When Love Defies The Terms

"Are you going to undress yourself, or should I do it for you?" The man's voice dripped with contempt, and at the sound of it, Helena Ellis immediately tensed.

She froze as the zipper of her gown slowly loosened, the cool air brushing against her bare skin. In a panic, she grabbed the fabric and turned around to the man, her eyes meeting his intense gaze.

"You're wearing a dress that was never meant for you. Emily should be the one wearing it." His words, sharp and unforgiving, cut straight through her.

The man before her was Alden Wilson, heir to Cheson's top business empire. He was never supposed to be her husband-he was meant to marry her half-sister, Emily Simpson. But when Emily disappeared without a trace just before the wedding, Helena was forced to step in and take her place.

It all began when Gemma Simpson, her estranged mother who had barely spoken to her since she reached adulthood, unexpectedly appeared at her door. Instead of a greeting, the first words that came out of Gemma's mouth were a demand that Helena marry Alden in Emily's place.

Gemma grasped Helena's hands tightly and pleaded, "Helena, how are you going to manage your father's nursing home expenses? His bills will only keep increasing. Just help Emily this one time, and the Simpson family will take care of the bills."

Helena didn't hesitate to refuse right away.

But the next day, her father was gone. Without any warning, the Simpson family had taken him. Her father, already fragile from his worsening dementia, became their bargaining chip. And that was how Helena ended up in that wedding dress, forced to take vows meant for someone else.

Helena was left with no other option. She did what she had to do. Her father was the only person who had ever truly stood by her. There was no way she would abandon him now.

She pushed the painful memories aside, lowered her head, and reluctantly spoke to Alden, who stood before her. "Mr. Wilson, this arranged marriage is just a formality for business. Whether it's me or someone else, it makes no difference."

"Don't look away when you're speaking to me," he replied, his tone cold and sharp. With a firm hand, Alden tilted Helena's chin up, making sure their gaze met.

Only then did she catch sight of something behind his ear. A small device. Sleek. Subtle.

A cochlear implant.

Alden was hearing-impaired. Was this the secret that sent Emily running from the wedding?

"Knowing why your sister ran away, do you still want to marry me?" Alden's lips curved into a tight, sarcastic grin.

He had just returned from abroad, so most people hadn't heard the news yet of the hearing loss he'd suffered twenty years ago.

"I'll marry you," Helena replied, masking the flicker of doubt in her eyes.

"And what's your reason?" Alden asked, his voice low and firm. His expression shifted, darkening as the playful mask slipped away.

Helena took a deep breath, regaining the composure of a news anchor. "My parents told me this marriage would only last until the development project is complete. I was promised full compensation from the Wilson family, money that'll be mine alone. Mr. Wilson, I need the money."

The Wilson family stood to gain far more than just money from this marriage. For Helena, this wasn't about ambition or greed. What she sought wasn't wealth or status, only what had been agreed upon.

That money could keep her father in proper care.

A low chuckle escaped Alden as he said, "You're not shy about what you want, are you?"

Many women had attempted to get close to him for his wealth, but none had ever been as bold as Helena.

"If we're calling this a transaction," he added coolly. "Then I have every right to inspect what I'm paying for."

Helena's whole body stiffened. Her face turned pale, her breath caught in her throat, and her arms fell limply at her sides.

Was he suggesting that they would start their marriage with sex?

A wave of regret swept through her chest. She hadn't even kissed her ex-boyfriend of four years. How could she possibly even give herself to a man she had only just met?

The air grew heavy, nearly suffocating her. Her vision blurred, her knees gave way, and she was on the verge of collapsing to the floor.

Before she could hit the floor, two strong arms caught her, pulling her into an embrace.

Alden's unexpected warmth surprised Helena, and little by little, the pressure in her chest began to ease.

She had lived with this condition for as long as she could remember, never able to be intimate with any man. Every attempt at physical closeness left her gasping for air.

And yet, something about Alden's touch calmed the storm inside her.

His chest was firm and warm against her cheek, his heartbeat steady and loud in her ear.

Alden's fingers lightly brushed her bare skin with a gentleness that left her confused. Just as Helena had prepared herself for more, his hands suddenly pulled away without any warning.

"How long have you been like this?" Alden asked quietly.

"I... I'm not sure," Helena answered, her voice low and uncertain.

One doctor had explained that it wasn't something medicine could cure, as it stemmed from deep within, something firmly rooted in her mind.

Alden gave a soft, ironic laugh. "So, the Simpson family must believe that pairing a woman like you with a disabled man like me is quite the deal."

No words left Helena's lips. Instead, she gripped her gown tightly, fighting the rising fear in her chest.

Did Alden intend to call off the marriage? If he called off the marriage now, what would happen to her father? The Simpson family had made it clear that no marriage meant no help. And they might never let her see her father again.

"Remove that gaudy dress and tacky jewelry. You don't need a ceremony to be my wife." Alden's commanding voice reverberated through the room as Helena glanced up, bewilderment etched across her features.

Alden continued outlining his demands with cold precision. "No one outside the family learns about our marriage. No divorce until the development project concludes. And absolutely no scandals. Meet these conditions, and the money is yours. Clear?"

Before Alden's patience evaporated completely, realization dawned on Helena.

Was he actually agreeing to let her take Emily's place?

Fearing he might reconsider, Helena hastily removed her necklace and earrings, then slipped out of her wedding gown, leaving herself vulnerable in only her undergarments.

"Planning to leave here half-naked?" Alden's voice carried a hint of mockery.

Helena froze, reality crashing back upon her.

With casual indifference, Alden extracted a ring from his pocket and slid it onto Helena's slender finger.

Surprise flickered across her face; the band encircled her finger perfectly, as though crafted specifically for her.

"This ring must be quite valuable," she ventured cautiously. "I'll guard it carefully and return it when we divorce."

Alden remained silent as Helena placed the matching ring on his finger.

Without ceremony or family blessings, they got married at the City Hall.

Alden handed Helena the keys to their new residence and instructed his assistant, Xavier Ashton, to personally escort her there.

Only after Helena had completely vanished from sight did Alden answer his friend Dorian Morrison's call.

"Finally got her with your elaborate scheme?" Dorian chuckled deviously.

Alden rotated the wedding ring on his finger, then opened his palm to examine the crimson smudge left by Helena's full lips, arching an eyebrow.

"We're legally married now. No schemes involved," he stated flatly.

-

"You're claiming a man's touch actually alleviated your anxiety episode?" Inside a consultation room, Helena's friend and psychotherapist, Valeria Clark, maintained a professional expression while documenting Helena's condition.

Helena reclined on the couch, thoughts drifting elsewhere.

That was precisely how the event had unfolded. Alden had helped her, and somehow they'd ended up married.

Two months had elapsed, yet her marriage still felt like an illusion.

Helena exhaled deeply. "Valeria, do you believe my condition can ever be cured?"

She had diligently pursued therapy, dreaming of one day marrying and having children naturally. Now that goal seemed to dissolve into impossibility.

She had married Alden-a man who would never sleep with her.

Valeria glanced at the wedding band adorning Helena's finger, visibly irritated by its presence.

"Your psychological barriers stem from memories you lost twenty years ago. Once those memories resurface, healing should progress quickly. But speaking as both your doctor and friend, I recommend a comprehensive health assessment immediately."

Helena straightened, anxiety flaring. "Why?"

Valeria's expression remained deliberately neutral. "You married a complete stranger without consulting me. It's reasonable to suspect your brain might have suffered some unknown trauma."

Helena fell silent, Valeria's sarcasm cutting deeper than intended.

It was Valeria who had secured her father's primary physician and even covered several months of medical expenses. As a friend, Valeria had already done too much for her.

Helena couldn't impose further burdens upon her.

Fortunately, the Simpson family had honored their agreement, returning her father to the nursing facility. She merely needed to endure until the development project concluded, when Alden would divorce her without question.

After her session, Helena bid Valeria farewell and proceeded directly to the adjacent Nexus TV building.

As a weather anchor, today she stood ready for any unscheduled weather broadcasts.

Backstage, Eleanor Murphy, the evening news anchor, chatted animatedly with female colleagues.

"Have you heard? Alden, the Wilson Group heir who recently returned from abroad, is visiting the station today for an interview."

Helena's hand trembled noticeably as she applied makeup, the lipstick slipping to leave a jagged streak across her lips. Alden was coming to the station?

Throughout these past two months, he had barely set foot in their shared home.

They had rigorously adhered to his demands, keeping their relationship concealed. Due to her profession, Helena departed early each morning, their lives remaining entirely separate.

She had never imagined encountering her newlywed husband at work.

Eleanor clicked her tongue dismissively. "Heir? Haven't you heard? Alden suffered an accident that stole his hearing entirely. How could his family possibly entrust such a vast empire to someone... damaged like him?"

"If he's disabled," another voice said with casual cruelty, "why not remain abroad living off family wealth?"

Eleanor's laughter sliced through the air. "He probably returned to prevent the family property from slipping to his brother. Such a shame though-he's quite handsome. If not for his... condition... he'd certainly be worth pursuing."

"Careful, Eleanor," someone warned with mock concern. "After such trauma, who knows if his ears were the only casualty?"

Another wave of laughter rippled through the room, sharp and venomous.

Just beyond the partially open door, Alden stood motionless, his expression carved from stone as the familiar barbs of mockery washed over him. Such derision had become a constant companion.

Xavier bristled with indignation. "Mr. Wilson, I'll go-"

Before he could complete his threat, Helena-who had been silently applying makeup-rose abruptly from her seat. She slammed her compact onto the table with deliberate force, the sharp crack echoing like a thunderclap.

The gossip evaporated instantly as every head swiveled toward Helena, eyes wide with surprise at this unexpected disruption.

With her arms crossed tightly, Eleanor shot Helena a sideways glance.

"You're usually the quiet type. What's got you so worked up today?"

Remaining composed, Helena responded with a calm clarity, "It's unprofessional to drag someone's personal life into office gossip, especially when they're a guest on our program."

A sharp laugh burst from Eleanor. "What's it to you? Are you and Alden suddenly best friends or something?"

Closing the gap between them, Helena took a step forward, her taller figure casting a subtle shadow over Eleanor.

"No. We're not close," Helena said flatly, her face showing no emotion. "But that doesn't mean it's okay to talk about someone like that. Everyone has been through something. He's still standing, and that says more about him than most people I know."

Eleanor's lips curled into a sneer. "Well, would you look at that, Helena. I didn't know you had a thing for Alden."

Helena tensed for a moment, and Alden's cold, unreadable, handsome face suddenly appeared in her mind.

He wasn't charming in the usual way, not warm or expressive, not the type she usually went for.

But he had shown decency when it mattered.

That day, when she had fallen into a panic disorder, he hadn't taken advantage of her vulnerability. Instead, he had calmed her.

Because he agreed to the marriage, her father had been safely returned to the nursing home.

That alone was enough for Helena to defend him.

Thinking she had struck a nerve, Eleanor grinned and pressed further. "Let's be honest, someone like you-so plain and forgettable-could stand before him naked, and he still wouldn't bother to look at you."

A sudden knock broke the tension, stealing everyone's attention.

Helena went rigid. When had Alden arrived? Had he been standing there long enough to hear every cruel word Eleanor said?

"The anchors at Nexus TV certainly know how to surprise me," Alden said as he walked in, his voice calm and deliberate, the quiet authority in his presence instantly filling the room.

The moment Eleanor recognized Alden, her face turned pale. "M-Mr. Wilson... I didn't realize you were here," she stuttered.

Everyone understood the power behind the Wilson family name. Their company, Wilson Group, dominated Cheson's corporate world, and Nexus TV wasn't just any network, it had the Wilson family's investments backing it. Even though Alden was disabled, it wasn't her place, as just an anchor, to comment on him.

Those who had joined Eleanor in laughing earlier now stared at the floor, silent and filled with shame.

With her body trembling, Eleanor forced a tight-lipped smile and took a hesitant step forward. "I was just joking. No harm meant..."

Alden toyed with the ring on his finger as he glanced casually at Helena. "And you-the weather anchor-did you think it was funny?"

Helena's breath caught in her throat. How did Alden know she worked as a weather anchor at Nexus TV?

She quickly regained her composure and shook her head firmly.

Alden's tone grew icy as he turned back to Eleanor. "Apologize," he commanded.

A shaky breath escaped Eleanor as she hurried to fix the situation. "Of course, Mr. Wilson. I see now that I was out of line. I'm truly sorry. I promise I won't do it again-"

Alden did not let her finish. "Not to me," he interjected. "To her."

Helena blinked, startled by his unexpected defense. Was Alden actually standing up for her?

Eleanor, on the other hand, was even more stunned. Since when had Helena, the quiet, background figure at the station, become someone Alden would stand up for?

Eleanor's expression barely hid the outrage simmering beneath the surface. She was the face of Nexus TV, the news anchor everyone recognized. Yet here she was, being told to apologize to someone whose segment lasted only ten minutes.

She clenched her jaw, humiliation burning in her chest like fire. She had never felt such humiliation in her entire life.

The weight of Alden's icy stare pinned Eleanor in place. Backed into a corner, she forced out the words. "Ms. Ellis, I apologize. That was out of line."

The apology might have been spoken, but the look Eleanor shot Helena was anything but remorseful. Hatred burned behind her eyes. This wasn't over.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Dominick Lloyd, the station's technical director, entered and shattered the tension.

Without any introduction, he handed Alden a script and a wireless microphone. "Mr. Wilson, rehearsal can start whenever you're ready."

A simple nod from Alden confirmed he was good to go.

Dominick glanced around the room. "Helena, would you mind assisting Mr. Wilson with his microphone?"

Before Helena could react, Xavier silently placed the microphone in her hand, offering a quick nod.

One by one, everyone else left, following Dominick, until only Helena and Alden remained in the quiet room.

Moving closer, Helena fastened the microphone onto Alden's collar with careful, practiced hands.

She met his eyes and said sincerely, "Thank you."

Besides her father, Alden was the only man who had ever stood up for her like that.

Lowering his gaze, Alden watched her fingers move lightly against his shirt. Something stirred within him, something unexpected.

His voice dipped lower. "Don't ever let anyone try to insult you like that again."

Helena looked up, momentarily caught off guard, then gave a faint, bitter smile. "They are always mean. But Eleanor wasn't completely wrong."

Even though Eleanor had been harsh, Helena understood that she was merely expressing what many men believed.

Her own mind, her own body, rejected intimacy from any man. It was the same reason her four-year relationship had ended.

In a flash, Alden's hand closed around her wrist and pulled her toward him.

His breath brushed her cheek, close and warm, and her pulse spiked. "Tell me," he said, his gaze fixed on hers. "Are you still upset that I didn't fall for your attempt to seduce me on our wedding day, just to prove your feminine charm?"