Okay so you guys have been so patient and awesome, I love everyone who reads and reviews. You guys make this story keep going. I appreciate every single one of you. Enjoy!!

Disclaimer: I do not own OTH and this story line is somewhat based off of Johanna Lindsey's book. There are a few lines in this chapter from the book, so that credit goes to her.

What a shame we all became such fragile, broken things
A memory remains just a tiny spark
I give it all my oxygen,
So let the flames begin
So let the flames begin

"Let the Flames Begin" Paramore

Chapter 15

"Where have you been?" Haley heard Nathan's calm voice from outside the door.

She was just going to leave the room when she heard voices from outside. She knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but that didn't stop her.

"Nathan," came a husky voice, "it's nice to see you."

"That's quite a greeting from my so called bride," Nathan's sardonic voice replied.

"Listen, we have a lot to talk about," the woman said, sounding somewhat timid. "There are some things you should know."

"Like where the hell you've been for the past few months," Nathan snapped.

"Nathan, I know you're mad," she said, "but there are some things that have changed."

There was a pause of silence before she spoke again, "Look, while I was away… I met someone. We just hit it off so well—I know we were supposed to get married, but you and I both know we've never cared about each other. My father was forcing me to marry you because you're rich, and you were only marrying me for the business that my family would bring to you and your father's company."

Haley felt sympathy for Nathan. It was a terrible thing to feel betrayed, even if it sounded as though they never cared for each other to begin with, which gave Haley great relief. She decided to do something.

As she slowly opened the door, she made sure not to be heard. Nathan's back was facing the door, and Haley could see the woman now.

She was stunning. Her dark hair was pulled back halfway and contrasted beautifully against her pale skin. Her eyes were a magnificent shade of green mixed with brown, and suddenly Haley felt a sense of insecurity. How could she make Nathan love her if he already had someone as gorgeous as the woman before him?

Haley shook her head as she continued to walk towards Nathan. When she was behind him, she stopped. Neither of the two had noticed her yet, but she ran her hands down Nathan's back to let him know she was behind him. It was her way of telling him he could use her however he wanted.

The woman had still not noticed yet, for she was going on and on about how her and this man named Jake Jagielski had known and loved each other since they were children.

Haley considered all the things she could do with a mischievous state of mind. She removed her hands from his back and felt him tense. Immediately, she put her hands on his waist and felt him relax. Her fingers weren't noticeable to Brooke, but that didn't matter much to Haley. She felt like teasing Nathan now.

She started to move her hands up and down his side, and once again felt him stiffen. He tried to stop her by squeezing his arms to his sides, but that didn't work.

Haley wiggled her arms out of his trap and moved them down to his hips. Haley almost started laughing at the sharp intake of Nathan's breath. She smiled and pinched his butt.

Nathan turned to her sharply and sent her a glare. Haley just looked up at him with baby-faced innocence, causing Nathan's eyes to crinkle in amusement. He glared at her playfully once more as a warning. She was supposed to be helping him, not sidetracking him.

"Nathan, who is she?" Brooke asked impatiently.

"My prisoner," Nathan said, his voice laced with enjoyment.

"My name's Haley James," Haley stepped forward, offering her hand.

Brooke stared at it for a second before her face filled with gratitude, and she brought her hand up to meet with Haley's. "I'm Brooke Jagielski. It's nice to meet –"

"You mean you've already married?" Nathan's angry voice came from beside me.

Brooke looked down in fear and embarrassment, and Haley couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the woman. She knew what it was like to feel the wrath of Nathan.

"It was the only way I could secure a marriage with him," Brooke said apprehensively. "If I had told my father, he would have forced me to marry you right away."

"And what did your father say when he found out you got married?" Nathan asked.

"I'm afraid he doesn't know yet," Brooke said. "I thought you might understand that since you and I didn't love each other, it wouldn't matter who I married."

"I'm sure that's going to go over well with your father," Nathan's hard voice came.

The poor woman looked close to tears. Haley wanted to punch Nathan in his shoulder for being a jerk, but she settled for biting him instead.

Nathan turned to her with a truly astonished expression and just stared at her. Instead of backing down, Haley gave him a disapproving look, letting him know she wasn't pleased with his attitude. Nathan rolled his eyes heavenwards as if she was insane and turned back to Brooke. His expression had softened, however, pleasing Haley greatly.

"I'm really sorry," Brooke said. "I hadn't meant for it to happen like this, Nathan. My father wanted this marriage so much, and I didn't know what to do."

Haley knew she shouldn't say anything, but she couldn't seem to stop her reply, "It's too bad he couldn't marry Nathan himself."

To Haley's surprise, Nathan burst out laughing. Brooke just stared at him, and then she turned to Haley.

"I don't appreciate you making fun of this," Brooke said. "My father is going to kill me, and I'm worried enough as it is."

"Not unless Nathan was the one to call off the marriage," Haley said.

Nathan's laughter stopped at the idea. He looked at Haley as if she were crazy. "Let me ponder my options for a minute. If I were stupid enough to do that, I would lose a lot of business. However, if Brooke's father knew what she did, he would still work with me out of obligation and repentance and would probably give me double the amount I was originally supposed to get. She ought to just get the punishment she deserves."

"That wasn't very comforting," Haley said in an annoyed voice. It seemed as though Haley had become Brooke's protector, who in turn looked extremely grateful to have such a small girl sticking up for her.

"Can you believe that her feelings somehow don't distress me?"

"Maybe if you'd just show a bit of compassion," Haley argued. "I know people who've done things a lot worse than this."

Nathan must have picked up on the meaning of her words and didn't seem to like them. "Go finish your chores, Haley, before you baby Brooke so much that she thinks all my servants have as little respect for me as you."

"Awe, did I strike a nerve?" Haley laughed. She moved close to his ear and whispered, "I promise to make it all better. I could—"

"Go," Nathan demanded, and Haley did as she was told, but not before she looked back at Nathan and recognized the immediate signs of his desire. His voice hadn't been angry. No, Haley could see that he was biting back a grin.

"I'm ever obedient, my lord," Haley said submissively as she practiced her mock bow.

Nathan winked at her.

When Haley was gone, Brooke turned to Nathan. "Her suggestion was really good, and it made a lot of sense."

"I can see how you would think that, but it doesn't give me the son I need to take over the business," Nathan said. "Without a boy, I can't retire from my work."

Little did he remember, there was a woman carrying his child who could very well give him the son he desired and much much more.

I really hoped everyone liked this chapter! Once again, thanks to every one of my readers. You guys rock!

Love,

Sadie