The Billionaire Bride

CHAPTER 4 Selena

Just a few hours after Selena yelled at me, I stood in front of a big mirror in one of the fancy guest rooms at Blackwood Manor. I couldn't believe what I saw.

I looked really fancy and elegant - like someone from a rich family. My brown hair was styled in a cool way, showing off my pretty face. Makeup made my cheekbones look nice, and my green eyes stand out.

But the wedding dress was what really made me feel special. It was made of soft ivory silk and fit my body perfectly. The bottom flared out like a mermaid's tail, and it was covered in pretty lace with pearls and beads sewn on by hand.

The dress made me look like a rich bride - classic, beautiful, and a bit sexy. It was hard to believe I'd been broke just a day ago.

"You look really beautiful," Liam said in his fancy British accent, making me jump. He stood in the doorway, looking perfect in his black suit. He looked at me from top to bottom, not giving away what he was thinking.

"I had my suspicions when selecting that particular gown," he continued in a low, gruff tone. "Yet seeing you wearing it now exceeds even my highest expectations."

I felt really nervous, like a lion was staring at me. Liam's presence was really strong and confident, like he was in charge of everything.

"You'll wear fancy clothes from now on," Liam said, finally looking at me. "I want my wife to look perfect all the time."

His words made me feel worried. It was easy to pretend our deal wasn't serious before, but now, standing here in this fancy dress, I realized how big of a deal it was.

I was getting ready to marry Liam Blackwood, a guy I barely knew except for how intense and controlling he was. My identity as Sophia Moretti, the student and psychologist in training, was fading away as I became the person he wanted me to be.

I must have looked unsure because Liam looked even more serious. His eyes told me not to mess things up.

Luckily, the butler showed up, breaking the tension.

"Sorry to interrupt, sir, but it's time for Ms. Moretti to come downstairs. The guests are going into the ballroom now."

Already? I felt nervous, but Liam just nodded a little.

"Okay, we'll be there soon. Start the music," Liam said to the butler, still looking at me with his serious eyes. "Ready to go, future wife?"

His words made me uncomfortable, but I just nodded. Liam held out his arm, and I hesitated for a moment before taking it. We walked together towards the ballroom, where our fake wedding was about to happen, not knowing how much our lives were going to change.

There was no going back now.

The grand doors opened, and I couldn't help but be amazed. Liam's ballroom looked like something out of a fancy castle in Europe. There were tall columns and sparkling chandeliers everywhere. A fancy staircase led down to the middle of the room, where a red carpet aisle led to a platform for the wedding.

The guests gasped when Liam and I walked out onto the balcony. They all looked really rich in their fancy clothes, like colorful birds. I couldn't believe Liam managed to get so many important people here at such short notice.

This marriage was a big deal, bringing out all the important people in high society. They were excited about the idea of Liam marrying someone like me.

As we walked down the stairs, the music filled the room. I tried not to stare at everything or think about how much everyone was watching us. I had to stay focused and remember what I had to do.

I held onto Liam's arm tighter as we walked into the ballroom, knowing that we were heading towards something that would change both of our lives.

I could only pray that I didn't buckle under the pressure.

There was a disturbance at the door, and I felt sick when I heard Selena's voice. She was yelling and pushing the security guards away.

"Liam, you lying jerk!" she screamed, making everyone stare. She looked really messy and angry, like a crazy person. "I won't let you marry this cheap girl! She's just after your money, you hear me?"

CRACK!

A gunshot rang out, and everyone in the ballroom went crazy. People screamed and ran in every direction to get away.

Liam moved really fast, protecting me with his arm. He looked shocked when he saw the security guard pointing a gun at us from the back of the room.

I saw Selena's body on the floor and couldn't believe it. I whimpered in shock, unable to look away even as Liam pulled me close.

"We have to leave right now," he said urgently, taking me back up the stairs. "Get her to the panic room—!"

More gunshots rang out, and Liam shouted orders to the security guards. Plaster from the walls flew everywhere as bullets flew past us.

Liam grabbed me and pushed me into a side hallway, then lifted me up and started running. I held onto him tight as more shots echoed behind us, and people screamed in panic.

"L-Liam, what's happening?!" I wailed helplessly, terror clenched around my heart.

The wedding was supposed to be fancy, not a battlefield! It felt weird and scary to have violence interrupting such a fancy event.

"We're under attack!" Liam shouted as he ran, staying ahead of the chaos behind us. "Lock everything down now!"

One of Liam's men opened a door, revealing a plain, strong room. Liam didn't stop running, pushing me inside gently as gunfire echoed outside.

"Stay here, do not move," he ordered in a tone that brooked no argument, his eyes glinting like flint.

I felt scared and confused as Liam left me in the panic room. I hugged myself, trying to calm down and catch my breath. My head was spinning with all the scary images from the attack.

I couldn't stop thinking about Selena's body on the floor, and I wondered if the security guard had shot on purpose or if he was just scared. And all the gunshots we heard as we ran - were Liam's men fighting with more attackers?

I felt sick thinking about it. Did Liam know there was a danger to the wedding? And if he did, why go ahead with it so quickly? When did the merger become more important than people's lives?

I tried to push those thoughts away, covering my eyes with my hands to block out the images. It didn't help to think about it when I didn't know what was really going on.

I felt really anxious as I waited alone in the panic room. Every minute felt like forever, and I couldn't stop imagining bad things happening.

Finally, the door opened, and Liam came in. He looked fine, like he hadn't just been in a dangerous situation. He looked at me and then spoke, sounding calm.

"Well, wife, it seems our wedding night got pretty crazy."

I couldn't believe how calm he was. Liam came closer to me, looking intense and serious, like he was studying me.

"Things didn't go exactly as planned," Liam said, smiling a little. "But we still ended up where we wanted to be."

His dark emerald eyes bored into mine with possessiveness and undeniable promise.

"You. Are. Mine."