Liora's POV.

I cried throughout the night and the next morning, my eyes were swollen and red, my entire body sore but the maid insisted I come down for breakfast.

After last night, I assumed I would be eating alone but he was seated at the head of the long table when I walked into the dining room. He was scrolling through his phone, a cup of coffee in front of him.

He looked perfectly put together, not one strand out of place, like the man from last night had been a nightmare.

He didn't look up or utter a word as I took my seat.

I barely touched my food, unable to swallow anything. The silence that settled over us was so thick, thick enough for someone to choke on.

"There are some papers you need to sign," he suddenly spoke up, his eyes still glued to his phone, "I'll have someone bring it up to your room."

"Okay." I whispered softly,

And that was it, he stood up and walked out without a single glance in my direction.

Later that day, the maid brought a document to my room and after going through what was our marriage agreement, I signed.

The days flew by, he was never home and I was mostly alone in the giant house. No one came around to visit and it didn't matter how many times I tried to call my father, none of his lines, not even Helena's, was connecting.

I decided to pay them a visit but Sebastian's guards wouldn't let me past the door. According to them, he had instructed them not to let me out of the house without his permission.

That was absurd. I was married to him, not his prisoner but there was no one to complain to because he wasn't even home.

After two weeks, he returned and I made up my mind that I was going to confront him about it.

Gathering enough courage, I walked down to his room and just as I lifted my clenched fist to knock on the door, it suddenly opened and a familiar face came into view.

Standing right there in front of me, with nothing but a thin see through night dress that left almost nothing to the imagination and her hair messy like she'd just gotten out of bed was the woman from the car.

I froze, my eyes holding hers. She looked surprised at first but her expression shifted into something else as a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Well... hello. You must be the wife." She looked me over with some sort of look on her face as she scoffed out loud, "I'm Vivivenne, Sebastian's fiancée."

Fiancée?

She held up her hand immediately, flashing the huge diamond ring on her finger.

"I didn't think I would see you so soon though, given how you've been hiding in your room like the good little wife that you are." She laughed, a spiteful sound that didn't light up her eyes. "Don't get too comfortable, this is a temporary situation. Sebastian loves me. He's just stuck with you... for now."

I was too stunned to speak.

Just then, Sebastian stepped out from behind her in a crisp black suit, ready for work and without a word, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him passionately on the lips right in front of me.

My heart twisted painfully at the sight.

I shouldn't care about him and his mistress. He was free to do whatever he liked as long as he left me alone, I was only here to tell him I wasn't his prisoner and demand to freely exit the house whenever I choose.

But standing there, watching his lips lock on hers like I meant nothing to the both of them hurt more than I ever imagined.

She pulled away from him with a smug look on her face and his eyes drifted to me, cold and void. He didn't explain, didn't apologize, he just looked right through me like I wasn't even there.

"We're having dinner with my parents tonight," he said, his voice flat, "I'll send a car by 6pm."

He turned and walked down the hall, leaving me standing there with his mistress who was still grinning from ear to ear.

For the rest of the day, I remained in my room until the maids walked in to get me ready. At exactly 6pm, a car pulled up in front of the house.

The driver stopped by at his office to pick him up and the ride was silent, he was staring out the window and so was I. His parents house was just as grand as his, they greeted us at the door and led us straight to the table that was overflowing with food.

"So tell me Liora, how are you settling in?" Reginald asked, his attention totally on me.

"Fine, thank you." I lied, pushing my food around my plate.

"That's good. Well, I want you to know that I've kept my own end of the deal. Your father has been admitted to the best hospital in the country and now that we're family, I intend to clear all his company's bills." He added and my eyes shot up instantly.

That was what I'd been waiting to hear.

This was the real reason I had agreed to this wedding. Saving my father and the company Helena and her daughter had run into bankruptcy was what mattered to me.

Even if it meant being married to someone like Sebastian.

Dad had spent years building that company with Mom, but after Helena took over due to his health, she ruined everything. The company's finances crumbled and I had to work countless part time jobs to finish college.

We couldn't even afford Dad's medical bills so when Reginald, an old friend of Dad offered to sort everything out if one of us married his son, Sebastian, Helena and Camille had jumped on the offer.

But he suddenly changed his mind, everything had been arranged for Camille to wed Sebastian but Reginald suddenly insisted that he wanted me not Camille.

At first, I thought Camille would oppose, she had always wanted to marry a billionaire so there was no way she was going to step aside but to my surprise, she did.

She let me marry Sebastian and I had no choice because it was the only way to save my father from dying and protecting the company he had worked so hard for.

"Thank you." I breathed, my eyes glistening with tears.

"It's nothing," he waved a hand, dismissively, "to make it all easier, I think it's best if Sebastian here takes over the reins of the company completely. You, your stepmother and sister shouldn't have to bother with such heavy business matters."

Those words struck a nerve and I shot him a look.

"No." I called out sharply, the word coming out stronger than I had expected, "I appreciate your support and concern but I'll take charge of the company myself."

I was done letting others ruin it. I was going to handle it this time.

Sebastian suddenly let out a short, harsh laugh, startling me.

"Do you have any idea what it takes to run a company? It's not a walk in the park."

"It's my father's company," I responded, my voice surprisingly steady, "It's my responsibility."

Sebastian opened his mouth to argue but stopped himself before the words slipped past his lips. He stared at me, his eyes studying me with some sort of amused look on his face.

"Let her try Sebastian," Reginald added with sarcasm, as if he was certain I was going to fail at it even before I started.

Back at the house, I went straight to my room but hours later, my stomach began to growl aggressively. I had barely touched my food at the dinner table so I needed to get something to eat.

I slipped out of my room quietly and headed downstairs. I was sure everyone was fast asleep but when I walked past the living room, I heard a weird sound, almost like a moan coming from inside.

Light spilled from the slightly open door of the living room and I thought maybe a maid was still awake so I pushed open the door and a gasp slipped from me at the sight of Vivienne bouncing on Sebastian's thighs.

His shirt was off, her head was thrown back, soft moans slipping past her lips as she clung onto his shoulders, her nails digging into his flesh.

"Yessss. You do it so gooodddd." She cried out and my throat tightened.

I stumbled backwards, gasping for air as the back of my eyes stung with hot tears rushing to the surface.

Vivienne's eyes shot up and our eyes locked almost immediately. Her lips stretched into a smile as her moans grew louder, mocking me as the tears rolled down my cheeks.

Why was I bothered? Why was I crying?

I fled up the stairs, the image etched into my memory, my heart hammering against my ribs as I slammed the door shut behind me.

I yanked my suitcase from the closet and began throwing my clothes into it, my hands shaking.

I couldn't do this. I couldn't live in this house.

"...think about your father."

Those words drifted into my mind and I stopped. If I left now, the company would go under, Dad would never get the transplant he desperately needed and all this would be for nothing.

I swallowed hard, a new idea crawling into my mind and twisting into something else.

I didn't need to run, I just needed a plan.

First, I let them clear the debts and the hospital bills, then, I would gradually take control of Dad's company and make it strong again. And when it was safe enough for me to stand on my own, I would walk away and build a good life for myself and Dad.

I... I would divorce Sebastian Carvers.

Sebastian's POV.

I think I underestimated Liora Bennett.

Not in a billion years would I have imagined that she would be bold enough to tell my father to his face that she wanted to run her father's company knowing very well the kind of situation they were in.

I was seated next to her in the back seat of my car which was speeding down the road.

She stuck close to the window, desperate to put enough space between us but there was no amount of space that could stop her flowery scent from wafting towards me.

When my father told me about the wedding, I was livid and it felt like a death sentence to me.

Vivienne was the only woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with and this washed up princess from a failing company was not what I had envisioned for myself.

There was very little about her on the net, she didn't attend social events, never openly flaunted herself like her stepsister did and the few blog posts I had seen about her said her looks was the main reason she hid herself from the public's eyes.

But that day in the church when I lifted her veil, the woman I saw was someone entirely different. Her hazel eyes captivated me. The petrified yet tender look in her eyes made my blood rush with something I couldn't explain.

The way her jet black hair bounced off her shoulders in waves, framing a beautiful face with small pink lips that gave her the most alluring look caught my attention.

She was beautiful... surprisingly beautiful in a way that made it impossible for me to stop staring at her.

I never did it openly though, I always stared at her from my peripheral vision without her noticing. And that night in my room, when I pressed my body against hers and saw her body laid out for my eyes, I felt the overwhelming urge to claim her.

To pin her against that door and show her just how dangerous it was to try to seduce a drunk man but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Not when she was staring at me with those eyes that made me want to...

"We're here sir." The driver's voice cut off my train of thoughts and my head snapped up to take in our surroundings.

The towering building before me knocked me back to reality.

This was it, her father's company, the real reason Dad had insisted I married her because what no one else knew was that our company needed theirs to survive the sudden change in the market.

Her father had been adamant, he had refused to sell it to us even till the last minute and Liora's stepmother had no power to sell it off or else the greedy woman would have done it without a second thought.

The plan was to marry Camille... but then, Dad discovered the majority of the company's shares were in Liora's name.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped down from the car and rushed over to her side to pull the door open for her. Without a word, I took her arm in mine and pulled her closer to my side, wrapping my arm lovingly around her waist.

I felt her body stiffen, I saw the way her eyes widened in shock and confusion as she glanced at me but I didn't care, I kept my eyes glued forward with a smile on my face.

"Just do as I say and don't make a scene." I whispered to her as I guided her into the elevator with my hand still wrapped around her waist.

The ride up to the main floor was filled with the giggles of the workers behind us as they stole glances at us.

I suddenly leaned closer to her and she inhaled sharply as I reached out and brushed a strand of her hair off her face, tucking it behind her ear lovingly as the people behind us whispered excitedly.

I was certain that by the end of the day, the blogs would be reporting how Sebastian Carvers was spotted with his wife, who he was clearly smitten by and so in love with.

Exactly what I needed them to do.

The softness of her skin against my touch radiated through me, my fingers lingered, a lot longer than I had intended and when the elevator made a ding sound, I was forced to pull away from her.

I led her towards a glass door and we stepped into a conference room.

Men dressed in suits were already seated around the table and their conversations died down the moment we walked in.

My grip on her hand tightened when I felt her stiffen, she clearly had no idea what we were doing here and probably just recognized a handful of the men present.

With a possessive grip on her, I led her to the head of the table and we both took our seats.

"Thank you all for coming," my voice echoed through the room as all eyes turned to me, "I'd like to formally introduce you to my wife, Liora Bennett. As you know, with her father's persistent illness, the position of CEO has been left... unattended for far too long."

I felt her try to move and my hand came down on her shoulder gently, squeezing it softly yet keeping her in place.

"As per the marriage agreement signed by Liora, I am granted full authority as her husband to act as the CEO on her behalf until this board deems her ready to lead or her father makes a full recovery."

Her head snapped to the side to meet my gaze and the look of horror in them as she stared at me sent a sharp unpleasant sensation through my chest.

Was it guilt?

Why would I feel guilty about this? She meant nothing to me and as soon as everything was done, I was going to divorce her and marry Vivienne.

That was my plan so... what was this tightness in my chest as she stared at me?

Liora's POV

It was all a lie, and I had fallen for it.

Everything went by in a blur, as documents were signed and congratulations from the board members flew around.

I didn't react; I couldn't react.

Soon the congratulations settled down, and the business discussions began. I was about to take the head seat which my father had always sat in, when Sebastian sat on it first, not even sparing a glance at me.

I hesitated. What just happened?

An assistant pulled a chair by the side for me. 'Mrs Carvers, your seat.'

I willed myself to move and sit, feeling the bile rush up within me. It didn't help that all eyes focused on us, and everyone had seen what just happened.

A board member cleared his throat and began to speak:

'Ma'am,' he glanced at Sebastian then looked at me. 'Given the circumstances, what is your strategy for handling the declining assets?'

'In my opinion...' I breathed a little.

'I'll take that,' Sebastian's voice cut mine smoothly.

My cheeks heated up as I watched him give a detailed, brilliant explanation. It wasn't enough that he took my place at the head table, now he wants to show everyone how incompetent I am?

As I sat there, fuming inwardly, I realized something I didn't want to admit: Sebastian had planned this from the start. Taking over my father's company, humiliating me, he already knew this was going to happen the very moment we said our vows.

After the discussion was over, Sebastian cleared his throat and continued.

'I owe you all an explanation for the rushed arrangement. Given Mr Bennett's prognosis,' he said, 'continuity is essential. My wife, understandably, isn't in the right emotional state for leadership. She will be assisting me in a learning capacity.'

Some board members chuckled, while others nodded their heads as if they understood what he meant.

'A sensible arrangement,' another member agreed.

I felt like screaming, telling them all to go to hell. But I controlled myself and watched in silence.

After all formalities were over, everyone dispersed, leaving me and Sebastian alone in the boardroom.

'Car's outside to convey you back home,' he told me before walking out.

I watched him leave, knowing I was just an object to achieve a means, and he played it well. My chest heaved, with the tears threatening to fall out, but I kept them back.

Not now; not here.

As I walked out, the whispers followed.

'So it's true she's no longer in power?'

'She gave everything up to her husband? She must really love him.'

Love? I scoffed. The only person I loved was my father, but I was already failing him even while he was still alive.

As I got home, I saw Sebastian by the wet bar. I stood for a while staring at him sip from a wine glass slowly, then I let my anger loose.

'How could you?' I snapped at him.

'I was going to get it one way or another,' his tone was nonchalant as he eyed the glass of wine he held.

'Tricking me and everyone else? Do you think that makes you a smart businessman?'

He stared at me for a while before bursting into laughter. 'In the business world, you have to do whatever it takes to get what you want.'

I stared at him, my fists clenched and my chest tightening.

What would my father do if he found out that the company had been handed over to a stranger?

After years of hard work and sweat...

Feeling dejected, I sighed and began to walk up to my room. My body felt heavy; I just needed to rest at that moment.

'Liora!'

I turned abruptly to face Sebastian. It was the first time he had ever called me by name.

He looked at me for a while with an expression I couldn't quite understand. 'You have so much to learn.'

There was no need to reply, so I left without a word.

In my room, I lay there all day and night, eyes wide open. It seemed not only did sleep elude me, but the only thing my father had to his name was almost gone from my grasp.

As I closed my eyes, I thought that maybe all wasn't lost. If I just played along, moved on with Sebastian's schemes, then maybe...just maybe...everything would end up fine.

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of voices and laughter in the living room. Curious, I went downstairs to see Sebastian and his father, Reginald.

'Liora,' Reginald smiled at me.

'Good morning,' I smiled back.

'I thought I should come visit. Sebastian was just filling me in on yesterday's event.'

'How's my father?' That was the only person I could think of.

He hesitated. 'Surgery would soon commence, and after that, George would be back on his feet as before.'

My mind relaxed a little.

'Oh well, enjoy,' I nodded and turned to leave.

I was close to my room, when I thought about what he had said. Did Sebastian really tell him how he had taken over my father's company? Is that why he looked so smug and happy?

In a daze, I turned back to ask him. Questions were bothering me, and only he would have the answers. As I got close to the living room, I began to hear some conversations; some disturbing conversations...

...about my father.

'The surgery has a forty percent survival rate. Even if George survives, he won't regain capacity. The company would bleed out before the year ends without intervention.'

It was Reginald, and it seemed he was on the phone with someone. I edged a bit closer to hear better.

'Which is a good thing the plan worked. Sebastian is in charge and if that old man kicks the bucket, we'll have full ownership. And don't worry about the daughter. She's already taken care of.'

Shock waves ran through my body at that instant, making me pause and replay what I had just heard. In a daze, I turned and raced down to my room, shutting the door loudly. My hands were shaking so badly I could barely twist the door handle.

The only thoughts racing through my mind were how this marriage had been planned to benefit just the Carvers.

And I had been the perfect pawn.