The church was filled with the sound of laughter and chatter as the guests gathered for the wedding. The pews were packed with loved ones, many of whom were eager to witness the long awaited union of Evan Lancaster and Ella Waverley.
"Do you Evan Lancaster take Ella Waverley to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day towards, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do you part?" The priest asked, his voice booming through the air.
He glared at her, feeling a wave of anger and disdain wash over him.
"I do" He said though gritted teeth, his voice laced with bitterness.
"And do you, Ella Waverley take Evan Lancaster to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forwards...until death do you part?" The priest asked.
With a small smile plastered on her face Ella answered, "I do"
As they exchange rings and make their vows, he couldn't help but notice how fake her smile was. She was hiding something, he was sure of it
"By the power vested in me by the states of Illinois, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride" The priest announced.
Reluctantly, he leaned in to kiss her feeling her cold, emotionless expression on her lips.
The second of applause and cheers filled the church as both of them walk down the aisle as husband and wife. As they walked he couldn't help but wonder how long this charade would go on for. He couldn't stand her anymore and the thought of being married to her was almost sickening.
The reception was a lively affair, with the guests mingling and enjoying the lavish spread of food and drinks. Both of them seated at the center of it, being served by the waitstaff. As they cut the cake together, he couldn't help but feel a sense of revulsion as he touched her hands, feeling how cold and lifeless they were. The smile on her face was as fake as it could be only to make him disgusted
As the night finally came to close and the guests started to leave, they were left alone in the reception hall, surrounded by the empty tables and discarded decorations. He looked at her his eyes cold and fill with disdain.
He couldn't take it anymore, so he got up and left the room without saying a words leaving her standing there alone. The night had been a disaster, he couldn't wait to get away from her. And he silently made a promise to himself that he wouldn't let himself get close to her no matter what.
.....☆...
The first month of our married life was a disaster. He couldn't stand anything about me, from my voice to the way I breathed. It was like a torture having to be in the same house with him. Everyday he found a new reason to resent and he make sure to let me know it. He never ate the food if it was cooked by me, instead he went to his fucking office early and would return home late at night when I was already asleep.
The way he act was killing me to hate him more, the more I tried to be kind and accommodating, the more he would lash out at me. It was like he was trying to make my life as miserable as possible.
I was trapped in this life... Now I regret marrying him but still I have yet to confront him no matter what. I have to find out the truth because the more I waste my time the more I feel isolated and depressed trapped in this meaningless marriage.
After one particular heated argument, he left the house and didn't return for a days. I was relieved to finally have some peace and quite, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this was the beginning of a long and miserable marriage.
When he finally came back, he was drunk and aggressive. He started yelling at me, telling me I was worthless and that he couldn't stand to be in the same room. I tried to defend myself but he was too far gone in his anger, tho I was known for sharp tongue but I was terrified at that moment.
He grabbed me and pulled me towards him, his grip tightening around my wrist. I had never seen him so consumed with anger before.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I struggle to break free from his grasp. Finally, he let go, sending me crashing to the ground. As I looked up, I saw him standing over, his expression cold and unfeeling and said "I hate you more than you think Ella".
I reply back "If you hate me so much then why do you marry me in the first place huh?. Tears rolled down from my eyes to my cheek "You know you should have cancelled the wedding then both of us have never suffered". He didn't replied back instead he stared at me with so much unspoken words and walk away.
That night, I cry myself to sleep. I felt trapped in a marriage that was turning into a living nightmare.
His behavior was like he had two faces...changing in front of our parents and everyone like we are having a normal life and didn't come or show up at dinner or family gathering without having any world war.
Day by day I started getting used to his cold shoulder and day by day he start changing more into an ice. He stopped yelling, stopped having a cat and dog battle with me, instead he started ignoring me and honestly who cares if he ignores me or not because I'm here only to find out if he is behind it or not.
....☆.....
Evan sneered as he entered the room, his expression dripping with disdain.
"I saw you talking to my brother earlier", he taunted, his voice dripping with venom.
"You seemed so happy, laughing and enjoying yourself. What so special about him that you can't even pretend to be happy with me?" He approached me, his eyes boring into mine, challenging me to respond.
I glared at him, my jaw clenched tightly "I'm not allowed to talk to anyone now?"
I hissed, my voice trembling with anger "And what, do I have to ask for your permission every time I want to have a conversation with someone?"
I stood up from the vanity, my eyes blazing with defiance "You can't control every aspect of my life".
"You can't decide who I speak to or who I spend my time with. We may be married, but I'm not your damn property!!"
I walked past him, making my way towards the door "I'm not going to live in fear of what you think or what you might do", I said, my voice firm " I won't stand by and let you destroy me any longer"
With that, I slammed the door behind me, leaving him alone in the room, his face contorted with rage and frustration.
He caught up to me, grabbing my wrist tightly "You know what?" He said his voice low and dangerous while staring at my lips.
"I'll enjoy making that sharp tongue and mouth of yours useful for something else entirely next time. So think twice before you speak, because I won't hesitate to shut you up!!".
His words hung in the air, a cruel threat that sent a shivers down my spine. I tried to pull away, but his grip was unyielding. I was trapped at his mercy, and it's terrified me.
He released his grip from me roughly, shoving me away "Don't test me Ella", he snapped, his voice laced with warning.
Without another words, he turned and walked away leaving me alone in the hallway, my mind racing with thoughts of what he might do next.
It was a stark reminder of the power imbalance in our relationship. I had no control, no agency. He held all the cards and I was at his mercy. The fear and uncertainty that filled me at that moment were suffocating and I knew I wouldn't go on like this. Something had to change and soon.
I stood there, a mix of anger, fear and determination coursing through my veins. I couldn't let myself be controlled by him any longer. I decided to take action, to find a way to break free from his hold on me. I couldn't stand by and watch him destroy me with his words and threats.
That evening I devised a plan of revenge for his earlier threats, a way to take back some of control and give him a taste of his own medicine. I decided to cook dinner for him, using the opportunity to add an unexpected twist to the meal.
I used a generous amount of spices making it as spicy as possible, knowing that he disliked spicy food. As I set the table and placed the spicy dish in front of him, that day he neither complain nor left instead I watch him as he took his first bite.
The reaction was immediate and he struggled to hold back his discomfort as the heat spread through his mouth.
I couldn't help but smile smugly as I watched him suffering, my revenge plan seemingly paying off. But as the meal progressed, he seemed unfazed by the spices, his expression showing no signs of discomfort.
I was left puzzled, wondering it I had miscalculated, or if he was hiding his reaction. Eventually, he finished the meal without complaint, leaving me feeling confused and frustrated.
....☆...
He smirked inwardly as she watched him struggle. He had anticipated her move and had prepared a countermeasure. He had built up a tolerance to spicy food over the years, knowing that one day it would be useful but it was damn beyond his tolerance knowing that he will struggle later.
He appreciated her attempt to come after him, but he wasn't going to let her have the satisfaction. She deserves a taste of her own medicine and he was determined to give it to her.
He continue to eat his meal without letting on how spicy it was, maintaining a calm exterior. He knew that she would expect him to react and he was going to withold the pleasure of seeing him suffer. If she wanted to play games, he was ready to play too.
As the meal came to an end, he felt a sense of triumph. He had outplayed her at her own game, showing her that he was not easily manipulated or taken for a fool.
He knew the road ahead would not be easy and there would be more challenge to face, but for now, he was content to savor his small victory.
As he finished his meal, he turn to her with a smug smile "I have to admit", he said his voice laced with satisfaction.
"That was a delicious dish. You've quite skilled in the kitchen". He didn't elaborate on how spicy the food had been, leaving her guessing whether he had actually enjoyed it or simply endured it.
It was a game to him, a way to assert his control and dominance over her.
She narrowed her eyes, not entirely fooled by his words. She had a feeling that he somehow figured out it was her plan and had found a way to deflect it.
But she couldn't let him have the satisfaction of knowing that she had failed. Instead, she simply nodded and offered a strained smile.
"I'm glade you like it", she said her voice flat and measure. "I'll keep that in my mind for the next time"
He chuckle, a mocking sound that sent a shiver down her spine.
"I can't wait", he said, his tone laced with sarcasm "I'm looking forward to more of your...special creation".
The insinuation was clear and she knew he was not being sincere and she also knew that he was not one to let things slide easily, so she would have to be on guard for his next move.
...☆...