His Forced Bride
Ainsley
He married her because he had no choice. She tried to love him, even knowing his heart belonged to someone else.
At twenty-four, Alina Volkov is forced into an arranged marriage with Dmitri Sokolov, a powerful twenty-eight-year-old CEO whose family demands that he finally settle down and produce an heir.
But from the very first day of their marriage, Alina realizes she will never be the woman Dmitri truly wants. His heart still belongs to his first love, Viktoriya Morozova. He openly brings Viktoriya into their mansion, treats her like she is the real lady of the house, and leaves his legal wife to endure the pain in silence.
What Dmitri doesn't know is that the woman he loves has never loved him back. Together with her secret lover, Viktoriya has been manipulating him from the beginning, plotting to steal his company, his fortune, and destroy everything he has built.
As betrayal, lies, and hidden truths begin to unfold, Dmitri is forced to face the consequences of the choices he made. But when he finally realizes who truly stood by his side all along... will it already be too late to win back the heart of the wife he never chose?
A heart-wrenching story of arranged marriage, betrayal, slow-burn romance, second chances, family drama, and a love that blossoms when everything else falls apart.
CHAPTER 2
ALINA'S POV :
They say a married couple's first night marks the beginning of a new life together.
For me...
It was the first night of my loneliness.
I quietly stared through the car window at the vast grounds of the Sokolov Mansion. It was enormous. Three stories high.
Complete with its own private garden, an elegant fountain, a greenhouse, an indoor swimming pool, and a garage filled with luxury cars.
It was a mansion wealthy enough to buy almost anything in the world. But not even all that money could buy love.
The car came to a stop. A chauffeur immediately opened the door. "Welcome home, Mr. and Mrs. Sokolov."
Nearly thirty household staff bowed in perfect unison.
I glanced at Dmitri.
His expression remained as unreadable as ever. He didn't even offer me a hand as I stepped out of the car.
Instead, he walked into the mansion without a word. Silently, I followed behind him.
As we made our way through the seemingly endless hallway, I couldn't help but notice the countless family portraits decorating the walls.
Every single one of them was smiling.
A happy family.
And yet...
I felt like nothing more than a stranger suddenly forced into their lives.
---
When we reached the living room...
Dmitri's parents were already waiting for us.
"Welcome home," Mrs. Sokolov greeted warmly as she embraced me.
"Thank you very much."
Without realizing it, my eyes wandered toward Dmitri. He simply stood there in silence. As though he had no intention of saying a single word.
"Dmitri," his father called.
"Hm?"
"Show Alina your room."
He didn't answer. He merely turned around. "Follow me." Cold. Brief. Completely devoid of emotion.
---
The master bedroom was breathtaking. It was larger than some people's entire apartment. A king-size bed stood in the center. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the estate. A spacious walk-in closet. A private library. And a balcony with a stunning view.
I quietly stepped inside. Before I could say anything...
He placed a small key on the table. I looked at him. "What's this?"
"The guest room."
For a moment...
I didn't understand.
"That's where you'll sleep." Something tightened painfully inside my chest. "But... shouldn't we..." The words died on my lips.
He looked straight into my eyes. "You know why we're married."
I remained silent.
"There is no love."
"And there never will be a relationship between us."
"We're husband and wife only on paper."
"Nothing more."
It felt as though something was lodged in my throat. I wasn't sure what hurt more—
Hearing those words...
Or the way he said them. As though he were simply
giving instructions to an employee. Not his wife. Not his partner. Not even a woman.
I took a slow breath. "I understand." I picked up the key. Then quietly walked out of the room. Making sure he never saw the first tear fall from my eyes.
---
DMITRI'S POV :
I couldn't accept this marriage. I couldn't love her. And I refused to lie to her. It was better to make everything clear from the beginning.
There would never be an "us."
Nothing would ever happen between us.
I would rather hurt her with the truth...
Than give her false hope. My phone suddenly rang.
Viktoriya Calling...
I answered immediately.
"Miss me already?" She laughed softly.
"Always." A small smile found its way onto my face.
Somehow...
She was the only person who could bring that side of me out.
"Where are you?"
"Not far from you."
"Can I come over?"
I didn't hesitate. "Come."
---
VIKTORIYA'S POV :
Roman watched with an amused smile as I finished applying my lipstick. "So..."
"Has that idiot called yet?"
Before I could answer...
My phone began to ring. Dmitri. Roman smirked. "I knew it."
I answered the call.
Putting on the happiest voice I could manage. I told him I'd missed him.
How amusing.
If only he knew...
That the moment our call ended...
I'd be back in the arms of the man I truly loved.
As soon as I hung up...
Roman kissed me. "It's almost time."
I nodded. "Just a little longer."
"Then the Sokolov Group will belong to us."
"And every last cent Dmitri owns."
The two of us laughed together.
Neither of us realized...
That someone had already begun to suspect our every move.
---
ALINA'S POV :
I was already settled in the guest room. It was much smaller than the master bedroom. But it was more than enough.
As I unpacked my belongings...
Someone knocked on the door. "Come in."
An elderly woman entered. She wore a housekeeper's uniform. She looked to be around seventy years old. "Good evening, Mrs. Sokolov."
She smiled kindly. "My name is Nanny Sofia."
"I've worked here for twenty years."
I smiled back. "You can just call me Alina."
"I'm sorry..."
I blinked. "For what?"
"You are the first Mrs. Sokolov who isn't sleeping in the master bedroom."
I lowered my head. I didn't know how to answer. Perhaps she noticed the sadness on my face.
She walked closer. Then gently held my hand. "Don't lose hope."
"The timing is simply cruel." A faint smile crossed my lips. "Do you think..."
"...he could ever love me someday?"
She didn't answer right away.
Instead...
She gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face. "I don't know."
"But I do know that you're a good child."
"And good people..."
"Weren't meant to cry forever."
---
Around nine that evening...
I heard voices downstairs. Laughter. Footsteps.
Curious, I stepped out of my room. Quietly, I descended the staircase.
The moment I reached the living room...
It felt as though a bucket of ice water had been poured over me.
Dmitri was there. And beside him...
Was the same woman I had seen him embracing earlier. They laughed together. Smiled together.
As though...
They were the real husband and wife. The woman noticed me first.
She smiled.
But it wasn't a welcoming smile. It was filled with quiet mockery.
"Dmitri..." she called sweetly.
"So... she's the woman they forced you to marry?"
He simply nodded.
She walked toward me. Holding out her hand.
"Hi."
"I'm Viktoriya."
"Dmitri's first love."
The entire room fell into silence.
I looked at her outstretched hand.
Then...
I smiled politely. And accepted her handshake.
"I'm Alina."
"...Dmitri's wife."
For a brief second...
The smile on her face faltered. But she quickly hid it behind another flawless mask.
And for the very first time...
I realized that this mansion wasn't merely cold.
Something far darker...
Far more dangerous...
Was already waiting for me.
They say a married couple's first night marks the beginning of a new life together.
For me...
It was the first night of my loneliness.
I quietly stared through the car window at the vast grounds of the Sokolov Mansion. It was enormous. Three stories high.
Complete with its own private garden, an elegant fountain, a greenhouse, an indoor swimming pool, and a garage filled with luxury cars.
It was a mansion wealthy enough to buy almost anything in the world. But not even all that money could buy love.
The car came to a stop. A chauffeur immediately opened the door. "Welcome home, Mr. and Mrs. Sokolov."
Nearly thirty household staff bowed in perfect unison.
I glanced at Dmitri.
His expression remained as unreadable as ever. He didn't even offer me a hand as I stepped out of the car.
Instead, he walked into the mansion without a word. Silently, I followed behind him.
As we made our way through the seemingly endless hallway, I couldn't help but notice the countless family portraits decorating the walls.
Every single one of them was smiling.
A happy family.
And yet...
I felt like nothing more than a stranger suddenly forced into their lives.
---
When we reached the living room...
Dmitri's parents were already waiting for us.
"Welcome home," Mrs. Sokolov greeted warmly as she embraced me.
"Thank you very much."
Without realizing it, my eyes wandered toward Dmitri. He simply stood there in silence. As though he had no intention of saying a single word.
"Dmitri," his father called.
"Hm?"
"Show Alina your room."
He didn't answer. He merely turned around. "Follow me." Cold. Brief. Completely devoid of emotion.
---
The master bedroom was breathtaking. It was larger than some people's entire apartment. A king-size bed stood in the center. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the estate. A spacious walk-in closet. A private library. And a balcony with a stunning view.
I quietly stepped inside. Before I could say anything...
He placed a small key on the table. I looked at him. "What's this?"
"The guest room."
For a moment...
I didn't understand.
"That's where you'll sleep." Something tightened painfully inside my chest. "But... shouldn't we..." The words died on my lips.
He looked straight into my eyes. "You know why we're married."
I remained silent.
"There is no love."
"And there never will be a relationship between us."
"We're husband and wife only on paper."
"Nothing more."
It felt as though something was lodged in my throat. I wasn't sure what hurt more—
Hearing those words...
Or the way he said them. As though he were simply
giving instructions to an employee. Not his wife. Not his partner. Not even a woman.
I took a slow breath. "I understand." I picked up the key. Then quietly walked out of the room. Making sure he never saw the first tear fall from my eyes.
---
DMITRI'S POV :
I couldn't accept this marriage. I couldn't love her. And I refused to lie to her. It was better to make everything clear from the beginning.
There would never be an "us."
Nothing would ever happen between us.
I would rather hurt her with the truth...
Than give her false hope. My phone suddenly rang.
Viktoriya Calling...
I answered immediately.
"Miss me already?" She laughed softly.
"Always." A small smile found its way onto my face.
Somehow...
She was the only person who could bring that side of me out.
"Where are you?"
"Not far from you."
"Can I come over?"
I didn't hesitate. "Come."
---
VIKTORIYA'S POV :
Roman watched with an amused smile as I finished applying my lipstick. "So..."
"Has that idiot called yet?"
Before I could answer...
My phone began to ring. Dmitri. Roman smirked. "I knew it."
I answered the call.
Putting on the happiest voice I could manage. I told him I'd missed him.
How amusing.
If only he knew...
That the moment our call ended...
I'd be back in the arms of the man I truly loved.
As soon as I hung up...
Roman kissed me. "It's almost time."
I nodded. "Just a little longer."
"Then the Sokolov Group will belong to us."
"And every last cent Dmitri owns."
The two of us laughed together.
Neither of us realized...
That someone had already begun to suspect our every move.
---
ALINA'S POV :
I was already settled in the guest room. It was much smaller than the master bedroom. But it was more than enough.
As I unpacked my belongings...
Someone knocked on the door. "Come in."
An elderly woman entered. She wore a housekeeper's uniform. She looked to be around seventy years old. "Good evening, Mrs. Sokolov."
She smiled kindly. "My name is Nanny Sofia."
"I've worked here for twenty years."
I smiled back. "You can just call me Alina."
"I'm sorry..."
I blinked. "For what?"
"You are the first Mrs. Sokolov who isn't sleeping in the master bedroom."
I lowered my head. I didn't know how to answer. Perhaps she noticed the sadness on my face.
She walked closer. Then gently held my hand. "Don't lose hope."
"The timing is simply cruel." A faint smile crossed my lips. "Do you think..."
"...he could ever love me someday?"
She didn't answer right away.
Instead...
She gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face. "I don't know."
"But I do know that you're a good child."
"And good people..."
"Weren't meant to cry forever."
---
Around nine that evening...
I heard voices downstairs. Laughter. Footsteps.
Curious, I stepped out of my room. Quietly, I descended the staircase.
The moment I reached the living room...
It felt as though a bucket of ice water had been poured over me.
Dmitri was there. And beside him...
Was the same woman I had seen him embracing earlier. They laughed together. Smiled together.
As though...
They were the real husband and wife. The woman noticed me first.
She smiled.
But it wasn't a welcoming smile. It was filled with quiet mockery.
"Dmitri..." she called sweetly.
"So... she's the woman they forced you to marry?"
He simply nodded.
She walked toward me. Holding out her hand.
"Hi."
"I'm Viktoriya."
"Dmitri's first love."
The entire room fell into silence.
I looked at her outstretched hand.
Then...
I smiled politely. And accepted her handshake.
"I'm Alina."
"...Dmitri's wife."
For a brief second...
The smile on her face faltered. But she quickly hid it behind another flawless mask.
And for the very first time...
I realized that this mansion wasn't merely cold.
Something far darker...
Far more dangerous...
Was already waiting for me.
Chapter 2
— CHAPTER 2 of 10