hook, regency, fake dating
Charlie bristles as he looks across the long table to his newly wedded wife. He radiates dislike, and as good a face he put on for their wedding, he was far from happy.
He knows her name and nothing else. Thandi Kahsu. Her family had heard of the Vanderbee empire and practically dropped her into his lap to enjoy his family’s wealth.
She’s just another idiot lusting after money. An idiot with the good fortune to surprise him with a wedding instead of courting him.
Charlie clears his throat.
“I want to make things clear. I hate you. I want nothing to do with you. There will be no marriage bed and no touching. I don’t care for conversation or meals together. We are married on paper, but we certainly aren’t in reality.”
Meanwhile, Thandi is fuming. She sets her silverware down delicately. How dare he. After she was forced to leave her studies, her magic, her everything behind. She’s a bauble in his family’s home.
“Well,” she says quietly, voice heavy with gravitas. “That makes both of us. You disgust me. It will be of mutual benefit to draw a line between us and if I never see your disgusting face again, it will be too soon.” She gives him that award winning smile, and Charlie is infuriated.
He throws down his silverware. “Thus the only agreement that will hold weight in this sham of a union!” At this, he rises and leaves the dining room with a slam of the door.