The Golden Handcuffs

Chapter 1: The Golden Handcuffs

The wedding day was not a happy day for Aries. Most girls dream of wearing a big white dress and walking down the aisle to the man they love. But for Aries, the white dress felt like a heavy weight, and the man waiting for her at the altar felt like a stranger who hated her.

Julian Thorne stood at the front of the church. He was very handsome in his black suit, but his face was as hard as stone. He did not look like a groom who was excited to see his bride. He looked like a man who was waiting for a business meeting to end.

As Aries walked down the aisle, she could feel the eyes of hundreds of people on her. The church was filled with flowers that smelled too sweet. It was all a show. This was the "Wedding of the Century," but to Aries, it felt like a trap.

She looked to the side and saw Natasha. Natasha was supposed to be her best friend. She was standing there as the maid of honor, wearing a fake smile. Aries felt a sharp pain in her heart. She knew that just last night, Natasha had been with Julian. They thought Aries was stupid. They thought she didn't know about their secret love.

Aries reached the altar. Julian didn't even take her hand. He just stared straight ahead.

"We are gathered here today," the priest began.

Aries stopped listening. She thought about how she got here. Her family’s business was in trouble, and Julian’s grandfather, Arthur Thorne, was the only one who could save it. Arthur loved Aries. He thought she was the only woman strong enough to handle his grandson. He told Julian, "If you don't marry Aries, you will lose your position as CEO. I will give the company to someone else."

Julian loved power more than anything. So, he agreed to the marriage. But he told Aries in private, "I will marry you, but I will never love you. You are just a contract to me."

"I do," Julian said. His voice was loud and cold.

"I do," Aries said. Her voice was quiet but firm.

The priest smiled. "You may now kiss the bride."

Julian leaned in. He didn't kiss her lips. He brushed his cheek against hers and whispered so only she could hear, "Don't get used to this, Aries. As soon as the cameras are off, I'm leaving."

The Cold Reception

The party after the wedding was even worse. Everyone was dancing and drinking expensive wine. Julian spent the whole time talking to businessmen. He ignored Aries completely.

Aries sat at the main table, picking at her food. Natasha walked up to her, holding a glass of champagne.

"You look beautiful, Aries," Natasha said with a sneaky grin. "But you look a bit lonely. Where is your new husband?"

"He’s busy, Natasha. You know how he is," Aries replied, trying to keep her voice calm.

"I do know," Natasha whispered, leaning in close. "I know exactly how he is. Just because you have a ring on your finger doesn't mean he belongs to you. He was with me last night, and he’ll be with me tonight."

Aries felt like she wanted to cry, but she wouldn't let Natasha see her hurt. She stood up straight and looked Natasha in the eye. "Then why is he wearing a ring with my name on it? If he wanted you, he would have fought for you. But he chose his money and his company over you. Remember that."

Natasha’s face turned red with anger. She turned and walked away.

The First Night

Later that night, Aries and Julian arrived at their new home. It was a giant penthouse apartment with glass walls that showed the whole city. It was beautiful, but it felt empty and cold.

Julian threw his keys on the table and started to take off his tie.

"There are two bedrooms," Julian said without looking at her. "I’ll take the one on the left. You take the one on the right. My life is my own. I will come and go as I please. You will do the same."

"Fine," Aries said. "But we have rules, Julian. Your grandfather will be watching us. If he finds out you are still seeing Natasha, he will take the company away. I won't let you ruin my family’s safety because you can't keep your hands off my 'best friend.'"

Julian turned around. He walked toward her until he was standing very close. He was much taller than her, and his presence was intimidating. "Are you threatening me, Aries?"

"I'm protecting myself," she said, not backing down.

Julian looked at her for a long time. He noticed the way her eyes sparked when she was angry. Usually, women were shy around him. They did whatever he wanted. But Aries was different. She was like a fire that he couldn't put out.

"One year," Julian said. "We stay married for one year. After that, we get a divorce, and I give you enough money to live comfortably forever."

"Deal," Aries said.

She turned and walked toward her bedroom. As she closed the door, she leaned against it and took a deep breath. She was married to a man who loved someone else. She was surrounded by lies. But as she looked at her reflection in the mirror, she made a promise to herself. She wouldn't be a victim. She would make Julian Thorne regret every mean word he ever said to her.

A New Beginning

The next morning, the sun rose over the city. Aries woke up and went to the kitchen to make coffee. She found Julian there, looking at his phone. He looked tired.

"The news is calling us the 'Perfect Couple,'" Julian said, showing her a headline on his phone.

Aries took the phone and laughed. It was a photo of them at the wedding, looking happy. "We are very good actors, Julian."

"We have to keep it up," Julian said. "There is a brunch today with my grandfather. He wants to see how his 'favorite couple' is doing."

Aries nodded. "Then let's get ready. But Julian? If you smell like Natasha’s perfume, I’m going to tell your grandfather everything."

Julian glared at her, but for the first time, he didn't have a comeback. He watched her walk away, and a small part of him wondered if this marriage was going to be more difficult than he thought. He had expected a quiet, boring wife. Instead, he got Aries.

The battle had just begun.

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