CHAPTER 1 — FAKE WEDDING

ERICA’S POV

The people applauded as they gazed at us with admiration. We had just finished our garden wedding, and there weren't many guests in attendance—only our close acquaintances, friends, and family.

I was incredibly happy. I had finally married the person I loved most, the man I wanted to cherish for the rest of my life.

Troy Sandoval.

I loved Troy so much. That was why I didn't hesitate to say yes when he proposed to me. We'd been together as a couple for almost a year, and we hadn't encountered any major problems. Every day, he made me feel special.

Troy was caring, kind, and, most importantly, thoughtful. That was how I had come to know him throughout our nearly year-long relationship, and it was why I had quickly fallen in love with him. Through him, I found my dream guy—the kind of man I believed was enough for me.

And now, here we were, officially married.

I was Mrs. Sandoval.

My dream had finally come true.

After the ceremony, we headed straight to one of the hotels owned by SGC, or Sandoval Group of Companies, where our wedding reception would take place. We traveled in a convoy, with some of our guests following behind us.

We sat quietly inside the car. Perhaps Troy was tired, so I let him rest for a while. We hadn't even discussed where we would go for our honeymoon. Maybe we'd talk about it after the reception.

Days, weeks, and months passed, and our married life with Troy was going well. Of course, occasional arguments were inevitable, which was normal for couples.

Troy was often away from home. When he wasn't attending business meetings, he was on business trips. I always tried to understand him. Maybe his job was that important. Being the chairman of SGC wasn't easy.

He always came home tired, and sometimes, he couldn't help but be in a bad mood.

But today was different.

It felt like I was talking to a completely different Troy.

He had just come home from the office.

“Oh, babe, you're home already. Why did you come home early? Are you tired?” I asked as I approached him and gave him a kiss and a hug.

But he didn't even look at me.

He wore a frown, his brows deeply furrowed.

“Babe, is something wrong?” I asked again.

He didn't react. He simply stood there, staring at me as if I had done something wrong.

I tried to ignore it.

“Change your clothes,” I told him as I began unbuttoning his shirt.

Suddenly, he spoke.

“Bitch!”

I froze at his words.

He grabbed my chin and lifted it, forcing me to look at him.

“Haven't you been wanting to know your place in my life for a long time? I'll answer that now so you'll know and remember it.”

His grip on my chin tightened.

“A bitch. That's it!”

He spat the words out angrily.

I pushed him away because I couldn't comprehend what he was saying. I couldn't understand him anymore.

Yes, there were times when I questioned how much he loved me and what place I held in his life whenever we argued. Lately, it seemed as though he had changed. He had become distant and different.

Whenever I asked him about it, he wouldn't answer me. He would simply turn away and avoid the conversation.

“Are you satisfied with my answer?” he added.

Then, he pushed me, and I fell onto the bed.

“Troy, why? What did I do wrong? Did I make a mistake? Why are you so angry with me?!” I asked in confusion.

But instead of answering me, he turned away and quickly left the room without even glancing in my direction.

I cried silently and buried my face in the pillow, hoping no one would hear me.

I thought about what I had done, but I couldn't think of a single reason for him to be so angry or say such hurtful things to me.

Until I drifted off into my thoughts.

3RD PERSON POV

Troy was drinking in the library when his cellphone rang.

“What is it?” he asked the person on the line.

“Mr. Chairman, as a well-known figure in the business world, there are rumors that you're planning to start a new business. Is that true? What kind of business is my friend thinking of starting this time?”

“Can it wait, Ryan? Not now. Let's talk another day, okay?”

“W-wait—”

Troy didn't hear Ryan's next words because he had already hung up the phone.

Ryan was one of the shareholders of SGC and also his friend.

Troy downed the rest of his bottle of alcohol.

He was in a terrible mood.

After leaving the office, he had gone straight to the hospital to visit his brother. However, the doctor told him that there was still no progress in his condition.

Frustrated and overwhelmed, Troy had taken out his anger on Erica.

ERICA’S POV

When I woke up, I quickly went downstairs and saw that Troy was already leaving the library.

I approached him, thinking he was in a better mood.

“Um, babe, maybe you're just tired, or perhaps you had a tough day at the office. Come on, I'll give you a massage,” I offered.

I was about to place my hand on his shoulder when, unexpectedly, he grabbed me by the waist and kissed me abruptly, as if he were venting his frustration.

His actions left me deeply puzzled, but I chose to dismiss them. I had missed him, so I kissed him back, tasting the hint of alcohol on his lips.

Had he been drinking?

However, he suddenly pushed me away and gave me a bitter look.

“Do you know how important it is for a person to have self-awareness? I'm sure you know what your position is. Remember your identity. You're not my wife! You're just my maid!”

When he said those words, it felt as though daggers were stabbing into my heart one after another.

He didn't even think twice before saying them. It was as if he didn't care whether he hurt me or not.

A pang of pain struck me, and the memory of his wedding vows flashed through my mind.

Had he forgotten those words?

“Troy, how can you say that? I'm your wife! Don't you have any pity for me?” I asked bravely.

“You've turned my heart into steel. Have you ever heard of steel having emotions?” he responded.

I was confused by what he said. I had no idea why he was so angry.

“So now your heart is made of steel? Since when, huh? Troy, what's the problem?! Why don't you want to tell me?” I asked repeatedly, struggling to hold back my tears.

He didn't answer me because his attention was suddenly diverted to the door when someone knocked.

“Who's that?!” he yelled.

“It's me, Boss.”

Dino's voice came from outside the door. Maybe he was scared of his master and could sense his bad mood.

“Get out!” Troy ordered.

“Boss, the doctor said he's slowly regaining consciousness,” Dino added.

Troy was shocked by Dino's statement. He immediately left the house without even looking back or saying goodbye.

“Troy!” I called after him, but it seemed he didn't hear me.

I sighed and decided to wait again until he came home.

But who was Dino referring to?

Why did Troy react with such sudden concern?

Was he hiding something from me?