An Arranged Marriage: Heart At Crossroads

An Arranged Marriage: Heart At Crossroads

GemJade

5.0
Comment(s)
2.1K
View
48
Chapters

When Shaw Corp collapsed in a storm of embezzlement and scandal, the Shaws were forced into a desperate alliance with Knowles Enterprises. The cost? Amy's freedom. Her life is turned upside down when she's married off to Ethan Knowles as part of the deal-a man as cruel as he is powerful. Trapped in a cold, loveless marriage, Amy faces relentless humiliation and emotional torment. Ethan spares no effort to make her life miserable, showing her nothing but contempt. But just when she begins to feel hopeless, men from her past reappear, offering her a way out of her nightmare. Their promises tempt her with freedom-but at what cost? Will Amy defy the terms of her marriage, reclaim her life, and face the consequences of crossing Ethan? Or will she remain in the grip of a ruthless man who might not let her go so easily? In this battle of love, power, and survival, the stakes couldn't be higher.

Chapter 1 Bound by a Paper Chain

The air in the grand living room of the Knowles mansion was thick with tension. Amy Shaw stood awkwardly near the entrance, her fingers tightening around the delicate fabric of her wedding dress. The lace gown, a symbol of new beginnings for most brides, felt more like a shackle to her. Across the room, Ethan Knowles lounged on the leather sofa, his cobalt blue eyes scanning her with a mixture of amusement and disdain.

"I assume the ceremony was to your satisfaction," Ethan drawled, his tone dripping with sarcasm. He didn't bother standing to welcome her into what was now, legally and technically, her home.

Amy squared her shoulders, trying to maintain her composure. "It was... fine," she replied, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her.

Ethan smirked, a cruel curve of his lips. "Good. Now that the formalities are out of the way, let's get one thing straight." He reached for a folder resting on the coffee table and pulled out a single sheet of paper. "These are the rules. Memorize them. Follow them."

Amy stepped forward hesitantly, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor. She accepted the paper he held out, her eyes scanning the neatly typed list. It wasn't long before her hands began to tremble with indignation.

» Do not interfere with my personal life.

»Do not enter my room without permission.

»Do not speak to me unless spoken to.

»You are not to bring anyone into this house.

The list went on, each point more demeaning than the last. Amy's jaw tightened, and she looked up to meet Ethan's gaze. "You can't be serious."

"Oh, I'm very serious," Ethan replied, leaning back against the sofa, his arms spread arrogantly along the backrest. "This isn't a marriage, Amy. It's a transaction. You're here to fulfill a deal, not play house."

Amy folded the paper deliberately and set it on the table between them. "I'm not signing this."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her defiance. "Suit yourself. But don't say I didn't warn you when you overstep your bounds."

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She wasn't here by choice, but she refused to let this man strip away her dignity. "If you want a puppet, Ethan, you married the wrong woman."

For a brief moment, something flickered in his eyes-surprise, perhaps - but it was gone as quickly as it came. He stood abruptly, towering over her, his athletic frame casting a shadow that felt almost suffocating. "We'll see how long that attitude lasts."

Without another word, Ethan strode out of the room, leaving Amy standing there, her heart pounding in her chest. As the sound of his footsteps faded, she let out a shaky breath and glanced around the cavernous room. The mansion was breathtaking, its opulence almost overwhelming, but to Amy, it felt cold and unwelcoming-a reflection of the man she had just married.

Hours later, Amy sat on the edge of the king-sized bed in the guest room assigned to her. Her suitcase lay open on the floor, its contents spilling out in a chaotic heap. She had unpacked only the essentials, too drained to do more. Outside, the San Diego sunset bathed the room in warm hues of orange and gold, but the beauty of the scene was lost on her.

She thought about her grandparents and their tearful expressions as they had bid her farewell earlier that day. This marriage, as humiliating as it was, had been the only way to save Shaw Corps from complete ruin. Her grandfather's words echoed in her mind: "You're stronger than you think, Amy. You'll get through this."

But as she stared at the gaudy chandelier above her, she couldn't help but wonder if she really could.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see Jane Fowler, the head maid, standing in the doorway. The older woman offered a kind smile, her round cheeks slightly flushed from climbing the stairs.

"Mrs. Knowles, I've brought you some tea," Jane said, setting a tray on the nightstand.

Amy managed a small smile. "Thank you, Jane. And... please, call me Amy."

Jane hesitated before nodding. "Of course, Amy. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. This house can be... intimidating."

Amy appreciated the subtle acknowledgment of her predicament. "Thank you," she repeated, her voice softer this time.

As Jane left, Amy wrapped her hands around the warm cup of tea, letting the heat seep into her skin. For a brief moment, she felt a glimmer of comfort, but it was short-lived.

Later that evening, Amy ventured downstairs, her hunger finally overpowering her desire to avoid Ethan. She found the dining room empty, a long mahogany table set with enough silverware for a banquet. The silence was deafening, broken only by the faint clinking of dishes from the kitchen.

She was halfway through a simple meal of roasted chicken and vegetables when she heard the front door slam. A moment later, Ethan appeared in the doorway, his tie loosened and a smirk playing on his lips. Behind him stood a stunning woman with brunette hair that cascaded down her back.

Amy's heart sank as she recognized the woman-Kim Hawkins, the famous model and one of Ethan's notorious "flossies."

"Don't mind us," Ethan said casually, his eyes flicking over Amy without a hint of acknowledgment. "We'll be upstairs."

Kim giggled, a sound that grated on Amy's nerves, and the two of them disappeared down the hall. Amy sat frozen, her fork poised mid-air. Her appetite vanished, replaced by a searing anger that left her trembling.

She had known this marriage would be difficult, but she hadn't expected Ethan to flaunt his affairs so blatantly. It was a cruel reminder of her place in this arrangement-a pawn in a game she hadn't agreed to play.

As the night wore on, Amy lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The sounds from Ethan's room were impossible to ignore, each muffled laugh and moan slicing through her like a knife. She clenched her jaw, willing herself not to cry. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

Instead, she made a silent vow: no matter how much Ethan tried to break her, she wouldn't let him. She was Amy Shaw after all - strong, resilient, and unyielding.

And she would find a way to reclaim her life, no matter what it took!

Continue Reading

You'll also like

Moon Touched!!

Moon Touched!!

Scarlett Hart
5.0

My name is Katia, and I am just trying to survive until my fated mate arrives. Which may be easier said than done. Rejectection is the last straw. Whispering my acceptance of his rejection. I run through the pack house, out across the manicured lawn into the forest. "I'm sorry, my sweet girl," I say to my wolf. I'm sorry you have been stuck with me and have had to suffer everything I have. She whispers," it's not your fault, Katia. We came to a cliff with a waterfall. The hurt keeps pounding at me. I need it to stop. My sweet girl, and I just want peace, I keep running and leap off the cliff. Spreading my arms wide, with tears streaming down my face, I fall, not making a sound, waiting for sweet oblivion where we feel nothing ever again. "I love you, my sweet girl! Until we meet again, "My wolf replied just before we hit the water, "I love you too, Katia. I have never regretted a moment with you." The Snow Moon pack is having their last barbecue of the summer next to the waterfall on their land. The adults are laughing and joking while watching the pups play. The alpha, beta, and gamma are swimming with some of the older children and playing a game of Marco Polo. Someone yells, "Oh my goddess, someone just jumped over the waterfall!" Everyone is frozen as they watch what looks to be a child falling arms spread wide, no one makes a sound. The small body hits the water like a plane crashing into the side of a mountain. The alpha, beta, and gamma, spring into action, swimming towards the area the person went under. The alpha is screaming his wolf is going crazy repeating, "Find her. Find her...find her!" They dive and the beta surfaces with a small person in his arms. Alpha takes the girl from his beta, laying her on the ground. The men are shocked by what they see. She is covered in scars and injuries. Her body is twisted and broken. The Beta asks, "Who could have done this to someone so defenseless?" Alpha drops to his knees, repeating, "MATE...MATE...MATE!"

Begging His Billionaire Ex Back

Begging His Billionaire Ex Back

Rashmi
5.0

Looking at the divorce papers my lips curled up into a mocking smile. 'How big fool I am? How can I think that he will give a chance to this marriage? How can I forget that I was nothing more a tool in his eyes to vent his anger until his beloved Tara is back. Since, she was back, how can he let me stay there?' "After you will sign these papers, you will receive 100 million dollars as alimony." the lawyer added. Because of his words, I came back to my senses took the pen from him, and signed the name. I have also gotten exhausted from this marriage both physically and mentally. Even though I had wanted my child to be born into a complete family, I didn't want my child to have a stepmother and live miserably like me for the rest of his life. After taking the papers from my hand, the lawyer gave me the bank card, turned around, and was about to leave when he paused at the door. He then turned around and added, "Mr. Carter said that he hoped that you won't pester him, or you have to bear the consequences." The lawyer's words were like a knife stabbing in my heart, but I still nodded. Anyway, I also don't plan to have anything to do with him anymore. I just want to live a good life with my children. After the lawyer left, the ward fell into silence. I placed my hand on my belly and said to my children, "Baby, I am sorry, Mommy can't give you a complete family! But I promise you, I will do my best to give the love of both mother and father." 'As for giving one of my child, I will never do that. They are my babies and my alone. I and I will give birth to all of them and raise them no matter what.' Four Years Later... Anya came back to the country with her three kids, to inherit the company left by his grandfather...

Chapters
Read Now
Download Book
An Arranged Marriage: Heart At Crossroads
1

Chapter 1 Bound by a Paper Chain

22/01/2025

2

Chapter 2 Shattered Illusions

22/01/2025

3

Chapter 3 A House Divided

22/01/2025

4

Chapter 4 Lines Drawn

22/01/2025

5

Chapter 5 Cracks in The Armor

22/01/2025

6

Chapter 6 A Man Of Many Masks

22/01/2025

7

Chapter 7 A Widening Chasm

22/01/2025

8

Chapter 8 A Fractured Alliance

22/01/2025

9

Chapter 9 Breaking Point

22/01/2025

10

Chapter 10 Widening The Gap

22/01/2025

11

Chapter 11 World Apart

22/01/2025

12

Chapter 12 Separate Lives

11/02/2025

13

Chapter 13 The New Normal

11/02/2025

14

Chapter 14 World Apart II

11/02/2025

15

Chapter 15 Final Breaking Point

11/02/2025

16

Chapter 16 The Fallout

11/02/2025

17

Chapter 17 Aftershocks

11/02/2025

18

Chapter 18 Right Choice

12/02/2025

19

Chapter 19 Lost Words

12/02/2025

20

Chapter 20 The Return of Aaron Locke

12/02/2025

21

Chapter 21 A Visit To Defend herself

12/02/2025

22

Chapter 22 Ethan's Revenge

12/02/2025

23

Chapter 23 The Courtroom Battle

12/02/2025

24

Chapter 24 Lucy's Confrontation

12/02/2025

25

Chapter 25 The Failed Family Meeting

12/02/2025

26

Chapter 26 Brother-in-Law Clash

12/02/2025

27

Chapter 27 The Proposal

12/02/2025

28

Chapter 28 Darren Scott

12/02/2025

29

Chapter 29 Clashing Fates

12/02/2025

30

Chapter 30 A Mistake And Its Consequences

12/02/2025

31

Chapter 31 A Fragile Reconnection

12/02/2025

32

Chapter 32 The Return of Kim Hawkins

12/02/2025

33

Chapter 33 Standing His Ground

12/02/2025

34

Chapter 34 Nick's Departure

12/02/2025

35

Chapter 35 Business Proposal

12/02/2025

36

Chapter 36 The Date

12/02/2025

37

Chapter 37 Oh No!

12/02/2025

38

Chapter 38 Ethan's Proposal

12/02/2025

39

Chapter 39 Lucy's Threat

12/02/2025

40

Chapter 40 Exes' Clash

12/02/2025