Chapter 5

• I wake up feeling a strong headache, but when I touch my forehead, I notice there's like a bandage, but I don't know why. I try to remember what happened yesterday, but all I can recall is going out with Edward and seeing that bitch Laura fucking with Maximo. From that moment on, I don't remember anything else.
• " God, my head is going to explode " at that moment Maximo enters and he looks tired, with dark circles under his eyes.
• " I'm glad you woke up, you gave me a good scare."
• " What happened to me?"
• " It seems you fell while drunk and then hit your head, causing you to lose consciousness " now I understand the wound " they had to give you some stitches."
• " Could you give me something for the headache?"
• " Of course, here you go " he hands me some pills and a glass of water.
• " I hope this makes you feel better " I see concern on his face, but also sadness.
• " Stop making that face, Maximo, I'm fine now."
• " Lia, I was worried about you when I saw you lying on the floor unconscious, I almost had a heart attack."
• " Well, I'm better now, so don't worry " I reply dryly, and just as he's about to speak, my phone rings.
• " Can you pass it to me? " he takes the phone and upon seeing who it is, he answers the call.
• " Why are you calling my wife... didn't I tell you to stay away from her? " God, he's talking to Edward " I don't give a shit, leave her alone " before he can say anything else, I take the phone from him and give him a dirty look.
• " Ed, how are you?"
• " Lia, I'm glad you answered, how are you?"
• " Well, yesterday I got so drunk that I lost my balance and hit my head, passing out."
• " What?!!! I'm coming over " without letting me say anything, he hangs up, so I carefully stand up and get into the shower. After a while, I come out and put on some pants and a shirt.
• Now, how do I tell Maximo that Ed is coming home... God, this is going to be a mess.
• " Maximo " I call him, but he doesn't respond, so I grab him by the shoulder and turn him around.
• " Don't ignore me!!"
• " What do you want? " he responds curtly.
• " I wanted to tell you that Edward is coming, so behave " I see Maximo's face change and suddenly he grabs my arms tightly.
• " I'M NOT LETTING THAT MAN INTO MY HOUSE!!"
• " Well, tough luck!!! I live here too, so sorry."
• " Lia, don't push me."
• " Why don't you go with your cousin, the bitch, and leave me alone?"
• " You know what, you're right, I'm going with her, I'm sure I'll enjoy it a lot."
• " Then get out!" he leaves the house and as always, I start crying on the couch.
• " Why is he like this?!!! Why does he do this to me " I cry and cry until the door is knocked, so I wipe my tears and open the door.
• " Beautiful!!! God, are you okay?"
• " Yes, it's just a bump " he caresses my face and I see concern in his eyes.
• " You were crying... it's because of him, right? " he knows me so well despite the short time we've been friends.
• " I... I... " without thinking, I throw myself into his arms and start crying, all he does is caress me and kiss my head.
• " Calm down, beautiful... come look at me " he lifts my gaze with his hand.
• " Why don't you leave him, break that contract."
• " It's not that easy, there's no turning back, I'm getting married soon."
• " But he makes you suffer!!! He doesn't love you."
• " I know!!! But this is a damn deal that can't be broken anymore " more tears fall, and he seems to understand because he hugs me again.
• " Please just hug me, that's all I need."
• " I'm here, beautiful, I won't leave you."
• " Thank you, Ed " we stay like that for a while, and then he leaves because I ask him to, but he wasn't happy about leaving me alone in such a big house. Since I know Maximo won't come, I better go to sleep and let sleep take over.
• " Wake up, Lia " I slowly open my eyes and see Maximo standing there.
• " What's going on?"
• " Get ready, today we have an appointment at the civil registry."
• " Appointment for what? " God, I'm still very sleepy.
• " Damn it, Lia, we're getting married today " I think when he says the word "marry," my body manages to wake up because I stand up abruptly.
• " What do you mean today?? What about the wedding we were planning with your mother?"
• " Well, I changed my mind, we're getting married today, so put on what's in that box."
• " Why did you change your mind???"
• " That's none of your business, just do as I say."
• " You know, you're a son of a bitch!!! " he approaches and grabs my arm forcefully.
• " Yes, I am, but this son of a bitch will be your husband in a few hours, so get ready because I'm tired of this shit " he leaves the room slamming the door as I stand there motionless from the way he spoke to me.
• I'm looking at myself in the mirror, trying to hold back my tears as I give the final touches to my dress, which by the way, is very beautiful.
• " This is bullshit, if my parents hadn't believed me, I wouldn't be here."
• " Lia!!! It's time, damn it!"
• " For God's sake, someone kill him " I leave the room and go down the stairs. When he sees me, he is left speechless, but then I can see a slight smile on his face.
• " Let's go " we get into the car and during the whole ride, no one spoke, but he just kept staring at me, which made me even more uncomfortable.
• " Good afternoon, we have an appointment to get married."
• " What's his name?"
• " Maximo Bulton."
• " Mr. Bulton, please come this way " we are taken to a room where a judge is waiting.
• " Good afternoon, please come in and have a seat. Let's begin with the ceremony."
• " Make it quick, we're in a hurry " control yourself, Lia, all of this is a farce.
• " Of course, Mr. Bulton " the judge starts speaking, and to be honest, I completely zoned out until I hear my name being called.
• " Miss Evans."
• " Sorry, I was a bit distracted."
• " I asked if you accept to marry Mr. Bulton " I look at Maximo, and the only thing I feel like doing now is killing him, but I have no choice.
• " I do " he smiles, and then they ask him.
• " Maximo Bulton, do you accept Lia Evans as your wife?"
• " I do " we are given some papers to sign, and when we do, the judge says the famous words I didn't want to hear.
• " I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride " I look at Maximo, and without hesitation, he pulls me close to him and our lips meet in a tender kiss that I quickly break.
• " Well, Mr. Judge, thank you for your service " I say goodbye to him as well, and when we leave, I see that he can't stop smiling.
• " Are you happy? " I say sarcastically.
• " Very happy, I finally got what I wanted, and now that you are Mrs. Bulton, things are going to change."
• " Are you going to add more rules to this?"
• " I want you to start respecting me, so I don't want you near that damn guy."
• " Respect is earned, and you haven't earned mine, so go to hell " he grabs my arm forcefully and drags me into the car. When we arrive home, he grabs my arm again, dragging me to the room, and when we get there, he throws me on the bed, making me a bit scared, but all he says is,
• " You stay here until further notice " and he closes the door, locking it.
• " Open up!!! Idiot, open up " I scream and pound on the door with force, but it's useless. In the end, I give up and collapse on the floor, crying non"stop, regretting marrying him. This was all a damn mistake."
• " God, why did I accept this deal... WHY?!!!..."