SAGE SINCLAIRE
I saw the way he was looking at me, and I knew that look very well—a combination of sadness and adoration. But I knew it was all just a game to him.
I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to marry Wade. I would never be happy with him.
I turned away and started walking when I heard him calling my name, "Sage, please wait," he said. I stopped walking and turned to face him. "It's Sinclaire to you. What do you want now? Haven't you insulted me enough? What is your problem, Wade?" I didn't scream, but my voice was raised.
I'm just tired, okay? Imagine finding out that you have to get married to your ex-boyfriend who tried to kill you and used you for five whole fucking years.
Yeah, you read it right. He, Emily, and Damien, who was supposed to be my best friend, betrayed me. People don't understand how hard it was knowing that there was literally no one left in my life who hadn't betrayed me. It was all a lie. Even my fucking mother was with them, planning to kill me.
I can't just forget everything like this.
"Now you may kiss the bride," the priest said to Wade.
"If you kiss me, you will die, Wade," I whispered to him while he cupped my face in his calloused hands.
He nodded and smiled at me. He seriously needs to stop smiling before everyone here gets a heart attack and dies because of him.
He came dangerously close to my mouth, and I froze. He looked at me with such intensity that I could feel myself slowly drowning in his eyes. He gave me a small smile and kissed the area near my mouth so that it looked like we had kissed to the people around us. His lips lingered there for a while, and we both closed our eyes. Suddenly, I was brought back to reality, and I quickly pushed him away.
This was really bad, Sage. This can't happen.
I could see the hurt in his eyes, but I couldn't do anything. I didn't want to. I wanted him to suffer the way I did. I wanted my revenge on him. I wanted him dead.
The hardest part of leaving him was accepting the reasons why he was with me. It was a disaster. I was suicidal. If my dad hadn't been there, I would not be in this world right now.
Speaking of my dad, let me tell you how I ended up getting married to this bastard. It was because of my dad.
Flashback - 5 days ago
The rain could be heard from the windows as I entered my dad's room. He was lying on the bed with a book in his hand. "Oh my God, how can he read now?" I shook my head at my father's behavior.
He has always been a nerd. Although he is a very busy person, he reads books whenever he has time. I have developed this habit and am obsessed with romance, fantasy, and suspense novels. If possible, I would read all the books I find, but unfortunately, that is impossible.
"Dad?" I said in a soft voice. It's hard to believe that the ruthless Sage would become like this when she was with her elders, especially her father. Although I am angry, I can never disrespect my father. He saved my life, and I love him more than anyone.
"Hi, Sage. Sit down. I know this is a very big thing that I'm saying, but trust me, I have a good reason for it. See, I know you hate Wade, and you have every reason to hate him. He deserves it, of course. But if you look closely, you can see that he never wanted to kill you, actually."
"I know he loved you in the past, and maybe even now. He was just forced by his dad, and that's why he took such a dangerous step. I'm pretty sure he was ready to kill himself rather than letting anyone even touch you."
"And now he has cut all connections with his dad, but he still handles a lot of mafia work, and he will keep you safe after I die. Please, Sage, just think about it. I'm not telling you to fall in love with him. Just get married to him on paper, and then I won't need to bother worrying about you. And, of course, you can ignore him if it's possible when you are living in the same house," my dad said, pleading evident in his voice.
"Sorry, Dad, but no matter what you say, I can't marry him," I said firmly.
"Sage, I have tried everything, but since you don't want to listen, I will have to make the decision now. You are getting married to Wade Callahan in five days so that he can take over our mafia and protect it, which you and your useless brother couldn't," he said, raising his voice with every word.
"Dad, what the fuck? You can't just marry me off to someone like that, please, Dad," I said, almost in tears. I couldn't imagine getting married to Wade. "Call Wade in right now," he said to me.
I went to Wade with unshed tears in my eyes. Wade got worried and immediately went to me, saying, "Sage, what happened? Please stop crying, Sage. It's okay, we will figure it out. Please don't cry, Sage," he said, full of worry.
"What did I do to deserve this, Wade? Why is all of this happening to me?" I said, almost crying but composing myself and telling myself to be strong in front of everyone.
Wade's heart wrenched seeing his love in this condition. It was all because of him. "Sage, listen to me, please. Tell me why you're crying," he said softly, cupping my face in his hands.
"He wants us to get married, Wade," I said in a whisper that was almost inaudible to him. He took my hands and led me inside the room. Before he could say anything, my dad came in and held a gun to his head.
"Sage, now the choice is yours. You will either see me or Wade dead today if you don't agree to marry him. Do you want anyone of us to die, my dear Sage?" he said, smirking, knowing that now I had to marry Wade.
"Stop! Don't you dare touch Wade, Dad," I held Wade's hand and pulled him away, standing in front of him. He looked at me, shocked.
I was well aware that if I didn't marry him, my father would perish at his hands. And I couldn't have another one of my loved ones killed by him, so I had no choice but to marry this bastard.
"I am ready to marry Wade, Dad," I said, my voice devoid of any emotion.
And this is how the two souls who once loved each other became bound in an alliance called marriage.