Chapter Four

As the ink dried on the signed papers, Mr. Thompson stood up, signaling the end of the meeting. The Wilson family, with joy, exchanged formal pleasantries with the Thompson family.

Mrs. Wilson forced a smile, "We appreciate this opportunity, Mr. Thompson. We believe this marriage will bring prosperity to both families."

Mr. Thompson nodded, "Indeed, it's a significant alliance. We shall communicate further details about the wedding."

Liam, standing silently, felt a surge of sadness but knew he had no choice. The fate of his life had been sealed with a marriage he never wanted.

The Thompson family exited the Wilson residence, leaving Liam behind, feeling like a pawn in a game of social chess. As the door closed, he knew that his life had taken an irreversible turn.

As day and night passed and the day of the forthcoming wedding approached, Liam had a dark cloud hanging over him. The Wilson family was bustling with excitement, oblivious to Liam's inner struggles.

In the small room, Liam called his own, he brooded his plight. He knew he couldn't escape the marriage, and the more he thought about it, the more it felt like a trap closing in on him.

One evening, Mrs. Wilson entered his room, a fake smile plastered on her face. "Liam, dear, we've arranged a meeting with the wedding planner tomorrow. You must look presentable."

Liam, who was hiding his emotions, nodded silently. The mention of the wedding planner only intensified his anxiety.

The next day, the Wilson family, dressed in their best attire, took Liam to the meeting with the wedding planner. The venue was filled with elegant decorations, a stark difference from Liam's lowly life.

As they discussed details and made choices about the wedding arrangements, Liam could feel like being a puppet in someone else's show. He observed the Wilson family eagerly preparing, envisioning how elaborate the wedding should be and how they would benefit from it.

In the midst of planning, Miss Olivia Thompson's choices were brought up. Mrs. Wilson, asked, "Liam, what do you think would impress Miss Olivia?"

Caught off guard, Liam hesitated. "Uh, maybe... simple decorations and a quiet ceremony?"

Mrs. Wilson's eyes flickered with irritation, but she covered it with a strained smile. "Well, Liam, the Thompson family are aiming for elegance and luxury. They want to leave a lasting impression."

They concluded the meeting with decisions made, and a venue was arranged.

The days leading to the wedding were a whirlwind of preparations, rehearsals, and social events. Liam moved through it all like a ghost, his thoughts were engulfed by the upcoming wedding that felt more like a prison sentence.

On the wedding day, as he stood in his tailored fitted suit, watching as the extravagant ceremony displayed, Liam felt like a stranger in his own life. The vows spoken, the cheers from the guests—all of it was all fake.

As Miss Olivia approached him for the first time as his newly wedded wife and boss, Liam smiled wearily at Olivia she leaned in and whispered “My business partner is here you'll act like a good husband and a real couple. I can't joke with this huge contract, it's life-changing for my family.”

Liam simply smiled and replied “Yes Ma’am, your wish is my command. I'll do as you've asked.”

Just as Liam finished speaking, Olivia’s business partner approached.

With smiles, both men greeted, “Miss Olivia, sorry, Mrs. Olivia…" The men waited for Olivia or her husband to finish it up. Then Liam chimed in, "Wilson, Mrs. Olivia Wilson." The man smiled and continued, “Mrs. Olivia Wilson, congratulations on your wedding. Your husband is quite a handsome fellow. He's lucky to have such a substantial, hard-working woman like you.”

The second man nodded in agreement.

Liam interjected, beaming with fake smiles, and held Olivia’s hands while gently caressing them, “I'm a lucky man indeed; my wife is a unique one.”

The men chorused, “Absolutely, she is.”

Olivia, smiling helplessly, added, “This is my husband, Liam Wilson.” The men waited for more introduction, but when they saw nothing further was coming, they replied, taking Liam’s hands in a handshake, “It's nice to meet you, Mr. Liam, and congratulations on your wedding.”

Liam smiled, saying, “It's my pleasure.” The men turned to Olivia. “We’ll be on our way now, come by tomorrow and sign the contract, congratulations again to both of you.”

Olivia replied, smiling, “Yes, definitely, I’ll be there. Thank you very much.”

The men nodded and walked out. The moment Olivia noticed they were out of her sight, she harshly removed Liam’s hand from her hand and gave him a stern look.

“Just to be clear, I’ll never be part of Wilson’s poor family. Don't you dare address me in such a manner. I am Olivia Thompson. Get that into your thick skull.” Olivia warned, hissed, and walked out.

Liam stood there dumbfounded, realizing that this marriage was the beginning of his slavery.

Liam couldn't fit in; the rich and powerful present only regarded the Thompson family.

He grinned bitterly, knowing his family had sold him off for nothing. The recognition they desired was far from happening.

No invitee acknowledged Olivia as the daughter-in-law of the Wilson family. Many questioned if the Thompson family was blind to allow Liam to be their son-in-law.

Rumors circulated that the Wilson family paid the Thompson family for Olivia to marry their adopted son, trying to use the influence of the Thompson family name to revive their own family's reputation.

At the back of where Liam sat, people whispered and stared at Liam, dressed in his best but feeling out of place. A lady, all fancy with pearls, came over and said, "Didn't expect someone like you here. Seems a bit much, doesn't it?"

When Liam couldn't take the comments from the guests, he shifted to a less crowded place and sat, sipping his wine, trying to forget his pain. He noticed a woman from afar gazing at him. Trying to convince himself she was just pitying him, each time he looked back, she was still looking.

Liam’s mind pricked, “Why is she staring at me like that? What does she want?”