Awakening Of Love: Wedded To An Unconscious Husband

"Miss Edwards, I'll need your signature here," the lawyer requested, extending the consent form for the insemination surgery to Ariana Edwards.

Ariana perched on the sofa, gripping the pen in her hand without realizing it.

The surgery was set for tomorrow, and today was supposed to be her wedding day.

The donor? None other than Theodore Anderson, the eldest son of the Anderson family head, who was also meant to be the groom at this grand wedding.

But fate had thrown a wrench into the works. Theodore had been reduced to a vegetable three months back, courtesy of a car wreck, leaving him unable to attend his own wedding ceremony.

Word on the street was that Theodore's days were numbered.

The Anderson family, with their focus on wealth and lineage, persisted in having offspring so that their family fortune could be inherited. Therefore, Darian Anderson, Theodore's father, eagerly wanted him to have a baby before he died, intending to use Theodore's stored sperm from previous years to impregnate Ariana.

Ariana gazed at the agreement before her, her face tense, and a flicker of subtle anxiety danced in her clear eyes.

"I'm sorry. I need a moment to go through this carefully. Could you give me a moment alone?" she requested, her voice trembling ever so slightly.

The lawyer hesitated briefly before nodding and exiting the room, leaving Ariana to grapple with her thoughts.

Alone, Ariana set the contract aside and reached for her phone, dialing her boyfriend's number.

Yes, she had a boyfriend, a fact known only to a select few!

And coincidentally, her boyfriend happened to be Jasper Anderson, Theodore's half-brother from another mother.

This wedding was not what it seemed but a scheme devised by Jasper.

A month ago, Ariana's father passed away, leaving her at the mercy of her stepmother, Glenda Edwards, who seized the family property and cast Ariana out, even confiscating her late mother's belongings.

In her darkest hour, Jasper extended a helping hand, proposing that Ariana enter into a sham marriage with Theodore and try to sabotage the surgery later. With Theodore's demise, Jasper would ascend as the sole heir of the Anderson empire.

He promised to marry Ariana once their plan bore fruit and aid her in reclaiming her mother's possessions.

Reluctantly, Ariana acquiesced to Jasper's plan. But as the pivotal moment drew near, regret gnawed at her conscience. There was no way she could go through such a thing.

With Jasper unreachable by phone, Ariana's anxiety escalated. She paced the room frantically before sneaking searching for him.

Fearful of being discovered, she forewent the elevator, opting instead to descend the stairs barefoot.

As she neared the lounge at the end of the corridor, her steps faltered.

The slightly ajar door to this room emanated flirtatious laughter.

"Jasper, stay a while longer with me. Ariana won't come looking for you anytime soon," a voice cooed seductively.

Ariana's heart skipped a beat. Peering through the crack in the door, she beheld a sight that shattered her world.

Her stepsister, Brielle Edwards, was entwined in a scandalous embrace with none other than Jasper, her beloved boyfriend!

"I fear Ariana might have second thoughts and bolt from the wedding. I can't rest easy without keeping an eye on her," Jasper remarked impatiently, attempting to disentangle himself from Brielle's grasp.

But Brielle persisted, capturing Jasper's lips in a fervent kiss. "Worry not, my love. Ariana is putty in your hands. Besides, we still hold her mother's heirlooms hostage. She wouldn't dare defy us."

"You have a point there." Rolling over, Jasper pinned Brielle under him and planted a quick kiss on her lips. "I thank you, sweetie. When I have this plan finished, I'll get rid of that worthless woman! I only want you..."

The scene grew uglier by the moment, with only soft moans and heavy breathing echoing in the room.

Ariana's legs gave out beneath her. She staggered back several steps.

So Jasper had played her all along! His declarations of love were just a facade, a mask for manipulation and deceit! Tears streamed down her cheeks as the bitter truth suffocated her.

She gripped her skirt tightly, teeth grinding in fury as she listened to the sounds in the room.

She swore she wouldn't dance to Brielle and Jasper's tune! If they aimed to seize control of the Anderson family, she'd have none of it!

Ariana wiped her tears, slipped on her heels, and made her way back to her room, her decision clear as she signed the consent form.

She'd be Theodore's wife, and she'd watch those schemers burn in hell!

-

In the softly lit Anderson Mansion that night.

As the wedding concluded, Ariana was escorted to Theodore's room by the butler.

It was the first time she'd laid eyes on Theodore, her new husband.

According to Jasper, Theodore was a man with a nasty temper, an odd personality, and was ruthless even to his own kin. All the worst descriptors were used, including "ugly."

Ariana had prepared herself for the worst, but she was taken aback by Theodore's exceptional handsomeness. Even in his illness, he couldn't hide the noble air about him, his refined features speaking of aristocracy.

She stood by the bed, observing Theodore's exquisite face, filled with doubt.

Were all of Jasper's words just rubbish?

Just then, the door swung open forcefully. Jasper stumbled in, drunk, a bottle of alcohol in hand, his voice booming without an ounce of respect for Theodore.

"Aria, I'm sorry. I was swamped today and missed your call, neglecting you."

It wasn't the time to reveal everything yet, so Ariana had to stomach the nausea and Jasper's insincere kindness, pretending to be placated. "It's fine, Jasper. I'm not blaming you."

Jasper took a swig of his drink, his smile oozing confidence. "I knew it. You love me so much that you won't hold it against me."

Ariana clenched her fists, frustration pulsing through her. "It's late now. Can't we talk about this tomorrow..."

But before she could finish, she watched Jasper lock the door and plunge the room into darkness, advancing towards her slowly.

Ariana backed away cautiously. "Jasper, what are you doing?"

"This moment is too precious to waste," Jasper said with a sinister grin, the stench of alcohol thick around him as he moved closer. "Think about it, Aria. If you bear my child, they can inherit the family property as well!"

He was utterly disregarding Theodore. How dare he try to assault her, who now was already Theodore's wife, in Theodore's room!

"Let go of me!" Ariana struggled, but just as she thought Jasper was going to get his way, she saw Jasper freeze in place.

Confused, she raised her head, only to see Jasper staring behind her, his face contorted in terror.

"Theodore..."

Jasper was scared witless and bolted out of the room.

Did Theodore come to?!

Ariana turned around, but there was only eerie silence behind her.

Shaking with fear, she flicked on the light and glanced at the bed. Theodore lay there, still as a statue, his breath as steady as usual.

But one of his hands had somehow moved out from under the covers.

Ariana cocked her head, looking at the hand, thinking it could have been accidentally nudged during her struggle with Jasper.

"Theodore?" Ariana tentatively called, but no response came.

She raised her voice. "Hey, Theodore?"

Again, she got nothing.

Ariana swallowed nervously, inching closer to the bed. She carefully tucked Theodore's hand back under the covers. He stayed as still as a log, as if he wouldn't wake up even if she shook him.

Whatever happened earlier must have been Jasper's guilty conscience playing tricks.

With her heart hammering, Ariana breathed a sigh of relief, noticing the liquor bottle Jasper had dropped. She tossed it away and locked the door, finally settling the room into peace. Even in the quiet, Ariana couldn't shake off the unease, half-expecting Theodore to pop his eyes open any moment.

She perched on the edge of the bed, keeping an eye out, but the overwhelming fatigue took over. Unknowingly, she slumped against the headboard and drifted into sleep.

The next day.

Ariana woke up, finding herself lying on the edge of the bed, startled.

Thankfully, Theodore on the bed remained just as before, not a hair out of place.

Ariana breathed a sigh of relief.

It looked like last night's commotion had been nothing more than a mix-up.

Ariana made her way to the bathroom to freshen up, but as she glanced into the mirror, she noticed a red mark on her neck, as though it had been pinched by fingers.

She deduced that it was likely a mark left by Jasper during their struggle the previous night.

Disgust washed over Ariana at the sight.

Feeling dejected, she set down her toothbrush and changed into a high-necked shirt to hide the mark on her neck.

After getting ready, Ariana descended the stairs for breakfast.

As soon as she reached the bottom of the staircase, Jasper pulled her into a small room.

"Has that useless waste awakened?" Jasper whispered anxiously, leaning in close to avoid being overheard.

Ariana stepped back, feeling uncomfortable, and kept a blank expression. "Not yet."

"That's good. I must have imbibed too much last night. I thought I saw that piece of shit opening his eyes and glaring at me." Jasper let out a sigh of relief, his gloomy countenance suddenly brightening as he returned to his usual gentle and happy demeanor.

Ariana kept her head bowed, afraid that Jasper could see the hatred in her eyes.

Thinking that Ariana was upset about the incident from the previous night, Jasper softly apologized, "I'm sorry. I had too much to drink last night and acted impulsively."

Ariana attempted to calm the storm of emotions raging within her heart and replied patiently, "It's alright."

She then found an excuse to extricate herself from Jasper and left the room.

In the dining room, Darian sat at the head of the table, his face like stone, not a hint of a smile or much conversation. When Ariana entered, he barely acknowledged her with a nod, his demeanor chilly.

Contrary to Darian's frostiness, Sharon Anderson, Theodore's stepmother, welcomed Ariana warmly. She was Jasper's birth mother, likely complicit in his schemes. Otherwise, she wouldn't have treated Ariana so kindly.

Throughout the meal, Ariana felt like a fish out of water, uncomfortable and eager to escape.

After breakfast, Darian escorted Ariana to the private hospital owned by the Anderson family for the surgery, with Jasper tagging along.

Before Ariana went into the operating room, Jasper kept shooting her worried looks, clearly reminding her of the plan.

Ariana knew what Jasper meant and flashed him a reassuring smile before stepping into the operating room with a cold expression.

Even though fear gnawed at her, Ariana pressed on, fueled by revenge and the desire to reclaim what was rightfully hers!

After the surgery, Ariana emerged from the operating room looking pale. The doctor removed his mask and informed Darian, "Everything went smoothly, but we'll need to wait a month for a follow-up to confirm if the pregnancy took."

Jasper's face darkened at this news.

On the other hand, Darian, rarely one to smile, showed a hint of satisfaction. His gaze softened slightly as he looked at Ariana. He then arranged for a driver to take her and Jasper back to the Anderson mansion.

During the journey, Jasper remained silent, his face flushed with anger.

Ariana ignored him, staring out the window and looking lost in her own mind.

When they arrived, Jasper exploded, dragging Ariana to the garden to confront her.

"Why didn't you sabotage the surgery like we agreed?" Jasper growled in frustration.

The surgery was done, and Ariana didn't want to argue with Jasper anymore. She shook off his hand and said coldly, "Mind your stupid manners! I'm your sister-in-law now!"

Jasper laughed mockingly, kicking a nearby tree in frustration. "Sister-in-law? Are you kidding me?"

Ariana was taken aback but turned to leave, but Jasper grabbed her wrist again.

"Where do you think you're going? We're not finished here!" Jasper said meanly, his eyes burning with anger.

Ariana didn't want to engage. She glared at him. "Let me go."

Jasper snorted, getting closer to Ariana with a threatening tone, "You think you can just swoop in and take Theodore and rid me off in that process? It's not happening. Not in this life! Even if you're pregnant, Theodore won't be able to protect you and your baby!"

"So what? Theodore's still alive, isn't he?" Ariana shot back defiantly. "And even if he's not, I'll still be his wife, your sister-in-law!"

Jasper was provoked and almost snapped.

Fortunately, a maid rushed out of the mansion at that moment and saw Ariana. "Mrs. Anderson! Mr. Anderson is awake and asking for you!" she exclaimed excitedly from a distance.

Theodore stirred awake, jolting both Ariana and Jasper.

Jasper, his face already flushed with anger, seized Ariana's arm. "You lied to me, didn't you? I wasn't crazy; Theodore woke up last night, right? That's why you're acting so strange today!"

Ariana didn't bother explaining. She scoffed, yanked Jasper's hand away, and followed the maid without a word.

Jasper was seething with anger, but he didn't dare to chase after her. He could only watch as Ariana's figure disappeared into the distance, clenching his fists in frustration before venting his anger on a nearby flowerpot, kicking it over.

The Anderson mansion was an expansive estate adorned with vibrant flowers. Simply walking through the corridors took several minutes. Theodore resided in a secluded villa behind the garden, surrounded by a serene environment with plenty of sunlight and lush trees, providing the perfect setting for his recovery.

However, Ariana couldn't find it in herself to appreciate the beauty around her. Anxiety consumed her thoughts, leaving her mind in disarray.

She couldn't be certain if Theodore had truly awakened the previous night, and if he had overheard her conversation with Jasper.

If he had...

The mere thought sent a chill down Ariana's spine, intensifying the chaos in her mind.

She was aware that Theodore was not someone she could afford to offend. Rumors circulated about Theodore, painting him as a ruthless and all-powerful individual, and those who crossed him often met a grim fate.

"Mrs. Anderson, we have arrived," The maid's voice brought Ariana back to reality.

Before her stood a white iron gate. Ariana took a deep breath and slowly entered the villa, coincidentally running into Darian who was rushing back.

Ariana greeted him quietly, and Darian responded with indifference before they entered Theodore's room together.

A group of doctors surrounded Theodore's bed, conducting an examination.

After the examination, the lead doctor sighed. "Although Mr. Theodore Anderson has regained consciousness, his illness still lingers, particularly in his legs. The injuries are severe, and he won't be able to walk normally in the future. Rehabilitation will be a long process."

"Are you saying he's physically impaired now?" Darian asked, disbelief etched on his face.

Ariana furrowed her brow slightly, sensing a hint of relief on Darian's face.

"Yes," the doctor regretfully confirmed.

"I see. You may leave now." Darian waved his hand, dismissing the doctors. He then turned his attention back to Theodore, a rare smile gracing his face once again. "You need to rest and not worry about anything. I will find the best doctors to treat your legs. You have nothing else to concern yourself with."

With that, he called Ariana to Theodore's bedside. "From now on, you'll be looking after Theodore."

The way he phrased it made Ariana feel as though she was merely a caretaker.

Theodore reclined against the headboard, his gaze cold and aloof, devoid of any emotion. His handsome face was emotionless, projecting an air of indifference that sent shivers down one's spine with just a glance.

It wasn't until then that he raised his eyes coldly, his sharp gaze sweeping over Ariana before fixing on Darian. "Who is she?"

Such a concise question left Ariana at a loss, unsure how to address Theodore, let alone introduce herself.

After all, their marriage was just a trade with no love at all. Therefore, Theodore might divorce her at any time.

If he really did, Ariana's plans for revenge would crumble.

"She is your wife, Ariana Edwards," Darian answered.

Theodore's expression soured further, a sneer curling his lips. "I don't recall having a wife. Where did you dig up this impostor?"

"I arranged it for you. It's public knowledge," Darian insisted.

But Theodore remained unconvinced. "Then let's dissolve this farce! Not just anyone deserve to be my wife. If you need someone to care for me, hire a nurse!"

Tension hung thick in the air. Darian's countenance darkened, his jaw clenched as if battling his rising ire. "Divorce is out of the question."

Theodore chuckled derisively. "Darian, what gives you the authority to make decisions on my behalf?"

Even to the most obtuse observer, it was evident that their relationship was strained.

Ariana stood awkwardly to the side, feeling utterly superfluous.

Darian trembled with suppressed anger, his voice low and tinged with menace. "This matter is settled. Ariana has recently undergone insemination. There's a possibility she's carrying your child now!"

Upon hearing this, Theodore finally turned his gaze towards Ariana, assessing her like a commodity.

After a moment, he chuckled softly, his tone flippant, and casually asked Ariana, "Surgical or medical abortion, which do you prefer?"