Bounded At First Sight To My Arranged Groom's Rival

Charlotte's POV

I stood frozen, my heart hammering in my chest as I watched my supposed groom exchange vows with another woman. My vision blurred, but I forced myself to hold back the tears threatening to spill.

Laughter and chatter filled the event hall, but all I could hear was the deafening ring in my ears. This was supposed to be my wedding. Instead, I was nothing more than a bystander at someone else's.

I clenched my fists, the embarrassment and betrayal suffocating me. My parents had sold me off like a commodity, forcing me into this marriage for their own selfish reasons, and now... there was no marriage at all.

The pressure in my chest grew unbearable. I needed an escape. Just then, I felt a light tap at my left shoulder and I immediately turned to face the cab driver that had just dropped me off a few seconds ago.

You forgot..." he started, as he raised his sceptical brows at me, with his magical eyes roaming on me.

Without hesitation, my lips crashed against his before he could react.

I felt the crowd's attention shift to us as gasps of surprises erupted around us.

His entire body went rigid, his hands gripping my arms as if debating whether to push me away. Then, just as suddenly as I'd kissed him, he pulled back, dropping my purse on the ground and running a hand through his dark hair as he stormed outside.

I stood there, stunned, my lips tingling from the abruptness of it all. Whispers filled the air, eyes bore into me from every direction, but all I could focus on was his retreating figure.

Without thinking, I followed him. There was no reason to stay back and witness my own humiliation unfold any further.

He was already making his way toward the car when I found my voice.

"Wait," I called out, my voice cracking slightly. "I'm sorry okay, but can we just...?"

He halted mid-step, turning around with an incredulous look. His gray eyes darkened with irritation.

"What the hell just happened in there?" His voice was sharp, demanding answers.

I hesitated, pressing my lips together. He had every right to be angry, I had just dragged him into a public scandal.

"Or is it in your nature to throw yourself at any man you see?" he continued, his gray eyes burning with fury. "How dare you disgrace me in the middle of a crowd like that? Don't you have any shame?"

The words hit like a slap. My humiliation was already unbearable, but his harsh tone sliced through me like a blade.

I swallowed back the lump in my throat, trying to ignore the murmurs that were starting to grow around us.

"Wait... isn't that Liam Blackwood?"

"No way! Why would someone like him be here?"

He exhaled sharply, running his hand through his hair again. He glanced toward the direction of the murmurs, his frustration evident. Then, without another word, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me down the stairs.

"Get in the car," he ordered.

I didn't argue. I also needed to get away from here. The moment I settled into the passenger seat, silence enveloped us. Liam's knuckles went white against the steering wheel as he drove, jaw clenched, his gaze locked on the road.

Then his phone rang.

He groaned, tapping the screen and putting it on speaker as he sped up.

"What is it?"

A deep voice responded, "Master, your grandfather is refusing the surgery. He has locked himself in his room, and the doctors say they can't force him."

His grip on the wheel tightened. "What the hell do you mean he's refusing?"

"He says if you, his only grandson, can run away from your bride, then why should he fight for his life? He's being stubborn, Master."

My breath caught in my throat. Did I hear that right?

Liam huffed, shaking his head. "Damn it, Grandpa."

So... he ran away from his bride too? I squealed in my head

"I'll be there in a moment!" He assured.

"I'm sorry, Master. He says he doesn't want to hear from you unless you're calling to tell him you're getting married."

He let out a bitter chuckle, but there was no humor in it. "Keep an eye on him. I'll be home soon."

The call ended, leaving only the sound of the engine filling the space.

Then, as if pushing the conversation aside, he turned to me. "Where do you live? I'll drop you off."

The mention of home made my stomach churn. Go back? To my parents, who had tossed me aside like I was nothing?

He must have noticed my hesitation. His gaze flicked toward me before returning to the road. "What? Don't tell me you're homeless."

I swallowed hard. "Going back isn't an option."

He exhaled, muttering something under his breath. Then, after a long pause, he said the words that would change everything.

"Wanna play a game real quick?"

I turned to him, confused. "A game?"

He glanced at me, his gray eyes sharp. "I'll triple whatever you're to get from marriage to Oliver Keller. Let's get married."

I stared at him, my pulse quickening. "What?"

"You heard me." His lips curled slightly. "I need a wife, and you need a place to stay. Let's say we both get what we want."

I was breathless, my mind spinning.

He smirked as if reading my mind. "I know what you're thinking. How can a cabman afford to make this deal? Well, I'm not a cabman."

I blinked, the realization slowly sinking in. No wonder he'd been so aggressive when I kissed him back at the event hall. He was probably some powerful figure.

He stretched out a hand toward me. "Let's have a proper introduction, my beautiful bride-to-be. That is, if you're saying yes."

My blood ran cold.

"I'm Liam Blackwood."

The name hit me like a thunderbolt as my eyes widened in disbelief. I knew that name sounded familiar earlier, but I couldn't quite place it. But now, it all finally came into focus.

I sucked in a shaky breath. "I'm Charlotte Knight."

The hum of the engine was the only sound between us for what felt like an eternity. I couldn't wrap my head around what had just happened. The whole wedding fiasco, the kiss, and now Liam Blackwood? The name swirled in my mind like an insistent whisper. How had I not recognized him sooner?

I shifted uncomfortably in the passenger seat, my fingers playing nervously with the edge of my dress. I had just kissed a man I didn't know, only for him to turn out to be a man of power, and now, he was offering me something I wasn't sure I wanted but could hardly refuse.

"So, what do you say?" Liam said, his voice breaking the silence, but his eyes stayed focused on the road.

I glanced at him, unsure of how to respond. There was so much going on in my head. "I don't even know what to think," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he kept his gaze straight ahead, his grip on the wheel tight, his jaw clenched as though he was holding back something volatile.

"You don't have to think. Just... make a decision." He said calmly. "I don't know what the matter is, but it's obvious you don't want to go back to your parents, and I also don't want to deal with my grandfather's stubbornness. So we made a deal. You get a place to stay, and I get the wedding done, problem solved."

My heart skipped a beat at the implications of his words. "A marriage of convenience?" I asked, feeling the weight of the situation sink in.

His lips twitched into the faintest smile. "Exactly, nothing more. I won't force you into anything. I just need the damn title for my grandpa to get the surgery."

"Why?" I asked, the question slipping from my lips before I could stop it. "Why would you need a wife so badly, yet you ran away from your own wedding?"

He glanced at me briefly, "That's none of your business." He stated sharply.

"Fine," I said, my voice steady despite the whirlwind in my chest. "Let's do it. I'll marry you."

His eyes flicked toward me, and his lips quivering in the smallest of smiles. "Good." He said it as though the matter was settled, and maybe in his world, it was.

"We'll head to the registry right away, and after that, we can go visit my grandfather," he added.

Charlotte's POV

I never trust any stranger easily but this seems different. I mean there's something about him that draws me to him which I can't explain. However, my mind couldn't shift on how easily I agreed to this deal without a second thought.

I turned to stare at Liam as he sped his wheels without a care in the world about anything. I didn't know whether I'm making the right decision or not but it's the best option for sure.

It wasn't long when we arrived at the registry beside the city hall. The sight of its vibrant and colourful entrance got my attention.

"Here you go, Mr Blackwood," the officer said, as he handed over the documents to him the moment we sat down. It was as though they were expecting him.

He took a glance at the documents and rotated his head towards me with a smirk on his face. "You're going to answer Mrs Blackwood for just a year," he stated, with so much audacity.

I was utterly shocked with how arrogant he smelt. And for a split second I wanted to say no to his deal but I don't know why my thoughts conflict with what my heart really wants.

"Deal," I replied as I scribbled my signature on the documents.

At this point my parents were stuck in my mind. I feel I will be able to get back our legacy soonest. Not just that, but the Knight's empire will strive more than before.

We strolled out of the registry office, as Liam swung his arms arrogantly towards his car without uttering a word to me.

My hands clenched as I glared at him. "We're heading to the hospital now so they can commence the surgery on my grandfather with immediate effects," his voice was laced with ice, as a shaky smile formed on my lips.

I nodded my head and my heart began to pound wildly as dread washes over me. I don't know what to expect at this point.

The silence between us was palpable as he started his engine. His brows rose and he gave me a mischievous look. Probably he expects me to voice out something.

"Why did you run away from your wedding though?" I broke the silence between us. His knuckles turned white, as he stared at me heavenward.

Then he hissed loudly, "It's none of your business. Your business is to only answer Mrs Blackwood with no string attached," his venomous reply hit me like poison.

Is this what I'm going to deal with for fucking whole year? My mind raced.

I took a deep breath as my thoughts went wild. The journey flew by and we got to the hospital. Suddenly, my heart pounded beneath my rib cage as I strolled side by side Liam straight to the VIP ward.

My steps were measured as the tension in me was about to explode. He snaked his arms around me, and a cold shiver ran down my spine as the gazes on us were intense.

Then, I sighed heavily as the elevator dropped us in front of a particular ward and my heart seemed to plummet into the pit of my stomach.

Just as he was about to crack the open, a young lady of almost the same age as me opened it before he did. "What! Liam!" She yelled as she cupped her face with both hands and somber spread on it. I mean she smelled luxurious from head to toe.

"Liam?!" Another voice shook with fury echoed from the ward.

I stood there frozen as my teeth seemed to bite the words I wanted to voice out.

Suddenly, Liam held me by hand and we crawled inside. "Mom, they should start the surgery already. I've done what you wanted now."

He paused a bit, "He wanted me to get married right? I have done that now!" Liam was unable to keep his voice steady as it rang in the hall.

My mind still whirled in panic as we paused in front of the woman he has just referred to as mom and my shoulders hunched in fear. I've never met her before but everything about seems like all wasn't well.

I let out a low growl at all the horrible thoughts that crossed my mind. Just as I was about to raise my eyelids to stare at her again, her hand moved instinctively and she landed a dirty slap on my face.

For a second, it was as if I was struck with dumbness as it rang in my ears like a deafening siren.

As Liam was about to stop her from hurting me. I mean I was shocked to core he even attempted to protect me. The other lady I presume is his sister, pulled my blonde hair with so much force and I nearly stumbled on the floor.

"Stop Ruby! Stop it!" he ordered, with a loud voice.

"This gold digger and scheming bitch deserves to die!" Ruby replied, nonchalantly as she released my hair with the longest chuckle I've never heard before.

His mom pointed her index at me as she stammered, "This nobody is the reason you left your grandfather to die, right?" This!" Her throat clogged and she bent down as tears streamed down her face.

"What! Grandpa is dead. No, no, no! Shit!" Liam's voice was hoarse and it was like there was a lump in his throat.

"How...how?" He stammered and his teeth chattered.

She raised wicked brows at me that made me feel like the ground should open up and swallow me wholly. "She's also the reason you ran away from your bride, huh?" The disgust and hatred was none I've ever seen before.

I remained rooted at the spot and numerous thoughts oozed through my mind.

Liam walked back and forth in the ward. With the heaviness in his heart was so evident. He must have been very close to his grandfather for his death to have such a toil on him.

"Shit!" He screamed again and I could sense the guilt eating at him. I mean what reason did he have to run away from his own wedding?

"What the hell are you still doing here!" Ruby asked, with teary eyes. Why then did they act so different when we walked in? Or probably they did that so we wouldn't suspect anything.

The next thing I saw was Liam fiddling with his phone. All of a sudden a young man dressed in black suit walked in a moment later. "Boss, sorry I'm late," he said.

"Drive her home, Norman. You know where I'm talking about right?" Liam stated.

"What! That's never happening Liam!" His mom interrupted, with a voice that I didn't expect. I mean she was crying a few minutes ago.

"Why mom? She's my wife regardless?"

"Wife? It doesn't look like that to me, son. Your marriage with her is useless as far as I'm concerned."

Liam raised a confused brow at his mom. "Of course, son. Your grandpa is no more and automatically your marriage with her is over. Divorce her here and now!"

I tried to be calm but it was impossible as her unfiltered words hit me like a pouch. My mind felt like it was on fire as I couldn't digest what was happening anymore.

Then she took a few commanding steps towards me, with no kindness in her eyes, "What was the deal? I will triple it!"

At that point, I felt numb as chills went down my spine and my heartbeat quickened. "So you can return to the street, where you belong!" She added.

Charlotte's POV

I slowly release my breath as my hand clenched into a fist. All of a sudden my gaze turned blurry as the silence in the room was suffocating me. How can I be married and divorced on the same day?

Suddenly, I lost my nerves when I remembered how I met Liam. Now, it's my turn to be amazed how they perceived me to be a gold digger.

Then Liam trailed off, heaving a sigh as his brows furrowed and he murmured a few words on his lips.

Meanwhile, Ruby's gaze travelled on me from head to toe, as if she wants to devour me like a beast.

She took a step near me with her breath fanning me and she pulled my chin up. "You can't be different, bitch! He will dumb you like the others! Accept the offer and flee away," she murmured, in a dangerous voice that made my heart flutter wildly.

Anger? Distress? I didn't know how to describe how I felt at that moment as my entire body was desperate to hear a word from Liam.

My gaze roamed on him and I couldn't deny how devilishly handsome he's. I mean he's so perfect and definitely every woman's dream.

"This is not the right time for this! Stop all this! The most important thing is to give grandpa a befitting burial. Not this!" Liam finally spoke and his eyes holds bewilderness and seriousness.

My body trembled and my heart felt hollow. It's as if this is not what I expected him to voice out.

He rotated his head to face Norman, "Do as I instructed you," he uttered.

"Mrs Blackwood, this way," the moment he said that, my body felt rigid with tension.

"He will drive you home to have some rest," then Liam said to me.

We strolled out of the hospital at that minute and I made myself comfortable on the passenger seat as Norman roared the engine to life.

Still, I felt like my blood was drained out of me as my mind was in jumbled mess. I clenched by the side of the window as I tried to fiddled with my phone.

I whispered to myself as though I can wish it into existence. Suddenly, my fingers trembled on the screen of the phone when my gaze caught a glimpse of a headline and my heart gave a nervous jolt.

I felt a chills ran down my spine and a whisper in my head told me this is definitely a lie. "Oliver Keller wedding with Sophia Knight today is the talk of the whole city," the headline reads.

I murmured the words a billion times on my lips as I tried to digest it wholly. Still, my fingers shook as I scrolled down and reality hit me like a knife was pierced through my heart.

"This...this the wedding dress the bride wore today," a lump seemed to rise in my throat as I voiced out those words and my thoughts went wild.

"I can't believe this!" I exclaimed.

"Is everything alright, ma'am?" Norman questioned. I mean, I don't blame him, my voice echoed in the car.

"We're almost home, just few minutes away," he added.

I sat down with my jaw dropped in awe. My marriage with Oliver was arranged marriage which his family made a deal of 25% of Keller group shares to us.

Therefore, my parents saw it as an opportunity in order to rejuvenate our dead company which was almost bankrupt because of an investment I made.

Yes, Oliver Keller was in coma for months which the family lost hope of him surviving. As a result, they were desperate for him to get an heir as they continued tirelessly to get him on his feet.

Just a week to our wedding he got better all of a sudden. Meanwhile, my uncle, Benjamin has been away all this while and vividly made it clear that he won't be around for the wedding.

How's it possible that his daughter took my place as the bride today? I feel like every fiber of my body is on fire as I try to digest it.

Wait a minute, or my parents are aware of this too? It's not possible. Suddenly, my eyes caught a comment and my spine stiffened at the words. "Mr Keller was supposed to marry Charlotte but she's pregnant with another man's child and the parents planned to pin it to the Keller family," the comments goes and I didn't know when tears trickled down my face.

"What!" I couldn't blink my eyes away from the comments anymore and I felt a heavy beating of my heart.

"Who the hell spread this fake news?!" those are the words that broke from my lips and I already knew the answer.

How could he?

What's the state of my parents at this moment? That's the question stuked on my mind. At this point, I feel like my blood is dried up and I'm at the verge of breaking down. Could this be the reason they haven't reached out to me since? Hell no!

"We're home, ma'am," Norman stated, and I was completely stunned, gaping through the window.

I wiped the remaining tears on my face and I drew a deep breath. "Thank you," I said, as he opened the door.

I didn't expect less, in deed the mansion was enormous. Everything about it was more than perfect. As I stepped into the hall, my heart hammers in my chest.

"You're welcome, ma'am," the maids said, the moment I strolled in. Wait a minute, were they expecting me?

Or Ruby was right after all. "He will dump you like the others! You're not different!" In her words.

Probably, this house is meant for all the women he flirts with each day. My mind raced wildly and I remained rooted to the ground.

"We're at your service ma'am, this way please," they added, and one of them took the lead. By then, Norman had already left. I mean, it could be a daily routine because they're great in their roles.

The bedroom was enormous as it was decorated in a gray and black. "Everything is set here ma'am, but in case you need anything don't hesitate to alert us," she stated, and I nodded with a soft smile.

Just as I sat down to take a little relief before freshening up, my phone buzzed loudly startling me from my reverie.

"Unknown number?" I murmured on my lips before answering the call.

"I hope this Charlotte Knight?" There was no trace of warmth in the person's voice and my heart skipped a bit.

"Yes. How may I be of help to you?" I enquired quickly.

"This is Detective Officer Titus. I'm sorry ma'am."

Then he paused. All of a sudden my heart started beating very fast and my body felt like it was on fire. "Sorry about what?" My mind whirled.

"Your parent's lifeless bodies were found at Galaxy street at 10am today. Kindly come to the office tomorrow." My stomach dropped instantly and my heart seized breathing completely.