Chapter 4: A Marriage without Wedding Ceremony

Despite being phrased as a question, Matthew's tone carried more authority than anything else. Dolores nodded in agreement, sensing that Matthew wanted to speak with her about something. Coincidentally, she had a desire to talk to him as well.

Randolph shot Dolores a warning glance, reminding her to be mindful of her boundaries. He didn't want her to offend Matthew before their marriage even began. Observing Matthew's indifferent expression, Randolph assumed that he was dissatisfied with Dolores. However, the alliance with the Nelson family was still advantageous for the Flores family. Marrying into such an influential family would greatly benefit their business. Randolph was determined to prevent Dolores from jeopardizing the marriage in any way.

Pretending not to notice her father's disdainful look, Dolores followed Matthew and Abbott outside. She was well aware of Randolph's intentions. What gave him the audacity to assume she would assist him in joining the Nelson family? Did he believe she would remain in such a marriage solely because she was his daughter? He hadn't even spoken to her since he betrayed her mother. Was he assuming that Dolores would forgive and forget the life he had condemned her family to for those eight years?

Lost in her thoughts, Dolores collided with a solid object. Snapping back to the present, she looked up and found herself face to face with the flawless visage of Matthew Nelson. As she anticipated, Matthew had no trouble standing, which meant she now had something on him. Dolores felt a tingling sensation on her scalp under Matthew's piercing gaze, yet she met his eyes calmly, bracing herself for his anger.

"You're pretending to be paralyzed, aren't you?" Matthew narrowed his eyes, anger and unease evident on his face as he spoke in a hushed but intense tone. "Why did you insist on marrying me despite my disability? What do you want from me? Money? To live a life of wealth and fame?"

Dolores forced herself to ignore the icy rush coursing through her veins as Matthew stared at her. It felt as if an invisible hand had gripped her heart, making it difficult to breathe.

"The marriage was arranged by our mothers when I was only two years old. How could I possibly comprehend anything about money or the benefits of being a wealthy lady at such a young age? It is purely the wish of our mothers that I seek to honor," Dolores paused to collect her thoughts and soften her tone. "When I was two, you were ten, eight years older than me. If anything, I could have resented you for being so much older, but I didn't."

Matthew sneered. Dolores not only possessed eloquence but also a silver tongue. She dared to call him old. There was an electric tension in the air between them as they locked eyes, neither willing to back down. Dolores's hands, which hung at her sides, clenched into fists. Her only reason for marrying into the Nelson family was to ensure Randolph returned her mother's dowry, not to become an enemy of the man before her.

Determined not to exacerbate the situation, she swallowed her pride and softened her voice. "Mr. Nelson, I understand that you do not wish to marry me, and I respect that—"

She deliberately paused, glancing at Matthew's expression. Though the change in his demeanor was subtle, Dolores managed to discern it.

"Mr. Nelson, let's make a deal," Dolores continued.

She had no desire to join the Nelson family; all she wanted was to return home and reclaim her and her mother's possessions.

Matthew sneered, amused by the audacity of Dolores' proposal. What kind of deal did she think she could strike with him?

Dolores swallowed, ignoring the nervous sweat drenching her back. Matthew stood tall, forcing her to lift her chin to meet his gaze.

"I understand your motive for feigning paralysis is to convince the Flores family to call off the marriage. However, I too have reservations about this union."

Dolores piqued Matthew's interest, prompting him to ask, "What do you want?" A deal implied conditions.

"One month. After one month of marriage, I will grant you a divorce, and you can do as you please."

One month would be sufficient. Once she retrieved her mother's dowry, she would file for divorce.

Matthew furrowed his brow. "Is that the deal you wish to make with me?"

"Yes. Since it was our mothers' wish, we have to marry each other regardless of our personal feelings. We must honor them, both in memory of your mother and to acknowledge the sacrifices my mother made for me. However, the promise was only for us to marry each other; it was never stated that we had to stay married. It wouldn't be considered breaking the promise if we don't match in terms of personality and principles and choose to divorce."

"If we agree to this deal, then you won't have to spend a lifetime with someone you don't like. It won't harm you, only benefit you," Dolores continued, noticing Matthew pondering her proposal. "I suppose you may have found someone you're fond of, and that's why you've tried everything to make the Flores family break the promise?"

Matthew's face tightened, his jaw clenched. "I didn't expect you to be that astute..."

What Dolores said was true. He wanted to provide Helen with a better life. Her innocence and strength had touched him deeply when he was in great need.

Matthew fixed his gaze on Dolores' face, noting the underlying anxiety behind her composed demeanor, and retorted, "And what about you? What will you gain from this one month of marriage?" He knew she had more on her mind.

Dolores' heart sank. She couldn't tell him the truth about wanting to retrieve her mother's dowry, but she also didn't want to lie. If she came up with a different reason, he might see through her deception.

"My mother greatly values the marriage, and her health is fragile. I don't want to disappoint her," Dolores said, avoiding eye contact to hide her lie. The truth was her mother had never wanted her to marry Matthew Nelson at all.

Matthew pulled Dolores out of her thoughts and replied in a seemingly threatening voice, as if he had read her mind. "Oh, really?"

Dolores's stomach churned. It felt as if his eyes could penetrate her thoughts. While she struggled to maintain her composure and figure out what to do, Matthew's phone rang. He glanced at her, took out his phone, and upon seeing the name on the screen, his face softened, his eyes lighting up. He turned away from Dolores to answer the call but then turned back, as if remembering something.

"Since the marriage will only last a month, there's no need for a wedding ceremony," Dolores said, having no choice but to agree. "Sure."

On August twelfth, Abbott arrived at the rented house to pick up Dolores. There was no grand ceremony or wedding banquet—just a marriage certificate. Dolores felt little emotional connection to the whole affair because, to her, it was merely a transaction to meet their respective needs. If their mothers hadn't arranged the marriage when they were children, their paths would probably never have crossed.

The car stopped in front of a villa. The grand stone building occupied a vast expanse of land and looked majestic under the sunlight.

"Please go inside," Abbott said, gesturing for Dolores to enter first.

He wasn't particularly warm or friendly towards her. He seemed to understand that the marriage between her and Matthew was merely a fulfillment of a promise. Dolores knew she wasn't the true woman of the Nelson family.

Although the villa was enormous, there was only one servant from the Nelson family. Abbott didn't provide any introductions and left as soon as Dolores entered. She found it challenging to adapt to her new surroundings.

"This is Mr. Nelson's residence. I'm Coral, the servant responsible for his daily life. Feel free to call me by my name," Coral explained, leading Dolores to a room. "Let me know if there's anything you need."

Knowing that one month wasn't a long time, Dolores brought her daily toiletries. Although she probably wouldn't require much, she nodded anyway.

Coral opened the door to the room and paused. She turned to Dolores, chewing her lip as if contemplating whether to say something.

Finally, Coral sighed. "Mr. Nelson might not come back tonight because it's Miss White's birthday today."

Although there was no wedding, Dolores was still Matthew's wife. Regardless of the circumstances, today marked their first day of marriage, yet he was spending it with another woman.

Coral felt sorry for Dolores, understanding how she must feel being ignored by her husband right after joining the family. What worse situations would the future bring?