Beautiful Disaster: I plead Guilty

With the consent of both parents, Tania Woods and Olsen Richard tied the knot during the fourth season of the year. Their contractual marriage was set to last for two years.For formality's sake, Tania and Olsen visited the registrar to officially register their union. Following this, a grand wedding ceremony took place at the heart of the city, in the prestigious Royal Crystal Chapel. The event was graced by prominent families and business associates, adding to its grandeur.At the entrance of the chapel, Tania, the breathtaking bride, stood gracefully, dressed impeccably to match her husband. Olsen, known for his refined taste, carried an air of composed elegance. She had put in every effort to appear flawless, just as he would have wanted—after all, they were people of great prestige. Tania couldn't afford to tarnish her soon-to-be family's name. Not that she had any say in this; it wasn't her dream wedding. Marrying a man who could barely stand her presence made the day feel dreadful. But she had no choice. This marriage was her ticket to freedom—from a selfish father and a scheming stepmother who only cared about themselves.Since they couldn't repay the enormous debt they owed the Richards, her stepmother—the mastermind behind it all—saw Tania as the perfect bargaining chip. After all, neither of them loved her, so why should they care about her fate now?For Tania, this was an escape. Being married to an arrogant and aloof man like Olsen wouldn't be a fairy tale, but the price was handsomely attractive."This marriage is based on convenience. I'm sure you're fully aware of that," Tania recalled Olsen telling her the day they went to the registrar."For the duration of our arrangement, you will be well compensated—as long as you follow my instructions.""You are my wife in public, but behind closed doors, you mean nothing to me. Do as you please; I couldn't care less. Just don't cross my bottom line, and we will coexist peacefully."Those words stung. She had heard whispers of his infamous temper, supposedly fueled by the betrayal of his ex-lover—who had married Olsen's best friend and moved to the outskirts of town with their son to avoid any confrontation. Tania never imagined she would one day come face to face with the true nature of the man she was now bound to.As she walked down the red-carpeted aisle, lined with cascading roses, her pure snow-white gown trailed behind her like a waterfall. She clutched a bouquet in her hands, maintaining a radiant smile—though it was merely a facade.Among the seated guests were her father and stepmother—the very people who had so willingly sold her off. Her stepmother's jade-green eyes gleamed with satisfaction; it was evident that she felt relieved to have gotten rid of her. Her father, indifferent as ever, sat still, his face unreadable. There was no trace of guilt, no remorse. Tania could only imagine what kind of spell her stepmother had cast to make him dance to her tune.Then there was Sienna, her stepsister, applauding with a forced smile that barely masked the spite and irritation beneath. She had always been this way—playing the victim, painting Tania as the villain, and widening the gap between Tania and their father. Painful memories flashed through Tania's mind. The arrival of Selene, her stepmother, and Sienna had shattered the peaceful life she once knew. Their presence had led to her mother's tragic demise, and since then, nothing had ever been the same.But today, Tania made a silent vow—she would no longer be weak. From this moment forward, she would fight back at all costs.As she approached the altar, the large congregation rose to their feet, their eyes fixated on her. Whispers of admiration filled the air."Oh my, she's so beautiful," the guests murmured among themselves."Look! She's been carefully dolled up for today's event…" a high-pitched voice exclaimed, silencing the crowd.Tania was indeed breathtaking. She had come too far to turn back now. As she glided forward, she momentarily lost her balance but quickly composed herself. She wasn't used to being the center of attention, let alone in front of such a large crowd.Olsen Richard stood tall among his peers, his deep chestnut eyes locked onto his bride. Her delicate features were accentuated by the fitted gown, transforming her into someone entirely different from the woman he had known. Usually, she wore casual clothes, never bothering with makeup or intricate hairstyles."Did she dress up for me?" The thought caught him off guard, and he found it oddly amusing.Tania's beauty was like plain water to him—nothing special. He had seen women far more dazzling over the years, so why did she surprise him? Oh, of course. Every time she had appeared before him, she had never been dressed like this.With the help of her father—whom she barely acknowledged—Tania reached the altar, standing before the man who was now her husband. For the first time, she had a clear, close-up view of him.Today, Olsen was dressed to perfection—a black tailored suit that sculpted his form, paired with polished shoes. His golden-hazel hair was slicked back, giving him an air of composed authority. Unlike his usual cold and detached demeanor, he appeared calm and reserved. Handsome as always.And so, the ceremony began.