Isolation at the Heart of Marriage

Name: Isolation at the Heart of Marriage
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Romance | Ongoing

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There stood the most gorgeous man in Erica Ferguson's eyes, her groom, Arnold Binder. Tall, handsome, with a smile that could melt even the coldest heart, he had been the man of her dreams, or so she thought. The wedding had been nothing short of a fairy tale, and the love he had shown her before their vows had made her believe she was the luckiest woman alive. But then, the truth hit her like a tidal wave, shattering her illusions into pieces. Her world crumbled when she discovered that her husband had never loved her like he had claimed. All the sweet words, the tender gestures, were nothing more than a facade. Arnold had married her to please his grandmother, a cold business arrangement that meant nothing to him beyond obligation. The realization tore through Erica's heart like a knife, leaving her breathless, drowning in a sea of disbelief. Since that painful revelation, Erica's life had been nothing but a living hell. She had expected love, care, and partnership, but instead, she faced indifference and loneliness. Her husband, once the center of her world, now felt like a stranger. He never bothered to see her pain, nor did he try to comfort her. She was left to face it all alone. Erica, despite her strength, could feel herself slowly starting to break apart. The weight of betrayal was unbearable, and though she tried to hold onto the pieces of herself, they were slipping through her fingers like sand. She had always been strong, but even the strongest woman had her breaking point.

Family Humor Love triangle CEO Contract marriage Arrogant/Dominant

Chapter 5 05

04-26 23:25

Chapter 1 01

Erica Ferguston walked down the aisle in the church toward her groom, her hand firmly held in her father's. The soft rustling of the lace on her wedding gown was the only sound that filled her ears as she took each step, her heart fluttering in anticipation. It was hard to believe that this was happening, just three months after they first met. His grandmother had introduced them, and from that moment, it felt like fate had done its work. It was as though Erica had found her missing piece, the other half of her soul, when she laid eyes on Arnold Binder.

He was tall, handsome, wealthy, and the very definition of a gentleman. His proposal had come exactly one month ago, and now they were standing at the altar, ready to exchange their wedding vows.

As she neared the altar, Erica caught a glimpse of Arnold. Her breath hitched in her throat. He looked stunning in his black suit, his dark hair perfectly styled, and his sharp features illuminated by the soft glow of the church lights. Her heart beat faster, the rhythm of it almost loud enough to drown out the rest of the world. It felt like every step she took brought her closer to a dream she'd never want to wake from.

But then, something unexpected happened. For just a brief moment, Erica saw a flash of something in his eyes-a deep, burning anger that seemed to cut through the moment. It was so stark against the smile he wore that Erica nearly stumbled. Was he angry? Why? It was their wedding day, the happiest day of their lives. What could possibly be wrong?

She glanced around, trying to find some clue. On Arnold's side, his parents sat beaming with pride, his grandmother dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. His siblings, four brothers and a sister, were all smiling, sharing the joy of the day. But despite the festive air, Erica's heart thudded uneasily. She turned her gaze back to Arnold, trying to reassure herself. The anger in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a warm, almost charming smile. She told herself it must have been her imagination, that she had misread the moment, and continued walking down the aisle.

The ceremony passed in a blur. Vows were exchanged, rings slipped onto fingers, and before she knew it, she was Mrs. Erica Binder. She was on top of the world. Her family and friends cheered as they made their way out of the church, and their car drove away, the soft click of the seatbelt snapping into place the only sound in the silence of the moment.

"Be happy!" Her friends shouted from the sidewalk, their voices filled with excitement. Erica smiled, blowing a kiss to them through the window. They had all wished her the best of luck, but deep down, she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in her chest since she first saw that flash of anger in Arnold's eyes.

The drive to the hotel was short, and as they arrived, Arnold stepped out of the car and opened the door for her. He took her arm, guiding her toward the hotel with a level of care that made her feel like the luckiest woman alive. His arm was warm and strong around her, and she rested her chin on his shoulder, inhaling his masculine, fresh scent. It was comforting, like everything was exactly as it should be.

The hotel was grand, owned by Arnold's family, and the employees greeted them with nods and smiles as they entered. Arnold walked with quiet confidence, acknowledging everyone, but saying nothing. The silence between them was thick, like a delicate bubble that might burst at any moment. Erica didn't want to speak, not wanting to break the magic of the night. She was finally married to the man she had always dreamed of, so why did it feel like something was off?

They made their way to the elevator, and as the doors closed, Arnold's grip on her arm tightened, but not in the way she expected. It was almost as if he was holding on to something that didn't belong to him, as if his mind was elsewhere. Erica looked up at him, but he didn't return her gaze. Instead, his jaw was clenched tightly, his eyes focused on the elevator doors as if willing them to open faster.

When they reached the top floor and the doors opened to the President Suite, Erica gasped at the sight. Candles flickered softly, their light reflecting off the sea of roses scattered across the floor. The romantic setting should have taken her breath away, but the moment was overshadowed by a strange unease.

Arnold led her into the bedroom, his grip still tight on her arm, and then-without warning-he pushed her down onto the bed. The softness of the sheets beneath her body contrasted sharply with the coldness in his eyes. He didn't speak for a moment, just stared at her as though she were a stranger, someone he didn't recognize.

Her heart hammered in her chest. This wasn't how she'd imagined her wedding night. She tried to sit up, but Arnold was already speaking, his voice low and filled with a venom she had never heard before.

"I never loved you."

Erica froze, her breath catching in her throat. The words were a blow to her chest, and for a moment, she couldn't breathe. Never loved her? But they were married! They were supposed to love each other, weren't they?

Arnold continued, his eyes burning with hatred. "The only reason I married you was because Grandma forced me. She threatened to disinherit me if I didn't. I don't know how you poisoned her into thinking you were this innocent, honest girl, but in my eyes, you're just a gold-digger."

His words cut through her, each one worse than the last. Erica couldn't move, couldn't speak. She was trapped in this nightmare, forced to listen to his cruel words.

"I almost threw up every time I had to pretend to be nice to you. You didn't deserve any of it, but she demanded that I make you think I loved you. It made me sick, but I won't let someone like you ruin everything I've worked for my entire life. So don't act surprised. I know exactly what you want. You just want the money."

Erica's stomach churned with disbelief, but Arnold wasn't finished. "We'll play the happy newlywed role in front of everyone, but don't think for a second I'll ever accept you as my wife. Never. Ever. Do you hear me?!"

The anger in his voice was so intense that it felt like the room itself was shaking. Erica didn't even try to respond. She couldn't. She was too stunned.

With a final glare, Arnold stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him with such force that the sound reverberated through her chest. The silence that followed was deafening.

Erica lay there on the bed, her heart shattered into pieces, the weight of his words sinking in. She had married a man who didn't love her, and worse, he had never intended to.

How had she been so blind?