Forbidden Desire: My Father-in-law

Narrator

The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink, creating a magical atmosphere over the vast grounds of the Cooper Mansion. Century-old trees swayed gently in the evening breeze, while flowers of various colors adorned the path leading to the altar. The sound of leaves mingled with the murmur of the guests, all eagerly awaiting the start of the ceremony.

Ava Brown, standing beside Bryan Cooper, felt the curious and scrutinizing gazes of those present. She looked stunning in a delicate lace dress that hugged her curves and highlighted the phoenix tattoo on her shoulder. Her eyes, now darker thanks to her recent hair color change, were fixed on the priest, who was preparing to begin his speech.

“We are gathered here to celebrate the union of Bryan and Ava,” the priest began, his voice echoing softly through the garden. “In this enchanting setting, we witness the beginning of a new journey. A journey that requires not only love but also commitment, patience, and understanding.”

Ava glanced sideways at Bryan. He looked elegant in a tailored suit, but the tension in his green eyes was palpable. Each of them had their own reasons for agreeing to this arrangement.

It had all started months earlier when Ava discovered that her family’s business empire was in ruins. Years of mismanagement by her parents, coupled with the embezzlement of millions of dollars, had driven the company into the ground. For her, it was a shock to learn that the family was on the verge of losing everything, including her apartment in downtown Manhattan, a gift from her grandparents years ago. Ava was willing to do whatever it took to restore her family’s empire.

For Bryan, things weren’t all that different. His ambition for power and wealth fueled his desire to claim the empire built by his grandfather, coveting everything currently under his father’s control. It should have been his by right. However, his poor choices and the controversies surrounding his name over the years had led Benjamin Cooper to reconsider his decision, stating that his son wasn’t ready to take the reins of the company.

After all, getting into a fight with one of the state’s most well-regarded congressmen at a charity event and being caught in bed with a senator’s wife were far from the worst things Bryan had done. Whether by fate or coincidence, both the Cooper and Brown families shared the same lawyer, who suggested this arrangement to the heirs of both families. Initially, both Ava and Bryan found the idea utterly absurd.

But over time, the idea became more palatable to both. Everything was meticulously planned in the months that followed—every step, every move, carefully orchestrated to ensure it didn’t appear to be a mere scheme.

It began with a staged encounter between Ava and Bryan at an event, where they were photographed together, followed by a random night at a club, a dinner here, another there. When the news finally leaked to the media that they were officially dating, it didn’t take long for them to plan the next step. When a supposed engagement was announced two months later, it shocked everyone.

The chosen excuse was that they had been together for over two years but had kept the relationship a secret for their own good. Everything seemed to be going perfectly; Ava just had no idea what lay ahead when she decided to accept this “arrangement.”

“May this union be a foundation for shared dreams and ambitions,” the priest continued, his words lingering in the air. “May Bryan and Ava, together, overcome any challenge life may bring.”

She smiled faintly, feeling the weight of her own ambitions. Rebuilding the Brown family empire would not be an easy task, but she was determined to do whatever it took. This sham marriage was just the first step in a meticulously crafted plan.

Beside her, Bryan squeezed her hand, a gesture of comfort and alliance. He, too, had his own demons to face. Proving to Benjamin Cooper that he wasn’t a disappointment, that he could carry the family legacy, was a burden he had borne for years.

“If anyone present has any objection to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace,” the priest declared, a formality that, for many, seemed unnecessary.

But among the guests, one absence was noticeable. Benjamin Cooper, without a doubt, wasn’t the easiest person to deal with, as he seemed to make a point of not attending his own son’s wedding. This gesture didn’t go unnoticed by Ava. She hadn’t met her future “father-in-law,” considering that, despite being one of the most important men in the country and the owner of North America’s largest oil company, he was completely reclusive. He hadn’t been seen at parties or charity dinners since his wife’s death years ago. This led Ava to assume that Benjamin was simply an elderly man who preferred to spend his time away from the hustle and bustle of the city and far from the trouble his son often caused.

“Let the vows be made, and may this union be blessed,” the priest concluded, pulling her back to reality, so to speak, and initiating the exchange of promises that would seal their agreement.

Ava knew that once the vows were spoken, her life was about to change. She just didn’t know how drastic that change would be.

Ava Brown √

I throw myself onto the enormous queen-sized bed, soft and welcoming, feeling my body finally relax among the expensive sheets, even with the heavy, uncomfortable fabric of this dress.

"Finally," I say, relieved that all that act is over.

I couldn’t wait to stop smiling like some lovesick fool. And since when do I have so many relatives? Probably ninety percent of the people at the wedding—if not all—were strangers to me. Aside from my parents and Catherine, my cousin/sister, the others were there just to fill the room.

I hear knocks at my bedroom door, which opens to reveal Bryan, carrying two glasses and a bottle of sparkling wine. He hands me a glass, filling it to the brim, and does the same with the one in his hand.

"A toast, for surviving this charade and putting up with so many annoying people at once," he says sarcastically, setting his glass aside and drinking straight from the bottle.

If I had to descr