Chapter 231
-MARCO-
I followed them downstairs.
Annoyed did not cover it.
My mother had packed a fiancée for me because I refused to meet any of the girls she wanted me to date. Now she wanted to force me into marriage with a stranger I knew nothing about.
I had been avoiding this day for years.
It was starting to look like I was running from marriage.
I went anyway.
I always did. If I did not, there would be trouble, and I tried to avoid that as much as possible.
I always used the careful method. Today I was caught between a girl on the lobby sofa and a mother who thought forced marriage was romantic.
Beatrice stood up when we arrived.
She was definitely beautiful. They had not lied about that. Blond hair. Good posture. The kind of dress you wore when your possible future mother–in–law asked you to meet her son and you wanted to look expensive without looking like you had tried too hard.
Everything felt forced the second we shook hands.
The smile arrived on a delay.
The words sounded rehearsed.
Lovely to finally meet you.
I am a big fan.
Your family has been so kind.
Kind?
I almost laughed in her face.
Kind was not the word I would have used for the last twenty minutes of my life.
“Marco,” I said, properly introducing myself.
“I know.” Soft laugh. Scripted laugh. “Everyone knows. I would maybe like to get an autograph after this.”
1/5
11:46 Tue, Sep 29
The Hockey Captain’s Unwanted Wife
There it was.
My mother glowed like someone had just approved the wedding date.
My father already looked like the paperwork was done.
I was stiff and having a difficult time already.
We sat.
I asked what she did.
She told me she supported her family’s work and valued tradition.
I asked what she liked.
She told me she liked travel, family, and stability.
I asked if she followed racing.
She told me she followed the important races and thought it was very exciting when we won.
Every answer sounded like my mother had handed her a card on the plane.
Wonderful values.
Good family.
Beatrice mentioned marriage before I had finished my water.
Not as a joke.
As a plan.
And I almost choked.
。7%
76
55 vouchers
She said she imagined a quiet wedding. Then children. A lot of children. She smiled when she said it, like that was the compliment.
I felt my soul leave my body and take the lift back upstairs.
Luca was in the corner watching everything.
Of course he was.
He had come down to rub it in my face, leaning against a pillar after finding the perfect angle to see the entire disaster without having to sit in it.
The idiot was grinning. Every time Beatrice said marry or children or family name, he shot me a look like I had just been given a penalty.
2/5
11:46 Tue, Sep 29
The Hockey Captain’s Unwanted Wife
He knew I was not enjoying this.
He was enjoying that I was not enjoying this.
I asked Beatrice one more question, just to be
fair.
What did she want. For herself. Not the family.
Her.
She paused.
…
Then she said she wanted whatever would make our families proud.
I lasted all of twelve minutes.
“I need to use the washroom,” I told my mother.
She frowned. “Marco-”
“I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Beatrice smiled that same smile. “Of course. Take your time.”
76
55 vouchers
I left before I said something I could not take back. Something like I would rather hit a wall than sit here or please stop talking about babies with a man you met eight minutes ago.
I turned the corner too fast.
And walked into a tray.
Food. Hot food. A body. Then cold drinks. Then the floor.
Heat hit my shirt. Sauce. Something with tomatoes. Ice water down my chest. Another drink I did not identify because I was too busy watching it soak a dress that looked like it cost more than the lunch.
I looked down at the wreck.
Food all over her.
Food all over me.
She looked down at the mess, then up at me, already furious.
I was surprised by how annoyed she was.
Not embarrassed.
Not flustered.
3/5
11:46 Tue, Sep 29
The Hockey Captain’s Unwanted Wife
Furious.
“Watch where you’re going,” she snapped. “My food is ruined.”
Not the dress.
The dress definitely seemed expensive but she was worried about the food.
I blinked. “I’m sorry. I’ll buy it back.”
She rolled her eyes. “I can buy my own food.”
I had been referring to the dress.
76
55 vouchers
She did not even glance at the stain like it was the main problem. She stared at the floor, at the pasta or whatever it had been, like I had intentionally ruined her meal.
Women were usually nicer.
Or they pretended to be, once they clocked the team kit or recognized me.
“Do you know who I am?” I asked.
It came out wrong. Arrogant. I heard it as soon as I said it. I was still covered in sauce and somehow making it
worse.
“No.” Her eyes narrowed. “Do you know who I am?”
“Ah–no.”
“I’m Loretta. And I don’t expect you to know, since I’m not famous.” Another eye–roll. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I need to buy more food.”
She stepped around the mess like she could not stand to touch me.
I stood there, stunned speechless.
Then I watched her groan and make these small, wounded noises as she walked away, possibly actually upset about spilled food. Not the ruined clothes. Not me. The food.
What the fuck?
I had never met a girl like her before.
This one had not asked for an autograph.
She had asked me to watch where I was going and then dismissed the apology because she could pay for her own plate.
Behind me, Luca laughed.
4/5
11:46 Tue, Sep 29
The Hockey Captain’s Unwanted Wife
76
55 vouchers
I did not have to turn around to know he had seen the whole thing. The timing was too good. My brother and the universe had a sick sense of humor.
I should have gone back to Beatrice.
Back to the sofa. Back to the future children and values and a smile that always arrived late.
I watched Loretta instead.
Heading for the hotel café. Ruined dress. Spine straight. Already done with me. She muttered something I could not hear and then, I swear, she looked back at the floor like she might mourn the food a second time.
I looked at my shirt.
Why was I suddenly so interested in her?
I took one step toward the café before I caught myself.
My mother was still in the lobby with a girl she expected me to marry.
Luca was still grinning.
And Loretta had not even asked my name.
I wiped my hands on the least ruined part of my shirt, telling myself to walk away.
5/5
AD
Comment
Send gift
No Ads
11:46 Tue, Sep 29
The Hockey Captain’s Unwanted Wife
Dex Morgan
Dex works to elevate each story with clean writing, emotional balance, and thoughtful flow for readers.