Duress

"You did everything you could, even pulled some dirty tricks, just to marry me. Fine, you get your wish, but I have my terms. You're never to interfere with any of my decisions after we're married. And you're forbidden from going home to your family. You will stay with mine and serve my parents like a servant. And you'll serve me and Zacharias!"

A maid presented us with a prenup. It clearly said '50% of the Shaws' assets. Wedding gift.'

I clenched my hands hard, refusing to sign the paper, and when I raised my head, my eyes were red with fury. "You're not the woman I'm marrying, Rachel!"

That was the chance her mother needed. She slapped me again. "And you call your family top of the line. You can't even control your emotions! I'm going to teach you a lesson! Your parents failed you, but I won't! You will not embarrass my family!"

And the abuse began. I suffered slap after slap until I lost count. And then I was forced to stamp the papers they gave me.

When they let me go, they ordered me to wear a plain suit the next day. Why? Because I wasn't allowed to outshine Rachel's father and Zacharias.

What a joke. Like I was going to listen to them.

…

The engagement party was the next day. I wore the black suit I designed anyway. My parents were talking to the Olivieras inside, while I was receiving the guests at the entrance.

It wasn't until noon that the Osbornes came, and they were surrounded by sycophants. They made sure they dressed to kill. Zacharias was holding Rachel's hand. He was in black, while she was in a white gown. They were the picture of a perfect couple.

Rachel's father would've been simpering at everyone at any other time, but this time, he puffed his chest out and thought everyone was beneath him. He thought he was the guest of honor here.

When they saw me wearing an eye-catching suit, Rachel's mother was black as thunder. "Where are your parents? I want to talk to them! You dare to disobey your elders! Your family's etiquette is questionable!"

I really did not want to start a scene here. The guests were rich, powerful, and famous. "My parents are inside. If you want to see them, go in—"

Rachel's mother jabbed my right shoulder with her nasty finger. "No, tell them to get out here to see me!"

I frowned and moved away. From the corner of my eye, I saw Rachel coming to me, but the look on her face was icy. She stood with me, obviously trying to welcome the guests as well. "You got your wish. I bet you're happy. But don't get too happy. You might've gotten my body, but you'll never have my heart."

The hatred in her voice could melt the ground around her. She made it sound like I'd ruined her whole life.

"You got it all wrong, Rachel. Today, I—"

"You're ignoring me? Did you forget how you begged for my favor yesterday?" Rachel's mother raised her voice. She scrolled through her phone and played the video of me prostrating before her. The woman made sure she held it up high for everyone to see.

The guests were shocked. Some even recorded a video with their phones.

The reporters were stopped before they could come in, but they noticed the commotion and broke through the line.

"Mr. Shaw, is this your soon-to-be mother-in-law teaching you a lesson?"

"Why did you prostrate before her? Does this mean you've submitted to her? Is your family submitting itself to hers?"

I inhaled sharply and summoned my bodyguards. Then, I pulled on Rachel's arm. "Tell your mother to stop that video!"

She pulled her arm away and adjusted her dress coolly. "Humiliating you isn't a bad thing if it means you'll learn how to respect your in-laws."

"Your family is unbelievable! A babbling, bumbling band of baboons!"

"You begged for my hand in marriage. You cannot mock my family!"

That was it. I had had enough. I grabbed the glass on the table and was about to hurl it at the bitch, but then someone held my hand. It was a gentle grip.

I turned around and was met with a woman in white. Seraphina. The look in her eyes was calm but sharp. "Ms. Osborne, how dare your mother make my fiance bow to her. She will wish she was never born."