Chapter 2
645 Words
The cathedral fell silent as Emma reached the altar.
Every pair of eyes followed her, but the only gaze that mattered belonged to the man waiting for her.
Ethan Harrington.
Tall, broad-shouldered, and impossibly handsome, he looked every bit the powerful CEO whose face often appeared on the covers of business magazines. Yet there was no joy in his steel-gray eyes—only suspicion.
"Who is she?" he wondered.
When Emma stopped beside him, she kept her eyes lowered, hoping he couldn't hear the frantic beating of her heart.
The minister smiled warmly.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..."
Ethan leaned slightly toward Emma.
In a voice only she could hear, he asked, "You're not Olivia."
Emma swallowed hard.
"No."
"Then who are you?"
"I'm... the replacement."
His eyes widened for a fraction of a second before his expression turned unreadable again.
"My father arranged this?"
She nodded almost imperceptibly.
Ethan let out a quiet, bitter laugh.
"Of course he did."
The ceremony continued.
Emma barely heard the vows. She felt as though she were living someone else's life.
When the minister asked, "Do you, Ethan Harrington, take Emma Carter to be your lawful wife?"
There was a long pause.
The guests exchanged nervous glances.
Finally, Ethan answered, "I do."
Emma's turn came.
Her voice trembled.
"I do."
"You may now kiss the bride."
Instead of a passionate kiss, Ethan gently brushed his lips against her forehead.
It was brief, respectful, and unexpectedly kind.
The guests erupted into applause.
The wedding was complete.
Hours later, the grand reception was in full swing at the Harrington Hotel.
Champagne flowed freely while photographers captured every smile.
Emma felt completely out of place among America's wealthiest families.
She had spent years carrying trays in a diner. Now she was wearing a wedding gown worth more than everything she owned.
Suddenly, a glamorous woman approached.
She looked Emma up and down before smirking.
"So you're the mystery bride."
Emma smiled politely.
"I guess I am."
"I'm Victoria Reynolds."
Emma recognized the name immediately.
Victoria was Ethan's former girlfriend—and daughter of one of Chicago's richest businessmen.
Victoria crossed her arms.
"You won't last."
"I'm sorry?"
"Ethan doesn't believe in love. He barely believes in marriage."
Emma looked across the ballroom.
Ethan stood alone, politely speaking with investors while wearing the same distant expression he'd had at the altar.
Victoria leaned closer.
"Enjoy pretending to be Mrs. Harrington."
Then she walked away.
Emma suddenly felt very small.
Later that evening, Ethan found Emma standing alone on the balcony overlooking the city lights.
The cold wind tugged at her veil.
"You should be inside," he said.
She turned.
"I needed some air."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Finally, Ethan broke the silence.
"My father offered you money."
It wasn't a question.
Emma nodded.
"He did."
"How much?"
She hesitated.
"One million dollars."
He wasn't surprised.
"He always thinks problems can be solved with money."
Emma looked at him carefully.
"I didn't do it just for the money."
"No?"
"Your grandmother asked me to help."
For the first time that evening, Ethan's expression softened.
"My grandmother likes you."
"I like her too."
He studied her face.
"You seem honest."
Emma laughed quietly.
"That's probably the nicest thing you've said to me."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
It disappeared almost as quickly as it came.
"Our agreement ends tomorrow morning," Ethan said. "After the annulment, you'll receive the money, and we'll go our separate ways."
Emma nodded, though a strange sadness settled in her chest.
"I understand."
Neither of them noticed the photographer hidden across the street.
His camera flashed.
Click.
A picture of the newlyweds standing close together on the balcony would appear on the front page of every major newspaper the next morning—alongside a headline that would make a quiet annulment impossible.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD