The Arranged Marriage

Chapter 3: Unwanted

“I want to cut all ties after the marriage,” Quinn said to Olivia, almost in a hushed voice.

Hearing this, Olivia could no longer hold back her rage, slapping her across the face. However, Quinn didn’t even flinch. The cold expression upon Quinn’s face began to scare Olivia. How was she so calm and relaxed after a slap in the face? In Olivia’s eyes, she was weak, until now.

“How dare you say that after all- “Olivia began to threaten Quinn, only to be interrupted.

“Cut the crap, you nor dad have ever done anything for me! I’ll accept this marriage, but only because it is my way out of this f****d up family!” Quinn began to yell. She couldn’t hold back her pain any longer. “I am tired of living a life, wondering when I will ever be good enough for my parents. I went to college, I got a degree, a week after my graduation, I was sent to return home to this!” Quinn’s eyes began to fill with tears, she then continued between sobs, “I just wanted a family. But it can not be with the Astor’s anymore…”

Olivia looked at her daughter, for once showing some kind of gratitude and affection towards her. But that all faded away within seconds. She shook her head towards Quinn as she turned and started pacing back and forth. Although it would be nice to have no connection with Quinn, the money and company alliance that was part of the wedding may not happen and could bring down the Astor’s business.

She stopped a couple feet away from Quinn, looking her up and down.

“We can’t do that, this marriage is important on the alliance and the company. Your father and brother would never not allow you to get married.” Olivia explained, no longer showing her dazed and caring act. She walked around Quinn, looking at the dress she was wearing. “I think this dress is wonderful. It shows off your pathetic scars and cuts anyways,” she said as she slapped Quinn’s wrists. Again, there was no reaction from her.

*** *** ***

The Astor family all walked into the church. They were the first and only ones there so far. No other guests had shown.

Quinn wore the dress that Olivia had chosen at the dress shop. Her long, black hair was in a loose braid, leaving some strands to come loose into curls. Her make-up was lightly done as well. Truly, even her family knew that she looked stunning and beautiful.

She looked around the church, her eyes landing on the altar before them. In less than an hour, she was getting married. However, with no one else there, the family began to wonder when and if there was a wedding.

“Where are the Lannister’s? They should have been here by now,” Lucas said, glancing at his watch on his wrist. Olivia and Ben both replied with a grunt or huff.

“Everyone knows how the Lannister’s are. They show up when they please and do as they please. Plus, we barely know anything about this ‘Jake Lannister’ besides that he is a lowlife.” Olivia said, looking at herself in her mirror. She was right, the Lannister’s almost hardly acknowledged much of Jake towards others. The Astor family has never met the children of the Lannister’s.

After waiting for a few minutes, the doors abruptly opened, shining sunlight in. Only the shadows and shapes of figures were seen through the light. Quinn squinted curiously towards the two people, trying to see who and what they looked like, until finally she was able to.

A tall, muscular man and a beautiful woman stood before them. The man wore a black tux, showing off his muscular body and figure. His hair was long, but slicked back, and dark, blue eyes that looked like deep oceans. The woman next to him had short, wavy hair and wore a bright purple dress that had a small train behind her. Her bright, blue eyes shined in excitement and joy. She seemed to be excited.

Quinn had a feeling that the man standing in front of her was Jake Lannister. Her gaze was looking him up and down, admiring his stunning looks.

“Hello,” the woman began to say. “My name is Lila Lannister; I am Jake’s half-sister!” Lila introduced herself excitedly, as if she was the most joyful woman in the room. Olivia and Ben looked at the woman in astonishment.

“Half-sister?” Olivia began to question, “Where is Mrs. and Mr. Lannister?” She was worried that Lannister’s end of the deal wouldn’t happen!

Lila looked at her and laughed.

“They won’t be here,” Jake spoke up. His voice was deep, yet gentle. “I’m sorry that we were late, I had to pick up Lila before coming.” Quinn’s gazed was fixed on Jake, while the rest of the Astor’s were looking at each other, confused.

“But they were supposed to be here too- “Lucas began to say before being cut off.

“I don’t care about the business you have between my parents. You all can do that on your own time, not on my wedding day.” Jake sternly said to the three of them. His eyes filled with disgust towards them. He began to understand that these people were greedy, just as expected.

His gaze softened as he turned towards Quinn who was in her beautiful, white wedding dress. Her long, black hair stunning to him, as he looked at her up and down as well. Yet, Jakes eyes suddenly fixed on the cuts on her wrists. They were almost unnoticeable at first because Quinn held her uncovered arms close to herself. She looked scared, yet confident.

Quinn noticed his gaze towards her wrists and quickly hid them behind herself, lowering her head in disappointment. This was Olivia’s plan all along was to make her feel this way.

Jake instantly went to Quinn and gently grabbed her hands from behind her and looked at the scars. He saw that there were the recent ones, and scars from many, many previous times. His gaze saddened as he wondered why she had done so to herself. Jake looked up at Quinn’s eyes, seeing how beautiful and innocent they were. Jake felt that Quinn was completely different from her parents.

He then gestured toward the altar and said, “Shall we?” Holding Jake’s arm, she nodded as they began to walk. The rest of them followed towards their seats. Lila sat from the opposite side of the isle as the rest of the Astor’s. She wasn’t interested in meeting or getting to know them. She was here to support her brother, one of the most important people in her life.

As they exchanged vows, Quinn would look up at Jake, still in a daze. She couldn’t help noticing how much taller he was compared to her, as she looked over his handsome figures. He had a neatly groomed, short beard. Even though his eyes were daunting in any other direction that he looked, his gaze had softened for Quinn when he looked to her. Once vows were said and they said their “I do’s,” Jake gently lifted Quinn’s head for the kiss, brushing her lips before they met. Her entire body stiffened, yet quivered. This was her very first kiss.