Chapter 3: The Wedding
437 Words
“Get ready. The wedding is today.”
I blinked, sure I heard wrong. “Today?!”
Adrian didn’t even look up from his phone. “I don’t repeat myself.”
My heart started racing. “You didn’t tell me it would be this fast!”
“That wasn’t part of the agreement,” he said calmly. “Everything happens on my terms.”
Of course it does.
Before I could argue, a group of women walked into the room carrying dresses, makeup kits, and shoes.
“Make her presentable,” Adrian ordered, standing up. “We leave in two hours.”
Presentable?!
I opened my mouth to protest, but the words died in my throat as they pulled me away.
Two hours later, I barely recognized myself.
The girl staring back at me in the mirror looked… expensive.
The white dress hugged my body perfectly, my hair fell in soft waves, and my makeup made me look like someone I wasn’t sure I knew.
“Wow,” one of the stylists whispered. “He chose well.”
Chosen.
The word sat uncomfortably in my chest.
The ceremony was small. Too small.
No family. No friends.
Just a few men in suits and a quiet officiator waiting at the front.
This wasn’t a wedding.
It was a transaction.
And I was the product.
Adrian stood at the altar, looking like he owned the world.
Cold. Calm. Untouchable.
As I walked toward him, his eyes locked onto mine—but there was no warmth in them.
Only control.
“Do you take this man as your husband?” the officiator asked.
My throat tightened.
This is it.
There was still time to run.
Still time to say no.
But then I remembered the bills. The sleepless nights. The desperation.
“I do,” I whispered.
Adrian didn’t hesitate.
“I do.”
The ring felt heavy on my finger.
Like a chain.
“You may kiss the bride.”
My breath caught.
Adrian stepped closer, his hand sliding to my waist, pulling me in slightly.
“Remember Rule 3,” he murmured. “Act like my wife.”
Before I could respond, his lips touched mine.
It wasn’t gentle.
It wasn’t loving.
It was controlled. Possessive.
A kiss meant to convince everyone watching that I belonged to him.
And for a moment…
I almost believed it.
As he pulled away, his lips brushed my ear.
“Welcome to your new life,” he whispered.
A chill ran down my spine.
Because something told me…
This wasn’t just a marriage.
It was the beginning of something far more dangerous.
- Writer
