Forbidden To Love You

CHAPTER ONE

THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT

Clara pushed the door ajar. She had been listening to the conversation that had been going on in the room. For a moment, she did not understand what she was seeing.

Her eyes moved from the man standing in front of her to the woman beside him.

Adrian's hand was resting around Elena's waist. Clara's heart seemed to stop.

She blinked once, then twice as if trying to assure herself that what she saw wasn't real. Maybe she had walked into the wrong room, maybe she was dreaming but when she looked again, they were still together, in each other's freaking arms!.

"What..." Clara's voice broke.

Elena immediately stepped away from Adrian. "Clara." She called out gently.

The colour drained from Elena's face. Adrian's expression hardened, but Clara could see the surprise in his eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Adrian asked quietly.

Clara stared at him. "What am I doing here?"

Her eyes moved back to Elena, then to the hand Adrian had just pulled away from her waist.

"That's what you have to ask me?" She said, with her voice level rising.

"Clara, listen," Elena said quickly.

"No." She finally snapped and raised her hand. "Don't tell me to listen."

She started breathing unevenly. "My father is married to you," she said, staring at Elena. "And you're here with Adrian?"

Neither of them answered and Clara's eyes widened. "Elena..." she whispered. "Are you cheating on my dad?"

Elena's lips parted, but no answer came.

"Clara, it's not what you think," Adrian said.

She turned towards him dramatically. "Then tell me what it is." Adrian was silent.

Clara gave a short, disbelieving laugh. "You're engaged to Sophie and she's married to my father."

The silence that followed was worse than any explanation.

Clara looked at Elena again. "You married my father only for his money, didn't you?" She accused.

Elena flinched and Clara's expression changed. She didn't need an answer anymore, she had seen enough.

"My father's wife is hiding in a room with his nephew," she whispered. "How long has this been happening?" She asked, searching their eyes for an answer.

"Clara..." Elena pleaded.

But Clara stepped back. "I don't know what I'm going to do."

She turned and walked out, the door closed behind her.

Elena stood completely still.

Adrian stared at the closed door. Neither of them spoke.

---

SIX MONTHS EARLIER

ELENA

Elena Marlowe had never in her wildest dreams imagined that her life would come down to a signature.

--

There I was, sitting across from one of the wealthiest men in the country, staring at a marriage contract that could change my whole life.

Victor Ashbourne sat calmly behind his large mahogany desk. At fifty, he was an intimidating man. His dark hair, which had few strands of silver on it was neatly combed, his expensive suit perfectly fitted, and his expression seemed impossible to read.

I looked down at the contract again, the words blurred slightly. I knew exactly what I was about to do, I just didn't know if I could live with it.

"You don't have to do this," Victor said.

I looked up, the words surprised me. He wasn't pressuring me at least not yet.

"I know," I replied.

"Then why are you still here?" He asked.

I swallowed. "Because my family needs the money."

Victor nodded slowly. "Your family's debts will be cleared completely once the marriage is finalized."

"All of them?" I asked.

"Every single one." He assured her.

I stared at him for some time. That was what had brought me here. The debts, the fear of losing our home, the constant calls from creditors, my parents pretending everything was fine when I knew nothing was.

I had spent sleepless nights trying to come up with a solution unfortunately, there wasn't one.

"And what do you want in return?" I asked quietly.

Victor leaned back. "A wife." He blurted out.

I almost laughed, instead, I asked, "That's all?"

"A wife who understands the arrangement." He added rather quickly.

I looked at him carefully. "You don't expect me to love you?"

"No." The answer came immediately.

Something about that almost made me feel relieved.

"This is a business arrangement," Victor continued. "You will have everything you need, a beautiful home, financial security and comfortable life." He said formally.

"And in return, I become your wife." I asked again, trying to understand the contract.

"Yes." He replied

I looked down at the contract, I knew there was nothing romantic about this, I knew I wasn't marrying him because I loved him.

I was only marrying him because my family needed saving.

"How long will the marriage last?" I asked again.

Victor's expression hardened slightly. "That depends."

"On what?" I blinked.

"On whether we both continue to benefit from it." He said, sounding like we were in an important meeting.

I nodded slowly, it was cold but at least it was honest.

Victor pushed the contract towards me. "Read it carefully."

I did, page after page, line after line and word after word.

My eyes moved over the clauses, the financial arrangements, the conditions of the marriage.

I finally reached the final page, my name was written boldly, waiting for me to sign.

I picked up the pen. For one brief moment, I hesitated, then I thought about my mother crying quietly in the kitchen, my father sitting at the dining table with unpaid bills scattered before him, the house they were about to lose.

I signed: Elena Marlowe.

I placed the pen down.

Victor collected the contract. "It's done."

I let out a slow, deep breath. It was done.

I had just agreed to marry a fifty year old billionaire I barely knew. A man I had no feelings for, a man I would never have chosen under normal circumstances but normal circumstances no longer existed.

Victor stood. "The wedding will take place in two weeks."

Elena nodded. "And the money?"

"Your family's debts will be settled within forty eight hours after the marriage." He replied with an air of arrogance in his voice.

For the first time in months, I felt something close to relief. My family would finally be safe and to me, that was all that mattered at that point.

I stood up and reached for my handbag.

As I walked towards the door, Victor's voice stopped me. "One more thing." He called out calmly.

I turned.

"In public, you will be my wife. I expect you to behave accordingly." He added.

I gave him a small nod. "I understand." I left the office. The moment the door closed behind me, I leaned against the wall and released the breath I didn't know I had been holding. I was actually going to become Mrs. Ashbourne.

I had no idea what my new life would look like, I had no idea what his daughters would think of me and I certainly had no idea that the man I was about to fall in love with...

Would be Victor's nephew.

CHAPTER TWO

MRS. ASHBOURNE

ELENA

I got married to Victor the day before and it was time to move in with him and his family. I stood at the entrance of the Ashbourne estate with a single suitcase beside me.

For a moment, I simply stared at the enormous mansion in front of me. I couldn't believe this was going to be my home, at least, for now, I silently hoped.

The house looked even more beautiful in the afternoon sunlight. Tall windows covered the front of the mansion, and the perfectly trimmed gardens stretched on both sides of the long driveway.

Everything about the place reminded me that I had stepped into a world completely different from the one I had known.

I looked down at my old suitcase, it was quite rusty and embarrassing, one wheel was missing and the handle had been repaired some time ago with tape. It was the only thing I had brought with me. I looked at my dress, although neat, it looked faded, and my heels had to be the simplest thing I had on me.

"Mrs. Ashbourne?"

I turned.

A woman in her fifties stood a few feet away, wearing a neat black dress and a warm smile.

"I'm Mrs. Collins," she introduced herself politely. "Mr. Ashbourne asked me to make sure you were comfortable."

"Thank you." I replied politely.

She reached for my suitcase.

"I can carry it." I said, clutching the suitcase firmly.

"I know you can," she said kindly. "But you don't have to anymore, you are an Ashbourne now".

I hesitated before allowing her to take it. As I followed her inside, I couldn't stop myself from moping from time to time.

The entrance hall was enormous, a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, expensive paintings decorated the walls, and the marble floor gleamed beneath my feet.

I felt more intimidated than before.

"You'll get used to it," Mrs. Collins said.

"I don't think I will." I said and lowered my gaze.

She smiled. "You'd be surprised."

Before I could answer, I heard footsteps coming from the staircase. I looked up, two ladies were walking towards us.

The first had long brown hair, the second had slightly darker hair. They both stopped when they saw me.

The lady with the brown hair eyed me with disgust. "Who are you?." She asked pompously.

I nodded. "I'm Elena, you must be Clara and Vivienne"

They didn't answer me, instead they started talking to each other like I wasn't even there.

"Would you take a look at the bag she came with?" Clara turned to ask Vivienne, loud enough for me to hear.

"I'm shocked as well. Is this the new housemaid or what?" Vivienne answered and chuckled, not even bothering to lower her voice.

I smiled awkwardly. "Are you both talking to me?"

They both turned and faced me, then let out a loud hiss in unison.

"Why would we be talking to you?" Clara asked, dragging the last word like it tasted bad.

The other lady stepped forward. "Who are you? I believe you were not deaf when my sister asked you."

I stared at them, visibly surprised. "I'm your new mommy," I replied after finally finding my voice.

Clara laughed. A short, sharp sound. "You?"

My smile faded. This was nothing like I thought it would be. I'd expected things to be uncomfortable, after all, I had married their father who was far older than me. But I hadn't really expected the open dislike.

Clara didn't move to touch me. "We'll show you around," she said flatly. It wasn't an offer, instead it was more of an order.

"You don't have to," I declined politely.

"We know," Vivienne cut in rudely. "But Dad said we should."

And with that, they walked ahead, leaving me to follow behind them through the mansion.

The library was filled with books from floor to ceiling. There was a music room, a private sitting room, several guest rooms and a huge garden at the back of the estate, even a private cinema room and bathrooms, all with a taste I have never seen nor imagined before.

By the time we reached my bedroom, I was already overwhelmed.

I stopped at the doorway. "This is mine?" I asked, taken completely aback.

Clara didn't smile. She just looked me up and down. "Yes."

I stepped inside. The room was bigger than anywhere I had ever lived.

A large bed stood in the centre of the spacious room, covered in white sheets and soft pillows. There was a sitting area near the windows and a dressing table beside a large mirror.

Then I noticed the wardrobe. I opened it and it was filled with clothes.

I turned around. "These aren't mine."

"They are now," Vivienne said flatly. "Dad bought them."

I shook my head. "I can't accept all this."

Clara crossed her arms. "Why? Too good for you?"

"Because I don't need so much," I said firmly.

She raised a brow. "Elena, you're not here as a guest."

I looked at her.

"You're our father's wife," she added. "Whether we like it or not."

Vivienne let out a short laugh. "And we're not going to pretend this is normal just because Dad said so."

I swallowed. "I see."

Clara didn't reply.

That evening, I went downstairs for dinner. Victor was already seated at the dining table. His eyes lifted when I entered.

"Elena," he called.

"Good evening," I greeted.

"Come and sit," he said, motioning to the chair beside him. I nodded and took the seat beside him.

Clara and Vivienne joined us a few moments later. They sat across from me and didn't look at me.

Dinner was quiet, like too quiet.

"So," Clara said, breaking the silence. "Are you deaf?"

Vivienne snorted. "Or stupid?"

Ladies," Victor said sharply.

"What?" Clara asked innocently. "We're just asking. She didn't answer when we asked her name earlier."

I kept my eyes on my plate. "I heard you."

"Good," Vivienne said. "Because we're not going to repeat ourselves."

Victor set his fork down. "Enough."

The rest of dinner passed in silence and after dinner, they left without saying goodnight.

Victor turned towards me. "How was your first day?"

"Fine," I replied quietly.

"Only fine?" he asked.

I forced a smile. "It's a lot."

"Clara and Vivienne?" he asked.

I hesitated. "They're... adjusting."

He nodded slowly. "Give them time."

He leaned back. "Did you get everything you needed?"

"Yes," I nodded.

"Your family?" he asked.

"The money arrived," I replied.

Victor nodded. "And the debts?"

"Cleared," I said.

"Good," he said.

I smiled weakly. "My mother called me."

"What did she say?" he asked.

"She cried," I said.

Victor's expression softened. "She was relieved?"

"Very," I looked down. "Thank you, Victor."

He was quiet. "I told you I would take care of it."

"I know," I said.

"And I really meant it," he said.

"You don't have to feel guilty about what you did," he added.

I swallowed. "I don't."

"You sacrificed something for your family," he said.

I looked away. "I had to."

"I understand," his voice softened. "And Elena, this marriage doesn't mean you have to become someone you're not."

I smiled faintly. "Thank you."

He nodded. "You should get some rest."

I stood. "Goodnight, Victor."

"Goodnight, Elena," he replied.

I went upstairs feeling like an intruder. This house was big, and it was cold.

The next two days passed. Clara and Vivienne avoided me.

They "forgot" to tell me about lunch,they gave me directions that led me to the locked east wing, they laughed when I came down in the wrong dress for breakfast.

For the first time in years, I wasn't thinking about my family's debts because they were gone and my family was safe. But I was alone.

On the third evening, I was sitting in the sitting room alone when Victor walked in. He looked unusually serious.

"Where is Clara and Vivienne?" he asked.

"Upstairs," I said.

He looked at me. "Elena, I need to tell you something."

I straightened. "What is it?"

Victor paused. "Someone will be joining us for dinner tomorrow."

I waited. "Who?"

A small silence followed.

Then Victor said, "Someone from the family who has been away for quite some time."

I frowned. "Who?"

Victor only gave me a knowing look. "You'll meet him tomorrow."

He walked away. I sat there, with no one to ask.

As I went upstairs that night, one question kept returning to my mind.

Who was the person coming home to the Ashbourne family and why did everyone seem so tense about his arrival?

CHAPTER THREE

THE NEPHEW RETURNS

ELENA

I woke up the next morning, although refreshed but with the conversation from the previous night in my mind. Someone was coming, a family member I had never met before and apparently, I was going to meet him/ her today.

I stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before slowly sitting up.

I had been married to Victor Ashbourne for only five days, and somehow, it already felt as though I had been living in his world much longer.

Everything was still unfamiliar, the enormous bedroom, the quiet halls, the staff who seemed to know where I was supposed to be every minute and now there was another person I had to meet.

I sighed and pushed the covers aside. As I took my bath and dressed up, I found myself wondering who he could possibly be.

Victor had just stated the person was family. He didn't give a name or an explanation, he had just given me enough information to make me curious.

By the time I came downstairs, Clara and Vivienne were already sitting in the breakfast room.

Vivienne looked up first. "There she is," she said with disgust in her eyes. "The maid in disguise."

I smiled faintly. "Good morning."

Clara didn't bother to look at me. "Morning."

Vivienne studied me for a moment and then grinned. "You look nervous."

"I'm not," I blinked.

"You are," she insisted. "Your hands are shaking."

"I am simply curious," I defended myself.

"About the person arriving today?" Clara asked, finally glancing up. Her smile was thin. "Cute."

I paused. "Yes."

Vivienne exchanged a look with her sister and both of them smirked.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing," Vivienne replied, too innocently.

I narrowed my eyes. "You both know something."

Clara laughed softly. "We know he's family, I mean real family, not the kind Dad married for convenience."

The words hit like a slap.

"Who is he?" I pressed, ignoring the sting.

Vivienne shook her head. "You'll find out soon enough, try not to embarrass yourself."

I stared at them and before I could respond, Victor entered the room. He looked as composed as ever, dressed in a dark suit despite the relatively early hour.

"Girls," he said, his eyes sweeping over us. "Elena."

Clara and Vivienne straightened immediately.

"Good morning, Dad," Clara said sweetly.

Vivienne smiled. "Morning."

The switch was so fast it made me dizzy.

"Good morning," he said.

I smiled at him. "Good morning."

Victor took his usual seat. For a few moments, breakfast continued normally.

Then Victor looked at me. "He should arrive this afternoon."

I immediately knew who he meant. "The family member?" I asked.

"Yes." he replied calmly.

I nodded. "I see."

"You'll meet him properly when he arrives," Victor said.

There was something about the way he said it that made me even more curious.

"Is he staying here?" I asked.

"For a while." Victor replied "He has been away for quite some time."

"How long?" I asked curious.

"About six months," Victor replied.

Six months. That explained why I had never heard about him during the short time I had known the family.

I looked at Victor. "Was he away for business?"

"Yes. Important business." his reply was shallow. He didn't elaborate so I decided not to push.

After breakfast, I spent most of the morning trying to keep myself occupied.

I read for a while in the library, then I walked through the gardens but every now and then, my mind went back to the same question. Who was this man?

I had already met Clara and Vivienne and I knew Victor and now someone else was coming into the house.

Someone who had been away for six months and for reasons I couldn't explain, I felt quite uncomfortable. Maybe because I was still learning my place in this family, maybe because everything about me being married was still new, or maybe I just didn't like surprises.

By early afternoon, I returned to the mansion.

I found Clara and Vivienne near the entrance.

They were both dressed up. Hair done, both smiling like they were expecting royalty.

"You're waiting for him, aren't you?" I asked and gave them a knowing smile.

Clara didn't return it. She glanced at me, then back at the door. "We haven't seen him in months."

"He must be important," I said.

Vivienne let out a short laugh. "To us, he is but to you?" She shrugged. "You'll see."

I frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Clara finally looked at me. "It means he's actually family, Elena, not someone Dad hired."

The word HIRED hung in the air.

Vivienne stepped closer to her sister. "He's the only person in this house who matters, besides dad of course."

I forced a smile. "I see."

"You don't," Clara said bluntly. "But you will in about five minutes."

Before I could answer, we heard tires on the driveway.

Vivienne immediately lit up. "He's here."

Both of them rushed to the door, leaving me standing alone in the hallway.

Before I could ask anything else, the sound of a car approaching came from outside and all three of us turned toward the driveway.

A dark vehicle stopped in front of the house. My heart leaped a beat, I immediately told myself it meant nothing.

A car door opened and a man stepped out.

He was tall, very tall, broad shouldered without looking overly muscular, with dark hair that had been slightly tousled by the wind. He wore a simple dark jacket over a white shirt, and from a distance, there was something confident about the way he carried himself. He looked like someone who knew exactly who he was, he shut the car door and glanced toward the house.

For one brief second, our eyes met through the window, then he looked away. I swallowed.

Why did that feel so uncomfortable?.

"Finally," Clara whispered beside me.

The front door opened before I could respond and Victor stepped outside.

The man's face immediately changed. A smile appeared. "Uncle." He called out.

Victor smiled as well. "It is good to have you back."

They shook hands before Victor pulled him into a brief warm embrace.

Vivienne hurried outside next. "You finally came!"

The man laughed. "I told you I would."

"You said that three months ago," Vivienne teased.

"And yet, here I am." He smiled.

Clara hugged him next. "You look different."

"I hope that's a compliment." He blinked.

"It wasn't," she replied, making him laugh.

I remained a few steps behind them. There was an ease between them that made it obvious they had known one another for long. I watched quietly as Victor spoke with him.

The man seemed comfortable around the family, he looked so relaxed, confident and strangely familiar, even though I had never seen him before.

Eventually, Victor glanced in my direction. The man's eyes followed his and our eyes met again. This time, neither of us looked away immediately.

There was something unreadable in his expression, it wasn't hostility and not exactly surprise, it was something else.

Victor walked toward us and that made me straighten instinctively.

The man followed. As they approached, I noticed the small details I hadn't been able to see from the window.

His eyes were a deep gray, his features were sharp but relaxed and there was a faint smile resting on his lips.

"You've grown," Victor said to him.

"I'd hope so after six months," he replied.

Victor laughed. "Still the same."

"I was hoping you'd say I've become more responsible." The man blinked.

"I'm not going to lie to you." Victor smiled.

The man laughed again, I couldn't help smiling. He seemed different from what I had thought he'd be, maybe I had imagined someone cold or overly serious, instead, he seemed easygoing.

Victor looked between us, I felt a sudden awareness of my surroundings.

This was the first time I had met him and somehow, I suddenly became conscious of the fact that I was standing in front of a man I knew absolutely nothing about.

He looked at me again, this time, his smile faded slightly, not completely though.

Just enough for me to notice, I wondered if he was trying to figure out who I was, which was fair, I was trying to figure out who he was too.

Clara stepped closer. "You two haven't met before, have you?" She asked.

I shook my head. "No."

The man looked at me. "Not before today." His voice was calm.

There was something about it that made me look at him a little longer than I intended. I quickly looked away.

Vivienne smirked. "Well, this is going to be interesting."

"Why?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

She shrugged. "No reason."

I gave her a suspicious look but she only laughed.

Victor cleared his throat. "Come inside. You must be tired from the journey."

"I've survived worse," the man replied.

"That's exactly what worries me." Victor laughed.

They began walking toward the house and I followed beside Clara and Vivienne.

The man walked ahead with Victor, I could hear them talking about his trip, the business he had been handling, and everything he had missed while he was away.

I listened quietly. There was something unusually attractive about him. I couldn't explain it.

Maybe it was simply because he was new to me, maybe it was because everyone else seemed so comfortable around him, or maybe I was simply curious.

Either way, I reminded myself of something important, I was here because of a marriage contract, I wasn't here to become emotionally involved with anyone, especially not someone I had just met.

By the time we reached the sitting room, everyone settled into their usual places.

Victor continued talking with the man while Clara and Vivienne caught him up on everything that had happened during his absence. I sat quietly, listening.

Then the man looked at me again. "You're very quiet."

I raised an eyebrow. "Am I?"

"Yes." He said.

"Perhaps I don't have anything to say." I said.

He smiled. "Or perhaps you're still trying to figure out who I am."

I hesitated because he wasn't wrong. "Maybe." I replied.

His smile widened slightly. "Fair enough."

Before I could respond, Victor stood. "There's something you should know." He said.

The room became quiet, Victor looked at the man first, then at me.

I waited, he gestured toward the man standing beside him and said, "Elena, meet Adrian, my nephew." I looked at him.

Victor continued. "Adrian, meet Elena, my wife."

Adrian froze.