PASSION'S CONTRACT

CHAPTER 5

If anyone had told her last month she would be getting married the next month, she would have laughed it off as a joke.

Yet here she was, sitting in a dress, looking like a runaway bride.

Yes, Marie knew she was beautiful, but she didn't know it was to this extent, as she couldn't even say she was the one standing in front of the mirror confidently.

Her mind went back to Mike, and she sighed. She was only doing this to help Mike and herself.

After a year, she would be out like the wind.

Marie felt her eyes water as the image of her parents came to her mind. She didn't want to ruin the make-up and had to hold the tears in with a smile as the make-up artists packed up their tools.

If only they were to see her on this day getting married to her nemesis, would they be happy for her or sad for her? They would have known what to do. It wouldn't have gotten to this extent where she would be trapped in a loveless marriage.

But after one year, she would hold a wedding just like this with Mike, and she would be happy.

"You look absolutely stunning, dear." Mrs. Donovan entered, and Marie could only smile at her without saying a word.

This is the circle of the rich, where you have to behave like them. You don't talk too much, do not slouch, always be upright, and do not speak until you are asked to.

Yes, these rules are like a knife to the head; they could either make you or break you. Rules that could build a perfect face for you and make you the perfect person in society.

Do not argue or fight, nor should you ever use a foul word in your speech, and you will be seen as noble. That is the rule; that is the law.

Marie bowed slightly at her as a form of greeting, which she learned in the past few days as Antoine forced her to.

"I can see the corset is tight. I hope you can breathe properly, or should I assist you to loosen it?"

Another rule Antoine drilled into her head.

'Do not trust anyone in this circle, especially the ones who seem exceptionally kind.

"Do not bother yourself, Mrs.; it is just perfect this way, thank you," Marie replied without giving out any leverage for an attack.

"Alright, since you are fine, should we go down together then?"

"You are so kind, but I'd love to be alone for some minutes if you don't mind, of course."

"Of course, I won't," said Diana, whose eyes narrowed slightly.

She stretched her red lips and turned around to leave.

Seeing the woman finally leaving the room as all the other workers had also left the room, Marie sighed, finally breathing properly.

But she looked at the corset, which meant she obviously couldn't have anything to eat at the party.

Looking at her phone, she felt like texting Mike but stopped herself from doing that.

If she texted him, she might end up not attending the wedding.

Marie went back to the full-length mirror and smiled at herself, but it was obvious her smile was strained as she sighed before walking out of the room and announcing she was ready.

Now it was time for the wedding of the year.

Marie nodded at her useless uncle, who came all because he heard she was getting married to Antoine, the billionaire."

He put out his elbow for her to take, and she did without complaining.

While walking down the aisle, her life seemed to flash before her eyes.

If she ran away right now, it's all over, she thought as she felt her uncle's hand squeeze hers, making her wince and turn to him as he spoke lightly so he wouldn't be heard over the wedding song.

"If you even dare to embarrass me, I'll end you."

Marie wanted to yell at him; she wanted to tell him to f**k off and end the wedding right here and right then, but there was too much at stake and too much to gain.

She had to swallow her pride and bow her head sometimes.

She saw Antoine stretch his hand for her to grasp, and she did so without hesitating.

Here she was standing on the aisle with her nemesis; never in a million years would she have imagined her wedding to be like this, but here it is, with no turning back.

The priest kept talking, and Marie's eyes were fixed on Antoine's, who squeezed her hand with a warning in his eyes.

"Smile like you are the luckiest woman on Earth because you are. Getting married to me should be your heartfelt desire," Antoine said in a low voice, and Marie shivered.

No one is on her side except Mike; everyone else is a snake waiting to bite her.

She looked at the crowd, and her eyes stopped at the only man whose eyes weren't as stern as they were when she first met him.

This time his eyes seemed to smile at her... happily.

He was genuinely happy for her.

"In sickness and in health, till death do you part?"

Ah, yes, her last line to seal this whole charade. She felt Antoine squeeze her hand, and his face was as cold as ever. She winced and brought out a fake smile.

"I-"

"Hold on" a voice yelled loud and clear.