Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 24436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
She expected him to move away as soon as she was on her feet. But then she felt his hand slide to the small of her back—-and stay there even though she knew he was aware of how her body had involuntarily jerked at his touch.
"I'm afraid you'll have to bear with my touch whenever we're out in public."
She had no chance to respond, with her husband suddenly sweeping her up into his arms before stepping out of the bridal suite.
Oh. My. Gosh.
Hotel staff was lined up on each side of the hallway, and they were all smiles as they showered the newlyweds with white and pink rose petals.
"Congratulations, Mr. Harcourt! Congratulations, Mrs. Harcourt!"
Summerine was still in a daze even when they were inside the luxurious confines of his limousine. She was very, very sure that her parents would never have arranged for such a surprise, and so that left only...
Ryu.
It was her first time to allow herself to even think of her husband by his given name, and doing so felt shockingly intimate.
What in the world is going on?
She should still be thinking of ways to escape this marriage, but here she was, testing the sound of his name as if it was a rare delicacy she was tasting for the first time.
"How are you feeling?"
His sudden question had Summerine turning to him, but she could read nothing at all in his dark gaze. "I'm f-fine." She saw him frown at the way she stammered, and her heart sank. Her parents also hated hearing her stammer, and she wondered if the time would come soon that Ryu would look at her with distaste, every time he heard her trip over her words.
"Have your parents explained why I wanted to marry you?"
His quiet tone threw her off, but she didn't dare speak this time, and only answered him with a shake of her head.
"I do not want to have children."
OH.
"Most women would object to this, but after an extensive discussion with your parents—-"
Summerine couldn't even begin to imagine what such a discussion would entail. What could have her parents said that would make him think she was fine with his requirements—-or lack thereof?
"And having your background checked, I've come to realize that you perfectly suit my needs."
It was Summerine's first time to be considered 'perfect' for anything. She just wished she understood what exactly he deemed her perfect for.
"Your eyes are very expressive," her husband suddenly murmured.
Her own mother often chastised her for not showing enough emotion. Was he just being nice or was her husband delusional?
"I may not have known you for as long as your parents have, but I have no reason to lie about that, don't you think?"
Summerine could only stare at him, stunned. It was as if he had read her mind!
"In any case...we have all the time in the world to understand each other. We can take things one day at a time. But for now, I think I can safely guess the things you'd most likely want to hear from me."
Good, Summerine thought in relief. Actually, it wasn't just good. It was great. Terrific even. She was just so glad that he seemed to have figured things out for both of them...since Summerine had been lost in translation from the moment he had described her eyes as expressive.
"To start with, I want you to know you have no reason to be ever frightened of me. You do not have to worry about me exercising my rights as a husband. I don't intend to consummate our marriage. There'd be no point doing so, all things considered."
Um...
"Nevertheless, I expect you to demonstrate wisdom and discretion about every matter concerning our relationship."
Summerine could also nod, with her mind still stuck on Point #2. Was he saying he meant her to die...a virgin?
"I expect you to conduct yourself in a manner befitting my wife. You'll accompany me when I need a date. Host parties on my behalf. Do the usual things that a billionaire's wife does."
Everything, he said...except for Point #2.
"Lastly, I have an extremely demanding schedule at work. It cannot be helped, but I trust you're used to this, given your own parents' schedule. Other than these things, you are free to do whatever else you wish with your time."
Summerine worked hard to concentrate on the rest of his words.
Monthly allowance.
Credit cards.
Mistress of her own home.
And so many other "perks".
He wasn't just offering her freedom from her parents' tyranny. But shockingly enough, her new husband was offering everything on a silver platter, and all she needed to do in return was be his brainless, voiceless, and sexless wife?
Where am I?
IT WAS A GOOD NINETY-minute ride to her new home, and Summerine didn't even realize she had fallen asleep until she heard her husband softly saying her name.
"I'm s-sorry."