~Charlotte
"The man I love is with your fiancée, and if I marry you, don't you think this is too dramatic?"
I couldn't find words to describe my emotions at this moment. It all just seemed incredibly implausible..
"You only need to tell me your decision," Adam responded, retracting his gaze. A newfound resolve flickered in his eyes, a determination he had never displayed before.
"I won't marry you! I don't love you at all. Why should I marry you?" I blurted out without hesitation.
"You love him. So, as long as you marry me, you can see him every day! My legs are already paralyzed. Even if you marry me, I won't be able to touch you. We'd only have a nominal relationship!
I just can't accept this. Can you tolerate a situation like that?" I blurted out.
Adam gazed at me with an icy stare.
I found myself at a loss for words. Like any ordinary person, I had blood, flesh, and feelings. But I had also been deeply hurt by the man I had once loved so dearly. How could I possibly contain my anger?
"I want you to marry me because our situations are exactly the same," he continued, his voice unwavering. "There is no one else who can understand your feelings better than me.
We're meant to be together. Don't you feel any trace of jealousy? Once you become my wife, you'll be Dylan's sister-in-law. Just your presence alone will torment him invisibly."
He paused, his words hanging heavy in the air.
"After six months of marriage, we can divorce. I have a house in this city, and once we part ways, it'll be yours. I've said what needed to be said. You can leave the car now."
My hands were tightly clasped together, and my heart was in turmoil. Logically, I should have rejected his proposal, but the man's words had started to influence me.
"Can I really get a divorce at any time?" I questioned. How about satisfaction?
"In six months, as long as you mention it, I'll agree to it," he assured me.
"Our relationship is only in name," he continued. "I've lost the ability to be a husband in every sense. Physically, I can't satisfy you, but you can ask for anything else."
I looked at him and straightforwardly replied, "Sorry, that's not what I meant." I blushed and struggled to explain myself.
"This is an indisputable fact," Adam reassured me. "You don't have to apologize to me. I'm already accustomed to it. When can you give me an answer?"
"I don't know," i replied uncertainly.
"I shook my head, feeling utterly lost. My thoughts were tangled, leaving me uncertain of my next move. Adam gazed at me in silence before lowering the car window. Arthur, his driver promptly returned to the vehicle.
"Let's head back to the apartment," Adam instructed Arthur , his expression dark.
"Alright," Arthur replied, starting the car and driving toward Adam's apartment.
"Should we drop you at your place now?"
"Do you believe you can return home in your current condition?" Adam asked me coldly, studying me intently.
I turned my head to Adam , puzzled by his intentions. I shook my head helplessly once more."
Ever since my father passed away ten years ago, my mother had cherished me as the hope of her life, harboring a deep desire for me to marry into the Morgan Family. If i were to return today and reveal everything to my mother, the emotional impact would be more than she could bear.
I couldn't bring myself to go back.
"Drive!" Adam ordered Arthur in a deep, commanding voice, noticing my silence.
The car started slowly and headed toward Adam's apartment. I clutched my bag tightly, feeling as though there was a gaping hole in my heart — it was empty!
Before today, my life had been filled with happiness and sweetness. As i entered Dylan's office, i had been eagerly anticipating whether he would propose. I had dreamed of wearing a wedding dress in the near future and becoming the happiest, most beautiful bride, smiling joyfully in front of everyone.
But now, everything had been shattered into pieces.
"So, ten years have just been a beautiful dream," I thought as the car pulled up to Adam's apartment. Memories of the past ten years played in my mind, each heartwarming scene causing my heart to ache and suffocate me.
"ten years, Dylan ! Even if you didn't like me, why make me wait like a fool?" I wondered aloud, tears streaming down my face.
After an indeterminate amount of time, the Land Rover finally stopped in front of Adam's apartment.
"Get out of the car! After we get married, this will be your new home," Adam's voice was emotionless as he spoke, looking at me coldly.
Upon hearing Adam's words, Arthur quickly exited the car and held the door open for me . I gazed at the luxurious apartment outside the window, biting my lip lightly while my slender fingers tightly gripped the handbag on my lap.
Adam sat beside me, motionless, as if waiting for my decision.
After an uncertain pause, i turned my head to face Adam and replied, "Okay. Let's go register now."
Adam nodded. "Would you like to retrieve your household register from home?" I nodded silently, choosing not to utter a word.
Arthur promptly shut the door and settled into the driver's seat. He swiftly started the car and drove away from the neighborhood.
I had never imagined that i would one day become a member of the Flashing Marriage team, joining the Flashing Marriage family!
The most surprising revelation was that the man i had just wed was the older brother of the man i held dearest!
As i left the Marriage Registration Office and settled into the black Land Rover, my tears once again welled up with disappointment. I was now married, but to my despair, not to the man i cherished most.
In the past, i had envisioned myself walking into the Marriage Registration Centre with boundless happiness. Little did i anticipate that fate would play such a cruel joke on me! The person i had married today turned out to be Dylan's elder brother!
"Are you feeling wronged?" Adam asked, his gaze icy, before shifting his eyes elsewhere.
I silently shook my head and carefully stashed the vibrant red marriage certificate into my bag.
"Arthur , let's head to the mall," Adam commanded Arthur , his tone icy.
"Yes, Sir," Arthur replied obediently.
I sat beside Adam , my gaze fixed on the window. Everything felt unfamiliar.
"Baby you are strong, you are wise," an untimely song played from my cell phone. Each word felt like a painful jab in my heart.
It hurt.
I didn't need to wonder who the caller was. In the past, i would eagerly answer his calls, but now I had no desire to hear his voice. I reached out and rejected the call.
The car fell into a sudden silence, and the atmosphere turned somewhat stifling.
"You gotta get up... You gotta get up and make a move..." My phone once again stubbornly rang.
I reached out to press the reject button, but a large hand suddenly gripped my wrist.
"Answer the phone! You're family now. You'll be seeing each other often in the future!" Adam stated firmly before retracting his hand.
I hesitated for a moment. Although i wasn't ready to face Dylan , I couldn't deny the truth in Adam's words. I would soon become Dylan's sister-in-law.
With resolve, I pressed the answer button and brought the phone to my ear.
"Charlotte , where are you? Are you alright?" came Dylan's anxious voice. He had been feeling uneasy ever since I left the guest house, worrying that he wouldn't be able to explain my absence to his family if something happened to me.
"Is it any of your business where I am?" I asked faintly, gazing out of the window. I didn't attempt to appease him in his presence.
"Charlotte ... I'm sorry," Dylan still felt guilty, hearing my cold tone.
"Forget it, I'm fine," I replied indifferently.
"Today's matter was rather unexpected. Go home and take a break for a while. I'll come find you in two days! Don't worry, I'll make it up to you!" Dylan spoke sincerely.
"Do you want to offer me financial support?" I asked in a hushed tone.
"Yes! Charlotte , just name your request, and I'll do everything I can to fulfill it!"
A smile graced my face, though it carried a hint of sadness. "Make me the "Vice President of Operations" of the Morgan Group!"
Hahahaha, Dylan chuckled over the phone, obviously taunting me. "You must be dreaming if you think I'd do such a thing. That's my current position in the company, come on!," he remarked.
"What's so funny?" I inquired.
I gazed out of the window while keeping the phone to my ear. Was he making fun of me? Did he consider me a joke? I pondered.
Lowering the phone from my ear, I muttered, "If he won't comply, I'll have to take it by force. I can't wait to see him cry blood by the time I'm finished with him." With that thought, I promptly ended the call.
~ Charlotte Hearing the disconnected tone, I sighed, and suddenly tears cascaded down my cheeks. I couldn't believe the love of my life had turned into my enemy, someone I had to deal with. How cruel the world can be. As I attempted to wipe away the tears in my eyes, my phone was abruptly snatched from my hand. I turned to the man beside me, observing as he skillfully entered a series of numbers on the phone's screen. "What are you doing?" "This is my phone number. I've saved it for you! If you ever need anything in the future, feel free to give me a call!" Adam shared his number and used my phone to dial his own. He then handed the phone back to me. I quietly placed it in my bag without a glance, then turned my attention to the view outside, my thoughts in a whirl. The car pulled up swiftly in front of an upscale shopping mall. Arthur assisted Adam into a wheelchair, and I exited the car, joining them. As i gazed at the shopping mall ahead, I was puzzled why Adam had brought
~Adam Dylan entered with Eleanor, hand in hand. I observed them with frustration, but as the older brother, I suppressed my anger, maintaining my pride and ego. "I'll be in my room," I informed Albert, wheeling away from the two betrayers by my side. Dylan appeared shocked, mouth agape, while Eleanor struggled to conceal the shame of entangling herself with two brothers. I gave them a stern gaze as I prepared to leave. My grandfather, Albert, called after me as I walked away. "Adam, wait. What's happening? Why are you marrying Charlotte and not Eleanor?" He turned to Dylan, "What's going on?" No response from Dylan. Albert halted me and inquired, "Why is Dylan holding hands with Eleanor in a disturbing manner? What's happening?" I met his gaze and replied, "Dylan and Eleanor betrayed my trust. I believe Dylan is in a better position to answer your question ." I left without further explanation. The next morning, thoughts of visiting Charlotte's mother filled my mind. I quickly
~ Charlotte My heart was pounding as I watched the two black jeeps pull up beside us. I turned to look at Adam, expecting to see him looking as concerned as I was, but to my surprise, he was completely calm, almost nonchalant. In fact, he even seemed to be enjoying the situation. As the man from the jeep got out, Adam laughed and greeted him warmly. "What's up, buddy?" he said, shaking hands with the man. "How's the family?" I could only stare in disbelief. I thought we were being attacked. Adam turned to me with a smile on his face, "It's all fine. These guys are my friends from the military. That's how we greet each other, it's just a thing we do. I promise you, you're perfectly safe." He said smiling. I smiled back at him, with my heart still pounding in my chest. "It's fine", I said, but I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. I took a deep breath and tried to relax. Adam turned his gaze to his friends. "Your rooms have been prepared in the mansion," please make yourselves c
~ Charlotte I felt the pain like a jolt of electricity, and everything seemed to slow down. I looked at the knife, its glistening blade stained with my blood. I could hear the sound of the congregation gasping, and I looked up to see their faces, frozen in horror. I couldn't believe what was happening, and I struggled to understand the reality of the situation. I looked down at Adam, and saw his face contorted in pain and fear. I felt myself falling, the pain in my stomach intensifying. I couldn't move, and I was powerless to stop the descent. I landed on the ground with a thud, my body limp. I could hear Adam shouting for help, his voice filled with panic. All I could do was lie there, watching as people ran around in a state of confusion. Finally, an ambulance arrived, and two paramedics rushed to my side. They lifted me onto a stretcher and carried me to the ambulance. Adam watched as the paramedics placed me in the ambulance and closed the doors. As the ambulance p
~ Charlotte I woke up with a start after the terrible dream that I had. my heart pounding. It took me a moment to remember where I was, and then it all came rushing back to me: the attack, the hospital, the aftermath. Months had passed since then, and still Adam hadn't told me anything about the attacker, or what he wanted. I had no idea what business he had with Adam, and it made me question everything. Had I made a mistake in marrying Adam? Was he the man I thought he was? My thoughts spiraled, and I felt like I was drowning. And then, in the back of my mind, a dark thought crept in what if the attacker came back? What if he was angry that he hadn't gotten what he wanted, and he was going to come for me? I felt a shiver of fear run down my spine. I imagined him, creeping up on me, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I could feel my heart racing, my chest tightening. I tried to push the thought away, but it kept coming back, stronger each time. What if he was out there
Dylan's POVI sat at the dining table, seething with anger. My grandfather had just promoted Charlotte, of all people, to be the new COO of the company. How could he do this to me? After all I've done for him, all the years of hard work I've put in, he was just going to throw it all away by giving the promotion to her. I couldn't believe it. I felt betrayed, angry, and hurt. Without thinking, I stood up and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind me."Dylan, come back here, I won't have you walk out on me !" I heard my grandfather call after me. I stormed up to my room, slamming the door behind me. I was fuming, and I needed to vent. I picked up my phone and dialed Eleanor's number. She answered on the second ring. "Hey babe, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice filled with concern."You won't believe what just happened," I said, my voice shaking. "My grandfather just promoted Charlotte to be the new COO."Eleanor was silent for a moment. "Are you sure?" she asked. "I thou
~CharlotteAdam and i sat in the living room, talking about the board meeting that had taken place earlier today day. But then, the memory of the attack a month ago came rushing back to me. "Adam," i said, my voice trembling. "I've been having weird dreams about the attack. I keep feeling like it's not over, like the attacker is going to come back. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice." I know it's just my imagination, but it feels so real. I can't help but feel like something bad is going to happen."Adam reached out and took my hand. "It's just your imagination, Charlotte," he said, his voice reassuring. "Nothing is going to happen, I already sorted him out. I promise nothing bad is going to happen to you. Please, don't worry.""I'm just so scared," i said staring into Adam's eyes.And than I decided to ask the big question, unsure if Adam will answer it."Adam," i began, my voice wavering. "Did you return the thing that belonged to the attacker?"But Adam just turned
~Charlotte I turned my head and saw my Adam in the doorway.His face was pale and his eyes were full of horror. "What's going on?" He asked, his voice shaking. "Why is Dylan here? What's happening?"I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I was too stunned to speak. Dylan turned to leave, a smug look on his face. As he reached the door, he paused and looked back at Adam. "How does it feel when your wife is still in love with her ex, your brother," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "It's not my fault that she loves me and not you," Dylan said, his voice mocking. "Maybe you should take a good look in the mirror and figure out what you're doing wrong."Adam stared at Dylan, his face burning with rage. He clenched his fists, his jaw set. He wanted to punch Dylan, to make him feel the same pain that he was feeling.But he couldn't, probation because of his condition."Just get out," he said, his voice low and dangerous, "I don't ever want to see you in my room."Dylan sm