my right. I turned to see a tall man, his bare chest marked by a faint birthmark just below his collarbone. His eyes were cold, sharp, and filled with disgust.

He is my husband-Fredric Liam Smith, the man the world calls a charming young CEO, but who to me is nothing more than a stranger sharing my roof.

What could I do when he spoke that way? Of course, I immediately moved away, slipping off the edge of the bed as if my presence were poison.

There was no affection between us-no tender words, no smiles, no warmth. Not even the smallest trace of love. The only times he pretended to care were when his grandmother, Rosa, was around.

Rosa was the only person in this family who ever truly cared for me. She was kind, elegant, and full of grace. Every gesture of affection she gave me felt genuine, and I owed her my entire life.

"Mr. Fredric, tomorrow you have an appointment-"

"Shut up! I know my own schedule. Why are you telling me this? Since when did you become my secretary? Are you stalking me now?"

See what I mean? I couldn't even finish a sentence before he lashed out. Don't be surprised when I say I call him *Mr. Fredric*-not "dear," not "love," not even "husband." Those words feel foreign in this house.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Fredric. I didn't mean to overstep. Your secretary called me-she said they couldn't reach you. It's an urgent meeting."

Fredric glared at me, his expression tightening before he grabbed his phone from the bedside table.

"Next time, just get to the point. Tell me to turn my phone on. Don't meddle in my schedule, understand? Don't bother me again. I need rest after pretending to be happy in this cursed marriage all day."

Pretending. That word echoed in my mind long after he turned his back on me.

I don't blame him entirely. Maybe this is all Rosa's fault... or maybe it's mine, for agreeing to something that should never have happened.

Rosa had worried about me after my parents died. I've known her family since I was a child.

My father, Goyle, had been Rosa's driver for almost twenty years. He was loyal, hardworking, and deeply respected her.

When I was little, Father used to take me to Rosa's mansion on weekends. I would run around her grand garden while he waited in the car. Sometimes, Rosa would smile at me from the terrace and wave. She was like a benevolent queen, untouchable yet kind.

Now, remembering those moments only hurts. My father was gone, buried beside my mother. I often wondered if they were together now-peaceful, away from all this pain.

My thoughts were broken by the sound of Fredric's phone ringing. He immediately straightened up, his demeanor shifting from irritation to excitement. A wide smile spread across his face as he looked at the screen.

"Baby, I waited for you to fall asleep! Where are you?"

A sweet, gentle voice poured from the phone-one filled with laughter and affection. It was a tone I had never heard directed at me.

Guess who was calling him?

If you don't know, let me tell you. It was Paula-the famous model who graced every billboard in New York City. The woman who proudly called herself Fredric's girlfriend.

You might wonder how everything fell apart within only a month of marriage. Well, Fredric told me the truth the very same day we exchanged vows.

He never loved me. He married me only to please his grandmother.

And Paula knew. She didn't care-because she wanted the money, the fame, and the connections that came with Fredric's title.

"Hurry up, let's go," Fredric said as he got up from bed, rushing into the bathroom.

I sat motionless on the sofa, confused. Where could we possibly be going at this hour?

"Hey! What are you waiting for? Didn't you hear me?!" he shouted, his voice booming through the closed door.

I jumped to my feet, opened the closet, and pulled out the simplest outfit I could find-a white sweater and a pair of black pants.

Fredric came out of the bathroom looking as perfect as ever-his hair slicked back, his suit immaculate. But his eyes... they were always filled with disdain when they landed on me.

"A slow, useless slug," he muttered. "I still can't understand why Grandma loves you so much or why she forced me to marry you. What could she possibly see in you? You're not even pretty, and you smell terrible! Tch! It's disgusting to share a bed with you, Mathilda!"

His words were sharp as knives. My legs trembled, my chest burned, but I refused to cry in front of him. I went into the bathroom, locked the door, and let my tears fall in silence.

What could I do? Confront him? Leave him?

No. I had promised Rosa-and my late father-that I would endure this marriage.

Maybe, just maybe, things would change with time. Maybe Fredric would eventually see me for who I truly was.

I wasn't beautiful, but my heart was full of love for him-love that asked for nothing in return.

When I finally got into the car, his insults started all over again.

"How long does it take you to get dressed? You think dressing up will make me attracted to you? You still look boring and ugly in that sweater. Absolutely unfitting."

I stayed silent, lowering my head as I buckled my seatbelt.

Fredric leaned closer, sniffing the air around me. My body tensed.

"Yuck! You stink! Didn't I give you your allowance two days ago? Why don't you buy perfume?"

"I'm wearing perfume, Mr. Fredric," I whispered. "It's the only one I can afford. I don't think I smell that bad."

"Your cheap perfume doesn't even reach my nose. You should know who you're married to. You'll never earn my affection, but you're still my wife. You'll be meeting important people-Grandma will drag you to endless events. You should start acting like someone from this family. Learn about expensive perfumes and stop embarrassing us!"

His phone rang again. Paula's name flashed on the screen.

Of course.

Fredric smiled and answered immediately. "Yeah, baby, I'm on my way. Wait for me."

He hung up, and without another word, the car began to move.

Outside, the city lights blurred through the tinted windows. The only sound was the soft hum of the radio and the steady rhythm of my heartbeat.

In the rearview mirror, I saw the reflection of our mansion-a magnificent building that every girl would dream of living in.

And yet, inside that mansion, I was nothing but a shadow.

I turned to look at Fredric. His chiseled face glowed under the passing streetlights, his jaw sharp, his eyes focused on the road. He was everything I had once dreamed of-charming, successful, powerful.

And I? I was a fool.

Because even now, after all the pain and humiliation, I still found myself hoping.

Hoping that one day he might look at me differently. Hoping that someday, this marriage might mean something more than duty and lies.

Ah... if only all of this had happened because of love.

If only he had ever truly loved me.