CHAPTER 9: Choosing Each Other
999 Words
The charity gala was everything I expected and everything I feared.
Bright lights filled the grand ballroom of the luxury hotel, reflecting off golden chandeliers that hung from the high ceiling. Elegant music played softly while guests dressed in expensive suits and shimmering gowns moved gracefully across the polished floor.
It was a world of wealth, influence, and careful appearances.
And tonight, I was part of it.
Standing beside Ethan Carter.
His wife.
The thought still felt unreal.
“You look nervous,” Ethan murmured quietly as we stood near the entrance.
“I am nervous,” I admitted.
“You look beautiful, though.”
I glanced at him, surprised.
The compliment sounded sincere, not like something said out of obligation.
“Thank you,” I said softly.
The dark blue gown I wore had been chosen by a stylist Ethan had insisted on hiring earlier that afternoon. It was elegant without being too dramatic, and it made me feel slightly more confident than I had expected.
Still, confidence was difficult when surrounded by people who belonged in this world.
“I feel like everyone is staring,” I whispered.
“That’s because they are.”
“That doesn’t help.”
Ethan smiled slightly.
“They’re curious.”
“About what?”
“About you.”
“That’s even worse.”
He chuckled quietly.
“Relax. No one here knows the details of our wedding.”
“But they know you.”
“That’s unavoidable.”
Before I could respond, a tall man approached us with a broad smile.
“Ethan! Good to see you.”
Ethan shook his hand firmly.
“Daniel.”
Daniel turned toward me.
“And this must be your wife.”
Ethan placed a gentle hand at the small of my back.
“Yes. This is Lena.”
The introduction made something flutter strangely in my chest.
Not embarrassment.
Something warmer.
Daniel smiled politely.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You too,” I replied.
After a few minutes of conversation, Daniel moved on to greet other guests.
But the introductions didn’t stop.
Throughout the evening, people approached us again and again, business partners, investors, and friends of Ethan’s family.
Each time, Ethan introduced me calmly.
Each time, I noticed the same quiet pride in his voice when he said my name.
And slowly, the nervousness inside me began to fade.
Maybe I didn’t fully belong in this world yet.
But standing beside Ethan made it feel less intimidating.
Later that evening, after the speeches and formal greetings had ended, we stepped onto the quiet balcony outside the ballroom.
The city lights stretched endlessly below us.
The cool night air felt refreshing after the crowded room inside.
“That wasn’t so bad,” Ethan said.
I laughed softly.
“That’s easy for you to say.”
“You handled it well.”
“I was terrified.”
“You didn’t show it.”
“That’s because I was too busy trying not to embarrass you.”
Ethan turned toward me.
“You didn’t embarrass me.”
Something in his voice sounded serious.
“You’re saying that because you’re polite.”
“No,” he said firmly. “I’m saying it because it’s true.”
I studied his expression carefully.
He meant it.
That realization warmed my chest in an unexpected way.
“You know,” I said thoughtfully, “a few weeks ago I thought this marriage would end as quickly as it started.”
“So did I.”
“And now?”
Ethan looked out over the city before answering.
“Now things feel different.”
I nodded slowly.
“They do.”
The quiet between us felt comfortable.
Not awkward like before.
Peaceful.
After a moment, Ethan spoke again.
“Our arrangement was supposed to be temporary,” he said.
“Yes.”
“But somewhere along the way… something changed.”
I met his gaze.
“Yes,” I said softly.
“I’d like to understand what that change means,” he continued.
My heart began beating a little faster.
“And what do you think it means?”
Ethan stepped closer.
“I think it means we’ve stopped pretending.”
The words felt important.
Like a door opening.
“I think you’re right,” I said quietly.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then Ethan reached for my hand.
The gesture felt simple.
But also meaningful.
“This marriage started by accident,” he said.
“Yes.”
“But what happens next doesn’t have to be accidental.”
I felt warmth spread through my chest.
“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” I asked gently.
“I’m asking a question.”
“What question?”
His eyes held mine.
“If we removed the mistake… if we ignored the chaos that started this… would you still choose to be here?”
The question made my breath catch.
A few weeks ago, the answer would have been obvious.
No.
But now…
Now everything felt different.
I looked at our joined hands, then back at him.
“Yes,” I said softly.
“I would.”
Ethan’s expression softened in a way I had never seen before.
“That’s good,” he said quietly.
“Why?”
“Because I was hoping you would.”
A small smile escaped me.
“So what happens now?”
Ethan gently squeezed my hand.
“Now we stop being an accidental couple.”
“And start being a real one?”
“Yes.”
The city lights shimmered behind him as we stood there on the balcony.
And for the first time since that chaotic wedding day, I realized something important.
This marriage was no longer about mistakes.
It wasn’t about family pressure or avoiding scandal.
Somewhere along the way, without either of us planning it…
We had started choosing each other.
And somehow, that choice felt stronger than any accident that had brought us together.
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