Married To The Famous Devil

Chapter 3: The Contract and the Bride

Claire's POV

The wedding ceremony felt like a blur. The quiet exchange of vows in a cold, clinical room, the environment that couldn’t have been further from what I’d imagined a wedding to be.

There were no heartfelt promises, no emotional tears. Just a brief acknowledgment of legal ownership. Eww.

“Do you take Lucas Knight to be your lawfully wedded husband?” the officiant asked, his voice flat and businesslike.

“I do,” I answered, the words heavy on my tongue.

“Do you, Lucas Knight, take Claire Bennett to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do,” Lucas replied, his voice as cold as ever.

And just like that, it was done. No celebration, no excitement-just the quiet finality of a contract signed in front of a lawyer.

We walked out of the small, sterile room, now husband and wife in name only. The emptiness of it all was suffocating. But before I could process it, I was ushered into an extravagant reception hall, a place that felt as alien to me as the world I had just stepped into.

The ballroom gleamed under the harsh lights, with towering flower arrangements and chandeliers so big they could have been an art piece. The buzz of the crowd, the clink of glasses, and the murmur of voices made it all feel like a distant dream.

“Welcome, Mrs. Knight,” Lucas said as we entered. His tone was polite, distant, like he was introducing a new business partner, definitely not a wife.

I forced a smile, my heart pounding in my chest. I felt small in this sea of power, wealth, and influence. Lucas moved easily through the crowd, greeting everyone with practiced charm.

“Claire, over here,” Lucas called, his hand outstretched, pulling me along.

He introduced me to his colleagues, all of them rich, polished, and powerful. They greeted me with tight smiles and quick glances, sizing me up, trying to figure out where I fit into their world.

I felt like a child playing dress-up, my heels clicking too loudly against the marble floors, my breath shallow as I tried to keep up with the conversation.

And then I saw her.

Vanessa. I wasn't supposed to know her but I did enough background search to know who she was.

She entered the room with the grace of a queen, her presence immediately drawing attention. Every head in the room turned to her, and she reveled in it.

She was everything I wasn’t-confident, poised, and impossibly beautiful. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, her sharp blue eyes scanning the room with practiced ease.

She spotted Lucas immediately, and I saw the flicker of recognition in his eyes. It wasn’t just politeness; it was something more. A connection that I couldn’t name but felt deep in my gut.

“Lucas,” she said, her voice smooth like velvet. “It’s been too long.”

Lucas smiled in return, his face lighting up just a little too much. “Vanessa. Always a pleasure.”

I felt a sharp pang in my chest as they exchanged pleasantries, their ease with each other speaking volumes about their past.

Vanessa’s gaze flicked over to me, a slow, deliberate sweep that lingered just long enough for me to feel it. And when her eyes met mine, there was no warmth-just calculation.

“I didn’t expect to see you so soon, Claire,” Vanessa said, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. “I must say, you look… lovely. I wasn’t sure what kind of woman would catch Lucas’s attention, but I can see he’s… chosen well.”

Her smile was all teeth, and the coldness behind her words made my stomach twist.

“Thank you,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, but there was no hiding the tension in the air.

Vanessa’s eyes flicked to Lucas, her gaze lingering on him for a second too long before returning to me. “Of course, I’m sure he’s happy with someone… down-to-earth, like you,” she added with a sweet little tilt of her head, as if the words were a compliment.

“Vanessa, I’m sure Claire’s going to fit in just fine,” Lucas said, stepping forward and placing a hand lightly on my back. “She’s got everything she needs to handle this world.”

I couldn’t decide if it was his reassuring tone or the subtle emphasis on “this world” that made me feel even more out of place. But Vanessa wasn’t finished.

Her lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m sure she does,” she said, her voice now low, just between us. “But playing in Lucas’s world isn’t as easy as it looks, dear. You’ll need more than just a pretty face to survive.”

I swallowed hard, my pulse quickening. This woman was not just an ex; she was a challenge. And she made it clear she wasn’t going to step aside for me without a fight.

Lucas, sensing the tension, gave me a sidelong glance. His voice was colder than before when he spoke to Vanessa. “I’m sure Claire knows how to handle herself, Vanessa. Don’t worry.”

Vanessa didn’t seem to be deterred. “Oh, I’m not worried,” she replied with a smile that sent a chill down my spine. “Just… curious. You know how it is.”

Lucas didn’t seem to react, but I could feel the distance between us growing.

Then, as if sensing an opportunity to strike, Vanessa’s voice dropped to a whisper. “You’ll need to be more than just presentable, Claire,” she said, her eyes narrowing as they briefly locked with mine. “If you want to play this game.”

My throat tightened. Her words were clear. She wasn’t just warning me. She was making sure I knew where I stood.

I straightened my back, refusing to let her see the insecurity creeping up inside me. “I can handle it,” I replied, my voice firmer than I felt.

Lucas stepped closer to me then, his gaze darkening. He leaned in, his voice low and barely above a whisper, but his words sent a shiver down my spine.

“You’ll need to be more than just presentable, Claire,” he said again, his tone unyielding. “If you want to play this game.”

It was like a challenge, a dare that I couldn’t refuse. But I didn’t know what kind of game I had just entered-or if I was even prepared to play it.

Standing there, the weight of his words settled over me, and I couldn’t help but wonder if I was already in way over my head.