Chapter 4

The doors opened. Countless spotlights shone on Alexia. Before her was a huge wedding ceremony. The hall was filled with guests and thunderous applause. Clenching her fists, Alexia began walking down the red carpet. Smiling, the emcee said, "Now, let us welcome the groom onstage!" However, the end of the red carpet was empty. The emcee was stunned. At once, the hall was in an uproar. The groom, nowhere to be seen on his wedding day? Just what was happening? Victor was so furious that he turned red and purple. Calvin, that bastard! How dare he cause such a scene during the wedding ceremony? He immediately dialed Calvin's number. However, all he received was an automated reply. The guests began gossiping, mocking Alexia. The awkwardness in the hall was through the roof. Victor waved his arm, and his bodyguards immediately went up to him. With a steely expression, he said, "Get Calvin here!" Then, he shot the emcee a look. The emcee was alert. He continued hosting the ceremony, showering the bride with praise and blessings. Among the guests was someone called Daniel Porter. He was munching on the snacks. He took out his phone and started a video chat. Moments later, Calvin appeared on his screen. "So, you mean to say that I rushed over here just for your wedding, and you're standing everybody up?" Daniel said sarcastically. "She's not the woman I wanted to marry," Calvin said. "Your grandpa's about to explode with anger." Calvin couldn't be bothered to be all long-winded. "Come out to the front hall. I'll wait for you there." "I'm busy attending your wedding ceremony, though." Daniel was smiling from ear to ear. He turned the camera to the middle of the hall. "Look at the poor, lonely bride." Calvin was nonchalant. "If you went up there, she wouldn't be lonely anywhere." "Pah." Just then, the emcee announced, "Now, let the couple exchange the rings." The guests watched the pitiful bride, waiting in anticipation. How was she going to proceed with that? "The groom's not even here. How can they exchange the rings?" Daniel mumbled. Calvin ignored him, looking thoughtfully at Alexia. She was poised, as if unaware of everyone's whispers and judgment. This was her mother's wish. She was going to complete the ceremony no matter what, even if she was the laughingstock of the town. "Give me the groom's ring," she said. She took the ring that the emcee handed her. Lowering her gaze, she put the ring on herself. Calvin's eyes dimmed upon seeing that. So, Alexia was willing to endure this much humiliation, all just to marry into the Reeds. She was definitely resilient. Disinterested, he hung up and walked out of the Reed residence. Hailey squatted on the floor. She had been waiting at the door for a very long time. The moment she saw Calvin, she gathered up her skirt and ran over to him. "Mr. Reed, isn't it our wedding day today? Why are you regretting it? Did I do something wrong?" She was panicking on the inside. Had Calvin figured out the truth about that night in the hotel? She wished she could ask him about it, but she didn't have the guts to do so. It was all she could do to ask indirect questions. "There's been an unexpected turn of events. It has nothing to do with you. The wedding is canceled for now." At once, Hailey's eyes watered. "I feel so incredibly happy to have given you my first time. I've never even thought about things like status, because I knew I wasn't worthy of you. But now that the wedding is canceled, everyone is pointing and talking about it. My mom passed out because she couldn't handle the shock, and I had no idea what was happening…" She was the picture of innocence and pity. Calvin's heart thumped on his chest. After all, she had given him her first time, and now her wedding was robbed. He was bound to feel a little guilty. "Don't worry. I will marry you. It's just that I can't do it right now." Hailey wiped away her tears. "How long would I have to wait?" "Eight months." Hailey widened her eyes in shock and cried out in disbelief. "That long?" "I won't force you to wait if you can't. I'll compensate you for the canceled wedding." "I can wait. As long as you're willing to marry me, I'll wait for you no matter how long it takes." She immediately agreed to it, not daring to express her sadness anymore. "Alright. I'm sorry that you'll have to put up with the pain for a while." There was still, however, a knot in Hailey's chest. She said warily, "Why are you marrying my sister, Mr. Reed? Have you known her for a long time?" "I don't know her, and I've never seen her. The only reason why I'm marrying her is because our grandparents arranged it," he said indifferently. Hailey was finally relieved. "It's your wedding day, Mr. Reed. You should go to the ceremony and do it with her. I shall go home now," she said, putting on an air of understanding. However, her heart was dripping with venom. She was so close to being Mrs. Reed. Yet, now she had to sit and watch in silence as Calvin and that little bitch Alexia marry each other. Hatred filled her soul. Calvin's gaze rested on her dress. "I'll send you home," he said lightly. Hailey smiled at once. She affectionately put her arm around his. "Okay." The ceremony ended in the evening. Martha brought Alexia to her room. The room was lavishly decorated, oozing splendor. She'd had a very tiring day. Her feet were full of blisters from her high heels. She took off her wedding dress and showered. Then, she climbed into bed. It was hard to sleep in a strange environment. She tossed and turned, finally going to sleep after a long, long time. That night, Calvin never returned home, and Alexia never cared. … At 8:00 am the next morning, Martha brought Alexia to the main hall to greet Victor. Victor looked at the beautiful, delicate maiden before him in growing satisfaction. "Did you sleep well last night, Lexi?" "Quite well. The room was very comfortable." "I'm sorry for the embarrassment you endured yesterday. I'll make it up to you, don't worry." Right after he said that, footsteps sounded. Alexia turned to look. The missing Calvin walked in, his handsome face illuminating the room. Victor slammed his palm against the table and roared, "So, you're back, are you?!" "Yeah," Calvin replied indifferently. Victor was infuriated by his response. "You bastard! How dare you be absent at your own wedding ceremony? You have completely embarrassed the Reeds!" "You forced me to marry another woman against my will. I'm not holding it against you because you're my elder. Agreeing to marry her is already the most that I will do. As for the ceremony… hmph." Calvin scoffed. "You scoundrel!" Victor raised his whip in fury. It caught on a mug, sending it to the floor where it shattered into pieces. The atmosphere in the room immediately grew tense. Alexia held her breath in fear. "Do you think you can do whatever you want just because you're the head of Reed Group now? Well, not while I'm still alive and breathing!" Victor yelled, "Take that shirt off!" Victor pulled his shirt off nonchalantly. "Do it." He was still an arrogant asshole even though he was about to be whipped. That made Victor even angrier, and he slammed the whip heavily onto Calvin's body. It made a loud smack as it hit his flesh. A few lashes later, Calvin's skin turned red and began to bleed. Alexia looked at Calvin in fear. He was still putting on an expression of indifference, not even making a sound. Victor wasn't intending on stopping at just that. Alexia frowned and rushed toward him, stopping him. "Mr. Reed, blame me instead for marrying him so suddenly and ruining his wedding. This all started because of me. You should punish me instead. Otherwise, I won't be able to handle the guilt." Victor shot Alexia an icy gaze. What a pretentious bitch. Alexia lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze. Victor saw the exchange between them, and he roared, "What are you glaring at her for? You're such a fucking prick!" Calvin wasn't bothered by that at all. He said coldly, "Are you done? If you are, I'm going to the company for a meeting." Victor placed a hand over his chest, this close to passing out in anger. "The ceremony is over, but you haven't signed your wedding certificate yet. Go to the City Hall right now and get that certificate signed." Ten minutes later, Calvin and Alexia sat in the black car. She sat near the window. The atmosphere in the car was heavy and tense. 40 minutes later, they arrived at the City Hall. After filling up the forms, they were brought to a place to take wedding photos. The photographer was unsatisfied even after several shots. "Could you stand a little closer to each other and look a little cozier? This is a marriage, not an execution." Calvin remained cold and icy, refusing to budge. Alexia tilted her shoulder toward him, leaning in a little. Calvin shot her a death glare. A chill went up her spine and froze her limbs. "I just want to get the photos done quickly. You probably don't want to keep getting photographed, either." Calvin said nothing, steeling his expression. The photographer was still not happy. "Both of you, smile." Smile? Alexia couldn't. She moved her lips upward slightly. Calvin's patience had run out. With an icy glare, he said, "Just take the photos as is." The photographer dared not make any more requests. Trembling, he pressed the shutter. After stamping on the certificate, the employee handed it to them. Everything felt unreal to Alexia until she finally walked out of the City Hall. It was like she was in a dream. Just like that, she was married. Calvin got into the car without so much as casting her a second glance. He left. Alexia took a cab back to the Reed residence. It had been a grueling two days. She was completely depleted of energy. She fell onto the bed and fell asleep at once. In her dreams, a horrid wolf with shining green eyes chased after her while she ran desperately. Suddenly, she lost her footing and fell down a cliff. Alexia woke up in shock, only to see Calvin standing in front of her bed, looking down at her in disdain. Why was he back so suddenly? Her eyes widened, her sleepiness vanishing in an instant. "Why are you back?" "This is my room," Calvin said coldly. Hearing that, Alexia got off the bed and walked toward the sofa. Calvin took off his shirt, leaving only his pants on. Fear crept up Alexia's chest. Someone knocked on the door. Alexia walked over, opening it. Martha stood at the door. "Mrs. Reed, this is Mr. Calvin's medicine. Please take it to him." "Alright." Alexia closed the door and walked into the room. Calvin's back was facing her. The wounds on his back from the whip were on display, a shocking sight. She handed him the medicine. Calvin rubbed it on the lower half of his body, then struggled to reach his upper half. He just couldn't get to it no matter how hard he tried. Seeing his struggle, Alexia said in guilt, "Let me help." Calvin ignored her. He hadn't even bothered to turn to look at her. Alexia didn't try asking again. But right when she lay down on the sofa, Calvin's cold voice sounded, "Put this on me." Alexia had no choice but to put her shoes back on. She had to obey his orders as long as she lived under his roof. Using a stick of cotton, she carefully dabbed the medicine on his wounds. Up close, she could see just how badly he was hurt. When the alcohol touched his wounds, Calvin frowned, moving his back slightly. Out of habit, Alexia blew on his skin. Her hot breath stung his wounds like a jolt of electricity running through his body. Calvin tensed his body. "What are you doing?" he asked crossly. Alexia was startled by his voice. Her fingers slipped, and the cotton rammed right into his wounds. Calvin hissed in pain, his body tensing up. Now, he was even more hurt than before. Alexia was engulfed in fear. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that. You startled me and I slipped," she explained hurriedly. "What were you doing? What did you blow on me for? Are you trying to seduce me or something?" "Not at all. Whenever I fell down when I was a child, my mother would tell me to blow on where it hurt. Then, it wouldn't hurt anymore," Alexia said softly. Calvin narrowed his eyes and scoffed. "That's so fucking childish. You can stop with the act!" Alexia said nothing else, putting the medicine on him quietly. Soon, the night passed. Alexia had no desire to sleep at all whilst Calvin slept soundly. This was her first time sleeping in the same room as him. She was anxious and nervous. Since she hadn't slept much, dark eye circles appeared on her face the next morning at the breakfast table. Victor sat at the head of the table while she and Calvin sat next to each other. Although breakfast was splendid, the air in the room was the opposite. It was dark and gloomy. With her lack of appetite, Alexia only managed to eat some oatmeal. Victor glanced at Calvin and said, "She should visit her family today. You must remember to bring her home after breakfast. There's a tradition to this."