Arranged Marriage With A Billionaire Stranger

Chapter Five: I Do

The day was finally here. The day I get married to Mr Quinn.

“You look gorgeous Maddie.” My mom uttered, complimenting my looks with a smile on her face.

“Thanks, Mom,” I responded, faking a huge smile, to make her feel better. I didn’t want her to worry a bit about me.

My step-mom or as I would love to call her, my mom, has been my ally and the only one who believes in my potential. She had always been a big support to the family and the company. She was the source of motivation and strength for me and my step-sis, Natalie.

Natalie and I haven’t really gotten along from the start as she believed I always stole her spotlight. When we were kids we always argued and had little fights but we still cared for each other. Even though we never had the chance to create a deep bond like sisters do as most of her years were spent in the Las Vegas penitentiary serving jail time for her involvement in doing hard drugs, I still loved her.

I took a final glance at the mirror, looking at my reflection, I saw more than just my image staring back at me. I saw the hopes and dreams of my family, and the legacy of Wayne Enterprises resting on my shoulders.

“You have nothing to be afraid of Maddie. And if he dares messes up this time, girlfriend I’m just one phone call away to kick his ass.” Linda reassured, trying to make me feel comfortable.

I gave her a faint smile before proceeding to the venue.

I squeezed my eyes closed as I walked slowly down the red carpet. It was my wedding day, yet my heart was only full of bitterness. I felt like I had betrayed my little angel Ella. Poor little Ella. She had no idea her mom was getting married today or her dad was long dead. Would she understand why I married a man I barely knew? Would she forgive me for putting my ambitions ahead of our little family? I felt terrible for putting her through all these but my hands were tied right now and there was little to nothing I could do.

The cool wind embraced me, touching my bare skin that wasn’t covered by the white wedding dress I was wearing. The veil was completely covering my whole face as the crowd watched me walk down the aisle alongside my dad.

As I stepped closer to the altar, each step felt heavier than the last. The soft murmur of the guests faded into a dull roar in my ears. I could see my mom beaming with pride, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. It was a beautiful moment for everyone else, but for me, it felt like I was walking into a cage.

Mr. Quinn stood there, in his black tuxedo with a fake smile plastered on his face, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was making a mistake. He was charming, successful, and well-respected in the business world, but I couldn't ignore the nagging doubt in my heart. I had always envisioned my wedding day as a celebration of love, not a transaction.

The officiant cleared his throat, pulling me back to the present. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Maddison and Mr. Quinn." His voice was steady, but my heart raced. I glanced at Natalie, who was watching me with a mixture of curiosity and concern. I wished for a sign, something to tell me I was doing the right thing.

As I stood before Mr. Quinn, I felt a rush of emotions. I wanted to scream that I wasn't ready, that I felt trapped, but instead, I took a deep breath and forced a smile. This was my moment, and I had to make it count. I could feel the cool breeze against my skin again, a gentle reminder that life continued outside of this moment and that I had responsibilities beyond this ceremony.

“Do you, Maddison Wayne, take Mr. Quinn to be your lawfully wedded husband?” The officiant's words hung in the air, and I felt the world stop around me. I looked into Mr. Quinn's eyes, searching for something—an assurance, a spark of connection—but all I found was a polite smile.

“I do,” I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper. The words felt foreign as if I were speaking them for someone else. I could feel the weight of my decision settling on my shoulders, but I had made my choice. Now, all I could do was hope that it would lead to a brighter future for Ella and me.

As I stood there, the officiant turned to Mr. Quinn. “And do you, Mr. Quinn, take Maddison to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

He looked at me, his expression unwavering. “I do.” His voice was strong and confident, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of reassurance. Maybe this wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

The officiant continued with the vows, guiding us through the traditional promises. I repeated the words, feeling their weight as I spoke. “To have and to hold, from this day forward…” Each phrase felt like a thread weaving my fate into his, and I wondered if I was making a tapestry of dreams or a prison of expectations.

He further continued, “Should anyone present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

I turned around, hoping to hear an objection, but my expectations were soon cut short as there were no objections. With that, we continued the ceremony.

Then came the moment for the rings. Mr. Quinn slipped the cool diamond ring onto my finger, and I felt an odd mix of emotions. It was beautiful, yet it felt like a shackle. I glanced at the guests, their smiles bright as they witnessed this union, unaware of the internal struggle I was facing.

Finally, the officiant declared us married. “You may kiss the bride.” Mr. Quinn leaned in, and as our lips met, It wasn’t like the first time, this time I I felt a rush of mixed emotions—relief, fear, and a hint of excitement. It was a kiss that sealed my fate.

As we turned to face our guests, the applause began to fade. A voice rang out from the back of the crowd, breaking the silence and cutting through the moment like a knife.

“Wait! I object to this wedding!”

The room froze, eyes darting from us to the figure who had interrupted the ceremony. Whispers erupted, confusion engulfing the crowd as they tried to process what had just happened.

The tension in the air thickened, and I could see the disbelief in Alexander’s eyes. He clenched his jaw, a mixture of anger and shock washing over him.

“Who dares to disrupt my day?” he demanded, his voice steady but laced with an edge of desperation and anger.

The figure stepped forward, causing my heart rate to increase. I couldn’t believe my eyes. What just happened. I felt a rush of disbelief wash over me.

Wallace West? I exclaimed loudly in shock. What was he doing here? And how the hell was my baby daddy still alive? I couldn’t believe what was happening. My past has come to haunt me like I feared.

“I don’t think the marriage would still go on after hearing what I have to say,” he said, his voice trembling slightly.

“Now about the secret, should I tell him or would you tell him yourself Maddison?”