Agreement Behind Her Marriage

[This chapter may disturb some readers. A trigger warning is advised.]

LILY'S heart was beating frantically. She was driven by her stepbrother Kenneth to a hotel-based bachelor party for a friend. Even though she was aware of the man's ulterior motivations, she felt compelled to go with him out of concern for her safety.

"I'll kill your precious Manang Puring if you disobey me," she remembers Kenneth's ghostly, demonic smile before he took her to that place.

"Hello, boys!" he said right after they opened the door of one suite.

They discovered four men inside the room.

"Wow, Ken!" One of his friends whistled. "You really brought Lily with you?" At the moment, she was uncertain why his eyes had a reddish hue. She recognized him as Kenneth's best friend, the man who often visited their home. She noticed he would often cast uncomfortable glances in her direction. She also overheard her brother commenting, "She's stupid! Even our father hated the woman. If you want to fuck her, go ahead. She might be of use to you."

"Get inside!" came the stern command from Kenneth. When she hesitated, he pushed her.

"P-please... I want to go home..." Tears rolled down her cheeks as anxiety consumed her. She was filled with fear, fully aware that Kenneth's intentions toward her were always sinister. There were five men in the room, and she could see no one else.

One of his friends stroked her cheek and whispered, "Shhh."

He reassured her, saying, "We won't do anything harmful to you, Lily... We just want to see you happy. You'll enjoy this," in an attempt to ease her anxiety. Her veins filled with revulsion as his finger brushed her cheek.

She noticed one of his friends handing Kenneth a wad of cash. With an authoritative tone, he demanded, "Take off your clothes and start dancing!"

Lily clutched her garments tightly. "No... I-I want to go home."

Turning toward the door, she found one of her stepbrother's friends blocking her path. "Please... let me leave..."

"Tsk! Is this fun for you, Ken? You said she's fun?" said one of the men. With a grin, Kenneth took a seat on a couch.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" one of the men chuckled. "This is the reason why I like her. I can't wait to fuck her cowardly brains out. C'mon, Lily... show us what's behind your clothes."

"No!" she yelled. Her sobs multiplied.

One of them, who is already frowning, said, "Let her go!"

"I won't refund the money if you remove her from here!" Kenneth declared, his eyes narrowing as he advanced toward her. He slapped her forcefully. "What we asked you to do is simple! Why can't you just comply?"

Her hair became disheveled, and her body felt on the brink of breaking. "I'll tell Dad what you've done..."

Kenneth let out a disdainful laugh. "Seriously? When did your dad ever show you affection? He loves me more than he loves you, Lily. You're foolish and worthless! No one cares about you except for me!"

"Go, Lily. Feel free to get out. We will count to ten. Sorry if we catch you outside," The man blocking the door tilted. She could see the excitement in his eyes.

That prompted her to leave the room and sprint down the hallway. She had to leave these beasts behind.

"Run, Lily, run!"

She burst into tears.

"Ten... Nine... Eight..."

She would definitely suffer if they caught her. She was certain that she was in danger, especially in light of the fact that Kenneth's companions were obviously not in their right minds. Perhaps they were under the influence of drugs.

She attempted to open each door one at a time despite her damp cheeks. At this point, that was her only chance for survival. Miraculously, one of them was slightly ajar. She entered without hesitation, but when she saw two nude people engaged in furious sex on the bed, she felt practically sick to her stomach.

"Fuck! Who are you?" asked the man with a broad body.

She was about to open the door so she could leave once more when she realized that there were wolves outside the room waiting to devour her.

"Hmm... Sir, you didn't tell me that you requested a threesome," the woman said flirtatiously, grabbing a cigarette off the nightstand.

"Shut the fuck up! Damn it!" He clenched his teeth. Standing up, the man headed in her direction while wearing a menacing attitude. Her eyes widened in fear, especially when he approached her naked. His hard and tall masculinity was clear in her eyes. She understood that since she was the one who had unexpectedly entered the room, she had no reason to be terrified of him.

"I'll call the police!" he threatened.

Lily was going through a lot of emotions when her vision went completely black, and she passed out. She stumbled and landed in his arms.

Four years later...

Lily's whole body is shaking as the two assistants are helping her dress.

It was her wedding day to someone she had never seen before. She ought to have met Drew Walton by now. However, her soon-to-be husband left the country on the day they were supposed to have a meeting with her family to discuss the marriage, giving her the impression that he wasn't interested in their arrangement.

Master Walton, his grandfather, likes her. 

It infuriated her father that evening. He stated, slamming a cane into her back, which had been giving her pain for weeks, "It was all your fault! Maybe Drew doesn't want to marry you because you're ugly!"

Her stepmother sneered, and Kenneth continued to stare at her like a shadowy demon. That unsettling smile on his face was a constant reminder of the main cause of her life's tragedy. She aspired to find strength, but how could she?

Her brother's misguided instructions had led to relentless bullying at college, ultimately preventing her from completing her degree.

"Lily, you know I care about you. If Daddy rejects you, don't worry, I'm still here to help you," Kenneth said, his fingers gently caressing her cheeks. To her, he seemed like a lunatic psychopath. She couldn't fathom his true intentions, which made him all the more cunning. He whispered terrifying things into her ear, manipulating her naive mind. He relished watching her tremble in fear.

A wedding planner handled every aspect of organizing this event. She and Drew might be her strangest customers because they didn't touch or inquire about any details. The Walton family provided everything and entirely funded this wedding. She had once come across Drew's photo online, and he had a frosty demeanor, much like her father. If that man were to abuse her, what would she do?

The moment the door opened, and her father entered, it brought Lily back to the present. She immediately wiped away the tears that had welled up in her eyes.

"Drew has arrived. It's good that he is still interested in your marriage," her father's expression conveyed his seriousness. "Remember that you were helpful in some way! Do your duty as my daughter!"

"Honey, don't be like that to Lily. His grandfather had already signed the agreement. He will support the expansion of our manufacturing business," said her stepmother, smiling meaningfully. She often gives her disgust. Whenever she had the chance, she would hurt Lily.

Lily bit her lip. Before the door opened, there was a knock. The wedding coordinator appeared in their sight.

"Mr. Martin, we will start in fifteen minutes," she announced.

Her father turned to face her. "If you do something horrible today, you'll be forced to live on the streets. I'm done with you!" he threatened.

Although she wanted to cry, Lily nodded. She had been adored by the man when she was younger, which was why she continued to stay by his side. Mr. Martin's emotions shifted away from her when Kenneth and his mother showed up.

His new wife gave off the impression that Lily owed the Martin Family her life in exchange for staying with them, and that she should be grateful she still had a place to live. She kept that in mind, living each day.

She stepped out of the room to go to the wedding hall where the ceremony would take place.

"Lily!" yelled Manang Puring, the only person who had shown her love, as she arrived at her side in tears. Since her mother's passing, the woman had taken care of her. "You don't have to do this! I will take you to the province if necessary!"

She embraced the older woman, who was in her sixties. She was old, and it was unfair that she should be a burden to Manang Puring. The last option she had on her list of things to accomplish was to leave this place and follow her.

"No! I'm fine," she said.

"I know you, Lily. This thing isn't right! People talk about Drew Walton. Your life with him wouldn't be good either! He's a womanizer!" said the lady.

"Manang Puring, please choose your words carefully. Someone might overhear," she said anxiously, glancing around. The Waltons are influential people, and negative comments about them could lead to consequences.

She passed the lady and kept walking.

"Lily!" Manang Puring cried out once more, but she didn't follow her because her decision was already made."

Goodbye, Manang Puring.

Her anxiety surged as she approached the gathering hall. What if her husband subjected her to the same physical abuse she had endured from her father?

Lily recalled Mr. Martin's words, "You will marry the Walton so that you can be of use to me!"

When she came to a halt before the white curtain, her leg trembled. Soft music filled the air. The curtain parted shortly after. She yearned to escape or find a hiding place when she realized that everyone inside was fixated on her as the main character of the event.

At the far end of the red carpet, she spotted the man in a white three-piece suit. Her heart raced more than once. He was clearly gazing at her with a darkened expression.

Lily, you can do this! Do something useful! In your home, your life is not good either!

That gave her courage, and Lily approached the groom, even though her legs trembled like gelato. She lowered her gaze to ward off fear and discouragement, continuing to steal glances at him as she moved closer.

He loomed over her by more than a foot, and she just reached his chest. With wavy brown hair, a broad chest, wide shoulders, and powerful arms, there was no hint of a smile on his lips as he extended his hand to her.

Her nervousness doubled. She couldn't help but imagine that his arms could easily crush her, and the thought of him striking her sent shivers down her spine.

I should be thankful that he was here, right?

What right does she have to complain to Drew Walton? She should be grateful for his slight interest in the gathering.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..."

As the preacher conducted the ceremony before them, Lily and Drew remained silent. Lily couldn't help but steal glances in her groom's direction. Drew's undeniable good looks were the subject of gossip, with rumors of his involvement with various women and his reputation for not taking relationships seriously.

Her heart thumped even louder when Drew turned to look at her, his gaze sharpening. She tightly shut her eyes.

"Will you, Drew Walton, promise to cherish Lilian Rose Martin as your lawful wedded wife, to protect her, and to be there for her through sickness and disappointment?" asked the pastor.

There was a moment before the man answered, "I will."

"Will you, Lilian Rose Martin, cherish Drew Walton as your lawful wedded husband, protecting him, and tending to his needs through illness and disappointment?"

Who was she to say no to that? The man accepted her marriage proposal so she should be thankful! "I-I-I will," she stuttered.

Drew's face soured because it was as if she was forced to say yes. But her anxiety prevented her from speaking.

"Drew Walton, do you love Lilian Rose Martin willingly and completely, withholding nothing? Will you protect her, and give her your deepest consideration of her feelings, desires, and needs?"

Love? It's obviously out of the question, but Drew responded, "I will."

"Lilian Rose Martin, will you strive to keep your love flexible and adapt to changing circumstances in the marriage? And will you be Drew Walton's counselor, helpmate, sweetheart & lover, and best friend, from this day forward?"

"I-I will..." Lily replied.

"Do you, Drew Walton, take Lilian Rose Martin to be your lawfully wedded wife, to share your life openly, standing by her side in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and love forevermore?"

Drew let out a sigh, as if he were bored with the questions. "I do."

The pastor then posed the same question to Lily. There was no turning back now. "I-I do..."

A little while later, they exchanged rings. In Lily's opinion, the rings were beautiful. But she had to keep reminding herself that, no matter how lovely they were, their marriage would always feel unreal.

"I now pronounce you as husband and wife," said the pastor, smiling. "You may now kiss the bride!"

Drew gently lifted her face to get a better look at her, his arm wrapping around her waist. It felt as though time had come to a standstill as he leaned in for the kiss. Drew's eyes were striking, and his lips drew closer to hers.

Tension still coursed through her body, which is why, before she could even catch her breath, she lost consciousness.

***

"WHAT the fuck?!" Drew exclaimed angrily as his wife passed out in his arms.

He picked up the woman, who was as light as paper before they could attract any attention. The ceremony is thankfully over.

His best friend Finn came over. He sat in the front-row seat and witnessed everything that had occurred. "What happened to her?"

"She passed out," he whispered. "I'll take her to the room first. Please call a doctor. Kori, please entertain the guests. I have no idea what happened." His face darkened.

Kori, another of his best friends, struggled to stifle her laughter, which only further irritated him. Kori was a beautiful married woman and his first love. However, he had already moved on. It had been five years since he last confessed his feelings to her, and she had rejected him.

Finn followed him outside. He no longer cared if the guests were confused as they made their way out of the hall. Perhaps they believed the couple was heading straight to their honeymoon.

Lilian Rose? Her name was pretty, but her body was... 

Her name, as per his grandfather, is Lily. Drew's expression changed. The old man clearly intended to reprimand him for bringing a woman who was vastly different from the women he usually dated. He's a troublemaker, and the old man obviously didn't appreciate that!

Master Walton compelled him into this marriage. Otherwise, he'd hand the entire Walton Group to someone else! Drew wrestled with the situation in his office. His life was deeply entwined with it. He absolutely wouldn't allow it to fall into the hands of his uncles, who were like wolves waiting for him and his grandfather to pass away.

"I think I've seen her before... I just can't recall where," he murmured while studying Lily's face.

"You already saw her? Maybe during your engagement?" Finn replied.

"No..."

Upon reaching the couple's suite, he gently laid Lily on the bed and then gazed at her once more, this time with her eyes closed. Finn made a phone call for assistance. His wife appeared pale and very thin. Even her entire face was almost as small as his palm. She most likely had a petite frame, perhaps even extra-small. Her complexion was fair and white. Was she pretty? Well, she was... simple, cute! Quite different from his usual type!

Despite being twenty-four years old, it seemed as if he had married a young woman who looked more like sixteen. He was eight years older than her.

"What's wrong with her?!" he furiously exclaimed, thinking she had passed out shortly after announcing their marriage.

"Calm down!" said Finn who was done with his call. "A doctor will come."

He shook his head and exclaimed, "Tsk! I shouldn't have consented to this marriage! Would you be glad if the woman you just kissed passed out?"

"It's too late for that! You already said, I do!"

"She's far from the women I've dated! I want big boobs, a sexy, or a woman with a curvy body! This woman is petite, innocent... Damn it! Does she even know how to suck a cock?" he continuously complained.

"The women you fuck, you mean?" Finn corrected. "Drew, she's a wife, not some random bitch! She's not a whore!"

"I-I-I'm sorry..." A small voice emanated from the bed, causing both of them to turn toward her. His wife was now sobbing, clutching a pillow as she sat on the bed.

Sympathy welled up in him as he gazed at her tear-stained cheeks.

"Damn it!" He slapped his forehead. He and Finn had uttered a lot that she shouldn't have heard.

HER husband doesn't like her. That's what in Lily's mind as she heard the voices talking. She opened her eyes, and it was clear to her ears how her husband criticized her. He desired a woman with a model-like physique as opposed to someone who was thin and frail like her.

After all, who would want someone like her who can't even help her family? A woman of no use? Would she be curious still? Even her own father and his wife, Kenneth, and the maids dislike her.

"I-I-I'm sorry..." she said, sobbing.

Her husband and his friend turned to her at the same time.

"Damn it!" Drew squeezed the tip of his nose bridge between his eyebrows. Lily was startled, and it seemed like she could already anticipate the man going to attack her.

"Bro, you're just making it worse," said his friend. The man tried to approach her, but she simply became more frightened and retreated to the corner of the bed. Her body trembled. She had several images of men who wanted to harm her seriously. They are making ominous laughter.

Would Drew Walton do the same to her as Kenneth did?

"Please..." she pleaded to the two men. The man who was her husband's friend stopped approaching her.

"Uhm... We promise not to harm you. I'm Finn. I'm the best man and Drew's best friend." 

Her actions annoyed Drew, and then he asked, "What's her problem?"

Someone knocked outside their suite. "That's definitely the doctor I asked for."

She calmed down once the other man left, but Drew remains perplexed. He examined her with a dark expression and knotted brows. Finn reappears in her vision, this time with a woman carrying a stethoscope, a medicine box, and other items. This is most likely the doctor they phoned to check on her.

"Please check my wife! She passed out after the ceremony," Drew stated grumpily.

Lily didn't know how to feel about that. In the Martin household, even if she cannot stand because of bruising or cigarette burns, her family will not call a doctor as she's nothing.

The woman took her blood rate and asked what she felt at the moment.

"Mr. Walton, her blood pressure was elevated due to her anxiety, probably because of the wedding. You've also heard that she hasn't eaten properly since this morning."

"So annoying..."

She sobbed uncontrollably and then whispered, "Thank you!"

After advising that she needed to eat and take care of herself, the doctor left the room.

Drew sat on the couch and then looked deeply at her. Lily averted her gaze, wiping away her tears. However, nervousness still pulses through her veins. That was the first time she had ever met Drew, who she didn't know. He seemed ready to shoot fire at her at any moment. She sensed he was not content with her.

Finn came back with a woman. "I called her because we obviously needed help."

"This is insane!" Drew complained to the two people who had just come in. Standing up, he continued, shaking his head, "I really shouldn't have consented to this marriage! Look at me, and then look at her, Lauren. She's too small for me! She didn't even have any flesh on her body, and she had been sobbing for quite some time! She's so delicate! I had the impression she was terrified of me!"

Her tears started to flow again. Because of her shortcomings, she became even more discouraged.

"You brat! You should be thankful that someone even married you! You're being disrespectful! If you're looking for big boobs, you can add them to your body!" exclaimed Lauren angrily.

Drew winced at what he had just heard.

"It's wrong to criticize any woman! May I remind you that she's your wife?"

"I told you, love. Both of them needed help," Finn remarked, as if he was running out of patience.

"I'm out!" Her husband stormed out."

Her eyes grew wider. It's her fault! Drew must not go away! What if he immediately ended things with her? She became even more tense.

"I will follow Drew. You take care of her first," Finn instructed the woman.

Lauren approached her. Her worry and defenses were partially reduced because she thought the woman was considerate. But Lily did not fully trust the woman.

"My name is Lauren, my husband is Finn, and Drew is my friend."

"I'm Lily."

"Please forgive that jerk because he, too, is unaccustomed to relationships. He struggles to trust women. But don't worry, Drew is a good guy."

She held back tears despite her fear that Drew might not return. She has to trust Lauren's words, right?

"I have to follow him. We should not have left the event hall."

"Don't worry about Drew. Even though he behaved like that, he had a sense of responsibility. Although that jackass unquestionably treated you poorly, he certainly wouldn't have consented to this wedding if he didn't like you. He will soon realize that you're his wife and that he shouldn't act rudely towards you."

Perhaps Lauren said it to make her feel better. She had previously heard that Drew enjoys hot and attractive ladies, has large breasts, and possesses a fantastic shape. There was no mention of her physical appearance in any of these.

"Thank you! But I have to go back to the event hall," she said as she calmed down. "It doesn't give a good impression that we aren't there."

"You will definitely get attention if you come back there. Wait a minute! I'll get you a new dress. We can explain that you changed your clothes." The woman exited the room before she could answer.

Lily, this is a simple thing to do. Why can't you do it? Before Drew decides to end that marriage, she needs to find him.

Lauren carried a white dress when she returned. Because the sleeves are big and loose, it is unlikely that the guests will notice her almost bony shoulders. She thanked Lauren despite feeling uncomfortable wearing the outfit because it was too much.

Lily asked for Lauren's help because she needed to zip her dress.

"Oh, my God! You have-" Lauren gasped in terror as she stared at her exposed back. Her lips parted as she took her time, zipping Lily's new dress all the way up.

Her cheeks were red as she looked away.

"Lily..."

She forced a smile and hoped Lauren would forget what she saw. "We have to go back."

They returned to the event hall. She attracted attention as well because they couldn't see Drew.

"Where is that arse? Have Finn and Drew ever been here?" Lauren spoke to the other woman, who appeared to be quite busy.

"No. I last spoke to Drew when he instructed me to look after guests. That was after the ceremony a while ago."

Lily took a seat at the couple's table. She couldn't stop herself from eating the food in the absence of her husband. She was also starving and in need of energy. When a member of the hotel staff approached her, she was halfway through the entrée.

"Ms. Lily, Mr. Martin is requesting your presence in the garden. Please go this way."

Given that her father dislikes waiting, she instinctively followed Mr. Martin's instructions. She braced herself for the man's ruthlessness, went out, and headed her way to the garden. Immediately, she saw the man gritting his teeth. Her stepmother, who had her lips slightly turned up, was beside him.

"You, wench!" Mr. Martin slapped Lily. Her body was so frail that she fell into the bushes. "Where is Drew? I had warned you I'd disown you if you didn't perform well today."

"Honey, maybe Drew won't just walk out on the marriage. It hadn't even been twenty-four hours. Don't tell me he doesn't want Lily anymore." Her stepmother sneered. She obviously aggravated Mr. Martin's rage.

Her father's knuckle hit her head. "If Drew ever brings you back home, remember that I won't accept you." Before leaving her, he gave her another slap. "Stupid!"

Lily was sobbing uncontrollably as she sat on the bench. Despite how easy her task was, she failed to do it! She has been sobbing for some time now.

If only she weren't so anxious...

If only she hadn't been terrified...

If only she were attractive, sexy, or beautiful! Perhaps her husband hadn't abandoned her.

She jerked when someone touched her hair. When she recognized Kenneth, a peculiar disgust crawled through her skin.

"P-please go away..." Lily whispered. She scantily scanned her surroundings. She had to get back to the event hall before he could do anything unimaginable to her because it was already becoming dark there.

Kenneth looked at her intently.

"You are adorable in this dress... You know that I'll stay with you, Lily. You cannot escape me, no matter where you are. Even if Drew Walton hides you at the bottom of the world, you won't be able to escape."

She retreated from him. Kenneth tightened his fist and rapidly squinted his eyes. Here they are again! Is he intending to hurt her?

"Leave. Her. Alone!" 

They both turned to face the person who spoke. She spotted Drew looking at them with narrowed eyes.

Innocently grinning, Kenneth raised his hands as though giving up. "Come on, man. I'm only wishing my sister luck."

Drew gave her a glance. He might have noticed the anxiety in her eyes.

"To me, that is not what it looks like! Lily come here."

She rushed over to Drew. He took her by the waist and gave Kenneth a threatening glare before walking away. Compared to Kenneth or her father, who frequently hurt her, his touch on her waist was gentle. Is she really that foolish to believe her husband? Maybe. But she would be even more dumb if she stayed with her stepbrother.

"The gathering ended early, so I'm taking you to the suite. Finn and I had a drink in this hotel's bar, and when I returned, you went to the garden," her husband stated coldly.

As they made their way to the suite, Drew had a gloomy expression. He seemed to want to say something, but he couldn't. Lily remained silent when they returned to their room.

When they entered the room, Drew punched the wall, letting her know he was unhappy. Lily gets chills from the fire in his gaze. Hugging herself, she moved to the corner room that was the most distant from him.

"Tell me. You were not harmed by that bastard and his four friends! I've been trying to recall where I saw you. It's at Hotel 5! You went inside my suite and passed out. When I was carrying you out, Kenneth claimed you were his sister, but I didn't believe those fvckers. I knew something horrible had happened. So I called the police to ensure he was telling the truth."

She was in awe. Now she realizes she and Drew had met previously. Her tears flowed. Because of that day, she cannot complete her degree.

"Lily, tell me..." Drew approached her. This time, his voice was less agitated as he asked, "Did they do something to you?"

She could not respond. What happens if his disdain for her grows? The resurfacing of her painful memories brought her tears on rather than fear.

"There won't be any issues between us. Anyone may be in your position as my wife. I only like to comprehend your source of fear. Did your brother... rape you?"

She gave her response a lot of thought. She sobbed gently and nodded.

Drew clenched his fist and let out a dragon-like snort of fire. "With those scumbags?"

"No, but they molested me." She wailed. "I'm sorry..." she cried.

He continued to calm her down by saying, "I saw you earlier. I went to the garden after you and witnessed your father beating you. Then, before I could approach you, I saw Kenneth. I have a feeling he was planning something awful for you because I noticed his face. What kind of family did you have?"

Lily didn't know how to answer him. She has nothing to compare to her family because she has never experienced having one aside from the Martins, if she can call it a family. She already assumed Drew would leave her too, because the wife he gets is worthless.