e

the space, no music played. Just witnesses and lawyers scattered across leat

ensive but ill-fitting, chosen by a personal shopper in a rush. She had clearly given them my measurements wrong, whether by accident or spite. No veil

" someone call

iant who looked like he performed a dozen weddings a day. My father and Bridget sat on one side. On the other side sat an ol

ecking his phone, st

r perfectly styled, tall and commanding in a tailored black suit. But it was his eyes that stopped me

screen, his thumb scrolling through what looked like emails. I reached t

his throat then Julian

sity. Just a brief, cold assessment before his gaze returned t

oday," the officiant be

wedded. None of it felt real. Julian's voice was without emotion as he r

I, Lena Carter, take y

words out. Julian didn't look at me. He studied a point somewhere p

it perfectly, which meant someone had gotten my measurements. Probably an a

he bride," the

ent. I saw something move in his e

n't be n

Behind us, someone coughed awkwardly. The offi

signed first, his signature bold and aggressive across the page. A

t Cassandr

eyes, forcing myself not to look

N

er documents with sharp, angry strokes that ne

ortably in his seat. Brid

od stood and shook my father's hand, seemingly unbothered by the revelation. B

shes or toasts. The witnesses filed out, and I was left standing in

sir," a voice sai

ded. "We'r

mall bag containing my few possessions and hurried after him. Outside, a

kindness, the ingrained politeness of someone raised with wealth. I slid

s the driver pulled into traffic. Beside me, Julian had already returned to h

something like dark amusement crossing hi

hands twist

ecessary public events, and maintain the appearance of a marriage. Beyond that, d

y lights that had never felt more distan

usekeeper, will show you to your room. Stay out of m

all I was. A si

lly pulling up to a towering glass building that seemed to pierce the sky. The driver ope

guard nodded at Julian, who strode past without acknowledgment toward a

on for the penthouse. As the doors closed, h

ed. "No, I can'

hear a male voice on th

Julian's jaw tightened. "It'

nced at me, his ex

ickered in his eyes. "Fair warning-Nate has a habit of seeing good in people w

"And Mrs. Blackwood? Whatever he asks you to