edding day would feel like an

thing borrowed from another woman's life. It was elegant, expensive, and undeniably beautiful, yet it felt strangely foreign against her skin. The fabric shimme

how it was su

ams about a future built on love. Instead, there was tension. There was duty. There was the heavy a

way the gown seemed made for her. Elara nodded politely, offering a faint smile that did not reach her e

iage was

tside. To the guests seated in the grand hall below

ation, she was still herself. Still the woman who had once dreamed of choosing love freely, of bui

ck broke h

the attendan

composed, graceful, every inch the billionaire's bride the public expected to see. No one could s

houlders and turn

hall was b

d marble floors. Guests filled the seats, dressed in luxury and refinement, murmuring softly as anticipation built. Eve

eyes turn toward her as s

d forward with measured steps, her posture flawless, her expression seren

tar stood

suit. His presence seemed to anchor the room, drawing attention without effort. He did not smile

efly if he felt

ng her arrival. No whispered words. No reassuring touch. Just a silent r

t unity, partnership, and commitment. Elara listened, detached, as if the ceremony were happen

at Dominic from the

sness, no hesitation. To him, this was a transaction fulfilled, a public obli

to exchange vows,

prepared words flawlessly, promising protection, partnership, and respect. His ton

was he

the weight of the room pressed down on her. Every eye w

held steady, though emotion tightened her chest. She promised commitment she had no

s were e

impersonal, yet it sent an unexpected shiver through her. She placed the ring on his

applause filled the hall. Cameras flashed. Smiles spread acr

lt oddly

er back. The gesture looked intimate to anyone watching, but she could feel the dist

ogether, side by side, bound by v

ongratulations, and endured endless toasts praising their union. Dominic remained beside her, attentive

they were the

by circumstance, sharing a future neithe

noise, the constant attention all blurred together. She longed for a moment

o a close, Dominic leaned toward

s waiting,

ed their departure. As the doors closed behind them and the nois

as the city lights passed by outside the window

reality of the life

ame, her protector by contract, and still an unreadab

hands folded neatly in her lap, the weight of the day pressing down on her shoulders. Outside, the lights of the city shi

thing in particular. He had loosened his tie slightly, the only sign that the formality of the ce

erate and heavy. This was the first time they were truly alone since the ceremony ended, and she did not know what to expect. The contract had outli

today," Dominic said at l

cause of their sincerity. She turned her head slightly to l

replied quietly.

at was all he had intended to say, if acknowledgment was the extent of their conne

he house rose before them, grand and imposing, its lights glowing softly against the night sky. This was no

The gesture was courteous, practiced, and for a moment, she allowed herself to le

he house

could hear the soft echo of their footsteps as they moved through the hall. The grandeur of the home seemed

e base of the staircase

eed to clarify," he said. "N

slightly. She nodd

There will be events, dinners, and functions where we will be expected to act as a unit

tension building in her chest. "You m

your own room. Your privacy will be

h she was careful not to show it

nd this arrangement is traditional. It is not meant to be. It is structured to

ng more than

said softly. "This was

as gone almost as quickly as it appeared, but she caught it.

ng the moment. "You should rest.

erent truly meant in this co

night,

ll until they faded into silence. Elara stood there for a mo

t, and immaculately arranged. The bed looked untouched, the soft lighting warm and invi

ady past. Standing before the mirror once more, she studied her reflection. The makeup had been

the ring o

eras but a reminder of the path she had chosen. A p

istant manner, to the way he had made their boundaries clear without cruelty. He was not unkind, she

nd filled with questions

hing? And what kind of woman would she become as his wife,

alls of a grand home, two strangers had begun a life together bound by o