TITLE:BILLIONAIRE HUSBAND

Chapter 3: THE WEDDING

Saturday came too fast.

Ava stood in front of the mirror in a hotel suite that cost more than her yearly salary.

The dress was white. Silk. $50,000.

The stylist had been doing her hair and makeup since 5 AM.

She didn’t look like a waitress anymore.

She looked like Mrs. Carter.

There was a knock. Ethan walked in.

Black tux. Cold eyes. But he stopped when he saw her.

For 2 seconds, his mask cracked. Surprise. Something else.

"You clean up well," he said finally, voice rough.

Ava’s stomach twisted. "Thanks."

"Remember the rules," he said, adjusting his cufflinks. Not meeting her eyes.

"No feelings. No love. Smile for the cameras. That’s it."

The wedding was small. 50 people. All billionaires and press.

But the cameras flashed like it was the wedding of the century.

Headlines already: "Ethan Carter marries unknown woman!"

Ava walked down the aisle alone. No dad. No family. Just her.

Ethan waited at the altar. His jaw was tight.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest said.

Ethan slid a diamond ring on her finger. 5 carats. Cold against her skin.

"You may kiss the bride."

Ava froze. The contract said no touching.

Ethan leaned in anyway. His lips barely brushed hers.

Cold. Quick. Possessive. For the cameras.

Applause.

She was officially Mrs. Ethan Carter.

---

The reception was torture.

Women in designer dresses whispered behind champagne glasses.

"Who is she?"

"A gold digger

Ava smiled and nodded like Ethan told her. Her cheeks hurt.

Then a woman in red walked up. Late 30s. Perfect. Dangerous.

"So you’re the new Mrs. Carter," she purred.

"I'm Victoria Hayes. Ethan’s ex-fiancée."

Ava's blood ran cold.

Victoria looked her up and down. "Cute dress. Is it rented?"

Ava smiled. Slow.

She took one step closer. "No," she said. "It’s mine.

Unlike your engagement to Ethan."

Victoria's smile dropped.

Ava kept going. Voice soft, but sharp.

"See, I don’t rent husbands.

I marry them.

And I keep them."

The room went quiet.

Ethan, who was watching from across the hall, almost smiled.

Victoria forced a laugh. "We’ll see how long that lasts, Mrs. Carter."

Ava tilted her head. "We will.

But until then... maybe worry about your own ring finger?

Looks lonely."

Victoria turned and walked away. Heels clicking.

Mad.

Ava exhaled. Her hands were shaking.

But she didn’t let it show.

Ethan appeared beside her. Low voice.

"That was new."

Ava looked up at him. "You said to act like your wife."

Ethan: "I didn’t say to be ruthless."

Ava: "You should have."