Sacred Hatred

Rose hid her fingers, which kept fidgeting nervously, and put on a calm face for everyone in the room. Her eyes glanced at the clock as it kept ticking.

"This beautiful gown really enhances your beauty," praised the stylist who was helping her put on the gown.

"Thank you." She forced a smile.

"Now I'll put the crown on." The stylist placed the crown, which was attached to a long veil, on her head.

The veil gave her just enough space to close her eyes and hope for Levin's presence.

"Please leave us alone."

That deep voice made her turn around. A sigh of relief and a happy smile appeared as the man walked toward her.

That piercing gaze made her happiness retreat.

"Do you accept this marriage?" His voice returned to its calm, cold tone.

"I will destroy you." That strong resolve weighed heavily on her chest.

A small, trembling smile accompanied the shrinking distance between them. "It would be easier if you loved me."

Levin roughly grabbed the back of her neck, so close she could feel his hot breath. "Loving you will be my downfall."

Rose could clearly see the hatred in his green eyes. "We'll see who falls first."

His grip slowly loosened; the man took a step back before turning and walking away.

Rose took a deep breath before the grand doors opened; her feet began to walk steadily down the aisle lined with flowers, and she could feel all eyes fixed on her without exception. Levin's gaze felt so dark.

Her steps halted when she reached the altar; she released her father's hand and took Levin's cold outstretched hand. For the first time, their hands were intertwined.

The wedding ceremony began; the atmosphere in the grand ballroom grew quiet and solemn, with only the officiant's voice audible.

"Levin Stuart, do you take Rose Wilson to be your lawful wife, to live together in the sacred bond of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and cherish her, in good times and in bad, and be faithful to her for the rest of your lives?"

Rose glanced sideways, her heart racing as she waited for Levin's answer.

"I do."

A sweet, relieved smile spread across her beautiful face.

The officiant asked her the same question.

"I do."

The officiant asked them to exchange vows; now their eyes met, their hands once again intertwined.

"I swear, as long as I'm with you, I will make the most of my time." Levin gripped Rose's fingers very tightly. "To love you."

He held back the pain radiating from his fingers. "I swear, to love you sincerely and with all my heart."

His sincere gaze stood in stark contrast to the hatred that continued to be directed at him.

The officiant presented a pair of rings he had blessed. "These rings are a circle and a symbol of love that has no beginning and no end. May these rings remind you of the vows you have made today."

That symbol of their vows now rested on each of their ring fingers.

"Now that you have committed yourselves to one another through sacred vows and the exchange of rings, I hereby declare you husband and wife. You may kiss your wife."

"I refuse to kiss her."

That refusal startled everyone and caused a murmur to ripple through the crowd.

Rose clenched her trembling hands and gave the officiant her sweetest smile. "We'll do it in our private room."

Her reply was enough to ease the tension that had arisen, but not enough to silence the voices.

*****

Their first night together finally arrived, after a long and exhausting day. Rose turned on the shower, hoping the warm water would wash away the heaviness she felt from the rejection she'd received.

She walked into the living room wearing her nightgown; seeing her husband's weary back, she poured two glasses of wine to accompany them.

"Have a drink." Rose placed one glass among the scattered papers.

That glance made her smile slightly. "There's no poison in it."

Those green eyes returned to the document Rose had given him the other day.

"Did you like the gift I gave you?" He took a sip of the wine in his hand.

Levin took off his glasses and stared at her intently. "I'll fix the gift you gave me."

"No need," she set her wine glass on the table. "I gave it to you so you'd know how much you mean to me."

"What did you say?!" His deep voice began to rise.

"This hydrogen core is incredibly precious and valuable-just as you are to me." Rose folded her arms across her chest. "I will make up for your father's failure and make it even greater and priceless."

Her honesty only deepened the hatred in the man's beautiful eyes. "I won't fall into your trap again."

"There are no more traps for you, because you've sworn to love me."

"I will love your destruction." That sincerity wounded her heart.

Her smile widened to keep her tears from falling. "I'm glad my ruin has become your goal."

'Drtt..Drt.'

Levin's phone screen lit up, showing an incoming call from Liana.

Rose clutched her nightgown as Levin picked up the phone at the end of the table.

"Are you going to make that smart woman your mistress?" She was afraid her husband would leave her alone on their wedding night.

"I won't let you belittle her." Levin refused the call, staring at her.

She breathed a sigh of relief; that hatred was keeping her husband from leaving.

Sunlight touched Rose's sleeping face through the open window; the light woke her. She got out of bed and walked over to Levin, who was still asleep on the sofa.

She crouched down to be at eye level with him, her brown eyes tracing every contour of Levin's peaceful face; she hugged her knees, savoring the deeply soothing atmosphere.

*****

The hotel restaurant had already set out the breakfast menu for the guests who were beginning to arrive, and Rose made her way to a table.

"Stop staring at the elevator-my husband isn't coming," she said as she sat down across from Liana.

The woman gave her a sharp look. "We're not close enough to have breakfast together."

"An angel like me doesn't eat breakfast in a place like this." She crossed her legs with an air of arrogance.

"Please, prepare the best breakfast this restaurant has to offer for him." She ordered John, who was standing behind her. "Did you sleep well?"

"That's none of your business." Liana emphasized every word that came out of her mouth.

A small laugh escaped Rose's lips. "You're so funny, Liana. How is this none of my business?"

Her expression changed as she leaned forward, her gaze looking down on the person she was speaking to. "You called my husband on his wedding night."

"Wake up, Miss Wilson-he doesn't love you." The woman challenged her. "He rejected you on his wedding day."

That reality left her speechless for a split second. "Then who does he love?"

"He loves me, and I won't let him go." She hated seeing the smile on the woman's face.

"Really? If he loves you, why doesn't he answer your calls?" Rose leaned back. "Or run to your room."

Liana couldn't respond.

"Now I know what choice you've made." She puffed out her chest, rebuilding the confidence that had wavered. "You want to be a kept woman."

She deliberately raised her voice to catch the attention of the people who had been watching them for a while, and it succeeded in frightening her conversation partner.

"Why are your eyes trembling like that?" Rose leaned in closer. "Isn't this your choice?"

A cart filled with food stopped near their table, and murmurs began to rise from the eyes fixed on them.

"This is the best breakfast for you." Rose stood up from her seat. "Enjoy it."

Rose left the restaurant without looking back even once.

****

The sun was shining brighter and brighter as they made their way to the executive lounge, where they would have breakfast with Hendrick Wilson.

Before the door opened, Rose wrapped her arm around Levin's, seeking the strength to face her father.

"No matter what happens, you must stay silent and nod. Don't provoke his anger."

Before her husband could respond, the door swung open, and the tension in the room immediately engulfed them. Rose sat between Hendrick and Levin.

"Did you have a good first night?" Hendrick asked the waiter to serve his meal.

"We spent-"

"I wasn't asking you." Hendrick's firm tone cut him off.

He could feel Levin's gaze fixed on him. "We had a good night."

"Really?" Hendrick moved his knife to cut a slice of beef on his plate. "Then why didn't you play your part properly at the altar?"

The question terrified Rose; she clutched her trembling hands under the table.

"Is he too ugly for you? So much so that you don't want to kiss him?" The question took Levin by surprise.

He was a little at a loss for words. "We aren't close enough to do that."

"Why is your life so miserable, Rose?" Hendrick put away his utensils and looked back at his daughter. "You love a man who doesn't appreciate you-who even hates you."

For the first time, he saw the usually strong Rose fall silent. "I'll make up for my mistakes."

"You married her because you were afraid of falling into poverty." Hendrick raised his dinner knife toward her. "You're using this foolish woman to save your company."

"I'm not like that." Rose's trembling hand held her back from fighting back.

"Then what are you like?" The knife returned to its place. "What was your purpose in marrying him?"

"He entered into this marriage to love me, Father." Rose raised her gaze. "His purpose was to love me."

To Be Continued~~~

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