Rejected by my Ex, Claimed by His Billionaire Boss

A fake marriage

Renée quietly sat before Killian and waited for him to speak up.

"I–"

"You–"

Killian and Renée spoke at the same time before pausing. "Please, go first," Renée said.

"I am here to clarify one thing to you. After we get married, you will see me with my girlfriend. Since it's a contract marriage, I want you to respect my boundaries. If you try to cross it, you'll bear the consequences," Killian explained to her.

Renée's jaw tightened. 'Why he thinks so highly of himself? He thinks I'll beg for this nut head love. Tsk.' She gained her composure and continued, "That's great! Who would want a man like you to be with her? You need not to worry about me. You can do anything you want with your dear girlfriend," she stated with a tone of mockery.

Killian's ego was hurt. No woman would say a no to him. But Renée was making it like as if he was some ordinary man. "Women like you can't even afford to have me in their lives," he remarked.

Renée tightened her fists as he once again humiliated her. "Cheaters like you don't deserve me either," she retorted.

Killian frowned at her. "Renée, you are crossing your line. I never cheated on you. You are already expecting a relationship from me, aren't you?"

"No. You are disrespecting me. Even you have crossed the line, Killian," Renée said. "Since you've nothing more to say to me, then you can leave," she pronounced.

Killian left his seat. However, before leaving he said, "One year we both have to be each other's burden. In one year, you should be able to take your revenge or whatever you want." Without listening to Renée, he then left.

"He is a jerk. If I would not be helpless, I had never gone to him. What does he think of me?" She muttered under her breath. Calming herself down, she decided to sleep since tomorrow would be a tiring day for her.

~~~~

Every girl dreams of her perfect wedding—a vision of the dress, the venue, the guests. For Renée, those dreams had once been tied to Shawn, a future that never came to pass. Now, standing alone in front of the mirror, she took a deep breath and examined her reflection.

The white gown clung to her frame in all the right places, the delicate lace and flowing fabric more beautiful than anything she could have imagined. How had Killian known her size without even asking? It was a mystery she didn’t have the energy to unravel.

But the gown wasn’t the only thing weighing on her mind. Who would walk her down the aisle? There was no father, no brother, not even a close male friend to take her hand and lead her to the altar. The thought made her chest tighten with an emptiness she couldn’t shake.

She sighed, dropping her gaze to the floor. “What am I even expecting? It’s just a fake marriage with a one-year contract,” she murmured to herself.

This wasn’t the fairytale she had once imagined, but a practical arrangement, a business deal disguised in white lace and vows. She was marrying Killian for reasons that had nothing to do with love or romance, and everything to do with necessity.

But standing there, looking every bit the radiant bride, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness for the dreams she’d once held so dear.

“Renée, are you ready?” A voice interrupted her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. It was one of the wedding coordinators, a polite but detached smile present on her face.

Renée took one last look in the mirror, straightened her shoulders, and nodded. “Yes, I’m ready.”

Because, contract or not, she would walk down that aisle with her head held high. This might not be the marriage of her dreams, but it was the path she’d chosen to avenge on her ex and best friend, who betrayed her.

As Renée entered the church, she was taken aback to see a familiar face waiting to escort her. It was Mark, Killian's efficient secretary. He offered her a reassuring smile, and she hesitated only a moment before hooking her arm through his. Together, they began the walk down the aisle toward the man she was about to marry—the man she still didn’t quite understand.

Despite her conflicting feelings, Renée couldn’t deny that Killian looked undeniably attractive standing there in his tailored wedding tuxedo. His presence commanded attention, exuding confidence and a hint of danger. 'Did I just call him hot?' she thought, a flush creeping up her neck. 'He’s a bastard,' she reminded herself, trying to shake off the absurd idea that she found anything appealing about him.

As they reached the altar, her heart pounded against her ribcage. Killian's gaze was intense, his eyes locked onto hers as if they could see right through her. It made her stomach twist in nervous anticipation. She tightened her grip on the bouquet, the delicate flowers trembling slightly in her hands.

'Can I really go through with this?' The question echoed in her mind. 'Can I watch him be with his girlfriend while I stand on the sidelines, pretending none of this affects me?' Her mind raced, filled with doubts she hadn’t anticipated. Why was she feeling this way? Why was she already expecting anything from this marriage of convenience?

“Renée!” Killian’s sharp voice snapped her back to reality.

“What?” she stammered, blinking up at him in confusion.

“The vows. Repeat them after the priest,” he said, his tone edged with impatience.

“Oh… right,” she murmured, her cheeks flushing. She shifted her gaze to the priest, then back to Killian, who was watching her with a hard expression.

Taking a deep breath, Renée began to repeat the vows, her voice trembling at first but growing steadier as she continued.

“I, Renée Findlay, take Killian Morrison as my husband. In times of happiness or sadness; good or bad; health or sickness, you’ll find me by your side.” She spoke the words clearly, looking directly into his eyes, as if trying to convey a message even she didn’t fully understand.

As she finished, she realized her heart was pounding for a different reason now. For a moment, she could see something flicker in Killian’s eyes. But then, just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by his usual steely composure.

The priest continued the ceremony, but Renée's mind was still reeling. 'What am I doing?' she wondered again, but it was too late now. The vows were spoken, the promises were made.

And as she slid the ring onto Killian’s finger, she couldn’t help but feel that this moment, this marriage, was far more complicated than she had ever imagined.

"From today onward, Killian Morrison and Renée Findlay Morrison are husband and wife," the priest declared. "The groom may kiss his bride," he said.

Renée shook her head, and she knew Killian wouldn't do that either.

However, Killian's next move shocked her. He cupped her face and without any warning, he kissed her lips.

And the moment was captured with a camera in Mark's hands.