Chapitre 4: Not a dream wedding

'I hope this doesn't last long." Zuri heard someone speak. However, Liam, who was standing in front of her, seemed calm and said nothing. Likewise, no one around them seemed to react. Everyone remained calm and smiling as if the wedding was a true celebration of happiness.

Zuri felt a chill deep in her bones, not because of the cold air, but from a deep uncertainty. Who was speaking? And what did those words mean?

With trembling steps, Zuri followed Liam out of the church toward the lavish wedding reception that had been prepared.

As the two of them stood in front of the wedding car, Zuri was silent for a moment. Her mind was racing. The image of her father's threat resurfaced and hit her hard. Simon and his family would be destroyed if he dared to resist. In the past, she had lost Axel because of the interference of the king, Princess Elara's father. He sent Axel to the battlefield, where he met his end at the hands of Prince Tristan. Elara could not bear to lose someone a second time. The despair she felt was so real that it left her body weak and helpless.

"Come in," Liam ordered coldly and firmly.

Zuri had no choice but to obey, even though her heart rebelled. She got into the luxury car and sat next to the man who was now officially her husband. Not a word was spoken during the entire ride. The silence in the car was suffocating, creating an invisible yet palpable distance.

The large garden behind the Harrison family's home was adorned with sparkling lights, expensive flowers, and tables full of exquisite dishes. But amidst all that opulence, Zuri felt like a puppet in a drama filled with lies.

Liam glanced at Zuri for a moment with an expressionless look, then spoke in a low tone. "We only need to endure this for a while. After that, you can live your own life, and I will live mine." After saying that, he walked toward the guests who were waiting for them.

When the party ended, and they arrived at the grand Hayes family mansion, Zuri could sense the arrogance that permeated the place. This magnificent house, though beautiful on the outside, had a cold and foreign air. It felt less like a home and more like a golden prison.

Upon entering the bridal chamber, Zuri felt suffocated. All the furniture was so luxurious, but its beauty couldn't mask the silence that filled the room. Liam, without saying a word, removed his tie and walked toward the balcony, leaving Zuri alone in the middle of the room. He seemed completely indifferent to the fact that today was their wedding day.

Zuri stared at the large mirror in the corner of the room. This was the first time she had truly looked at her reflection. The image of Zuri was so similar to Princess Elara. The story was repeating itself, and the pain was overwhelming. It wasn't Zuri's feelings but Princess Elara's that weighed on her. And her hatred for Prince Tristan, or now Liam, continued to fester. Whether in the past or present, she would always hate the man who was now officially her husband.

Not long after, Liam returned from the balcony. He walked closer and sat in a chair across from Zuri without saying a word. His handsome face remained calm, but his blue eyes were cold, as if stripping away every emotion Zuri tried to hide.

"This is a marriage neither of us wanted, but we have to play our roles," Liam said in a flat tone. "I don't care what you feel, Zuri. As long as you don't cause trouble, I won't touch you. We just need to follow the rules."

Zuri looked at Liam with eyes filled with restrained hatred. The lingering hatred from the past. But Liam was a different person. It was just that his face bore an uncanny resemblance to Prince Tristan, causing the hatred to stick with Princess Elara, now living within Zuri. But behind that hatred, a sense of relief surfaced. At least, this man didn't plan to treat her any worse than this. Still, her heart felt heavy, knowing that this marriage was merely a pact, not about love or happiness. It was just a game of power.

"What are your rules?" Zuri asked coldly, trying to establish their position in this relationship.

Liam looked at Zuri with a blank expression, as if he had anticipated the question. "Simple rules. We'll act like a couple in public, but behind closed doors, we're strangers. Don't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours."

Zuri swallowed hard. While hearing the rules gave her some relief, she still felt trapped. There were many things she still didn't fully understand about this new world, especially about who Liam really was. What made him so cold and indifferent? Zuri felt as if there was something deeper, something the man was hiding.

But Zuri didn't have time to think. She still had to find a way out of this situation without hurting the people she loved - especially Simon, who looked a lot like Axel and whose whereabouts were unknown.

"All right," Zuri replied briefly. I'll follow your rules as long as it doesn't hurt me.

Liam just nodded blankly. "You can sleep in this room. I'll move to another room."

Zuri was a little surprised but didn't show it. "Thank you," she said, though her voice sounded hollow.

"I hope she really follows my rules." Zuri once again heard that strange voice echo in her ears. Meanwhile, Liam remained calm, saying nothing.

"Did you just say something?" Zuri asked, and Liam shook his head.

"How strange, I've been hearing these odd voices lately. Is my mind playing tricks on me?" Zuri muttered to herself.

Liam didn't respond, then turned and left the room, closing the door softly behind him. Zuri was now alone again in the luxurious but cold room. She glanced around, seeing the wedding gown still wrapped around her body, a symbol of the big lie she had lived through today.

Standing in front of the mirror, she began to slowly remove the gown, trying to rid herself of the symbol of arrogance and coercion. The same feeling of helplessness haunted her again. Both women, Zuri and Elara, had been forced to live fates they never chose.

"Damn, this place is like a prison. Should I talk to the walls if I need a friend?" Zuri walked around the room, looking for a way to escape safely.

"Hmmm... it seems I could climb over this wall and get out that way." Zuri smiled to herself. Princess Elara often did this when she escaped from the palace without being caught.

Late at night, Zuri carried out her plan. The quietness of the night was her ally as she waited patiently until the entire household was asleep. When the last footsteps faded away, she sprang into action. Without wasting time, she changed into more comfortable clothes, tied up her hair, and approached the window that she had decided would be her escape route.

The window was large, but there was no balcony below it—just a tall, smooth stone wall. However, Zuri wasn't deterred. Inside her, the memory of Princess Elara kept her strong. She had done this before, escaping the palace in much the same way. This time, Zuri was confident she could do it again.

Carefully, she climbed out, her fingers searching for small cracks in the stone to support her weight. Even though her hands started to hurt and her heart raced, Zuri pressed on. Every step was a struggle between freedom and uncertainty. Finally, after what felt like hours, she reached the ground. She was out of breath, but inside, she felt a small sense of victory.

However, the freedom she sought didn't last long. As she snuck past the large garden of the Hayes family estate, a shadow suddenly emerged from behind the bushes. Zuri's heart pounded. She wanted to run, but before she could do anything, someone grabbed her arm.

"I knew you'd try to run away," a cold, familiar voice said. Zuri turned to see Liam's face, his eyes sharp and piercing.

Liam let go of her arm but remained standing in front of her, blocking her path. "Did you really think you could escape so easily? Have you forgotten who controls your life now?" His voice was low but filled with warning.

Zuri took a deep breath, holding back the anger that was building inside her.

"I don't want to live like this, Liam. You know I didn't want this marriage. I'm not a puppet you can control at will. I hate you!"

Liam stared at Zuri sharply.

"She's got some courage, very different from the others." Zuri grew frustrated as the voice of a stranger kept disturbing her ears, while Liam simply watched her in silence.

"Did you just speak to me?" she asked again, and he shook his head.

"You keep asking stupid questions," Liam replied coldly.

"Maybe there's a ghost here? Or is it the spirit of a woman seeking revenge on me for marrying you?" Zuri spoke, stepping closer to Liam.

"Enough with your nonsense. If you try to run away again and don't follow my rules, I'll make sure your entire family won't be safe." Liam spoke with chilling coldness.

In the end, Zuri followed Liam back into the house.

"Damn it, I'll find a way to escape from here, no matter what," Zuri muttered to herself.

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