Jane reclined on the plush bed, her gaze lost in the nothingness before her. It was the eve of her wedding, a night that traditionally held promises of bliss and intimate connection. However, she found herself dreading the events that typically unfolded on such nights. She knew all too well that her newlywed husband would never touch her, not in the way a husband should. He didn't regard her as a desirable woman, let alone consider the notion of embracing, smooching, or making love to her.
A shiver ran down her spine as she entertained the thought that he might even resort to forcing himself upon her, a cruel punishment for consenting to this loveless union. Uncertainty clouded her mind as she questioned her very presence on the bed. The mere assumption of such a position might send the wrong signals to him, misleading him into believing she desired him. Who knew how he would react or what venomous words he would spew forth?
Just as Jane contemplated retreating to the safety of the nearby couch, the door creaked open, sealing her fate within the confines of the bedroom. She had no choice but to remain where she sat, frozen in trepidation. And there he stood, entering the room with an air of towering, irresistible allure. Her husband, a devastatingly handsome man in his thirties, exuded an undeniable charm. Tall, with a bronzed complexion and a smoldering presence, he was a sight to behold. If only he had chosen her out of love or genuine desire, she might have considered herself the most fortunate of women.
Discarding his jacket and unbuttoning the top buttons of his crisp white shirt, he revealed a tantalizing glimpse of his chiseled, muscular chest. Jane lifted her gaze to meet his, only to find him leering at her with a cold, arrogant smirk adorning his face.
"Done checking me out, are you?" he sneered in a frigid, sarcastic tone, receiving no response from her. Pressing on, he continued his verbal assault. "I suppose you are, my dear minx. But rest assured, you hold no power to seduce me. Your eyes, your body—they do nothing to tempt me. You simply aren't my type, nor do you hold any allure whatsoever."
His words stung deeply, piercing her heart with their venomous barbs. Yet, she resolved not to reveal the extent of her pain to him. She would maintain her composure, for he was merely attempting to provoke her, wasn't he?
"The worst thing to ever happen to me is you," he calmly but venomously declared. "I agreed to this wretched marriage solely due to my sick, dying father's wishes, as well as the inheritance of the company that awaits me upon marrying you. Don't, even for a moment, believe that this marriage stands a chance, because it will never work!" His words dripped with loathing. "Rest assured, once these agonizing three years come to an end, I shall divorce you without hesitation."
Jane let out a weary sigh. "I understand," she responded dryly, her voice tinged with a hint of bitterness.
"And don't expect me to fulfill any husbandly duties towards you," he declared coldly. "We are bound by a mere paper contract, and I shall never regard you as my wife!" Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to cascade down her cheeks. "To me, you are nothing more than a housemate."
Suppressing her tears, she blinked them away, refusing to show her vulnerability to this arrogant brute. "I understand," she uttered slowly, her tone firm and resolute.
"Good," he replied with a nod. "I shall be taking up residence in a guest room. There's no need for us to share the same chamber."
She lifted her gaze to meet his, surprise etched on her face. "But this is your room. You should sleep here. I can occupy one of the guest rooms."