Mathilda’s POV

September 28, 2017

What is the greatest regret you’ve ever faced?

If someone asked me, my greatest regret would be marrying Fredric.

Yes, this is the saddest marriage in the world.

All those stories about cruel husbands and wives trapped in forced marriages arranged by grandmothers only exist in movies.

In reality? It happened to me.

If I could cancel the wedding that took place a month ago, things wouldn’t be this bad.

“What are you doing in my bed? Get out of there!”

I turned to my right, where a tall man with an old birthmark on his left chest was glaring at me. That man is my husband — Fredric Liam Smith.

What could I do when he acted like that? Of course, I immediately got out of his way.

There was no affection, no kisses, no trace of happiness. The only time he ever showed me a kind gesture was when we were in front of his grandmother, Rosa.

Rosa is the only person in this family who truly loves me. Her care and warmth never go unnoticed, and I owe her so much.

“Mr. Fredric, tomorrow you have an appointment for—”

“Shut up! I know my schedule for tomorrow. Why are you telling me this? Since when did you become my secretary? Are you stalking me?”

See? I hadn’t even finished my sentence when Fredric immediately snapped at me.

Don’t be surprised by how I call him — I never call him love or darling. I call him Mr. Fredric.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Fredric. I didn’t mean it that way, but your secretary told me. She said they couldn’t reach you and that it was an urgent meeting.”

Fredric glared at me and quickly grabbed his phone from the table.

“Next time, get straight to the point. Just remind me to turn my phone on. You don’t need to meddle or manage my schedule, understand? Don’t bother me again! I need to rest after a whole day of pretending to be happy in this damned marriage.”

I don’t blame him. If there’s anyone to blame, it’s Rosa and me.

Rosa worried about my life after my parents died. Yes, I’ve known this family since I was a child.

My father, Goyle, was Rosa’s chauffeur. He worked for her for about twenty years or so.

Ah, remembering how loyal my father was to her and how he used to take me to play in her garden when I was little always makes me ache with nostalgia.

A heavy feeling swelled in my chest. How is my father doing in heaven? Has he reunited with my mother?

My thoughts were interrupted when Fredric’s phone rang. He immediately got up and smiled broadly at the screen.

“Baby, I waited until you fell asleep! Where are you?”

A soft, happy voice I’ve never once received from him. Guess who’s calling?

If you don’t know, let me tell you — it’s Paula, a famous model. Paula is, of course, Fredric’s girlfriend.

You might wonder how everything could fall apart after just one month of marriage. Of course — Fredric explained everything on the very day of our wedding.

“Hurry up, let’s go,” Fredric said. He seemed in a rush, leaving the bed and heading to the bathroom.

I still hadn’t moved from the sofa. Where could he possibly be taking me so late at night?

“Hey, what are you waiting for?! Didn’t you hear me?!” Fredric shouted, banging on the bathroom door.

I immediately got up and went to the wardrobe to find some clothes. A white sweater and black pants — my safest choice.

Fredric looked furious and disgusted when he came out of the bathroom.

“You’re so slow and useless. I still can’t understand why Grandma loves you so much and forced me to marry you. What value could anyone possibly see in you? You’re not even pretty, and you smell terrible! Tch! It’s disgusting having to share a bed with you, Mathilda!”

My legs trembled. His words burned and cut deep. All I could do was hold back my tears and head straight to the bathroom.

What could I do? Argue with him?

I made a promise — to Rosa and to my father — that I would endure this marriage.

My only hope is that someday, all this might change.

Yes, I still hope Fredric will eventually change how he sees me. I may not be beautiful, but my heart and feelings are always ready to love him unconditionally.

**

“How long are you going to take?! Dressing nicely won’t make me like you anyway. You still look plain and ugly in that sweater — so unfitting.”

Those insulting words greeted me as soon as I entered the car. All I could do was lower my head and fasten my seatbelt.

Fredric turned slightly toward me. He sniffed the air. What now? Do I really smell that bad?

“Ugh! You smell awful! Didn’t I give you your monthly allowance two days ago? Why didn’t you buy perfume?”

“I’m wearing perfume, Mr. Fredric. It’s just the only one I can afford… I’m sorry, but I don’t think I smell as bad as you say.”

“Your cheap perfume doesn’t reach my nose, understand? You should know who you’re with now. You’ll never earn my affection, but you’re my wife, stupid. You’ll have to meet important people often — Grandma will definitely take you to many events. You should open your eyes and learn to use luxury perfumes! Don’t embarrass our family!”

The phone rang again, catching his attention. The name Paula flashed brightly on the screen beside the gear shift. Now I understood where we were going — of course, to meet Paula.

Fredric answered immediately, “Yes, baby, I’m on my way. Wait for me.”

Right after saying that, the car began to move.

The radio was the only sound in the stillness of the night — it was already past midnight.

The grand, luxurious mansion that every girl dreams of glimmered in the rearview mirror.

I looked at Fredric — his handsome face was truly breathtaking.

What kind of dream have I been living all this time?

Here I am, in a car beside the man I’ve always admired.

Ah… if only it had all happened for love.