The Oracle's Revenge: My Purchased Marriage

The car slowed as it approached the estate.

"Stop," Gustavus ordered the driver.

He pointed out the window. "See that glint in the bushes?"

Heda squinted. A lens reflected the dying sunlight.

"Paparazzi," Gustavus said. "The stock is wobbly. Rumors say I'm dying or we're divorcing. We need a show."

He unbuckled his seatbelt. He turned his body, looming over her.

Heda pressed her back against the door. "Here?"

"Don't move," he commanded. "Smile. Like you love me."

He leaned in. He didn't kiss her lips. He pressed his cheek against hers, his nose brushing her ear. From the outside, through the tinted glass, it would look like a passionate embrace.

Flashes erupted from the bushes like lightning.

"Remember," Gustavus whispered, his voice ice cold against her skin, "that smile is worth ten million dollars. Screw this up, and I send you back to the trailer park."

Heda felt humiliation burn in her chest. She raised her hand, wrapping it around his neck. Her nails dug into the expensive fabric of his suit jacket.

"I'm a great actress, darling," she whispered back.

Gustavus pulled away. He straightened his tie. The intimacy evaporated instantly.

"Let's go."

They stepped out of the car. Heda took his arm. His bicep was hard as rock under her hand.

They walked to the door, the picture of marital bliss.

The door opened. Caspian stood there, holding a glass of red wine.

"Bravo," Caspian clapped slowly. "I'm moved to tears. Truly."

"Jealous, brother?" Gustavus asked, his voice smooth.

Caspian stepped forward. He looked Heda up and down, his eyes stripping her bare.

"You look ravishing tonight, sister-in-law. That dress... it looks very tearable."

Heda felt a shiver of revulsion.

Gustavus stepped in front of her. He placed a hand on the small of her back-possessive, heavy.

"Put your teeth away, Caspian. She's mine."

Caspian shrugged, stepping aside. "Mother is waiting."

They walked into the living room. Heda realized with a sinking feeling that Gustavus wasn't protecting her. He was protecting his property. But right now, she had to hide behind the monster she knew to escape the monster she feared.

Dinner was a battlefield.

Celsa sat at the head of the table. Gustavus was on her right, Caspian on her left. Heda sat next to Gustavus.

Beatrice, Gustavus's younger sister, bounced in. "Heda! You're finally back!"

She hugged Heda. Beatrice was the only person in this house with a soul.

"Sit down, Beatrice," Celsa snapped.

Servants brought out the appetizer. Caviar.

Celsa smiled at Heda. It was a predatory smile. "Heda, dear, do you know which spoon to use? I'd hate for you to embarrass us like last time."

Heda knew exactly which spoon. Mother of Pearl. But she hesitated. She reached for the silver teaspoon.

Celsa snickered. Caspian smirked into his wine glass.

Gustavus's hand shot out. He took the silver spoon from Heda and replaced it with the correct one.

"She doesn't need to know," Gustavus said, not looking up from his plate. "In this house, she eats however she wants."

Heda stared at him.

"You spoil her," Celsa said, her voice sharp. "She'll never be presentable."

"My wife doesn't need to be presentable. She just needs to be next to me."

"Speaking of standing next to you," Caspian interrupted, leaning forward. "The board is voting on the split next week."

The air left the room.

"The group stays together," Gustavus said.

"Father's will," Celsa said, sipping her wine, "says only an heir with a 'stable family' gets full control. Are you... stable?"

All eyes turned to Heda.

"I heard the sister-in-law is working at a diner," Caspian said casually. "Doesn't seem very stable."

Gustavus froze. He turned to Caspian. "How do you know that?"

Heda's heart hammered.

"I... I wanted to experience life," Heda blurted out. "To understand how hard Gustavus works."

"See?" Beatrice chirped. "She's so sweet!"

"Sweetness doesn't pay dividends," Celsa muttered.

Gustavus slammed his hand on the table. He grabbed Heda's hand, interlacing their fingers.

"Since you are all so concerned about our stability," Gustavus said, a dangerous glint in his eye, "maybe we should just tell you."

Heda looked at him in panic. Tell them what?

"Tell us what?" Celsa asked.

Gustavus smiled. "Let's wait for the main course. I don't want you to choke."