CHAPTER FIVE
938 Words
The wedding was quiet.
No reporters.
No public announcement.
No grand ceremony.
Only a private hall, a handful of witnesses, and two people bound together by an agreement rather than love.
Olivia stood at the end of the aisle in the same dress Theodore had chosen. The soft white fabric flowed around her, elegant but not extravagant. Her face was calm, her eyes steady.
Across from her, Theodore waited.
Black suit.
Cold expression.
Unreadable gaze.
No one would believe this was a wedding.
There was no warmth.
No excitement.
Only silence.
The officiant spoke briefly. Formal words. Legal vows. Mechanical promises.
“Do you, Theodore Sinclair, take Olivia Hart as your lawful wife?”
“I do.”
His voice was calm.
Steady.
Without emotion.
The officiant turned.
“Do you, Olivia Hart, take Theodore Sinclair as your lawful husband?”
Olivia looked at him.
Just for a second.
Then she answered.
“I do.”
And just like that—
It was done.
No kiss.
No applause.
Only signatures.
Theodore handed her the pen.
“Sign.”
She did.
Olivia Hart.
Became—
Olivia Sinclair.
The assistant collected the documents.
“It’s official.”
Theodore nodded.
Olivia lowered the pen slowly.
Her life had changed.
But nothing felt different.
Not yet.
After the ceremony, they stepped outside together.
The car waited.
Theodore opened the door.
“You’ll move tonight?”
Olivia shook her head.
“No.”
He looked at her.
“I want to keep things normal.”
“You mean school.”
“Yes.”
“You plan to continue attending?”
“Yes.”
He studied her.
“You don’t want people to know.”
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
She answered calmly.
“Because I still have things to finish.”
He understood immediately.
Revenge.
She wasn’t done yet.
“Fine,” he said. “We keep it secret.”
She nodded.
“I’ll move later.”
“Alright.”
They entered the car.
Silence filled the ride.
After a few minutes, Theodore spoke.
“You’ll still need security.”
“No.”
“That’s not optional.”
“I don’t want attention.”
He thought for a moment.
“I’ll arrange discreet protection.”
She didn’t argue.
“Okay.”
The car stopped near her house.
She reached for the door.
“Olivia.”
She paused.
“Yes?”
“You’re married now.”
“I know.”
“You can call me if something happens.”
She nodded.
“Okay.”
She stepped out.
The car drove away.
She stood there quietly.
Mrs. Sinclair.
Yet returning to the same house.
The same people.
The same loneliness.
Nothing had changed.
Except everything.
Inside, Clara smiled.
“You’re back.”
“Yes.”
“You’ve been busy lately.”
“A little.”
Lena watched carefully.
“You look tired, sister.”
“I’m fine.”
Her father added,
“Focus on school. Exams are coming.”
“I will.”
Same conversation.
Same indifference.
Olivia walked upstairs.
Her expression remained calm.
But inside…
A quiet determination settled deeper.
She was no longer alone.
Not really.
Even if it was only a contract—
She had power now.
And she would use it.
The next morning, Olivia walked into campus as usual.
Nothing changed.
Students still whispered.
Teachers still lectured.
Life moved normally.
But Lena noticed something.
Olivia looked… lighter.
Not happy.
But steady.
As if something heavy had settled into place.
Daniel waved.
“Olivia!”
She walked over.
“Yes?”
“Group project today. Don’t forget.”
“I won’t.”
Lena joined them.
Her smile gentle.
“Let’s work together after class.”
Olivia nodded.
“Okay.”
They spent the afternoon in the library.
Normal.
Quiet.
Like always.
But Lena kept observing.
Olivia checked her phone once.
Very briefly.
Her expression didn’t change.
But Lena caught it.
A message.
Short.
Important.
She couldn’t see the screen.
But suspicion grew.
That evening.
Olivia received a message.
"Reached home?"
She replied.
"Yes."
Theodore:
"Eat."
She stared at the word.
Simple.
Unexpected.
She typed:
"Okay."
A few minutes later:
"Tomorrow. Dinner again."
She replied:
"I have school."
Pause.
Then:
"After."
She answered:
"Okay."
She placed her phone down.
Something about these short conversations felt strange.
They weren’t warm.
But not completely cold either.
Meanwhile, Lena sat in her room.
Her friend finally replied.
"I checked. She’s been getting picked up by a luxury car. Plate number belongs to Sinclair Group."
Lena froze.
Her heart pounded.
Sinclair Group?
No…
That couldn’t be.
Her fingers trembled.
She typed quickly.
"Are you sure?"
Reply:
"Yes. 100% sure."
Lena stared at the message.
Her breathing grew uneven.
Olivia…
Connected to Sinclair Group?
Impossible.
Unless—
No.
It couldn’t be.
Theodore Sinclair was getting married.
He wouldn’t—
Her mind spun.
She clenched her phone.
No matter what…
She needed to confirm.
Next day.
Campus activity.
Students gathered for a charity planning meeting.
Lena sat beside Daniel.
Olivia sat across.
The discussion continued.
Then suddenly—
A professor entered.
“We’ve received sponsorship from Sinclair Group.”
The room erupted.
“Seriously?!”
“That’s huge!”
Lena’s heart skipped.
Sinclair Group?
The professor continued,
“A representative will attend next week.”
Everyone grew excited.
Daniel smiled.
“Maybe we’ll see Theodore Sinclair.”
Lena’s eyes flickered.
Olivia remained calm.
Unbothered.
Silent.
But under the table…
Her phone vibrated.
One message.
"I’ll attend."
She read it.
Then locked the screen.
Her expression didn’t change.
But for the first time—
A faint, almost invisible smile touched her lips.
The game…
Was just beginning.
- Writer
