A Loveless Marriage

Chapter 9

Third Person’s POV

The room lay engulfed in darkness, its atmosphere charged with an electric intensity. Amidst the shadows of a stormy night, two figures intertwined, lost in a world of their own. The room echoed with the sounds of heavy breathing and passionate moans, their bodies colliding with a fervor that spoke of the deep love and desire they shared. The sensual dance continued, fueled by their intense connection, until both lovers were consumed by exhaustion, collapsing onto the bed in a state of blissful fatigue.

As they basked in the afterglow, they slowly illuminated the room, revealing a tall man with a commanding presence. Theodore, standing at six feet tall, traced his fingers sensually along the contours of Selena's body, while she reciprocated with gentle circles on his chest. They were enveloped in an intimate bubble, completely engrossed in one another. In the midst of the silence, Selena broke the tranquility with a question.

"Why are we attending this event, Theo?" Selena asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. When she received no immediate response, she continued, "It's not something you can't miss."

"I can't afford to miss this party, Selena," Theodore finally spoke, his voice laced with determination. Selena sought further clarification, her confusion evident. "Why?"

Theodore paused, contemplating his answer before finally revealing, "My sister will be there, and I want to see her."

Hearing Theodore's words, Selena sat up, her brows furrowed with surprise. She inquired, "But you severed all ties with her when she married your enemy, Magnus Wales."

"I did," Theodore admitted, sitting beside Selena on the bed, pulling her gently into his embrace. He continued, his voice filled with a mix of regret and unwavering sibling love, "However, she is still my little sister. I can't abandon her completely."

Selena nodded, understanding the depth of family bonds. She voiced her concern, "But you know Magnus will be present as well, and if he spots you, he won't let you go easily."

Theodore dismissed her worries with a confident smile, his eyes reflecting the memories of their tumultuous past. "Who cares? I have already inflicted immense pain upon him. He can't do anything to me."

"I just want to ensure Natalia's safety," he added, his tone tinged with a touch of protectiveness. Selena probed further, her voice filled with concern, "Do you want me to accompany you to the party?"

"No, my love. I need you to stay in the hotel and make sure everything is prepared for our return," Theodore asserted, giving his instructions. Selena nodded in agreement, her loyalty unwavering as she replied, "Of course, Theo. I'll make sure everything is in order when you return."

Theodore placed a tender kiss on Selena's forehead, gratitude shining in his eyes. With their plans set, they prepared to face the storm that awaited them outside the safety of their secluded haven.

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The elegant ballroom was filled with a vibrant ambiance as the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and soft music filled the air. Magnus and Natalia made their entrance into the grand venue, their arrival catching the attention of the guests. Curious eyes turned towards the couple as they entered gracefully. Natalia, feeling nervous about her first public appearance with Magnus, sensed that he had something planned. Magnus held Natalia possessively by the waist to ensure she didn't stumble due to her high heels. As they entered the venue, Magnus and Andrew locked eyes, exchanging a knowing smile.

Andrew, spotting Magnus's arrival, couldn't contain his excitement. He eagerly approached the duo, a genuine smile lighting up his face. "Hi Andrew," Magnus greeted his best friend warmly, and they embraced in a brotherly hug.

Andrew's gaze then shifted to the woman by Magnus's side, his eyes widening in pleasant surprise. "And may I know who this beautiful lady is?" he inquired.

Magnus replied, "She is Natalia." Andrew waited for him to continue, but Magnus remained silent. Andrew extended his hand towards Natalia and said, "Hi Natalia. It's so good to see Magnus with a woman."

"Hi," Natalia replied. Sensing Andrew's curiosity, Magnus decided to intervene. "Where is Uncle?" he asked.

Andrew motioned to the right corner and informed Magnus, "He's over there, and trust me, in the last hour, he asked fifteen times when you were coming."

"That just shows he loves me more than you," Magnus playfully remarked before leaving to meet his uncle.

Without a second thought, Magnus left Natalia with Andrew. Natalia's eyes remained fixed on Magnus, and her sadness became evident. Andrew noticed her dilemma and picked up a soft drink, offering it to her. "Hey Nats, here?" he said.

"Thank you," Natalia replied. Andrew then asked, "Shall we?"

"Sure," Natalia agreed, and together they made their way to the table reserved for Magnus. They both took their seats, and Andrew tried to make her feel comfortable by asking, "So, how did you meet Magnus?"

Natalia wanted to say, "I am his wife," but she knew it wouldn't go over well with Magnus. As she opened her mouth to respond, Andrew interrupted, saying, "Never mind. Let me tell you, he is an awesome person, and the way he was holding you shows that you are important."

"Yeah, I am," Natalia agreed, thinking about the things Magnus had done to torture her. Lost in her thoughts, Andrew noticed her deep in contemplation. Being childhood friends with Magnus, he sensed that there was more going on between Natalia and Magnus than what met the eye.

Both lost in their own thoughts, Magnus returned and asked Andrew, "What are you telling her?"

"I'm just telling her about your awesome skills," Andrew replied to Magnus.

"Yeah, right," Magnus said, sitting beside Natalia. He noticed her sweating and saw the nervousness in her eyes. Despite that, Magnus made her meet every guest, satisfied that he had succeeded in tiring her. He chose to stand instead of sitting in their place.

Natalia finally mustered the courage to ask, "Why are you introducing me to everyone?"

“Because I want to.”, Said Magnus and forwarded a glass of juice to her.

She hesitated for a moment but took it. She was about to drink when she noticed a familiar face among the guests. She was so shocked that she glued to her place without a second thought.

Silent and fixated on the same corner for a long time, Natalia remained lost until Magnus asked, "What happened?"