Chapter 6
799 Words
The signature looked unfamiliar.
As though someone else had written her name.
Celeste stared at the completed contract for a long time after the ink dried.
There was no relief.
No certainty.
Only a hollow feeling spreading through her chest.
The decision had been made.
Her future no longer belonged entirely to her.
The wedding was scheduled for three days later.
Three days.
That was all the time between her old life and whatever came next.
Everything moved quickly after that.
Too quickly.
Designers arrived at the house with racks of expensive dresses.
Jewelry worth more than her parents' home appeared in velvet boxes.
Assistants came and went carrying schedules and documents.
Everyone treated the wedding like a grand celebration.
No one treated it like a tragedy.
Especially not her mother.
Vivian Wren seemed happier with each passing day.
She smiled more.
Laughed more.
The stress that had weighed on her for months was suddenly gone.
Every smile felt like another reminder of the price Celeste had paid.
The night before the wedding, Celeste sat alone in her room.
Sleep refused to come.
The city lights outside her window blurred through her tears.
Not because she loved someone else.
Not because she dreamed of a fairy-tale wedding.
But because she was mourning.
Mourning the future she would never have.
The freedom to choose.
The chance to fall in love naturally.
The simple happiness of knowing her marriage was her own decision.
By morning, exhaustion had settled into her bones.
Yet the world continued moving forward.
Hair stylists arrived before sunrise.
Makeup artists followed.
The house buzzed with activity.
Everyone spoke in excited voices.
Everyone except the bride.
Hours later, Celeste stood before a mirror wearing a breathtaking white gown.
The dress was beautiful.
Elegant.
Perfect.
And she hated it.
Because it felt like a costume.
A disguise worn by a woman pretending she wasn't terrified.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
Her father entered.
For a moment, neither spoke.
His eyes immediately filled with emotion.
"You look beautiful."
Celeste forced a small smile.
"Thanks."
Silence followed.
Awkward.
Painful.
Her father stepped closer.
"I'm sorry."
The words were barely audible.
But she heard them.
Every syllable.
Every ounce of regret.
Tears threatened to fall.
Again.
Always tears these days.
"I'm trying to forgive you," she admitted.
His eyes closed briefly.
"Do you think you ever will?"
The question lingered between them.
Celeste didn't know the answer.
Maybe one day.
Maybe never.
"I don't know."
Her father nodded.
As though he had expected exactly that.
A few minutes later, it was time.
The drive to the venue felt surreal.
The ceremony was being held at one of the most luxurious estates in the city.
Guests filled the grounds.
Business leaders.
Politicians.
Celebrities.
People she had only ever seen in magazines.
All gathered to witness a marriage built on a contract.
The irony made her want to laugh.
Or cry.
Maybe both.
As she stood behind the closed chapel doors, her heart pounded violently.
The music began.
The signal arrived.
It was time.
Slowly, the doors opened.
Hundreds of faces turned toward her.
The sight nearly stole her breath.
The aisle stretched endlessly before her.
At the far end stood Zayden Lockwood.
Waiting.
Watching.
His black suit fit perfectly.
His expression remained calm.
Controlled.
Unreadable.
Like always.
Yet something felt different today.
For the first time, she noticed how isolated he seemed.
Surrounded by people.
Yet somehow alone.
The realization caught her off guard.
Step by step, she walked toward him.
The crowd disappeared.
The music faded.
Everything narrowed to the man standing before her.
When she finally reached the altar, their eyes met.
Neither smiled.
Neither looked away.
The officiant began speaking.
Words about commitment.
Trust.
Partnership.
Promises.
Each one felt strangely distant.
Like they belonged to another couple.
Not them.
Eventually, the vows arrived.
Simple.
Formal.
Expected.
When it was her turn, Celeste's voice trembled slightly.
Yet she finished every word.
Then Zayden spoke.
His voice remained steady.
Confident.
Certain.
Not a single crack.
Not a single hesitation.
The rings were exchanged.
The final documents signed.
And then the officiant smiled.
"It is my honor to pronounce you husband and wife."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
Applause followed.
Everything felt unreal.
Then came the final instruction.
"You may kiss the bride."
The room instantly fell silent.
Celeste's breath caught.
Her pulse stumbled.
Slowly, she looked up.
And for the first time since the ceremony began, something shifted in Zayden's expression.
Something she couldn't quite understand.
His gaze dropped to her lips.
Then returned to her eyes.
The crowd waited.
The cameras waited.
The world seemed to stop.
And as Zayden took a single step toward her, Celeste realized she had absolutely no idea what he was about to do.
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