Too Late For Regrets [Extra #1]

Part 1

I stood frozen in fear and fury, not even bothering to look at the man in front of me. He seemed as displeased by this arrangement as I was, and he made sure I knew about it. Had I not been immune to receiving cold looks, I would've probably hid from his glare.

I couldn't possibly blame him for being mad, though. I was just as angry as he was. That whole marriage deal was not something either of us agreed to, so being forced to stand there at the altar and pretend to be happy newlyweds was beyond us. Everyone around us knew we weren't happy about that. They were only there to enjoy the huge party our families threw to celebrate their successfully made deal, even if it was at our expense.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't hear anything the official said during the whole process, I still don't remember any part of his speech, but I do remember the icy tone in my husband's voice as he uttered the two little words that sealed my fate.

"I do," was all I said that day, too furious to say anything else. I didn't speak to my parents, my husband's parents, or even to the official that helped destroy my life. I had no words. I was lost. Once again, I was used as a tool my so-called parents used to get what they wanted. I was too naïve to think they'd change their ways after I left home. I shouldn't have stayed in the same country, I should've gone as far as possible, away from their influence.

The moment my husband put the wedding band on my finger, pretty much forcing it onto me due to how tight it was, I knew I was doomed. My fate was sealed. My family once again ruined my life, this time for good.

All I could do was hope to survive the hell that was about to befall me.

Until this day, I still don't remember how long it took for us to reach the reception venue or what my husband said to me during the drive, but I do recall crying in the car. All the feelings I tried to suppress finally broke through and I cried pathetically right in front of the man who helped destroy my life.

It might not have been his fault this happened, but I blamed him nonetheless. Had he been a little bit more assertive, I wouldn't have to suffer. He could've easily refused to marry me, but his greed pushed him to sign the papers just to receive what had been promised him in exchange. He was the only one who'd benefit from this exchange, I received nothing. It wasn't fair I had to suffer for the sake of the family I had left long time ago.

None of that made sense, to be honest. I couldn't wrap my head around the absurdity that had happened that day.

The day had started as usual. I woke up, went for a run, took a long shower and got ready for work. Nothing indicated that something so strange would happen all of a sudden. As I ate my breakfast, the doorbell rang suddenly. Unaware of what was awaiting me, I opened the door, only to be met with an unknown man who introduced himself as a lawyer. He wasn't alone. There were a few officers with him, seemingly ready to arrest me. The lawyer explained briefly that I was under arrest for embezzlement and told the cops to bring me with them to the station. I was so shocked by the sudden accusation I didn't even think how strange it was for a regular lawyer, and not a prosecutor, to come to me with a warrant when I haven't even received any notice from them. I should not have been so compliant. I was so damn sure there might be real charges against me I simply followed them obediently.

That was my first mistake.

When we arrived at the station, I was immediately taken to a private room, and soon the situation became clear. I was dragged into a mess I no longer had a chance to get out of.

The lawyer told me that my parents, whom I left years prior, were in a really troublesome situation. The company my father was running in my grandfather's place was almost in ruins because of his incompetence and there was no way to save it other than to let it be taken over by a bigger company. Coincidentally, that bigger company belonged to none other than my younger sister's fiancé. The deal was that the man's family would lend my father enough money to save his company with no interest rate, under the condition that my sister marries her fiancé.