Aurora stood in the middle of the dining room, a place of faded grandeur, a stark contrast to the fractured family dynamics that unfolded within it. The room was spacious, with high ceilings adorned with ornate chandeliers that had seen better days. Once-elegant wallpaper peeled at the edges, revealing the aging walls beneath.The dining table, though solid and antique, bore the scars of time. Its mahogany finish was worn in patches, and the chairs, with their once-plush seats, had lost their former opulence. A large bay window let in feeble rays of daylight, casting long shadows across the room. The window's curtains, once rich and extravagant, now hung with an air of neglect.The dining area exuded an ambiance of faded opulence, where memories seemed to linger somberly, much like the grandeur that had lost its luster over time. It was a place where fractured relationships unfolded, adding layers of complexity to the faded yet once-vibrant surroundings."i-it w-wasn't m-my f-fault....

"So, Gela, spill the details about Hawaii. Did the tropical paradise treat you well?" Xavier probed, a subtle attempt to shift focus away from the looming marriage.With a burst of excitement, Gela responded, "Hawaii was an absolute blast. Picture this – sun-kissed beaches, waves serenading the shore, and adventures waiting at every turn." Her eyes sparkled with the remnants of island magic as she painted a vivid picture of her time in the tropical haven.Xavier's grin brightened as he welcomed his sister's presence, providing a refreshing break from the gloomy backdrop of this forced wedding day."But my escapades in Hawaii are a discussion for another day. The playboy of the family is getting married—now that's something for the history books!""Yeah, I'm getting married," he replied, feigning amusement as he temporarily sidestepped the weight of that topic. Angela's playful jab didn't escape his notice."I've officially hung up my playboy cape," Xavier quipped, a mischievous glint l

Xavier stood at the altar, his eyes locked onto the vacant space ahead. The grand hall exuded opulence, a reflection of his family's immense wealth and societal standing. The flickering candles scattered their warm, wavering light across the gilded ornaments, bestowing an otherworldly radiance upon the surroundings. Yet, in Xavier's heart, there was nothing but an overwhelming darkness, an abyss that loomed, ready to engulf him.Xavier tugged at the collar of his suit, feeling it tighten around his neck like a suffocating noose. In his mind, a storm of emotions raged, a turbulent mix of anger, resentment, and an intense longing for liberation. The hushed murmurs of arriving guests echoed in his ears, their footsteps resounding like a relentless march toward his predetermined destiny. At the heart of this tumultuous gathering stood the woman he was moments away from marrying, a woman he had never met, an enigmatic figure in his impending life. The demands of his father and the towering

Aurora was lost in her thoughts when the priest's next sentence abruptly pulled her back to the reality of the moment, making her throat tighten with apprehension.With a warm, inviting smile, the priest declared, "Now, you may seal this union with a kiss, the final step to uniting as one."Now you may kiss the bride." "What the Fuck!" Xavier's whispered exclamation took Aurora by surprise, leaving her utterly bewildered. She couldn't fathom what was causing his reaction.Time seemed to slow as the seconds ticked away, and the room held its collective breath, the anticipation of the impending kiss palpable. An eerie tension hung in the air as all eyes focused on the couple.Her heart skipped a beat, a whirlwind of anticipation and trepidation swirled within her. The impending kiss, her first shared with a man she hardly knew, carried the weight of a lifetime—a kiss sealing her fate to a man who had become her husband, staking a claim to every facet of her existence.The word "husband"

Xavier's gaze involuntarily kept drifting back to his so called wife, though the word itself left a bitter taste in his mouth. How swiftly his life had transformed within a mere week. Doubt gnawed at him—was her innocence genuine, or was she merely a masterful actress? He observed her engaging with Angela, even Alex seemingly enchanted by her presence. "Traitor, I thought he was supposed to be on my side!" he whispered under his breath, a tinge of resentment surfacing.Xavier's train of thought was abruptly interrupted by his father's voice. "She's a genuinely nice girl, and once you get to know her, I believe you'll see her in a different light."Xavier shook his head, frustration etched on his face. "Don't you think I should have had the opportunity to know her before being forced into this marriage?""I understand son...""Do you, really? Because from where I stand, I've been coerced—oops, forgive me—I mean, threatened into marrying a woman whom I've only met today."William attempt