Chapter 1
Jonathan
I did everything I could to push her away. Anything to keep her from thinking that I could be her support or defense.
“Your father sold you out, you are a chattel, just a chattel!” I yelled, and she stood firm, just clenching her little fists. “Do you understand that?”
I repeated the question, flew up to her and looked her straight in the eye. She was still standing in her wedding dress. The snow-white fabric gently hugged her slender figure and accentuated her elegance. Her gaze was unfocused and empty. Her dress and makeup were just a mask to hide her true feelings.
“I see,” she replied.
She looked at me with her blue eyes that were like two frozen ice flakes, as if someone had magically frozen her as a child. Since childhood, she had followed her father’s will and done whatever he wanted. He was a great politician, powerful and strong. He knew that his daughter could help him achieve great success if he married her to someone. That person was me.
It was a deal in the spirit of ancient marriages, when kings and queens gave away their children in favorable alliances.
Her name is Emily Grayson. She was born and raised in the conservative family in Texas. Her father, Senator William Grayson, was a prominent religious Republican whose powerful figure dominated the political landscape of the state. He was a man of power, determination, and a clear goal to reach heights others could only dream of.
Emily grew up in an atmosphere of strict discipline and expectations. From an early age, she did everything her family wanted her to do. Her future was predetermined - to be a part of the great political game.
When Emily reached marriageable age, her father saw an opportunity for a strategic alliance.
My father, Brian Harrison, owned some of the largest media companies in the country. My family controlled several influential newspapers and television stations, as well as streaming services. And Emily’s father needed those resources.
“Jonathan, please,” she begged, not knowing what she was asking.
The first time I saw her, I had been impressed. She was beautiful, with long, dark hair that fell to her shoulders. Her skin was flawless, as light as porcelain. Her eyes were full of a quiet sadness that was impossible to ignore.
She had a graceful and delicate look, like a doll’s. She had a high forehead and straight nose, and her lips were sensual, but she rarely smiled. When she looked at me, I felt her gaze penetrate me, as if she wanted to know the depths of my soul. It was like she needed support, but I wasn’t the man for her.
“You’re a thing, a chattel! You’ve been sold, and I’m going to use you like any other object in this house. Is that clear?” I snarled as hard as I could.
I was seething with anger like I had never felt before. Not only was I being forced into marriage when I hadn’t asked for it, but now I was tied to a girl I hadn’t known for more than a week. And I wasn’t going to be the perfect husband.
Most of all, I was angry at Emily’s parents. I knew her father was asshole. But how could her mother be so controlling and heartless?
Emily was shaking all over, but she held back her tears as best she could. She’d always handled herself with incredible dignity and grace, even today, at the wedding. She’d smiled and accepted congratulations. Her father had told her not to mess up, and she hadn’t. She was the perfect bride. And that was the third and most important reason for my anger. How could she be so subservient to the will of a man, even your own father? She deserved better and I couldn’t give it to her.
“I understand, Mr. Harrison,” she said with a hint of pain in her voice.
My anger reached its peak. I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and shake her and tell her to stop being so submissive. I want her to show character, her true self. Especially now that her father couldn’t see her, she could show her strength, she could be herself. But she just agreed. Well, if that’s the case, let’s see how far we can go, shall we?
“Say that again!”
She stirred and looked at me with fear in her eyes.
Her movements had always been smooth and confident, but now it was as if I had broken her. She, who had always been a perfect lady, raised in the spirit of old traditions, cried in front of me, forgetting everything.
“Repeat: I am your chattel,” I demanded.
" I… am your chattel,” she repeated without hesitation.
What a wild thing to say! Now I was angry with myself. As if I had committed a crime, as if I had killed an innocent animal. What a fuck. I was an asshole too. I knew it. I turned around and went to my office to get drunk tonight.
I saw how defenseless and helpless she was, I could have been the one to give her support and protection. But I was as much a victim in that marriage as she was. I didn’t need any of this. It was a conspiracy by our fathers, determined to get to the top of power, to scrape together more millions, even though their accounts are full of money. As if their arrangement wouldn’t matter without our marriage. But it was safer that way.
I’d been with the company for almost five years, starting at the lowest level. When I was a student, I was given a project that I’d taken all the way to the top. Social media was my secret. If you want to reach a new and young audience, just use social media wisely. I did that and now I was one of the managers.
I got my chair not because of my father, but because of my talent and my ability. And Emily’s father knew that I was the one who could attract a young audience that would soon be ready to vote for the first time. And I had to play my part in this devious scheme. And as a reward, I got a wife. I didn’t need that kind of reward.
I went into the office and poured whiskey into a glass, then took a swig. Tonight is our wedding night, but I didn’t need all that. I didn’t want to sleep with her, I didn’t want to touch her. I didn’t need this marriage or my new young wife.
