Beyond the Contract: The White Bride

By NatachaH

"She's wearing white. Why is she wearing white? I'm supposed to be the only one. Make her stop, baby!" a woman whines at my husband-to-be.

"You have to change," Abraxas says, kissing her temple is a caring and soothing way.

"Eh, why? Am I not the bride?" I ask in confusion.

Little did I know, the wedding was only the beginning of a nightmare.

Despite knowing it was a contracted marriage, I still entered into it full of hope that Abraxas Harlow would eventually fall in love with me.

But after years of being treated as a slave and striving to perform as the Harlow family's 'good wife', I had enough. When I finally gathered the courage to ask for a divorce, Abraxas belittled me, and he thought my life would be a struggle without him.

But he couldn't have been more wrong. I am Anastasia, the billionaire heiress of the Jackson family, the most influential and powerful family in Pearl City. I am not just any Stacy.

Now that Abraxas knows my true identity, and he thinks he can win me back? Dream on!

• Language: English
• Publisher: supernovel
• Release date: Mar 1, 2024

Book preview

CHAPTER 46 Destination Paradise 

Anastasia's POV   

A couple of hours later we met up with everyone at the airport. The pilot and a stewardess meet us outside the plane, while the airport workers get our luggage on board.

Mr. Isle, Miss. Jackson. My name is Hunter Strass and I'll be your Captain today. This is my colleague Jocelyn, and she'll be your stewardess. We hope you have a pleasant flight. We shake hands before boarding with everyone. People are talking excitedly amongst each other, and when the family is all on the plane, Jake and Celia come running out. 

Sorry, we are a little late. Our cab got lost on the way here. Jake pants, while Celia nods. We laugh, and hand their luggage to the workers as well. 

It's fine, we're not off yet. You made it. Damien answers, gesturing for them to walk up before us. 

As we all enter the cabin, everything goes quiet and people stare at Celia. She seems very insecure and hurries to sit down beside Jake, who stares back at the others. I look at Damien in apology, but he shakes his head. We talked about this scenario, and decided we'll have to handle this now. We have given Celia a second chance at life and family, and the others have to accept our decision.

So, is anyone going to tell us where we are going and why that girl is here as well?! Donny asks, looking suspiciously at Celia. She looks down, not meeting anyone's eyes. Jake puts an arm around her, and she blushes. There's a thought I hadn't considered before. Maybe those two could hit it off? It's something to think about later. 

Celia is here because we invited her, and no you are not getting anything before we are there. Damien answers, kissing my temple. A.J. is sitting in a car seat, just across from me with Aron right beside him. 

We will tell you everything when we land in a couple of hours, but it does involve you getting dressed in pretty clothes tonight and going to the beach, I say afterwards, while Damien laughs. He knows I can't keep this a secret for long, so giving everyone a clue is better than me blurting everything out. 

I guess I have to get used to you being with us for family occasions, Celia. I'm sorry I was rude. Donny apologizes after Daisy tells him off quietly. Celia smiles. 

It's quite alright, Mr Isle. I would be suspicious of me as well if I were you. I'm no angel, and I have a long way to go yet to be a better person, but I am working on it. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now ready for take off, so please fasten your seat belts and stay in your seat until the sign turns off. The weather today is clear and sunny, and we should be at our destination in a little over 2 hours. Jocelyn will walk through the cabin with refreshments when we have reached our altitude. Captain Strass says on the intercom.  

Celia, do you know what your brother has been up to? He's been awfully quiet lately. Mom asks, but I shoot her a look that says 'shut up mom' and she goes to apologize, but Celia holds up her hands. 

It's okay, Ana. Yes, Mrs. Jackson as a matter of fact I do know. He's been really busy planning how he's getting Ana back, and.. She freezes mid sentence, and Jake puts his arm around her again. Everyone is looking at her, but she pales and shakes her head. As soon as the seat belt sign is off both mom and Daisy are on their feet and consoling her. 

Sweetheart, what is it? You can tell us, we are a safe place. RIGHT Donny. Daisy glares at her husband, who reaches two hands in the air in surrender and chuckles. 

Of course, dear. He answers innocently. 

Well, I don't know how to say this... I went home some time ago, just to get some clothes and some other sentinel stuff - I got my own apartment by the way, and I'm going to start studying later this year. People congratulate her, but she still looks odd. When I was home, I heard noises from a room in the house. It's the room that's always locked and no one enters without Brax's permission, Ana. She gives me a look, and I know exactly what room she's talking about. Abraxas brought me there one time, and that was absolutely enough to give me nightmares for the rest of my life. I asked the staff, and they said it was mom. She shivers. I ordered them to bring her out, and take her to room. Her eyes. They were haunted like I'd never seen before and she had lost weight. She was trembling, and mumbling to herself. We had to have her admitted to a ward afterwards. She just wasn't there. Tears are streaming down her cheeks, and both mothers engulf her from either side in a big warm hug. 

He took her in there? I ask, Damien holding me. I hadn't noticed the tears before he wiped them from my own cheek. She nods while everyone else looks utterly confused. 

It's a torture room, only for Abraxa's pleasure, Celia whispers, but everyone hears her loud and clear over the silence. 

Your mother is going to get better, darling. Don't worry. And we are here for you! Mom says to her, while Celia dries her eyes. 

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put just a giant damper on the mood. Ana, can't you please tell us where we are going? Celia pleads, and Damien nods while leaning down and kissing my cheek. This man and his kissing me all the time. I absolutely love it. 

Well, we decided to elope with just you, so we have booked a 2 week wedding and honeymoon stay at the Seashell Hotel and Spa. We're going to the beach tonight to get married, and the rest of the time is relaxation, family time and love. Everyone gets excited, and the rest of the plane ride is people doing their best to cheer up Celia and talking about the prospect of what we can do at the hotel. 

There's water skiing, all kinds of spa treatments - oh we are definitely doing a ladies day. You can go fishing. Greg, you love fishing. Mom says excitedly. I can't help but laugh. And we can have dinner together, and breakfast of course, but.. 

Mom, easy now. We are going to figure this out along the way. We only have the ceremony down at the beach planned out, and a dinner tonight. The rest we are going to discuss together and figure out. Mom waves dismissively and laughs. 

I have wanted to go to that hotel ever since it opened 5 years ago, and now I'm finally going. The water should be so clear even when you are out on a boat you can see the sand on the bottom. And you can swim with dolphins. Dad puts his hand over her mouth. 

I swear, she actually can keep quiet sometimes. Mom swatted him, while the rest of us laughed. A.J. starts to fuss, so Aron unstraps him and hands him to me. Raquel asks if I want her to handle him, but I tell her to enjoy herself. 

By the way Raquel a question? 

Yes, miss? 

Would you want to stay in a room at the bridal suite - it has multiple rooms. Or would you want to share with Celia, if Celia doesn't mind of course? 

I really want to be near A.J. if you don't mind, miss? I smile and shake my head while A.J. charmes the whole cabin. 

This is going to be a wonderful experience for our family.   

CHAPTER 47 Arriving in Paradise 

Anastasia's POV 

The two hours to our destination goes so smoothly with everyone accepting everyone, and Celia seems more comfortable with the situation.Even though she's been such a bitch to me when I was married to her brother, I know that she was only mimicking the way she was taught by her mother. Abraxas also had a finger to play in it, but he almost was never there to begin with while I was in the house, and Celia told me she was influenced badly from a very young age by her mother on how to behave and what to expect of the world. 

Mom insisted on us girls to have some time together after we check in, getting ready together and absolutely refused Damien to be anyway near me before I walked down the beach to him later this afternoon. He tried to argue, but both moms shut him down quickly. He sighed and kept me and A.J. close for the rest of the flight. 

Ladies and gentlemen, we are now nearing our destination. Please put your seatbelts back on, and put the back of the chair into an upright position. We will be landing in about 15 minutes. Thank you. Captain Strass says into the intercom. I give A.J. back to Aron, who straps him in before strapping his own seatbelt. I look out of the window, and the view is so beautiful! The beach all around the Island is blinding white, and the sea is so clean and pure, I can't wait to dive into it tomorrow. Damien takes my hand, kissing it and smiling when I turn my gaze to him, my eyes possibly shining with excitement. 

After we land, everyone gets off the plane, and into the two limos we ordered. Damien, Jake, Celia, Raquel, A.J. and I are in one, while all the parents are in the other with Aron. We are having such a good time already, and everything here is just gorgeous. When the luggage is loaded into the cars, we are on our way to the Seashell hotel and spa. 

We drive about 15 minutes, and then the limo takes a right turn, to a beautiful multi-colored main building. On the front there's a giant seashell with the name of the hotel, and I gasp. It was even more beautiful than the pictures, which was so amazing. Damien smiles, praising my choice of hotel and the others chimed in with agreement. 

The limo stops just outside the doors, and a doorman opens the limos doors, welcoming us to the hotel. He helps me out, and Damien gives me A.J. before climbing out himself. When everyone is ready, we walk inside where we are greeted by the sweetest personnel. They are smiling, the whole time, explaining about the many options and telling us they are there to help with whatever we need. Mom takes the opportunity to book a premium spa treatment for us ladies in an hour, and then we are off to see the rooms. 

One of the frontdesk staff show us to the elevators, pointing down the hall past the elevator and telling us those double doors lead to the spa area, and we'll just have to go there and they will show us where to go from there and what to do. 

Going up, we have special keycards to get to the top floor, where all of our rooms are located. Damien and I are in the honeymoon suit, while Donny and Daisy are in the groom's suit, and mom, dad and Aron are in the bride suit. Jake has a room in the suit with Damien's parents, and Celia and Raquel are sharing the bridesmaids suit. It was not quite how I booked it, but this works fine as well. 

We go our separate ways, mom telling me to be at the elevator in an hour or she'll come and drag me off herself. I make sure with Raquel that she's okay with sharing with Celia, and vice versa. They are fine, although Raquel is a bit worried about what to do at night, if A.J. wakes. I laugh and tell her we will take him, and this is as much a vacation for her as it is for us.

But I'm here as his nanny, am I not? She asks, her eyes wide. I hug her, feeling for her. She is probably used to people taking her with them, and expecting her to work the entire time. 

Raquel, we view you as part of our family. We appreciate all the help we can get with A.J., but this is also a vacation for you! If you want to go out, then just tell us so we know where you are. A.J. is our son, and we are more than capable and willing to take care of him. Otherwise we would be lousy parents. She shakes her head with wide eyes, while Celia wraps an arm around her shoulders.

They are different, Raquel. Very different! You are a person here, not just the staff. She looks at Celia like a deer caught in headlights. 

But that's... Thank you! I never thought. This is wonderful. She says with a big smile. Then she offers to take A.J. when I have that spa appointment with everyone else, so Damien can enjoy himself with the guys, which we tell her is fine. She promises to have A.J. ready for when we have to be at the beach.

The honeymoon suit is overwhelmingly gorgeous. It's spacious, grand and has the most exquisite view of the Island. It had a fully functional kitchen, where I plan to make everyone dinner one night, and the living room has three big couches,