"Married to a Stranger"

Rain lashed against the windows of the bridal suite, a gloomy reflection of the storm brewing in Amelia’s heart. She sat still, wrapped in layers of silk and lace, her hands clenched tightly in her lap as the makeup artist dabbed at her face, pretending not to notice the tears she was trying to hide. This wasn’t how she imagined her wedding. Not with a stranger. Not without love. “Amelia, it’s time,” her mother said softly from the doorway, eyes betraying a mixture of guilt and resignation. She rose on shaky legs. Her heels clicked against the marble floor, echoing louder than her thoughts. Each step down the aisle felt like a lifetime. At the end stood the man she would marry—Adrian Blackwood—a man she’d met just three days ago, the man chosen for her by a family contract sealed long before she could say no. He looked... calm. Tall, poised, and too perfect. His eyes, cold and unreadable, met hers for a brief moment before they both turned to face the priest. "Do you, Amelia Grace Winton, take this man..." She barely heard the words. Her voice shook, but she spoke anyway. "I do." And just like that, her life changed. --- That night, the silence in the car was deafening. Adrian sat beside her, formal and detached, as if they were strangers who just happened to be in wedding attire. Which, of course, they were. “I know this isn’t what you wanted,” he said finally, his voice low and calm. “But let’s make this simple. We do our part, live our lives, and stay out of each other’s way.” She turned to him, surprised. “You mean... we won’t pretend to be married?” He glanced at her. “We’ll pretend when needed. But behind closed doors—you’re free to live your life. Just follow the rules, and we won’t have a problem.” Rules. Her marriage began with rules. But something inside her whispered... What happens when the rules start to break? ✨ Written by MD NURUL ✨