e sleeves whispering against her skin like a ghostly caress. Her makeup was flawless, her hair pinned into an elegant

a piece to be moved

he silence. "Five minutes,"

r wedding day. To a man she had never met. A man who hadn't bot

ers. Only a handful of people were present-his legal team, a few relatives, and C

and imposing, wearing a black tailored suit that screamed power and money. He didn't g

umb, her steps robotic. Graham's eyes met hers, c

commitment... unity... legal agreement... Gra

, offered her his arm, and walked her out of the chapel like a CEO conclu

ck of the sleek black Bentley, her hands clasped tightly in her

w. Smooth skin. Eyes the color of storm clouds. He looked

trap. He was not a fantasy. He w

, like a drawn wire. The elevator chimed, and she followed him into a sprawling, modern space with marble

oom," he said, his voice low and smooth but clipped. "You'll have full

around the bouquet. "That's it?" she asked, unabl

d measured. "This isn't a honeymoon, Al

edding dress, and Alina swore she saw something flicker t

lieve in pretending,

ime for pretens

n say 'I do,'"

apers. That's a

Despite everything, there was something undeniable about Graham. His control, his comma

ed, his voice cooler now. "We'll be expected to appear toget

e?" she as

e responding, "In private, we'r

tiful cage. She stood there, her heart aching and her chest hollow, finally understanding that thi