Chapter 3 HURT

Elle and Arley were in the room reserved for their makeup. The man could not move, there was tight security there, as well as throughout Elle's residence.

There was not the slightest chance for him to escape. At the very least, Arley had to have a reason why he should marry that woman. He had to meet Clara first. He wanted to make sure, was what Elle said the truth?

"Elle, before marrying you, can I meet Clara now?" Arley asked Elle, his new wife-to-be who was now in makeup beside him.

The woman gave the makeup artist the code to stop what she was doing for a moment. She looked at Arley with a questioning gaze, why didn't the man beside her trust him? Could it be that he wanted to see Clara to suspect her? Those questions were popping up in Elle's mind.

"Of course. I'll ask my bodyguard to summon her for you." Elle responded to Arley's wish with a smile, even though it was sincere, but Arley hated it. He disliked a smile that she had used to seduce men before him.

"She's here?" asked Arley again, confirming.

"He wanted our wedding the most, of course he's here to watch you marry me." Elle replied so calmly. She was telling it like it was, which was why she wasn't nervous at all.

"I don't believe you. How could he have wanted this marriage. You, you want it the most. I know that." Arley whispered. Their close proximity allowed her to do so.

"Jho, please call Clara into this room!" ordered Elle to one of the guards standing beside her.

"Yes, ma'am."The well-built man called Jho immediately went out to fetch Clara. Moments later, the woman walked into the room with the bodyguard.

"What did Madame call me for?" she asked once she was around Arley and Elle.

"Arley wants to talk to you, so please talk to each other, but do not leave this room." Elle gave Arley a chance to talk to his soon-to-be ex-wife.

Arley stood up, approaching Clara who seemed to be fine. The woman looked happy, there was no sadness on her face, making the man wonder, was everything Elle said the truth?

"Is there something you want to ask?" Clara crossed her arms over her chest, as if to show Arley she did not care about what happened.

"You know all this? Why would you tell me to marry someone else, when you are my wife, the one I love. Don't you love me too, Clara?" she said trying to be calm, even though Arley's chest was rumbling.

He wanted so badly to curse at the woman before him, but his love for her was greater than his irritation at the moment. His eyes reddened, looking at Clara intently, he needed more than just an explanation.

"Stop talking about love, you're so naive Arley. All this time, you thought I loved you? I married you just because I wanted to win you, not because of love. Today, I want you to sign this, there is nothing between us after this." Clara handed over the piece of paper she had prepared, it was no ordinary paper, but a divorce agreement.

Arley's hands shook, not only because Clara's words hurt his heart, but also because he felt like a trophy in rotation. Everyone was busy playing with his feelings.

"You really sold me? You really traded me for money?" Arley had figured it out, but he still wanted to make everything he knew clear. Even though it broke her heart even more. She could not believe that someone she loved would do this to her.

"Yes, I did that. I'd rather live a life of wealth than a life of hardship with you. Now, quickly sign the papers and marry him. Aren't we mutually beneficial? You will be the master from today, your new wife is also very rich and beautiful. Although I threw you away, but isn't this also a good opportunity for you?" Arley could no longer bear to hear the painful words coming out of Clara's mouth, she quickly signed her divorce papers and handed them to the woman who smiled slyly at her.

"Go away. I hope I don't see you again." Arley turned to the place where she was being made up.Her heart broken, she no longer cared who she married.

Wasn't that the same thing? He was just a pawn played by women. They could put him anywhere they wanted. After all, he had been bought by Elle, whether he wanted to or not, he had to stay by her side.

The wedding ceremony went smoothly. Everything went according to Elle's wishes. Unlike her previous weddings, this time, she made a big party, making all her bodyguards swept away in joy.

The only unhappy person there was Arley. Although her opportunity to escape was wide open, she did not do that. There was nothing else to fight for. He was just a poor man who had nothing but the small house he shared with Clara. Of course he wasn't going back there.

Elle followed, carrying two red wine glasses in her hand and handed one to Arley, the man did not refuse.

Arley, who had deliberately stayed away from the crowd, just stared at those who were enjoying the party. Elle also did the same.

"I know, you don't want this marriage. I also know, you married me only because you knew, Clara had traded you for a sum of money. That's not the case with me. I'm marrying you because I really like you, I want you to be the last one in my life." As usual, Elle said everything calmly, like a typical high-class lady. There was no falseness in her words, she had indeed fallen in love since she first saw the man in the photo shown by Clara.

"You think I believe your words? All you women are just playing with me. This face of mine is probably a curse, I was thinking, it might be better if I ruined it." Arley was cold, she gulped down the wine in her hand in one gulp, as if she was swallowing all the bitterness she was feeling right now.

"I cannot prove anything right now, but I can assure you, over time you will understand. I am not forcing you to accept me either, but one thing, you are mine, I have the right to do what I want and you have no right to refuse." Elle stroked Arley's face by placing a long, red-painted nail on her finger. She could feel the softness of the skin on the man's face, the man who was just staring at her regardless of her actions. Arley's cold demeanor made Elle fall in love with him even more.