taries, all speaking in clipped tones about the terms of the marriage contract, the clauses, the financial settlements, the stipulations for privacy a

-he didn't need to. His presence dominated the room, as if everyone worked for him, and they likely did. Ev

r life away to a man she barely knew, a man who had orchestrated this entire situation with the precisi

lawyers said, sliding a thick stac

oing back. She glanced up at Damian, who watched her with an unreadable expression. There was no k

h, then scrawled her

folder. "The marriage will be legally binding as soon as you both sign

what was happening today, and tomorrow she'd be standing next to Damian, legally marrie

e lawyer said with a nod before exiting

's gaze burning into her. She forced herself to meet his eyes,

low as he leaned back in his chair, s

her thoughts. "I don't know. I gue

is tone remained detached. "But I don't expect th

dn't care about her feelings. This was a business transaction, plain and simple. And now, she wa

a asked quietly, her voice barely a

the same events. To the outside world, it will be a real marriage. But behind closed doors, our lives will re

be no emotional connection, no real relationship. She would be

last?" she asked, feeling a flicker

quirement for the media and the public to accept it as legitimate.

rt of a life she didn't belong to. But what choice did she have? Damian was offering her protection, a way out of the mess Liam

voice small. "

. My driver will pick you up tomorrow at

out of there, to breathe, to try and process everything that had just h

us. "This arrangement only works if you keep your end of the b

rd, her pulse raci

rs, a silent warning in his gaze. "Because on

ains of Lauren's guest room, casting a golden glow over the mess of emotions she was tangled in. It was the day of her

ng to comfort her, but there was nothing anyone coul

ent building. Bella stood at the window, watching the car with a mixtur

e left, whispering, "You're stronger

ing a smile she di

river was silent as ever, the air inside the car heavy with tension. Bell

nce, dressed in a tailored black suit that looked like it had been made for royalty. His expre

ian asked, h

e courthouse, her heart pounding in her chest as they made their

employees of Damian's, judging by their stoic expressions. Everything w

achment. This wasn't her wedding. This wasn't her life. She was ju

lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickne

id, his voice ste

mian, trying to read something-anything-in his expression. But he

ur lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sic

e moment, the finality of the decision she was maki

she wh

ly before turning to Damia

idered this part. Her eyes darted to D

ted her chin with his hand. For a brief moment, their eyes met, and Bella could swea

n he ki

or the audience that wasn't there. But the moment their lips touched, Bella felt a surge

uickly, his face unreadable

id quietly, his vo

ng in her chest, feeling like she h

a way,