My Billionaire Husband: Second Chance At Love

Scarlet's POV.

The moment my father announced the news of my wedding, my life changed completely. The man who was supposed to marry my stepsister was now to marry me.

My eyes kept looking at the man sitting opposite me. With his looks, he was no less than a Greek God. His sitting posture made him even more dazzling. I couldn't take my eyes off him. He looked dangerous and irresistible, but innocent and cute at the same time. I couldn't take my eyes off him.

Unlike me, who had endless worries in her mind, he was completely engrossed in the companionship of his hot chocolate drink. I found him quite cute, but arrogant at the same time.

Our parents had us meet each other before the wedding that was to take place three days from now.

Two days ago, my father received a marriage proposal from the Thornton family for his daughter, my stepsister, Trista. But because she's going to inherit my father's company, Jade Mist Corporation, he recommended me to them. The Thornton family had no choice but to accept me to save their family business and reputation.

Since I am the unloved and hated daughter of Mason Benson, it's only right for me to clean up their mess, so my stepmother threw me into this hot mess.

“The wedding photo studio is just ten minutes away from here, and it's our turn in fifteen minutes. We will make it if we leave now.” Raymond said, putting the second empty cup of hot chocolate on the table and smiling at me as he got up to leave.

Raymond Thornton is quite the hot personality known in the city because of his father. Compared to many weird things I had heard about him, he didn't behave rudely towards me or show any kind of disrespect. Well, does his family situation even allow him to act cocky? No, it doesn't.

He even accompanied me to the wedding dress studio to try out the wedding dress his father had specially ordered to be made for me after we finished the wedding photo shoot.

And when he saw me in the wedding dress, I felt like he fell in love with me. His eyes, like twinkling stars, refused to look away from me.

We drove back to my place in his expensive car, and he opened the door for me like a true gentleman.

“Take care of your health, and don't starve yourself just to fit into the wedding dress. Message me after you go in.” Was he worried about me? But how did he know I was going to starve myself?

His personality and words don't match up. He's like a puzzle to me.

“Drive carefully. See you on the wedding day.” I smiled at him.

He accepted my kind gesture and then drove away.

As I entered the mansion, my stepsister moved away into the living room with glean on her face. She probably saw Raymond drop me off and now has weird ideas in her mind.

“How was your date with that trash? Did he make you feel uncomfortable by any chance? Well, you will have to be extra careful. He's a playboy and a womanizer. Who knows when he will cheat on you? But...trash like you deserves other trash.” Trista mocked me as she walked in a circle.

Trista has everything, mother's affection, father's love and support, and his whole property. But despite having everything, her eyes are always on me, like a hawk, waiting for an opportunity to tarnish my already hurt feelings.

“Yeah, trash only attracts other trash. Just like you and my ex-boyfriend. Aren't you using my leftovers?” Just thinking about that night makes my blood boil.

“Be careful of what you say. And I didn't seduce him. It was he who came to me willingly. And as long as it's something that belongs to you, I am ready to destroy it.”

I left the room, not listening to anything Trista said. But no matter how hurt I was, what she said was not wrong. That bastard must be the one to make the first move on her. And given Trista's twisted personality, she let him make a move. After all, she abhors me. And what's more satisfying than seeing me hurt?

I returned to my room and just sat down when I felt my phone ringing for some time. I immediately picked up the call after seeing the participant. “Hello! Doctor, how is she?”

“I called you for the same reason. Her internal organs have started decaying. She must go through surgery as soon as possible.”

I held my breath upon hearing the bad news. I have already prepared myself for the worst outcome, but hearing it from the doctor still makes me feel terrible.

“Doctor Ruth, please keep an eye on her and prepare for the surgery. I will pay for everything within three days.” Doctor Ruth is my mother's attendant doctor. She has been taking care of her for the past seven years. So as long as she is around my mother, I feel calm.

“Scarlet, it must sound cruel coming from me, but you should let her go now. I have already said this countless times. Her recovery rate is not even 1 percent. You, keeping her alive, is no different from torturing her.” Doctor Ruth advised once again.

Do I not know her condition? Of course, I do. But I can never get ready to let her go.

“Doctor, I will make a deposit soon. You must be busy. Please go on with your work. Goodbye.” I hung up the phone on her, not wanting to listen any further.

I know I am being selfish, but she's the only one I have in this world.

Mom got into an accident seven years ago and fell to her deathbed. The doctor had already given the final verdict, but I didn't want to yield to a cruel fate. If there's hope, I will grab it.

Days went by, and the wedding day arrived.

Waiting for the announcement of my arrival notice, I sat on the chair after the make-up artist finished doing my makeup. As I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I envied myself. The woman in the reflection was the opposite of me. She looked stunning and elegant in that precious white wedding dress, is that really me? I wondered.

I wasn't happy with the marriage, but it was the only way I could save my mother.

My own father offered me a deal I couldn't reject, I had to take it. To ease my stepmother and stepsister, Trista's worries, he decided to discard me.

The man I am marrying has nothing besides a handsome face. His father owns a huge debt, and he is basically useless.

But there's something I simply find hilarious to believe. A person who's in huge debt and is nearly on the verge of losing all his wealth was spending money like water. What will he gain?

The wedding dress on me alone was worth more than 200 thousand dollars, not to mention this wedding was taking place in America's most expensive spot.

Even the richest people around the world have to wait months to get a reservation here, but my father-in-law, who's already bankrupt, was able to hold our wedding here very easily.

I waited for my father to arrive after the announcement of the bride's entry, but like always, he didn't show up.

In the end, I had to walk down the aisle alone, with no father figure by my side. It triggered the gossip to form in the hall. All eyes were on me, some feeling envious of me while others pitted me.

“Father, do you really hate me so much that you even refused to see me one last time? Just what did Mom see in you?”

Scarlet's POV.

On the other end of the aisle, there stood my soon-to-be husband, waiting for me with a charming smile on his face. His eyes locked on me. It was more like he was enchanted.

I thought I would become a laughingstock for walking down the aisle with no father figure by my side. But then my father-in-law appeared out of nowhere, like a fallen angel. He took my hand and wrapped it around his arm. With an elegant smile on his face, he guided me forward.

I smiled at my father-in-law as he walked me down the aisle. I might not know him well, but one thing I am sure of is that my new family isn't bad.

“This is your moment to shine. Never let anyone take it away from you. Always remember, no matter what trouble you get into, we will always be there for you. Now stop being gloomy and smile for this old man.” He whispered before giving my hand into Raymond's.

“Hey, take good care of my daughter. I will throw you out if I see even a single tear in her eyes.” My father-in-law warned his son, and Raymond just nodded in response like an obedient son.

“I won't give you that chance. Now please return, or else you will scare her.”

These precious words are etched in my heart like someone has given me a gift worth billions.

Raymond looked exceptionally handsome in that white suit that matched my wedding dress, and the bright smile he wore made him look even more enchanting than he already was.

“You look exceptionally beautiful today.” He whispered as he gently took my hand in his, signaling the priest to start the ritual. Our wedding vows started.

“Mr. Raymond Thornton, do you take Ms. Scarlet Quinn as your wife? To love and cherish her? To walk by her side in sadness or happiness?”

“I do.” Raymond, with a smile on his face, answered, his eyes not leaving me even for a second.

“Ms. Scarlet Quinn, do you take Mr. Raymond Thornton as your husband? To love and cherish him? To walk by his side in sadness or happiness?”

“I do,” I replied with all my heart.

“You may kiss the bride now.”

When this sentence was said, my body stiffened. “K...kiss? Do we really have to kiss?” I thought. I never prepared myself for this step. Now I was paranoid.

Raymond pulled me closed as his hand held my thin waist delicately, his face leaned forward, and my eyes closed on their own as I awaited for his lips to dab on mine.

But when I opened my eyes, my face was cupped in his large hands, and the distance between us was non-existent as he planted a kiss on my forehead.

He didn't kiss me on the lips but on my forehead. I could feel the warmth I never felt before. The way he held me was very precious as if he was afraid I would break if he didn't handle me with care.

“Congratulations! You are now legally husband and wife. May happiness come your way.” The priest congratulated us, and everyone clapped to join in the happiness.

Raymond and I looked at each other with an awkward smile on our faces. How did I look right now? What kind of expression was I making?

I believed my cheeks were burning hot right now, with red tints on them. While I thought I was the only one nervous, his red ears attracted my attention. “Ah! So I am not the only one who is nervous. The red tint on his ears makes him look even more endearing.”

Scarlet Corporation, my father-in-law's company, was once one of the top ten companies in America. But after its downfall, everyone left the company, one by one. But strangely, more than five hundred people attended our wedding. Why?

“Raymond, don't blame me for being frank, but in the situation we are in right now, shouldn't our top priority be to save money? Or maybe it's your way of collecting investors for the company.” I couldn't help but make assumptions. No sane person would spend money on water in such a dire situation. Were they aiming to hit something big through this wedding?

Raymond didn't get offended or show me any kind of displeasure. Instead, he just smiled. “Everyone who attended this wedding is our trusted ally. Most of them are our clients. Some are shareholders and company employees. If we didn't invite them, they would be upset with Dad.”

“Scarlet Corporation is shouldering a huge debt right now. Spending so much will only make others suspicious of us. What if we are labeled as traitors?”

There were so many people aiming to buy Scarlet Corporation, and this wedding would only cause the shares to drop. After all, it's written all over the news that the company employees haven't been paid for the past six months.

“Scarlet, there's something you don't know about our family. I will tell you everything after we return home. So just relax and sit down. I will go get some food for you.”

Raymond is so chill given his company and family situation, I wonder if I did the right thing by mentioning the overflow expense.

While Raymond went to get food for me, my stepmother and stepsister, Trista, approached me.

“It's not even a day since you got married, and you already got him in the palms of your hand. He already listens to you like an obedient puppy. I must say, you really know how to seduce men. Now, since you are married, don't ever come back to Benson Mansion.” My stepmother was straightaway telling me to rot into the Thornton family.

“Even if you give me millions, I won't return to that hell again. So please keep your promise.” I said as I crossed my legs under the heavy wedding dress and looked at them with a smirk on my beautiful face.

I had always wanted to escape that hell. The promise I made to my mother eight years ago had me chained to that place, but now I am finally free.

“Enjoy the peace until you have it. Mom, let's go, dad is waiting for us back in the mansion.” The mother and daughter were unexpectedly calm and patient today. I wonder why.

At that time I didn't know that it was the calm before the storm. Had I known their real intention, I wouldn't have made a deal.

I watched them as they disappeared, but then my eyes fell on someone.

I saw his broad figure in the crowd, our eyes even met for a brief moment when he turned around, he had a wine glass in his hand.

“Scarlet, what happened? Your face looks colorless.” Raymond touched my face as he sensed something was wrong with me, I flinched.