Raven stifled into the car seat, relived to escape the crowd and the flashing cameras yelling her name, but her relief was short lived as Micheal joined, settling beside her in the car, the tension in the car was just as stifling as it was outside.
Her mind went over what he had just told her right outside 'Easy now, wife. You're mine'??
What the hell did he even mean about that? Even though they are married now, that doesn't give him the reason to touch her when he wants.
The thought of her belonging to someone, someone like Michael sent shivers down her ribs.
She stared out of the window as the car begins to move away from the chruch, wanting to be anywhere but beside the man she now has to call her husband. The man who deceived her to sleep with her. Everything about this felt wrong, she should be in Taemin's hands right now telling him about all the crazy things she had done to get back to him, but the universe had planned something entirely different for her.
The silence between her and Michael is so thick, filled with all the words they're refusing to say. She can feel his presence beside her, as cold and unyielding as steel, which she hasn't gotten used to. But after everything that's happened today, staying silent feels like surrender, and she's done with that.
She finally breaks the silence, her voice bitter. "Just because we're married now doesn't mean you get to touch me whenever you please."
Michael scoffs, his gaze still outside the window. "How was the show? How does it feel to be a Silver? You must like the attention." Michael said, clearly ignoring what she said earlier.
Raven's brows furrowed as she tried to understand what Michael said. "Dont act like you did me a favour by marrying me, Michael."
Michael glances at her, his expression annoyingly calm. "Would you rather I spell it out for you?"
She scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest. "Spell what out Michael? There is absolutely nothing I get from this marriage. Oh, you think I like this? The attention that comes with being your wife? Or the tag of being a Billionaire's wife? I don't give a flying shit about that! Do you think I don't have plans? Dreams? Now everything is gone because I married you!"
Michael's expression hardens, his eyes narrowing. "And you think this marriage is something I wanted too? That I had any choice?"
Raven's eyes flash with confusion and anger. "W- What are you talking about?"
A flicker of irritation crosses his face. He looks at her, leaning slightly closer, his tone dripping with bitterness. "This arrangement is the last thing I wanted. But it was this or lose everything my father left for me."
Raven stares at him, stunned. "What are you saying?"
Michael lets out a frustrated sigh, almost as if he hadn't meant to reveal this, but now he's too fed up to hold back. "My father's will," he mutters. "He made my inheritance conditional. Said I wouldn't have control of the family business until I married you."
Raven's face pales, and she stares at him, processing his words. "So that's why you're here? You only married me to take over your father's company?" Her voice rises, filled with disbelief and fury.
Michael shrugs, his expression unrepentant. "What did you expect? A love story? We both know that's not what this is."
Raven's hands are shaking as she stares at him, feeling a swell of anger so fierce it nearly chokes her. "Did my father know about this?"
Michael's mouth twists into a mocking smirk. "Your family didn't need to know. They think I agreed out of duty, that I'm some noble son taking my father's place. And you—well, you played your part perfectly."
Raven feels like the air has been knocked out of her. She glares at him, her voice a fierce whisper. "You're despicable, Michael. You manipulated all of us. You let my father think he'd found me a respectable husband, a partner who'd be good for me. But you're nothing but a liar, just using us to get what you want."
Michael's smirk vanishes, and he narrows his eyes. "Watch it, Raven. You're not some victim here. You knew what you were getting into."
But Raven snaps back, her tone defiant and seething with resentment. "Oh, I had no idea, Michael. But thank you for making it so clear. You're even worse than I thought." Raven turned to look outside the window, showing she was done having a conversation with him.
The silence in the car stretched. Michael's jaw tensed as he looked out the window, trying to suppress the emotions building inside of him. The careless slip about the will had shaken something deep inside him. He didn't meant to tell her—not like this, not when he was barely holding together his own reasons for this marriage.
He was supposed to have everything under control. After all, he'd done whatever it took to ensure he'd be the one by Raven's side, even if it meant… well, a lie he could never take back. His chest tightened at the thought, something close to guilt darkening his gaze. He wouldn't let himself think about it now—not when he'd come so far. But there were days he wondered if he'd ever be able to forgive himself for what he'd done to claim this marriage, for the secrets he'd chosen to carry alone.
And yet, the cost of revealing the truth was too great. If anyone ever knew what he'd concealed, he could lose everything.
Michael shifted in his seat, his gaze flickered to Raven, noting the anger still in her face. He didn't blame her. She didn't even know the half of it—could never know. This had to be enough.
Finally, he looked away, swallowing the bitter truth of what he'd done to get here, wondering how long he could keep it buried before it would come back to haunt him.
The car finally pulled up to the estate, and the sight of the sprawling mansion brought him back to himself. The familiar sense reminded him that he was still in control here. He would not let one careless moment ruin everything he'd fought for.
The chauffeur opened the door, and Michael stepped out, straightening his jacket, his expression hardening. He turned, holding his hand out to Raven, his gaze steady but simmering with an edge of anger.
"We're just getting started, Raven," he said, his voice low. "Remember, you agreed to this. Now, you're a Silver."
Raven stared at Michael's outstretched hand, her pulse hammering with anger. She couldn't believe his audacity. After what he just revealed in the car, did he honestly think she would just accept his hand like a puppet following his every command? She knew what he wanted—to play the gentleman, to complete the perfect picture for anyone watching. But the last thing she wanted was to rely on him, even for something as simple as getting out of a car.
So, she ignored his hand, lifted her chin, and stepped out of the car by herself. She didn't look back, hoping her spine looked as stiff as it felt, that her steps didn't betray the storm brewing inside her. Raven stepped forward, heading towards the mansion, her fingers curling around the edges of her dress.
Then, as if fate had a sense of humor, Raven's heel caught on the gown's heavy fabric, and before she could react, she was falling. Her arms went up, trying to hold on to anything, but it was too late—she tumbled forward, her knees hitting the ground, the dress pooling around her like some grand, ridiculous parachute.
For a second, she froze, her mind trying to catch up with her body.
Did I just... fall? Oh my God! I fell!- She thought
Heat rushed to her face as she shut her eyes praying this was some bad dream, but the ache in her knees felt too real to be a dream.
Great! First, the sham of a wedding. Then his cold, biting words. And now this—on full display, sprawled out like some clumsy fool in front of her new husband.
Why couldn't this stupid dress come with a warning label? "Caution: May cause life-ruining moments of public humiliation."
She tried to push herself up, but the layers of fabric clung stubbornly to her legs. She swatted at them, muttering under her breath, "Stupid, stupid dress," frustration clear in her voice.
Then she heard it—a sound so soft, so faint, she almost missed it. A chuckle.
Her head snapped up, and she didn't have to turn around to know who it was. Michael. Of course, it was Michael. The nerve of that man! He couldn't even pretend to help her, no—he had to stand there, watching her flounder, probably smirking like the arrogant bastard he was.
Raven quickly tried to push herself up, that tiny sound stoked a fire in her. She straightened, her back rigid as she adjusted her gown, refusing to turn and meet his gaze. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
Raven swallowed hard, forcing her chin up, though her cheeks still burned. Walk. Just walk. Pretend it didn't happen. But every step toward the grand entrance of the mansion felt heavier, She just wanted to disappear from his gaze.
And Michael? He didn't move, didn't say a word, he just stood there, watching her. It made her want to scream, cry, and laugh all at once.
This is her life now? Married to a man who finds her humiliation entertaining? Perfect. Just perfect.