Entangled Hearts: Falling For My Ugly Wife

The room was cloaked in darkness.

On the hotel bed, amidst fervent entanglement, the man indulged in the ardor the woman beneath him offered. He plunged into her with relentless abandon, heedless of her innocence.

Verena Fowler, overwhelmed by the intensity, eventually succumbed to unconsciousness.

She stirred awake, irritated by the incessant ringing of the phone. Hastily silencing it, Verena glimpsed at the time, realizing it was already ten in the morning!

She was going to get engaged today!

Her fiancé had been entangled in an affair with her best friend, betraying her trust countless times. He even had the audacity to call her last night, subjecting her to the live spectacle of their infidelity.

Furious, Verena sought solace in the company of a charming stranger at the club.

As she attempted to rise, a wave of pain washed over her. The previous night's exertions had left her feeling as though her bones could crumble.

She needed to hurry to the engagement venue, lest she face the wrath of the Fowler family!

Once she scrambled to dress, Verena was about to flee when her wrist was seized. Turning, she locked eyes with the man from the bed, now awake.

"Leaving so soon?" His voice, low and husky, echoed in the dimness.

His gaze, sharp as a hawk's, bore a striking resemblance to her fiancé!

Verena smirked, feigning ignorance as she retrieved her wallet. Extracting a handful of bills, she left them on the bedside table.

"Great service last night, handsome. But it's a shame I'm in a rush to get engaged. Don't worry, there's always next time!"

Offended, Darren Briggs smirked with icy disdain.

With a call, his secretary, Henry Holt, swiftly appeared with his clothes.

After a quick shower, Darren donned his suit, exuding an air of aloof dignity. His gaze remained devoid of warmth.

Before walking out, he took the bills, tucking them into his wallet.

"Boss, your nephew's engagement is about to commence. Shall we proceed?" inquired Henry.

"Mm."

"Mr. Hamilton expressed his displeasure at your absence last night."

Darren remained silent, lost in contemplation.

Having recently arrived in Fledo, Darren had been coerced into a night of revelry by old acquaintances. Along the way, he found himself ensnared by a drunken woman, their liaison extending through the night.

Despite his customary self-restraint, Darren found himself inexplicably drawn to her, a sensation he couldn't shake though she wasn't even that attractive.

There was an inexplicable allure about her, a scent that soothed his restless soul. Even now, her memory lingered.

For Darren, plagued by insomnia, it had been a rare reprieve.

Meanwhile, Verena hailed a passing car, providing the driver with the hotel's address.

When she arrived at the engagement venue just shy of eleven, the banquet hall buzzed with activity.

Entering the makeup room, Verena was accosted by her father, Richard Fowler, who moved to smack her.

Swiftly intercepting his hand, Verena met his gaze with steely resolve. "I'm on the brink of engagement. Is a swollen face conducive to makeup?"

Richard, thwarted in his attempt, erupted into a tirade. "Why didn't you answer my calls? You've got some nerve! If anything goes awry today, you'll rue the day!"

The most formidable force in Fledo was the Briggs family, especially with Darren being a figure of immense influence in Tacland.

Were it not for the amicable ties between the two families, Verena wouldn't have stood a chance of getting engaged to a Briggs!

Rumors swirled about Darren's attendance at the engagement banquet. Both families had made meticulous preparations, yet as the hour approached, neither betrothed had made an appearance.

Fixing Richard with a cold stare, Verena asked, "Has Eric arrived?"

Eric Briggs was her betrothed.

Richard hesitated momentarily. Eric was nowhere to be found, and the Briggs family was scouring the city in search of him. With his phone switched off, it seemed Eric was contemplating an escape from the impending engagement.

Verena's lip curled into a sneer. "Eric is absent. Am I expected to enter into this engagement alone?"

Richard's countenance darkened. "The Briggs family is on the hunt for him. Hurry, change into your attire and apply your makeup!"

The makeup artist attempted to approach Verena, eager to commence her work. However, Verena, cognizant of her secrets, waved her off. "I'll handle it myself."

Her mother had always cautioned her against the perils of excessive beauty. Thus, Verena had become adept at concealing her true allure beneath layers of makeup.

If the makeup artist touched her face, her secret would no longer be a secret.

A commotion erupted at the door out of nowhere. "Darren's here!"

Reacting to the name, Richard hurriedly ushered Verena outside. "Darren Briggs has arrived. Ensure you comport yourself appropriately!"

Verena was well acquainted with the name. Darren was the illegitimate son once shunned by the Briggs family.

But he had risen from the ashes to become a formidable presence, one that even the Briggs dynasty in Fledo couldn't afford to ignore!

Verena trailed behind Richard, her eyes catching sight of a group of people gathered around someone.

Towering at 6.2 feet, Darren stood out amongst the crowd, his handsome face carrying a hint of frostiness and impatience.

She didn't join the throng, opting instead to silently observe the familiar face from a distance.

How could she forget so easily given the events of last night, when their liaison was still fresh in her mind?

Last night's image of him was starkly different-glistening with sweat as it cascaded down his face, collarbone, chest, and abs. Now, he was clad in a suit, his hair meticulously styled, exuding an aura of cool reserve, like an unattainable monarch.

The obsidian beaded bracelet adorning his wrist added a touch of aloofness to his demeanor.

She was not shocked to see Darren again. It was planned, after all.

Darren turned to face her, scowling as he looked at her.

As their eyes briefly met, she felt a shiver run down her spine. His gaze seemed to penetrate her very soul.

Unable to withstand the intensity of his scrutiny, Verena discreetly slipped into the crowd, hoping to escape notice.

"Darren, it's been a while. We hope you'll be staying in Fledo for an extended period this time," greeted William Briggs, head of the Briggs family and Verena's fiancé's father, with utmost respect.

"Hmm," Darren responded coldly before being ushered away to the table, eagerly welcomed by the Fowler family, with Richard following suit.

"So, when does this engagement start?" Darren inquired, glancing at his watch.

That timepiece was worth two houses in the heart of Fledo.

William wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. "We might have to delay it, I'm afraid."

"Delay? For what?"

Darren's words carried weight, striking William's heart like small hammers.

William's men were yet to locate Eric. With noon fast approaching, tensions rose as Eric remained absent.

"We're waiting for Eric." A clear female voice cut through the silence. "Seems he's not keen on getting engaged to me and has made a run for it."

Darren's gaze shifted towards Verena amidst the crowd.

Though her face was unremarkable, her presence was undeniable when she spoke.

This engagement, forged since childhood, had been sealed by Darren himself.

Eric's abandonment of the engagement was akin to a slap in the face for Darren.

William hastened to explain. "It's not what you think. Eric's just caught up in some urgent matters. He'll be here before you know it."

Verena watched on, her expression frosty. "It seems you're still searching in vain. Shall I provide you with an address?"

She then gave him the address of an apartment; her best friend's address.

With a hint of embarrassment, William dispatched someone to fetch Eric. Before long, Eric, bearing the signs of indulgence in carnal pleasures, appeared before everyone.

"You rascal! Hurry up and change into proper attire. The engagement ceremony should be underway by now!" William snapped at his son.

"Dad, I've told you I can't get engaged to Verena. She's hideous. Just the thought of her makes me nauseous. If my friends knew I was engaged to such an unsightly woman, they'd mock me endlessly. How could I ever show my face in front of them?"

Eric's gaze towards Verena dripped with disdain. He blamed her for his predicament.

"Whether you like it or not, the ceremony will proceed today!" William commanded before turning to the attendants. "Escort Eric to change his clothes!"

Eric's tantrums couldn't sway William's resolve.

Verena, too, was ushered to prepare for the ceremony. In the dressing room, she struggled with her gown's zipper; it stubbornly refused to cooperate.

Just then, the door creaked open. Though Verena couldn't discern the visitor's identity, she leaned forward nonetheless, revealing her neck as she attempted to address them.

"Could you lend a hand with this?" she implored.

A large hand reached out, deftly maneuvering the stuck zipper upwards.

"Thank you," Verena began, turning to express her gratitude, only to freeze upon seeing the handsome face before her, panic seizing her heart.

Shouldn't he be outside, basking in the adulation of the crowd? How did he manage to sneak up on her like this?

"How did you even get in here?" she demanded.

"You tell me," Darren responded.

As he advanced, his presence seemed to suffocate her, making it hard to draw breath.

"You've got some nerve, setting me up like this!" he accused, his grip unyielding.

Verena's neck was slender. It felt as though her very life hung in the balance if he squeezed it more.

Last night, Darren had shown no mercy, leaving behind a trail of marks on Verena's neck, now concealed beneath layers of makeup.

"You've got to be pulling my leg, Darren. Turns out you're Eric's uncle," Verena exclaimed, her eyes settling into a new calmness as she regarded Darren.

Her face was pretty plain, but her eyes sparkled with life.

"Anyone who tries to pull the wool over my eyes usually ends up in a sticky situation!" Darren's grip on her tightened.

Verena felt the air getting thick in her lungs. This guy was just as ruthless as the rumors painted him!

Even though last night was part of her meticulously crafted plan, Verena wasn't about to confess to it now. "Eric can gallivant all he wants. Why should I be the one left twiddling my thumbs? He's been caught red-handed with another woman today, and who knows how many times he's strayed before?"

Her tone carried a hint of resentment, enough to make Darren ease his hold slightly.

It wasn't exactly news that Eric was playing the field. How could a Casanova like him live a monk's life? Darren also knew that Verena had been as pure as the driven snow until last night.

"I don't give a hoot what's going through your head. Your engagement to Eric is still on!" Darren said coldly.

Verena blinked, a mocking smile dancing on her lips. "Darren, you're fully aware that the engagement isn't going anywhere. So why the cloak-and-dagger routine? Aren't you afraid of getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar?"

Technically speaking, Verena and Darren shouldn't be acquainted. But being caught alone in a room before the engagement party was sure to raise a few eyebrows.

Avoiding Verena's gaze, Darren issued a cold warning. "I suggest you mind your Ps and Qs. Otherwise..."

He left the sentence hanging, but the threat hung heavy in the air.

"We're practically strangers until today, Darren. I'm not quite catching your drift." Verena raised her head, implying she wouldn't tell anyone about Darren and her.

Darren snorted. "As long as you have the memo."

Releasing his grip on Verena's neck, Darren made a beeline for the dressing room door.

But before his hand could latch onto the handle, a woman's voice piped up from outside. "Verena, are you in there? I have something important to tell you. I'm coming in."

Verena stayed silent, but the woman on the other side showed no signs of budging.

If she barged in now, she would catch Verena and Darren alone in the room.

Verena could practically taste Darren's discontent in the air. Yet, it was his own two feet that brought him here; she hadn't twisted his arm. Who was he to blame but himself?

Sensing Darren's unease, Verena suggested, "Maybe you should lay low for a bit."

But the mere suggestion seemed to twist Darren's features in discomfort. "Hide? Me?"

Was he supposed to skulk around like a guilty adulterer?

He had barely exchanged a few words with Verena. Why did he have to hide?

"Fine, then, stroll out there boldly! I have nothing to lose anyway. Maybe, with your sway, we could even call off this engagement!" Verena shot back.

"Verena, who are you talking to?" The woman from outside pushed the door.

Though reluctant, Darren found himself slipping behind the curtain.

Verena opened the door, intending not to let the visitor in.

It was none other than Shirley Larson, Verena's longtime confidante and Eric's current flame.

Shirley was a vision of delicate beauty, her red-rimmed eyes eliciting sympathy.

Her attire, a spaghetti strap top, laid bare the marks Eric had left on her skin.

"Verena, you look stunning today," Shirley remarked, her gaze flickering with envy as it settled on Verena's gown.

Verena regarded her with thinly veiled mockery. "What's your game?"

"Verena, you know my story. My family's destitute. My mother abandoned me, and my father's a gambler. Eric is all I have. Please, don't get engaged to him. Give him back to me, please. I love him so," Shirley pleaded, tears glistening in her eyes.

Verena's gaze turned icy. "You're quite the brazen mistress! It's a first for me!"

"Verena, you've had it all from the start. You can't possibly understand my pain. Why must you take Eric from me?" Shirley continued, sinking to her knees before Verena.

"Please. I implore you..." Shirley's pleas grew more desperate.

Before Verena could react, Eric intervened, pulling Shirley to her feet.

"What are you doing, Shirley?" Eric's voice trembled with heartache as he looked at Shirley's distressed state.

"Verena, why drag Shirley into our mess? She's fragile, and you're pushing her to the brink. Making her kneel like this. How can you be so cruel?" Eric accused.

"Eric, get it straight. Shirley came here of her own accord, kneeling willingly. I barely uttered a word!" Verena defended herself.

Seeing this exchange, Shirley grasped at Eric's arm. "Eric, don't blame Verena. It's my doing. My love for you blinds me. I can't bear to see you with someone else."

Verena felt a surge of revulsion at the melodrama. Before she could close the door, Eric's words cut through the air. "Verena, even if I marry you, I won't ever love you. I won't lay a finger on you. Just give up already!"

He couldn't even stand the sight of her!

Verena fought back the urge to laugh at their absurdity. "You two ought to consider a career in comedy. But let's get this clear. It's the Briggs family, not me, standing in your way."

"Pathetic!" Verena spat out the word before slamming the door shut.

Darren emerged from behind the curtain, having heard the entire debacle.

Unfazed, Verena remarked, "Well, there you have it. Even if I were to dally with a hundred men, I wouldn't feel a shred of guilt toward your nephew!"

Darren was momentarily at a loss for words.