Chapter Five
851 Words
The Civil Affairs Bureau buzzed with activity as couples streamed in and out, signing papers that would legally bind them together. Some were giddy with excitement, others tense with anticipation. As soon as Noah and Emily stepped inside, a hush fell over the room. Heads turned, eyes widened, and whispers spread like wildfire.
"Oh my God, look at him! That man is a walking dream!"
"Is that even fair? How can someone be that handsome? I swear I'd trade anything for just one night with him!"
Emily clenched her fists, pretending not to hear the shameless remarks. If only they knew. If only they realized that this wasn't some fairy-tale romance but a contract—nothing more than a cold, calculated transaction.
If only they knew how fake this marriage was, Emily thought bitterly, watching as a couple nearby kissed passionately. Do people believe in love that much?
"Why are you just standing there?" Noah’s deep voice cut through her thoughts.
She blinked, momentarily disoriented. "Huh?"
"Let's go." Without waiting for her, he strode ahead with the confidence of a man who had never been told 'no.'
Emily sighed and trailed after him. The murmurs grew louder as he approached the front desk.
"Ah! First Master Noah!" The clerk gasped, nearly dropping her pen.
A stunned silence fell over the room. People parted like the Red Sea, their admiration mingled with intimidation. Even those who had been waiting for hours did not dare protest. Noah Harper, the elusive CEO who rarely made public appearances, was standing right before them.
Emily bristled. *So this is what power looks like? The ability to trample over others without consequence?* She hated it. Hated that he was using his influence to bypass the queue. Hated how easily the world bent for people like him.
Minutes later, they left the bureau, a fresh marriage certificate in Noah’s hand.
*Just hours ago, I was Emily Grant. Now, I am Emily Harper. Just like that.*
As they slid into the car, Emily’s phone rang. She tensed. It was her boss. Linda.
"Good evening, ma," Emily answered cautiously.
"Why were you absent without permission?" Linda snapped, her voice sharp as a blade.
"I apologize, ma, it was—"
"You're fired."
Click.
Emily sat frozen. The words echoed in her head. *Fired? Just like that?* She had given that job everything. And for what? A single day of absence had cost her everything. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.
Noah, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly spoke. "The contract covers your employment as well."
Her head snapped toward him. *The contract…?* Oh. Right. Relief washed over her.
"Thank you, sir. Thank you so much." Her voice was thick with gratitude.
The car took a sharp left. Emily frowned. *This isn’t the way to my house.*
"Where are we going?" she asked hesitantly.
The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "Home, madam."
Emily’s heart skipped a beat. *Home?* As in *his* home?
"You’re my wife now," Noah stated coolly. "It only makes sense that you live with me."
She swallowed. *This isn’t real. None of this is real.*
"But—"
Noah’s eyes darkened. "But what?"
She hesitated. He wasn’t a man who entertained arguments. "I… I just need to pick up some things."
"No need. Everything will be replaced."
"Please, I just—"
He exhaled sharply. "Fine. Drop her off."
"Thank you," Emily murmured, opening the door as the car slowed.
Noah handed her a sleek contact card. "Call me when you’re done. I’ll send someone to get you."
### ***
Hours passed. Noah checked his watch. *Why hasn’t she called?* His jaw tightened. *Or maybe…* He scoffed internally. *She’s already scheming something. I should’ve known.*
Meanwhile, Emily was facing a different kind of hell.
"Where have you been all day?!" Olivia screamed the moment she stepped inside.
"You want to ruin everything for us?!" her father, Williams, thundered. "Do you have any idea what the Mason family could do to us? They could destroy us in seconds!"
Emily’s hands balled into fists. "Why is it always me? Why do I have to be the sacrificial lamb? I am your daughter too!"
"No!" her mother, Rose, sneered. "You’re nothing but a disgrace! We asked for one simple thing: marry into wealth and leave us alone!"
The door burst open. A furious Jayden stormed in, his eyes blazing with fury.
"How dare you?!" His voice was like a whip. "You sent her to another man’s bed last night, and you think I’ll let that slide? I will burn the Grant family to the ground!"
"P-please, Master Jayden!" Rose stammered. "She’s the one who shamelessly threw herself at him!"
"Yes! She did it on her own!" Olivia chimed in, her voice desperate.
Emily’s breath hitched. Lies. All lies. She opened her mouth to defend herself—
"Kneel and apologize!" Olivia snapped.
Emily’s entire body trembled. Before she could speak, a cold, commanding voice sliced through the air.
"What is going on here?"
The room fell deathly silent.
All eyes turned toward the door.
- Writer
