Married To A Stranger

Chapter 4

Shaina’s Point of View

The ceremony was a blur.

I barely remembered the vows, the officiant’s words, or even the moment Cloud slid the ring onto my finger. Everything felt distant, like I was watching my own wedding from behind a thick glass wall.

There were no guests, no grand decorations, no celebrations—just a quiet, formal exchange of words in a dimly lit study. The air smelled of aged wood and ink, the weight of history pressing down on me as I stood beside a man I barely knew.

A man who now owned me.

When it was over, I felt nothing. No relief, no sadness, no anger. Just emptiness.

"Congratulations," the officiant said, closing his book. "You are now husband and wife."

Cloud gave a single nod, his expression unreadable.

I forced myself to look at him, waiting for something—acknowledgment, reassurance, maybe even regret—but he only turned to the door, hands in his pockets, as if none of this mattered.

"Come," he said.

I hesitated before following him.

As we stepped into the hallway, I felt a heavy presence before I even saw her.

Sofia.

She was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, wearing a smug smile that made my stomach twist. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, flickered between me and Cloud.

"So, it's official," she mused, tilting her head. "Shaina Villareal, now a Whitley." Her lips curled, mocking. "Never thought I'd see the day."

I clenched my fists but said nothing.

Her gaze slid past me, landing on Cloud with something I had never seen before—admiration.

"You're quite the mystery, Mr. Whitley," she said, stepping closer. "Everyone was so sure you were... well, unfortunate-looking. But look at you—tall, refined, dangerously handsome." She let out a soft laugh, twirling a strand of her hair. "What a surprise."

Cloud didn't react.

Sofia, however, was enjoying herself. "Honestly, it's a shame," she continued, running a finger along the polished surface of the nearby table. "Someone like you, wasted on her." She flicked her gaze to me, her lips twitching in amusement.

I bristled.

Cloud finally spoke. "If you're done," he said coolly, "we have better things to do."

His voice was like ice, and for the first time, Sofia looked caught off guard.

Then she recovered, flashing a coy smile. "Of course. Don't let me keep you."

With that, she stepped aside, but not before whispering just loud enough for me to hear, "Must be nice, marrying into wealth. Enjoy it while it lasts, sister."

I ignored her and followed Cloud, my skin burning with frustration.

The hallway stretched long and empty, the silence between us heavy.

"If you need anything, ask the staff," Cloud said finally. "Otherwise, we’ll keep out of each other’s way."

His words stung, even though I had expected them.

"And if people ask? About us?" I forced myself to ask.

He smirked slightly. "Then we’ll pretend."

Pretend.

He stopped in front of a door and gestured toward it. "This is yours."

I stared at the polished wooden surface, realizing that this was it—my new reality.

Slowly, I turned the knob and stepped inside.

The room was beautiful—elegant yet simple. A large bed sat against the wall, draped in crisp white sheets. A vanity stood near the window, and a fireplace flickered softly in the corner, casting shadows along the dark wooden floors.

It was luxurious, but it wasn’t home.

Before I could say anything else, the door clicked shut.

I was alone.

I exhaled shakily, running a hand through my hair. I had known this wouldn’t be a fairytale, but standing in this unfamiliar room, wearing a ring that felt too heavy on my finger, reality crashed down on me.

I was no longer Shaina Villareal. I was Shaina Whitley.

A wife.

A stranger’s wife.

And Sofia was watching—waiting.

This was only the beginning.