CHAPTER 3 —The Wedding
781 Words
Three days.
That was all the time Serena Bennett had to prepare herself to become Damian Cross’s wife.
Three days since Ethan had shattered her heart.
Three days since Damian had placed a marriage contract in front of her.
And three days since she had signed away one year of her life.
Serena stood in front of the mirror, staring at the woman looking back at her.
The white wedding dress fitted her perfectly.
It was elegant rather than extravagant, with delicate lace around the sleeves and a long veil falling behind her.
She should have been excited.
A bride was supposed to smile.
She was supposed to feel nervous because she was about to marry the man she loved.
But Serena felt nothing except emptiness.
Her mother stood behind her.
“You look beautiful.”
Serena smiled weakly.
“Thank you.”
Her mother stepped closer.
“Serena, you don’t have to do this.”
Serena lowered her eyes.
“Yes, I do.”
“You could leave.”
“And go where?”
Her mother didn’t answer.
Serena turned toward her.
“Dad’s company is drowning in debt. His health is getting worse. Damian is the only person who can save him.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice yourself.”
Serena touched the wedding ring on the table.
“I’m not sacrificing myself.”
Her mother looked at her sadly.
“Aren’t you?”
Serena didn’t answer.
A knock came at the door.
“Miss Bennett, it’s time.”
Serena took a deep breath.
Then she picked up her bouquet.
“Let’s go.”
⸻
The wedding was smaller than Serena expected.
There were no hundreds of guests.
No huge celebration.
No long ceremony.
Damian had arranged everything privately.
The only people present were their immediate families, a few trusted friends, and the priest.
Serena walked slowly down the aisle.
Her eyes immediately found Damian.
He was standing at the front in a black suit.
He looked calm.
Cold.
Untouchable.
As if he wasn’t about to get married.
As if this was simply another business meeting.
When Serena reached him, Damian held out his hand.
She placed hers in his.
His fingers were warm.
For some reason, that surprised her.
The priest began the ceremony.
Serena barely heard the words.
She kept thinking about the contract.
One year.
After one year, she would be free.
Damian looked at her.
“Serena Bennett, do you take Damian Cross to be your husband?”
Her throat tightened.
She looked into his eyes.
“I do.”
Damian’s expression didn’t change.
“And do you take Serena Bennett to be your wife?”
“I do.”
Two simple words.
And just like that, they were married.
The priest smiled.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Serena’s heart jumped.
She looked at Damian.
For one brief moment, she thought he would kiss her.
Instead, Damian leaned down and pressed his lips gently against her forehead.
The guests applauded.
Serena forced a smile.
Damian whispered so quietly that only she could hear.
“Don’t misunderstand.”
She looked at him.
“This marriage is business.”
Her smile disappeared.
“I know.”
After the ceremony, Serena expected them to leave quietly.
Instead, she heard cameras.
She turned.
Reporters were standing outside.
“What are they doing here?”
Damian looked at her.
“I invited them.”
“You did what?”
He placed a hand around her waist.
“Smile.”
“Damian—”
“Everyone needs to believe this marriage is real.”
The cameras flashed.
Damian looked directly at the reporters.
“Today, Serena Bennett became my wife.”
Questions immediately followed.
“Mr. Cross, how long have you been dating?”
“Was this marriage planned?”
“Are you in love?”
Damian remained calm.
He looked at Serena.
Then he answered.
“We’re married. That’s all anyone needs to know.”
Serena forced another smile.
Inside, she was furious.
When they finally entered the car, she pulled away from him.
“You could have warned me.”
“You would have objected.”
“Yes!”
“Exactly.”
She glared at him.
“You’re impossible.”
“I’ve been called worse.”
The car began moving.
Serena looked through the window.
She was officially Damian Cross’s wife.
But she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had just stepped into a trap.
Damian watched her silently.
He had finally married a Bennett.
The first step of his revenge was complete.
But he didn’t know that the woman sitting beside him would eventually become the person he would fight hardest to protect.
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