MARRIED TO THE DEVIL INCARNATE

Chapter 7

Nick’s POV — The Hotel Wedding

I stood at the altar, pretending to listen to the soft music while everyone waited for Nara to make her big entrance.

The hotel ballroom looked insane. Gold everywhere. Giant flowers that probably cost more than my car. It all screamed money. I mean, I paid for this whole thing — it better look like a dream. And yeah, I’ll admit it, it did.

I spotted my dad sitting up front, grinning like a proud fool. Right next to him was her — the snake. Wiping fake tears like she was the star of some drama show. I could almost hear her cursing me in her head, wishing it was her precious Noah up here instead of me. Too bad for her. Noah’s not here. And honestly? That was my favorite part of today.

Then there was Jane.

Man… she looked beautiful. Dressed in white, hair perfect, face like she belonged on a magazine cover. For a second, I swear the whole room faded and it was just her. Our eyes met, and I gave her a little smile. I knew she was hurting. I promised her it would be her up here someday. Even though she knows this marriage is fake, it still stung. And I get it. I’d feel the same.

Hang in there, babe. One year. I swear. We’ll get our real wedding, and it’ll be way better than this circus.

I shifted a little when I noticed Nara’s mom watching me. The way she kept staring from me to Jane gave me chills. She’s sharp, that one. I have a feeling she knows I’m not in love with her daughter. But weird thing is… I don’t think she cares. She looks like the type that only cares about power, and the way she was eyeing Jane, like she was trying to solve a puzzle… yeah, made my skin crawl.

And then — the music changed.

The big double doors opened.

At first the light from outside made it hard to see, but then — there she was.

And I gotta admit… Jesus. She looked stunning. Like some kind of goddess. The room went dead silent. People stared at her like they were seeing a miracle. Even I had to pinch myself. That wedding dress I ordered from Italy? Yeah, worth every damn cent.

I peeked at Jane again. She was trying to keep it together, but I saw it. The jealousy. The hurt. And yeah… it made my chest ache a little.

Nara, on the other hand, was grinning like she’d won the lottery. Holding her dad’s arm like the happiest bride on earth. I just hope she doesn’t get any ideas. I mean, yeah, I’m a catch — but I’ve told her a hundred times, this is just a deal. I’m not breaking any hearts when this is over. That’s on her.

When her dad handed her over to me, he smiled at her in a way that made it clear — those two really loved each other. For a second, it made me feel… something. Then I snapped out of it.

We faced the priest, said the vows, and pulled off a performance so smooth we had the whole room eating out of our hands. The cameras flashed, the guests sighed, and yeah… we looked like the perfect couple.

Then came the kiss.

I kept it quick, light, nothing crazy. No need to pour salt in Jane’s wounds. She hadn’t even fully gotten over the engagement kiss, and I wasn’t about to make things worse.

Soon, babe. Just hold on.

And just like that — we were Mr. and Mrs. Gold.

What a show.

Reception

The reception was held in the hotel’s garden, and I gotta admit — it looked like something straight out of a fairytale.

People were laughing, taking photos, and pretending they liked each other.

We did the usual rounds — smiling for pictures with family and friends. Fake laughs. Stiff hugs. I couldn’t stop scanning the crowd for Jane, though.

Then it was time for the bouquet toss.

Nara stood on the little platform, flashing her perfect smile. “Ladies, get ready!” she called, and every woman in the place charged like it was the championship game.

I watched Jane try to sneak away from the madness, staying at the edge of the crowd. Smart girl. Or so she thought.

The bouquet went flying, and two women leaped for it like wild animals. In the chaos, poor Jane got shoved between them, lost her balance, and crashed to the ground with a loud thud. I winced. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the fall ripped the side of her dress — right there in front of everyone.

I was by her side in seconds.

“Jane! Hey, are you okay?” I dropped to my knees, grabbing her gently.

She was crying like a little girl, her face red from embarrassment. My chest tightened seeing her like that. I cupped her face, wiping her tears.

“It’s alright, baby. Come on… you’re okay.”

People were already staring.

“Keep it down,” a voice hissed behind me.

I turned — it was Nara.

“You don’t want people suspecting you’re already having an affair,” she snapped, eyes cold.

I clenched my jaw but forced a smile for the crowd. I leaned in to Jane. “Go home, okay? I’ll see you soon.”

She nodded, still sniffling, and one of the staff helped her up.

I put on my best fake grin and went back to the dance floor with Nara, pretending I wasn’t furious or worried sick.

As we danced, she leaned in close.

“Can you stop acting like a love-sick puppy anytime she’s around?” she whispered.

I laughed under my breath. “What do you mean? Jane’s my woman — or have you forgotten that already? Or because we just had a wedding you think you’re my wife now?”

She hissed. “You overestimate yourself, Nick. Believe me, I have no desire to be your real wife. You and Jane deserve each other. But as long as this marriage lasts, you will respect me in public. Remember the contract. No cheating scandal. Meet her in secret, not here. Or I swear I’ll be the one to ruin your perfect image.”

Without waiting for my reply, she spun away and started dancing with my father.

The nerve of her.

Now she thinks we’re equals just because she married me? Yeah, right. I was going to remind her exactly where she stood.

While she twirled around with my old man, I got stuck with her mother. And man, if anyone proved my point about what kind of people they were, it was her. She kept yapping about how she hoped I’d buy them a new house.

Lady — my family just paid for your husband’s surgery, cleared all your debts before you got thrown out of your mansion, and saved his dying company. And you’re still not satisfied?

Just as I was about to excuse myself, I spotted Jane. She was back — changed into a different dress. She looked stunning as always, but she was headed straight for trouble.

I saw her walk over to Nara. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but judging by their faces, they looked two seconds away from clawing each other’s eyes out.

“Excuse me,” I told Mrs. Harrison. I had to stop this war before it started.

And then — disaster number two.

Derick stumbled into the garden — a bottle of Scotch clutched in one hand, his shirt half-untucked, face red and glassy-eyed. He looked like he hadn’t slept, like desperation alone dragged him here.

“Who the hell gave this motherf**ker an invite?” I barked, scanning the room.

“Nara! Nara! Where’s my baby?!” Derick bellowed, his voice cracking like some drunk soap opera star.

“Where is security?” I yelled. “Get this clown outta here!”

But Derick wasn’t leaving. He staggered further in, pointing at me like I’d murdered his entire bloodline. “You stole her from me!” he shouted. “Nara — baby — come on, where are you? I didn’t mean it… whatever you’re mad about, we can fix it.”

The crowd parted, murmuring. Embarrassment clung to the air like smoke.

I caught sight of Nara, pressed against the far wall, trying to make herself invisible behind a hand fan. But it was too late — Derick’s bleary eyes locked onto her.

“Nara!” His voice broke. He shoved through the crowd, knocking over a tray of glasses and sending Jane sprawling to the floor. Nobody moved to help her.

He dropped to his knees in front of Nara, blubbering like a baby seal. “Please, leave with me. I’ll change! I’ll quit drinking! I’ll stop stalking your i********: stories!”

Her face was pale, her expression frozen between anger and horror. Guests stared, some whispering, some recording on their phones.

And security… taking their time, like it wasn’t their job to handle this.

Screw it.

I stormed over, grabbed Derick by the collar, and yanked him back. “Get your damn hands off my woman,” I growled.

Security finally arrived, pulling him out as he sobbed something about eternal love and shared playlists.

“Do something!” Nara hissed at me. “Everyone’s looking.”

She was right. If we didn’t flip this, by morning it’d be Nick’s psycho love triangle disaster party trending online. Time to act.

I grabbed the mic. “Alright, folks,” I chuckled, flashing my best ‘Nick knows how to spin a scandal’ grin. “That, my friends, is what too much alcohol does to a grown-ass man. Don’t be like him, kids.”

Laughter rippled through the room. Then I turned to Nara, dipped her back like we were in a movie, and kissed her hard. Cameras went wild. Boom — scandal neutralized. Or so I thought.

But nah. This night was cursed.