The Unloved Heiress Goes Rogue

The Groom

Raine POV

“I must say that I am delighted that you saw sense and agreed to sign the marriage contract in order to save your family's company.” Edgar’s voice is filled with satisfaction as he sits with me and my parents, while Summer plays on her phone in the background.

His hand reaches out to grasp mine and I shudder, feeling nothing but revulsion as he touches me. I want to yank my hand away, but I know that will only cause anger amongst my family. I force a fake smile onto my face, even as Edgar’s eyes sweep over me, glinting, a hungry look in his eyes. I see lust and it sickens me. How he could have such feelings for somebody young enough to be his daughter, is beyond me.

“We are honored that you have considered our daughter for your wife” Mother shoots in, her gaze warning me to be obedient.

Edgar’s hand goes to my thigh, caressing it as I fight the urge to vomit. His hands are wrinkled and wizened. I feel my breath catch as he openly gropes me, my parents making no move to stop him. Apparently, they did not care what he did to me, so long as they got their money, I thought to myself bitterly.

I squirm in my chair. Unable to take it anymore, I grasp his hand and pointedly move it away. Edgar chuckles as though he finds it amusing. My mother immediately rushes to smooth over the situation. “She’s just shy,” she said in explanation as Edgar turned his face to her. “You’ll have to forgive her.” Her voice lowers “She’s not exactly experienced with men” she adds.

My face flames. It's not my fault that I'm inexperienced when it comes to men. I haven't exactly met anybody that has caught my interest. I'm starting to regret that now.

Edgar looks delighted by that. “So she’s still a virgin then?” he asks meaningfully, acting as though I am not just sitting there, listening to the conversation “for that was one of the stipulations.”

I straightened up, feeling embarrassed. My father speaks now, his voice slightly cracking “Yes Mr Rosethorn. I can personally guarantee that my daughter is still pure. However if you require a medical examination…” his voice trails off and I stare at my father, the blood draining from my face.

A medical examination? The thought of somebody looking at me, in that place, was humiliating. How could they even think of doing such a thing to me? I stared at my father indignantly. How dare he!

Edgar chuckles and strokes his chin thoughtfully. “The thought is enticing, however, if you are certain…” he looks my parents in the eyes and then exhales slowly.

My father nods adamantly and my mother does the same. Summer yawns, looking bored as she texts something on the phone.

“Then I see no need. However, should I discover that she is not in fact as pure as you claim” Edgar narrows his eyes at my parents who flinch “then the money I give you will immediately be cut in half. Does that sound fair?”

My mother and father knew better than to argue with the man. They were relying on his money. They also knew I had never had a boyfriend or a one-night stand, giving credence to their claim. “Yes, Mr Rosethorn” my mother hastily agreed, knowing they had nothing to worry about.

He turned back to me. “The wedding will be in two weeks” he announced and my jaw dropped open in shock.

“Two weeks? How is such a thing possible? I mean, there’s so much to organize and…” my voice trailed off as Mr Rosethorn shot me a look as though offended.

“My dear, I am an impatient man,” he said slowly “and money can buy you anything you need. I have plenty at my disposal. The wedding will not be a grand affair in any case, I cannot justify the waste of precious resources but it will instead be a small intimate one at the church.”

So much for the proper wedding that I had begged my father for!

Two weeks! I fought back the bile rising in my throat. My plan of delaying the marriage by asking for a wedding was going up in smoke. My mother was smiling. “How wonderful,” she said as I turned my eyes to her, feeling betrayed once more “I think that’s better than having to wait. You are very sensible Mr Rosethorn” she added complimenting him.

“I didn’t get where I am today by being soft-hearted” he retorted, while I sat there motionless “And I have high hopes that you” he looked at me, his lip curling, “Will do far better than my previous wife,” he said coldly.

Previous wife? My parents hadn’t mentioned that he had been married before, but given his age, it made sense. But why had he spoken like that? As though his previous wife had done something unforgivable or worse. I was almost afraid to ask, but my curiosity got the better of me, despite the warning look my mother was giving me.

“What did your wife do?” I asked bluntly.

I felt as though I had a right to know. What were my parents keeping secret from me?

Instantly my mother paled. “Oh, there’s no need to tell her. I mean, it’s in the past Mr Rosethorn” she objected.

But he shook his head. “No, better she knows it now before the rumors spread. My wife killed herself” he said fixing his eyes on me “five years ago. She couldn’t handle being married to me and sought a way out, using cowardice. You” he said, pinning me with a gaze “I hope will be made of sterner stuff. Your mother assures me that you are” he added looking pleased.

So my mother knew this when she agreed to the marriage contract and she didn't care! I stared at her in horror, and she avoided my gaze. My father cleared his throat. “It appears that we have everything in order Mr. Rosethorn,” he said quietly, “Was there anything else that you wished to discuss?” he asked gravely.

Mr Rosethorn looked thoughtful for a moment. Summer was giggling in the background. She was enjoying herself at my expense. I looked at her and she pulled a finger across her throat, as though indicating I was a dead woman. I glared at her, even as Mr Rosethorn slowly pulled himself up from his chair. “I think that will be all for now,” he said nodding and then paused, “however, I would like to end things with a kiss from my fiancée,” he said, shooting me a look of glee.

A kiss? I gulped, looking frantically between my father and my mother. Summer smirked. “That sounds like an excellent idea. You might as well get to know each other a little before the wedding” she trilled.

No. Please no. I felt hopeless as Mr Rosethorn waited, a look of impatience crossing his face as I continued to hesitate instead of doing as he'd asked.

“Raine” my mother came over and gripped my arm, yanking me to my feet roughly, her eyes blazing as she glared down at me. “Do not be so rude to your fiancée. Mr Rosethorn is waiting" she scolded.

“Yes Raine,” Summer said, appearing beside me, “you mustn’t be rude to your future husband. Why, if you don’t kiss him now, how are you going to manage it on your wedding day?” she blinked big eyes at me, her tone dripping with sugary sweetness.

My mother forcibly dragged me over to Mr Rosethorn while my father glanced away, ignoring the pleading expression I had on my face. Mr Rosethorn’s eyes glinted. I watched in horror as he bent his head, my mother still gripping my arm. His lips pressed against mine and I fought back the scream that wanted to erupt. His lips were cold and slimy. They reminded me of a dead fish. I gagged, feeling tears prick the corners of my eyes. This was not how I had envisioned what a kiss should feel like, nor was it romantic in any way. My mother, sensing my capitulation, let go of me. I stood stiffly, waiting until Mr Rosethorn reluctantly pulled back from me. His eyes were sparkling as he eyed me, although his mouth was flattened.

“I trust that you will be more enthusiastic on our wedding day” he murmured, shooting my parents a glance, “And chalk today up to shyness" he added as though doing me a huge favor.

“Of course” my mother agreed as Mr Rosethorn began to turn on his heel. “She’ll be exactly as you want her to be, I promise,” she said as my father began to see Mr Rosethorn out.

I barely heard her. I was too busy wiping the excess saliva off my lips and scowling in disgust. I used the sleeve of my shirt, feeling violated and dirty. My mother slapped me across the face, causing me to wince, blood trickling down from my split lip.

“You better start showing some gratitude towards Mr Rosethorn and exhibiting some enthusiasm” she threatened “or else your grandmother will pay the price” she snarled.

I said nothing.