Ava's Pov

I looked up to the mirror, my chest slightly heaving. The red silk dress that I had gotten just yesterday hung beautifully to my figure, the small train resting on the mahogany floors.

I ran my hand slowly over my waist, my wedding ring shining in the light of the room. My eyes slowly fell on the reflection of my husband behind me. A sad smile rested on my face.

He was looking away, fixing his tie. Just like I was seeing him for the first time, my heart skipped a beat, and I could feel myself going hot again.

Jerome Parker, my husband, is the most perfect man ever. Three years ago, I was lucky enough to marry him, and even though he was mostly cold, I believed I could love him for both of us.

A small smile lit up my eyes as I watched him adjust his tie, then look up to me. His dark blue eyes met mine in the mirror, and I couldn't bring myself to look away.

I still couldn't believe that after three years, we were finally celebrating our marriage.

Being married to Jerome has been rather peculiar. He was aloof, cold, and I very well knew that he wasn't in love with me. But at least, to my knowledge, he wasn't in love with any other women, so in my mind, I did win.

I was still the woman he came home to, and just two weeks ago, when he had been drunk, and for the very first time ever since we got married, he shared a bed with me, I was convinced that my patience was finally paying off.

That, and the fact that he has taken time out of his very busy schedule to organize a ball to celebrate our anniversary. I can't still believe it, and seeing him get ready with me... it was surreal.

"Is there something on my face,Ava?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

I shook my head, electricity coursing through my spine just from the deep baritone of his voice.

I turned away, speechless, and started to reach for the zipper of my dress. My hair kept getting in the way, and I let out a small groan as I tried to pull it upwards.

"Wait," Jerome suddenly said behind me, and I immediately obeyed.

He covered the distance to me and gently pushed my hair away, till the full strands were falling across my shoulder. I couldn't take my eyes off his cold reflection.

I swallowed hard as I turned slightly. He has seen me naked only once, that night several weeks ago, and just the idea of him seeing my back did something to me. I have barely been able to think of anything beyond that night, and it still drives me absolutely crazy every time I let it.

He pulled the zipper gently before stepping away. I let out a small sigh.

"Thank you."

He nodded, then turned away, grabbing his phone. "Don't be late." With a cold tone.

My brows furrowed, and I turned to him just before he reached the door of the bedroom we were supposed to share. The matrimonial bedroom he had only slept in once in our entire three year marriage.

"Late? I thought we were going together?"

I mean, it made sense. We are going to the same place. We got ready together. It made sense for us to go together. Plus, it is our anniversary ball. Why would the couple of the day arrive in different cars? I was already having a bad feeling about it.

He turned, his eyes cold, emotionless, like they always were. When he got married to me, when he took my first time. His eyes had always been so unemotional and no matter how hard I tried he'd never once smiled at me genuinely.

“I've got a guest waiting for me and I'll be riding with my beautiful guest.. How you get there doesn't concern me.”

“You can choose not to show up anyway, that's your damn problem.”

My heart sank to my feet, and my stomach dropped.

His words were like a two way knife which pierced my heart.

Without another word, he turned away, leaving me standing there, while I wallowed in self pity.

No matter how hard I tried Jerome Would never look at me with Love and affection.

Sometimes, it does get hard to love a man who was so obviously not in love with me. On days like these, I wanted to walk away. But I loved him too much. Way too much.

I slowly sat on the edge of the bed, tears filling my eyes rapidly. It broke something inside of me that he found me so loathsome, so unbearable that he could neither force himself to sleep beside me or even sit next to me in a car.

I couldn't stop wondering why he'd hated me to this point. I knew what I was getting into by making the marriage possible but no matter how many times I experienced his cruelty I could never get used to it.

I looked up to the mirror, then shook my head and blinked back the tears . He was, at least, celebrating our marriage. That has to be something, right?

I nodded to myself and quickly wore my shoes, then grabbed my purse and walked to the door. I stopped and turned to the now empty room. I wasn't forgetting anything. The custom necklace I had ordered as an anniversary gift was tucked away carefully in my purse, and that was the only thing I really needed tonight.

I closed the door and ran down the long spiral stairs of the Parker mansion, then made my way towards the main door. My legs almost gave way as I walked.

I was just in time to see Jerome's car leaving, and I had to fight off the sadness I felt. The feeling of being unwanted always. I took a deep breath with my eyes closed as I tried to fight back the tears that had clouded my vision.

I kept reminding myself that this was what I signed up for when I made him marry me.

"Ma'am?"

I turned to the driver, who politely ushered me to the parked car.

I gave him a small smile before walking in front of him. He opened the door, and I got into the back seat, all the while, wishing that would be my husband. I would give anything in the world to have Jerome look at me with even the tiniest bit of affection.

I closed my eyes as the car started, leaning back on the chair. My phone started to ring, and I looked down at the screen.

It was Autumn, my older step sister.

I accepted the call, then brought the phone to my ear.

"I bet you are excited for tonight?" Her shriek voice almost ruined my ear buds.

I forced a smile. "Sure. Are you coming?"

"Trust me, Love. I'm on my way right now with a huge Surprise," she said with a chuckle. "Hurry up, lil sis. I don't want the night to start without you."

Before I could reply, she ended the call. I looked down at the phone, a sudden feeling of dread settling in my stomach. Something felt wrong... and at this point, I am not sure I want to find out.