2. This heart will never soften...

I push myself away from his arms and he lets me go, folding his arms with a cocky eyebrow that makes me want to shrivel and hide.

He has never given me that look before. From when I agreed that first night, Oliver has always been gentle with me like he was in love with my body and he admired it every time.

"Explain the meaning of those words, Rebecca, before I lose it." His threats are enough to snap me out of the past.

With a gulp, I repeat myself, "I'm ending this-"

He scoffs, cutting me halfway, "That's funny. You sound like your own boss."

He's mocking me, reminding me of my place and my throat dries up. "Oliver please," I whisper. "I can't do this anymore. Surely you never planned to still keep me by your side while you get engaged-"

"So?" He stops me there. "What's wrong with that?"

I stare at him totally flabbergasted by his words and the look on his face tells me he's no joke.

The disrespect glares me in the face and I come to the harsh realisation that I'm nothing but a mere object for this man. He will never love me.

"When did we go from a pretend couple to a mistress?" I ask, putting aside my tears and sniffs. My heart is breaking at this scene and all he can think of is keeping me by his side while he brings in another woman?

"Have you seen the news?" I ask him. "The vile things they speak and write about me each day. I am literally the most hated woman in Europe all because of you-"

"And you haven't benefited from me, is that it? With fame comes enemies, Rebecca. Don't be juvenile and act like I didn't warn you about this before you said yes."

He's cold. Too cold. Is he mad at me for wanting to call it quits? Why? I'm trying to save myself here. I'm looking out for myself for the first time in three years since I've met him and he wants to frustrate my efforts.

"That doesn't mean I should continue it," I throw my face away, refusing to look at that face and soften just like all the other times. "Were you ever going to tell me about your engagement?"

"Of course, why would I hide anything from you? She'll move in with us anyways-"

"What?" He's standing before me in the next minute, pinching my cheek with a smile.

"I told her I have a lover that I'm not willing to get rid off. She understands and she'll be very cooperative-"

I stared at him with wide eyes, unable to recover from my shock. I've been in love with a cruel man.

"What if... She falls in love with you?" If Oliver is welcoming her in as a wife, then no doubt, she'll get the same special treatment as I do.

He smirks with darkened eyes, "I've known Annie for a longer time than I've known you. Yes, she loves me but what do I have to do about that? Our marriage is merely a contract and she knows better than to involve her feelings."

I hear my own heart shatter. He lifts my hand to his chest, placing it over his heart.

"This heart will never soften under a contract, nor will I fall in love with a woman arranged for me by my grandfather. She's merely a tool for him to continue to be at peace with me. She's insignificant in my books and her feelings will continue to remain under my feet."

My world is shaking, my ears feel as though they would bleed, is this really the man I'm in love with?

He's cruel. That devilish smile is chilling my bones and showing me how ridiculous I've been all these years.

"I can act the part for as long as she wants and I'll do so well, she'll never suspect a thing but I know I'm only fooling her. One day, I'll grow bored and let her get swallowed up in depression."

Hearing him spew these words makes me wonder if this is also the plan for me.

"It doesn't take much for one's heart to soften, just act so nice and they'll fall in love with you, really, it's useless."

I've been a fool. I am such a fool. It's like he's staring right into me and bringing my secrets to light. What's wrong with loving a kind man? That's what I used to think he was. Not anymore.

Just like Annie, I've been had. This man will never love anyone but himself.