Sentenced to Marriage by MadlainQ

Becoming Mrs. Lan We walked upstairs and stopped at my bedroom door. Aren held my hand in his, his thumbs rubbing my palm teasingly. “Good night, Cora,” he said, reluctantly.

His hand was slipping away as he turned toward his door. Somehow, I felt a wave of anxiety.

“Wait,” I muttered. “Don’t go…” My fingers curled on his tips, unwilling to let him leave. “Beautiful, we shouldn’t.” He smiled and kissed my forehead.

“I don’t want to be alone. Just… stay with me.” I stared at him with pleading eyes, watching his resistance melt away.

He didn’t say a word as I led him inside. We lay in my bed in an embrace, caressing each other and leaving trails of soft kisses until we fell asleep. I woke up nuzzling his chest while he lay on his side with one hand on my neck and the other wrapped around my waist. I tried not to wake him up, but I failed as I tried to straighten up a bit. “Good morning, sunshine,” he mumbled with his sexy, sleepy voice. “Good morning, handsome.” I climbed a bit to kiss the tip of his nose.

“We’ve got work to do today,” he said. I sighed, my lips twisting in a wry grimace. “What kind of work?” “I contacted a famous jewelry artist. We have to pick a design for your fifty-million-dollar necklace,” he smirked.

I gasped. I was hesitant about wearing something like that before, but it was all different now. I wanted to wear that necklace with pride, proving to those bastards out there that I wasn’t afraid.

I lifted my head, supporting it on my bent elbow, and grinned. “When are we going?” He chuckled. “Right after breakfast.” I took a shower, careful not to soak the wound on my head, and then tied my hair in a bun. It was frustrating that I couldn’t wear my hair the way I wanted for now, but I kept telling myself that it was only temporary. It was a small price to pay for surviving and escaping from the vicious trap I had been locked in. I picked an elegant Giorgio Armani cream, knee-length, fitted dress with a shallow neckline. I decided that I should look presentable, standing beside my incredible husband and talking about the millions-worth necklace. “You look amazing, wife.” Aren grinned, his eyes taking me in as I walked downstairs, carrying his mother’s jewelry box with Tian Kong inside the secret pocket. His compliments meant a lot to me. After all, I was completely inexperienced in choosing high -end fashion clothing. Luckily, my intuition hadn’t failed me yet. With a jacket hung on my shoulders, I started to feel like a light version of Audrey Hepburn, and I had to admit that I sincerely enjoyed the way I looked. Aren seemed to appreciate it as well since his eyes were

locked on me the entire way to the jeweler.

My husband used every precaution; there were at least two other cars following us, securing our way to the shop. As we arrived at the back door, those cars blocked the way. We got out of the car surrounded by six bodyguards who led us inside even though there were only a few steps from the door. As soon as the door opened, the entire staff of the shop greeted us as if we were royals. The shop’s manager bowed down and swiftly led us to the artists’ workshop. “Master Gerard Auclair,” he said as he introduced us to the short, grey-haired man with an elegantly curled mustache.

“How do you do, Master Auclair?” I said, greeting him with a smile.

Aren, who stood right behind me, gave a man a brief but polite nod. The artisan responded the same way to both of us and then gestured at us to follow him to his workplace.

the diamond, Mrs. Lan?” he asked, sitting by his desk and taking an eyepiece in his

since as soon as Mr. Auclair said it, the entire workshop turned silent.

course.” I smiled, putting the box on his

everyone to see, I heard a wave

up his fingers by rubbing

from the moment he touched it. The rest of the artisans in the room

excited anticipation. I figured they had all their breath held, waiting to hear the results of their Master’s

Master Auclair exclaimed and grinned at Aren

chuckled, grabbing my hand before commenting on the artisan’s words. “Of course it is. This is

to me. “What kind of a necklace would you like with this wonderful stone,

lips painting an awkward smile. Aren winked at me and gave my hand a little squeeze. “How about a shining

as the heart of the necklace, the sun, and then use some other elements to build

blue sun… I like the idea!” As he grabbed a piece of paper from his desk, he hurriedly started sketching the round pendant with tiny gems surrounding the main

breathed, imagining how beautiful it

like to wear a necklace like this?” Aren asked,

would be gorgeous,” I said, smiling

that! I’m going to make the most stunning necklace in

Aren accepted his suggestion of adding tiny natural diamonds and lighter blue diamonds to build the crown circling the sun. It

car. Aren seemed deep in thought, with only a faint smile betraying his bright

put his hand on my thigh. “The diamond is yours, and I couldn’t be more glad that you are going to wear it. A perfect