Chapter 1: One Worse Cheated Day

Aarav is fully aware that what he is facing now is not a dream.

In the middle of the crowd in the classic living room, with a face that didn't understand the situation, Aarav stood watching Ella. Aarav remembers very well that today is the third anniversary of their marriage. However, Aarav instead finds Ella at the family gathering of the Northlay Family.

All eyes were on Aarav, and the man was well aware of the look of disdain on the Northlay Great Family's face.

Unfortunately Aarav doesn't really care about that. The only question Aarav had was who was the man who held Ella's hand without getting that rejection?

"Ella, tell me, what exactly happened?" Aarav asked Ella urgently.

Ella grimaced slightly awkwardly, looking around. Aarav's presence was not something he expected. He remembered very well that today they were both supposed to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

Although Ella never wanted a celebration for their wedding anniversary.

"You shouldn't have come, Aarav" Ella replied looking at Aarav seriously. There was an implied panic in his eyes.

Aarav doesn't know why Ella looks like she's hiding something.

"What do you mean? You promised, no, we both promised to celebrate—"

"I never liked anniversary celebrations Aarav!" Ella argued while taking one step closer to Aarav.

Ella's increasingly pressing tone made Aarav slightly surprised. Ella gave Aarav a very sharp look, as if showing her discomfort at the time.

For a second while, Aarav was silent. He looked at Ella increasingly confused. "Tell me, who is that man?" he asked. The direction of Aarav's eyes shifted to Ella's hands and the man who didn't know who was holding each other tightly. "I wasn't sure you would do something like this."

Hearing Aarav's question, the man beside Ella reached out his hand.

"Ezraf, I am Ella's fiancé," said Ezraf, a man without a doubt. He didn't feel awkward at all over his and Aarav's meeting.

Wait a moment. Who is this bastard who claims to be Ella's fiancé?

Aarav was at a loss for words as he tried to process what was going on. His eyes glanced at Ella and Ezraf alternately. Even though Ella looked awkward with Ezraf's physical touch, she still didn't want to refuse.

"Your fiancé? Ella, are you out of your mind?!" Aarav's voice was almost rising. "Why do you have a fiancé when you're already married to me?"

Ella took a deep breath and then turned her gaze to Ezraf. "Don't listen to him Ezraf. As I explained to you, Aarav and I are only in a contractual marriage. There is no relationship like husband and wife that we have ever had."

Aarav's shock grew. Indeed, for three years, Aarav and Ella had never had intercourse like husband and wife. Even Ella always minimizes physical contact with Aarav.

Their marriage was not based on sincere love. Ella meets Aarav in the midst of an urgent situation where Aarav needs money for his mother's medical expenses. Also, Aarav's small restaurant business is on the verge of bankruptcy.

On the other hand Ella only needs Aarav as her husband so she can get the inheritance from her grandpa. Ella was the first child, but in her family, daughters could not inherit.

Therefore, with the agreement that Ella pays $40,000 to Aarav, they both carry out the marriage. Of course through sudden preparations.

Unfortunately Aarav didn't think that Ella couldn't love him one bit yet. Even though they had been together for three years.

"You can't do this Ella" Aarav insisted. His voice began to press and rise as his emotions rose.

"Of course you can. Why not?" Ella gave a counter question. "I already paid you Aarav. A sum of $40,000 and you are using it for your needs. We are done with our own business."

What Ella said was right. Aarav has already used the money Ella gave him for urgent matters, while Ella has already got the inheritance.

However, even though Aarav and Ella's marriage only consisted of taking advantage of each other, Aarav never thought of playing games with their marriage. How could Ella act like their marriage was a trivial matter?

"I know about that. But, you did the engagement secretly without notifying me?" Aarav sounds disapproving.

"Ella really shouldn't have married someone like you!" Someone's voice from the side distracted Aarav.

The figure of a woman in a black dress suit is complemented by circular gold ornaments on her stomach. His gaze was intense on Aarav as he walked closer carrying an expensive branded tote bag.

Aarav didn't speak until the woman, Beneza, stood before him, Ella, and Ezraf. Beneza's eyes looked up and down Aarav with a condescending look.

Aarav knows Beneza because she is Ella's closest cousin, and Ella has a photo with Beneza in her room.

Yes, in his room, not theirs. Aarav and Ella sleep separately in the house that Ella's grandfather gave her.

"Who are you?" Beneza asked. "No way you're Ella's husband. Wait, what family are you from? Suburban?"

Even though he has never attended Ella's big family event—because Ella forbade him to do it, Aarav was not surprised to get that question. Now he understood. It was only natural that Ella had not wanted herself to participate in the big family events of the Northlay Family.

"Ella, it's impossible for you to have a marriage relationship with a man of unknown origin like him," Beneza said again, looking at Aarav doubtfully.

Ella felt awkward when her cousins ​​arrived. They looked curious and didn't expect it.

"Aw, Ella, shouldn't you invite a bum over here?" said Ella's other cousin.

"How did he come in wearing just a hoodie and denim jeans—which were even ripped at the knees?" Then another voice chimed in. "Ella wouldn't suit a man like this. Totally disrespectful and mocking the Northlay Family."

Aarav ignored Ella's cousins ​​who gave such condescending ramblings. He then reached into his hoodie pocket and pulled out a box.

"Ella, I was going to give this to you" Aarav said as he handed the box to Ella.

No, he wouldn't want to lose to the man beside Ella. He would prove that he could buy Ella a luxury item.

Unfortunately, Ella just clucked and brushed Aarav's hand roughly. So the box that Aarav was holding was accidentally thrown on the floor.

"I don't need anything from you Aarav" Ella said very firmly. "How many times do I need to say before you understand?"

Aarav is unmoved. He didn't expect Ella's action, and couldn't react except to grit his teeth. His heart heated up with the feeling of being humiliated.

Ella had deeply scratched her pride.

"What are you doing, Ella? You shouldn't throw away gifts from her. She might be willing not to eat to be able to raise money to buy you this," said Beneza, who purposely put on a pitiful expression. Pity Aarav.

"Ella—"

"Ella is going to marry Ezraf!"

This time the voice that answered him was firm. Mature male voice.

Aarav saw the figure of Danesh, Ella's papa, walking so dignifiedly with sharp eyes on him. The closer Danesh got, the more Aarav felt a strong aura showing distaste.

"You don't have any relation with the Northlay Family now," Danesh continued.

"I also need someone who can guarantee my future, Aarav. Look at you..." Ella watched Aarav from head to toe. "You can't even give me anything. You just a delivery man with a lot of money debt. Your restaurant isn't that big. I can't live a miserable life with you."

Aaraav frowned. "Miserable life?" he asked. "I worked too hard for you—"

"Until you get charges of corruption?!" Ella interrupted Aarav.

At that time, Aarav didn't understand what Ella was saying. But not long after, there was the sound of a door being forced open. All eyes shifted at once to the door of the room, including Aarav.

From that door a bunch of policemen walked fast towards Aarav.

Wait. In his direction?!

"Aarav William Matteo, you are under arrest. Don't run away or you will add to the charges blocking the investigation."

Aarav is stunned and speechless.

What does this mean?