Husband

Ava

Present

I stumbled into the mirror.

"God, Ava..." Mom came to my side and grabbed my forearm, helping me stand properly on my feet. "How much have you drunk, darling?" She stared into my eyes, worried. "Today is your wedding day, do you remember that?"

I clenched my hands into fists as anger rolled through me. "I'm fine, Mom. I know how to handle it."

She cupped my face, looking into my eyes. "You know, I'm afraid of your father, Ava. I'm afraid of your brother. I'm afraid of everyone but you..." She swallowed hard. "But you're the only person who understands me, who supports me, who cares for me. You have always been there for me, honey. Don't do this to yourself, please don't do this..."

I grabbed her hands, and my eyes watered seeing my mother in sadness. I love her so much that I could do anything for her that was why I was marrying a stranger because I wanted her happy. I sacrificed my life for her. I agreed to an arranged marriage so my father would not divorce her. If he divorced her it would kill her.

I shook my head, trying to be brave in front of her. I wanted to be fearless for her and us. "I'm so happy today, Mom. Don't you remember I wanted to be a bride since childhood?" I smiled at those memories when I dreamed of becoming Henry's wife. Henry Robinson, the most popular fashion designer in the country, and my ex-boyfriend. He was my first love and childhood sweetheart. I cherished that man with all my heart, but he never felt the same. He never fell for me. He never loved me back. He broke my heart into a thousand pieces. And when he left me, I fell in love with alcohol, smoking, and drugs. My only world swirled around them. "You know very well that I can't live without smoke and alcohol. I needed it every day if I had it a little bit..." I forced a smile. "But I'm sober today." It was half a lie because my vision was blurry because of a bottle of hard liquor I had taken half an hour ago.

********

I walked down the aisle with my father. I couldn't see things clearly because of the veil hanging in front of my face, but despite that, I could figure out what was going on. The church buzzed with excited chatter, but once I stepped in, it fell silent. "You told me they would do a small ceremony but here I could feel hundreds of people," I murmured to my father.

He squeezed my arm in warning. "Just keep your mouth shut and do what you said." He gritted his teeth out, I could practically feel his ugly snarl carved his wrinkled face.

Though my insides were crumbling in anger I kept quiet and did what he said. After all, I had no right to speak. He snatched it a long time ago. He might be showing a perfect father figure in front of the public but in reality, he was selfish, heartless, and vicious. He sold me off like cattle. He wanted to save his company, so he used his daughter to take back all his shares. I was just a pawn in his plan. Anyway, he had never considered me his daughter; he had never loved me once, he never cared about me. I was just a girl who was a burden on him. Now he would get rid of me and get his company back.

I was going to get married to a man I had never seen before; he was a stranger to me. He was the man who won me at the auction.

Auction? Oh yeah, my father just auctioned me.

Disgusting.

"Ava," Father whispered in my ear while throwing a fake smile. "Be an honorable wife, honey."

I didn't reply to him and kept quiet because I wasn't sure if I was going to be a good wife.

When we reached the altar, he lifted my veil, revealing the man I was marrying. I froze. I stared at the tall and muscular man in a dark suit, he was staring at me with his stunning gray eyes. He had dark hair that was thick and lustrous. His facial features were hard, slender nose, prominent jawline, and sharp cheekbones. He was the man of dreams. Why did he want to marry me? Why did he win me? Why did he spend millions of dollars on me? He would get any beautiful woman.

He saw the shock register on my face before I could hide it. A small smile played on his lips as his eyes ran down the length of my body and that made me weak at the knees. He extended his hand in front of me asking for my hand. My father handed him my hand. When his skin touched mine, a shiver ran down my spine. His palm was cold so cold. I was 5'8 inches tall excluding the three-inch heel I had worn, but despite this, he was a few inches taller than me.

The priest began. "Friends and family..." He continued his prayer.

I tried not to tremble, but my body couldn't help it. I had consumed half a bottle of liquor in the morning and here the man standing in front of me kept staring at me. It made me feel self-conscious.

The priest's voice rang out. "Do you Dave Francis take Ava Miller to be your lawfully wedded wife, to share your life openly, standing with her in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and love forevermore?"

Dave's jaw clenched as his eyes narrowed. "I do." He said through his clenched teeth, causing me to frown.

It was my turn to say 'I do.' For a moment I considered saying no, but I looked at my mother who was sitting beside my father, smiling at me and I said, "I do."

After that, we exchanged a ring. I couldn't believe I had become someone's wife. When we asked to kiss, "You may now kiss your bride." Something happened that I never expected.

Dave spun around and walked down the aisle. He stopped next to an attractive brunette in a blue dress. He grabbed her hand gently. "Let's go, baby," he said and headed for the church exit.

What the hell is this?

A tall and muscled man approached me. His dark and terrified eyes met mine. "Fuck you, Ava Francis! Welcome to our world, Mrs. Francis." He mocked and turned around before following Dave.

Another man approached me, he was tall and slender with a hint of boyish vibes. "To be honest, I feel sorry for you." he sighed and followed his friends.

I stood there shocked, cold, and confused. What was that? My husband left me here alone like an idiot. Why did he marry me when he already had a beautiful girlfriend? My mind was unable to process anything as I blinked once, twice, and thrice as tears gathered in my eyes. Everyone watched me and waited for my next move. I didn't move from my place because I knew I would not be able to walk in that state.

Is this my fate? Would I never get happiness? Do I even deserve happiness?

********

Present

Ava

"How could you do this, Felix?" Mom growled at my father, and tears gathered in her eyes.

"Have I ever taken your damn permission before doing anything else, sweetheart?" Father snapped and turned his eyes to me. His dark and terrifying eyes met mine. "She will marry him whether she fucking wants it or not?"

"I won't marry him!" I growled as my nose flared with anger. How could he do this to his daughter?

"You will marry him. I'm not asking for your permission." Father retorted back as his eyes pierced into mine and a shiver passed down my spine. "Jennet out." He ordered Mother.

She looked at me, and her eyes were fearful. "No." She protested, shaking her head.

"Fucking out now!" Father shouted at her, making her tremble.

Mom watched me and pleaded in her eyes. I gave her a nod. "Mom go. I'll be fine."

She bit her lower lip as tears ran down her cheeks. After a protest, she dragged herself out of the room and left us alone. I forced a lump down my throat before meeting my father's gaze. His dark brown eyes ran down my body, and his lips curled into a cruel smile. "My daughter is beautiful. What is the use of this beauty if it doesn't work for me?" He shrugged off his suit jacket and hung around the chair before strolling towards me.

"I gave Beckham Walker a chance, but he lost it. He couldn't compete with Dave Francis," he said with a sneer.

Beckham Walker, my boyfriend I was supposed to marry before Dave Francis. Beckham was kind, honest, and funny. He cared for me, and my family. He respected me, willing to do anything for the sake of my happiness. He was even my biggest fan. I smiled sadly. He knew I would never love him despite this; he agreed to marry me. He was not a multi-millionaire, but not poor either. He owned a few restaurants in New York and I was happy about it. I like him and would happily accept him as my husband.

Everything went well until he showed up. Dave Francis. Who the fuck is he? And what does he want from me? Why does he want to marry me? And why does this name sound so familiar to me?

"Ava.." Father interrupted my thought and made me look at his cruel face. "I can't give up Miller's. It's the last gift from your grandfather. I have no idea what is happening in our textile industry for the last few years. It has been incurring huge losses and it is affecting my shareholders. No one is willing to invest in Miller's corporation now. That's why I chose this way to save our inheritance. Dave Francis is the richest banker in the country. He agreed to lend me money and would buy my share, but only on one condition. He wants you as his wife. He wants to marry you and make you his wife."

He moved back to his table and grabbed the cigarette box pulled out one and put it to his lips before lighting it up. "The condition I put between Dave and Beckham was that the person who would give me a large amount of money, I would give him you. In simple words, I auctioned you between the two of them and Dave won. He is filthy rich and you know your father very well. He loves money more than anything else." He smirked and sucked in the smoke.

I glared at him. "And what about me, father? This is my life and you have no right to decide my place! I won't marry Dave. I'll marry Beck. That's my final decision whether you accept it or not," I said through my teeth as angry tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Ava..." He gritted his teeth.

I shook my head. "I said I wouldn't marry him..."

"Ava..."

"I won't Father!!" I growled.

Before I could think of anything else, he grabbed my right hand and pressed his cigarette on my skin. He made me cry in pain. "Darling, just do what you said!!" He snarled and let go of my hand.

I watched my burned skin, a red spot. It was not new to me. He had always been like this. He tortured me since childhood. And his torture intensified since my brother, Vivian, left this house and wanted me to do the same. He even bought me an apartment in California so I could not stay in this house. But I chose to stay with my mother.

"You know your mother's mental condition. She is mentally weak and I will divorce her. Perhaps she will end her life," he said, and my eyes widened in realization.

My mother had anthropophobia. She suffered from this disease because of him. He had been treating her brutally for years. I had seen everything, how he hit her, brought mistresses into our house, and how he scared her. He made her suffer a lot.

And my brother hated my mother as much as my father. He loathed her. He urged her to fight back against her husband; he urged her to claim her right; he wanted her to raise her voice against violence; he wanted her to do everything a respected woman would do. But my mother was too weak to do all these things. She kept quiet and endured all this violence to maintain my father's status.

Bullshit.

"Do you want me to divorce her and leave her for dead?" Father growled out.

I wiped away my tears, shaking my head. I can't lose my mother. "I'm ready to marry him..."

He came closer to me and caressed my hair lovingly, like a real father. "Good. That's my baby girl." A look of pleasure crossed his face. "I can't hurt you, Ava, because your brother would kill me, but I could hurt your mother. You will do everything your husband asks you to do. If I hear anything about you in the future, remember your mother is here."

I curled my fingers into fists. "Why don't you ask Vivian?"

He scoffed. "Do you think he will ever help me? I disinherited him ten years ago. He would rather kill me than give me a penny."

I shook my head and opened my mouth to say something, but he cut me off.

"Get out." He ordered, and I spun around, running towards the door. "And yes, you won't mention Vivian to anyone. You won't tell Dave that you have a brother who is the mafia leader and you won't mention your arranged marriage to Vivian either."

I dashed to my room and slammed the door shut. I walked to my bed jumped on it, and hugged my knees together. I could not take advantage of Vivian. This is because I knew if I told him about my auction, he would not think twice about slamming his bullet into my father's head. Vivian never got the love of her parents, nor did he love them. He lived his life alone. And he wanted me to do the same. He wanted me to leave my parents and live my own life. He always wanted my best. I hated my father, but I always had the love of my brother and my mother.

My phone rang, tearing up my thoughts. I glanced at the screen and it was my brother's number. I picked it up. "Hey, bro," I said over the phone.

"Why are you not here?" His deep voice came through the phone.

Oh! His Christmas party. Kiara, his wife, planned a Christmas party in their mansion.

I cleared my throat. "I don't feel well. Sorry, I forgot to inform you."

"But an hour ago you were good. How can you feel sick?" He asked, not believing me.

An hour ago I didn't know my father had arranged my marriage. An hour ago I didn't know I was being auctioned off. Now everything has changed. I was going to marry a stranger who had me as a prize. I wanted to tell Vivian that our father had sold me to someone. I just wanted to hug my brother and sob loudly. I hoped to have him here, but now he had his wife and daughter. He had a beautiful life. Now his priority is his daughter and wife.

"Ava." His voice rang out.

"B-Bro, I'll call you later..." I hung up and sobbed silently.

Oh, Ava, why are you crying? No one will come to you. No one can stop this from happening. No one can stop this marriage.

I got off the bed and walked out. I needed to talk to Mom. Father might have left for his mistress. That fucking old man. Why does she love him? Love? Does she know what love is? Oh, I know what love is. If I knew that, I would never fall in love with Henry Robinson.

I knocked on the door and waited for her reply. No reply. "Mom..."

No reply.

I sighed and pushed the door open and there she was, lying on the bed. I walked over to her bed and looked down. Her golden hair spread across the pillow and her face appeared relaxed. It was difficult for her to fall asleep but whenever she was, she looked so beautiful. The two of us inherited her beauty. I had her blonde hair and blue eyes and Vivian had her blue eyes, but he had my father's brown hair.

Everyone thought she was an arrogant, manipulative, and selfish woman, but no one knew the story behind these four walls. No one knew how her husband treated her. She might be unkind to others, but she was the best mother. She was my mother. My eyes fell on her left arm. She had a long, ugly scar on her forearm.

I remember that night.

"I've sent her there. She was missing him..." Mom spoke slowly as she shielded me with her body.

Vivian had always been stubborn in the house. He had been making his own decisions; he had been living his own life. He never bowed his head down in front of my father, unlike me and my mother. He chose the Mafia world over our father's business. He chose his love, Isabella. And my father disinherited him from our property and kicked him out of our life. When Vivian left this house, he hardly returned to us. He never looked back. My father did not let me meet him either. He left this house, but it didn't change our love. I loved my brother and always missed him. I decided to see him and went to him. What did I do wrong?

"I told you no one can meet him..!!" My father growled as his eyes burned. "Come here." He told me and Mom's grip tightened around my hand.

"Leave her alone, Felix!" Mom sputtered. I could feel her body trembling in fear.

But I was not a child and I couldn't hide behind my mother like a coward.

"Mom, let me talk to him..." I said, swallowing hard, and pushed her aside and stepped towards him.

Fear twisted my gut as I stepped towards him.

"What did I tell you, sweetheart?" Father asked me through the teeth.

"I missed him, and you don't even allow him here. Why can't I go there to meet my brother? I'm eighteen and I have every right to make my own decisions. You can't order me around because I won't obey anymore and I'm not your pet!" I snapped at him angrily and let my anger out.

He stood up aggressively from the sofa advanced on me and stopped right in front of me. "What did you say?!" He fisted my hair, tearing it from the scalp. "Don't use this tone with me ever again!!"

"So what? What will you do? Beat me? Kill me? Just do it! Just do it! I dare you!" Before I could finish it, my head slammed against the bar counter, and my vision blurred for a moment.

"Ava..." I heard Mom's scream.

Pain shot through my head as I gasped.

"Bitch!" Father hissed and got ready to blow me again but before he could do this, Mom came between us and stopped him.

"Felix, no!" She screamed.

"Oh, darling, get out of my way!!!" He yelled at her and grabbed her hand before pushing her away as hard as he could.

The glass shattered into pieces. "Ahh!!" Mom cried out, and my heart jumped into my throat when I found blood. The long glass shard sliced through her arm.

I could not act. I couldn't move, and I couldn't speak, just watched my mother groan and bleed.

**********

Present

Ava

"Oh my God, you look incredibly stunning, darling." Mom gasped when I walked out of the closet. I wore a body-hugging white gown with an open neckline and low scoop back. It fitted my hips and flared at my knees into a beautiful train. It was a beautiful gown sent by my future husband.

"T-Thanks." I smiled sadly and glanced at my reflection in the mirror. My blonde hair waved down over my shoulder naturally and my face was makeup-free.

When I walked further, I stumbled into the mirror.

"God, Ava..." Mom came to my side and grabbed my forearm, helping me stand properly. "How much have you drunk, darling?" She stared into my eyes, worried. "Today is your wedding day."

I curled my fingers into fists as anger rolled through me. "I'm fine, Mom. I know how to handle it."

She cupped my face. "I fear your father, Ava. I am afraid of your brother. I fear everyone but you..." She swallowed hard, staring into my eyes. "But you're the only person who understands me, who supports me, who cares for me. Don't do this to yourself. Don't punish yourself..."

I grabbed her hands, my eyes wet, seeing my mother in tears. I love her so much. I could do anything for her. And I would marry a stranger because I wanted to see her happy. I sacrificed my life for her. I agreed to an arranged marriage so my father would not divorce her.

I shook my head and didn't cry in front of her. "I'm so happy today you know. I've wanted to be a bride since childhood." I smiled at those memories when I dreamed of becoming Henry's wife. Henry Robinson, the most popular fashion designer in the country, and my ex-boyfriend. He was my first love and childhood sweetheart. I loved that man with all my heart, but he never felt the same. He never fell for me. He hardly loved me back. He broke my heart completely. And when he left me, I started to crave alcohol, smoke, and drugs. My other world. "You know my habits, Mom. I can't live without alcohol." I forced a smile. "And I'm sober." It was half a lie.

********

I walked down the aisle with my father. I couldn't see anything clearly because of the veil over my face, but despite that, I could figure out what was going on. The church buzzed with excited chatter, but once I stepped in it fell into dead silence. "You told me they would do a small ceremony but here I could feel hundreds of people," I murmured to my father.

He squeezed my arm in warning. "Just keep your mouth shut and do what you said." He gritted his teeth out.

After that, I kept my mouth shut and did what he asked me to do. After all, I had no rights. He sold me like cattle to a stranger. He was selfish, heartless, and a vicious old man. He just wanted to save his company, so he used his daughter to take back his company's share. I was just a pawn in his plan. Anyway, he had never taken me as his daughter; he had never loved me once. I was just a girl who was a burden on him. Now he would get rid of me and get his company back.

I would marry a man I had never seen; he was a stranger to me. He was the man who won over me at the auction. Auction? My father auctioned me. Disgusting.

"Ava," Father whispered in my ear. "Be a good wife."

I didn't reply to him keeping quiet because I wasn't sure if I would ever be a good wife.

When we reached the altar, he lifted my veil, revealing the man I was going to marry, and I was shocked for a moment. I stared at the tall and muscular man in a dark suit, he stared back at me with his stunning grey eyes. He had dark hair that was thick and lustrous. His facial features were hard, slender nose, prominent jawline, and sharp cheekbones. He was the man of dreams. Why did he want to marry me? Why did he win over me? Why did he spend millions of dollars on me? He would get any beautiful woman.

He saw the shock register on my face before I could hide it. A small smile played on his lips as his eyes ran down the length of my body which made me weak at the knees. He extended his hand in front of me. My father handed him my hand. When his skin touched mine, a shiver ran down my spine. His palm was so cold that it almost gave me goosebumps. I was 5'8 inches tall excluding the three inches heel I had worn, but despite this, he was a few inches taller than me.

The priest began. "Friends and family..." He continued his prayer.

I tried not to tremble, but my body couldn't help it. I had consumed a bottle of liquor in the morning and here the man standing in front of me kept staring at me, making me feel self-conscious.

The priest's voice rang out. "Do you Dave Francis take Ava Miller to be your lawfully wedded wife, to share your life openly, standing with her in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and love forevermore?"

Dave's jaw clenched as his eyes narrowed. "I do." He said through his clenched teeth making me frown.

The same question was asked of me. For a moment I considered saying no, but I looked at my mother who was sitting beside my father, smiling at me and I said, "I do."

After that, we exchanged a ring. I couldn't believe I had become someone's wife.

When we asked to kiss, "You may now kiss your bride." Something happened that I had never expected in my worst dream.

Dave spun around and walked down the aisle. He stopped by an attractive brunette in a blue dress. He grabbed her hand before letting out, "Let's go, baby." And headed for the church exit.

What the hell?

A tall and muscular man approached me. His dark and terrified eyes met mine. "Fuck you! Come to our world, Mrs. Ava Francis." He snarled and turned around, following Dave.

Another man reached out. "Honestly, I felt sorry for you." He commented before heading toward his friends.

I stood there shocked and confused. What is this? My husband left me here alone like an idiot. Why did he marry me when he had a girlfriend?

I blinked once, twice, and thrice as tears gathered in my eyes. Everyone watched me and waited for my next move. I didn't move from my place because I knew if I took one more step I would fall or burst into tears.

Is this my fate? Would I never get happiness? I don't deserve happiness.

There was a murmur of people in the church as I stood there and didn't know what to do. My father stood up and approached me and pulled me into a hug, showing his fake affection in public. "Sweetheart, replace your shit face with a smile."

I choked up when I heard how he talked like that. How could he expect me to be happy? I pulled myself back, feeling suffocated in his arms. He was the most horrible father. How could he be so cruel? He had no heart, emotion, or pity.

"Ava." I heard Mom's soft voice. She reached out to me next. "My baby." She quickly pulled me into a warm hug and I felt relief. "Are you okay, darling?"

I drew a deep breath before uttering. "I'm okay." I pulled myself back and looked into her eyes. "I'm trying to be okay."

She shook her head as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I can't believe he could do this to you. How could he?"

He. Dave.

She turned to her father who was standing beside her with a scowl on his face. "Are you satisfied now? Are you satisfied to see her in this condition? He humiliated her in public. He left her. People are making fun of her, they are making fun of us."

Before she could finish her sentence, he cut her off. "His driver will be here at any moment. He will take her to the hotel where she will spend her first night with Dave. He'll meet you in his hotel room. Since he lives in California, he would stay here until tomorrow." His lips curled into a cruel smile as he narrowed his eyes to me. "Do you remember my words, Ava? You'll please your husband."

"I remember everything, Father!!" I gritted my teeth.

He nodded. "Take care, sweetheart." He said and grabbed Mom's hand before walking down with her.

Mom protested against him. She tried to release her hand from his grip, but he didn't let her go. "Mom," I called her out and hurried down and threw myself on her, sobbing silently. "Please take care of yourself. I can't live without you. "I..." I clutched her body tightly like a five-year-old girl. "I'm going to miss you badly. You're everything to me."

She sniffed and Father set her free and walked away, entertaining his guests who watched our drama.

I would kill my husband. I hate him.

"Ava, you won't become me. You won't become like your mother. You're strong, brave, and beautiful. You'll fight back, darling. You'll fight back. Just remember one thing: I can endure any pain, I can endure your father's violence, I can bear your brother's hate, I can endure people's taunts but..." She swallowed. "I can't bear your tears, darling. Your tears are precious. Don't shed them for that stupid person. Never bow your head down in front of him. You're a queen from the inside out, so live like one."

"I'm scared, Mom. I don't know what he wants from me and why he married me. However, seeing him in his eyes...it was evil..." I mumbled, recalling his piercing eyes.

"Ava, you don't you recognize him?" she asked in surprise.

I quickly pulled myself back, looking into her eyes. "What, recognize? Who?"

"Oh, Ava, you are still drunk. Didn't you see his face? Didn't you see his girlfriend?"

I looked away, biting my lip. I was tipsy. "I'm a bit tipsy..."

Shock registered on her face. "Oh, my God. Don't you remember that boy who committed suicide because of you?"

And I froze.

After a moment, I sucked in a breath as the hair on the back of my head stood up. "W-What??" I swallowed hard, and my throat constricted.

I did not want to recall that horrible night. The darkest night of his. Him. Baggy. My Baggy.

No, no..he was not my Baggy.

He was my husband. Dave Francis.

That night I had become his darkest night, and now he would become my darkest night.

Did he come for revenge?

Revenge?

*********