My Husband’s Rival Wants Me

Chapter 2

Sienna

“If you sigh one more time, I’m going to ruin your eyeliner on purpose?” Chloe warned, stepping back to look at me through the vanity mirror. She adjusted the heavy lace of my wedding dress over my shoulders. “You look like you’re heading to a funeral, not your own wedding.”

I forced a small smile, smoothing down the silk of my dress. “I’m just tired. I was up late last night.”

“Of course you are. I still can’t believe you two actually agreed to this.”

“It makes sense for both families, Chloe. You know that,” I replied, keeping my voice light.

As Chloe turned to grab my veil, my mind drifted to how we got here.

To the rest of the world, our marriage was a union between two powerful families, bringing two shipping empires together. But the truth was, Callum and I had been involved long before our families ever put the idea on the table. It started six months ago at a private charity gala, with stolen glances in a VIP lounge and an intense, passionate night at his penthouse that neither of us was supposed to repeat.

Except we did. Over and over again. It was a no-strings-attached affair, and no one knew about it. We kept our personal lives separate. When our families suggested the marriage, Callum and I talked about it privately. Neither of us had planned on getting married, but since we were already seeing each other, we figured we could go along with it for a year, then get a divorce.

I agreed because I thought it would be easy. What I hadn’t told him was that those six months had become more than they were supposed to be. I hadn’t just given Callum my body. I had lost my heart to him.

“Come back to earth, Sienna,” Chloe said, waving a hand in front of my face and snapping me out of my thoughts. She clipped the veil into my hair. “Look, I know you say this is just business and a one-year contract. But promise me you won’t let his stubborn ways push you around. You’re a Caldwell. You shouldn’t bow down to anyone. Don’t forget that.”

I looked at my reflection, the heavy diamond necklace around my neck catching the light. “I know exactly who I am, Chloe. Don’t worry about me.”

Right on cue, a sharp knock came from the door, and my security guard spoke from the other side.

“Ms. Caldwell? The car is here. It’s time to head to the venue.”

Chloe quickly grabbed her clutch and opened the door, but my mom walked into the room just then. She looked regal in her emerald gown, her eyes scanning me from head to toe. She didn’t offer a hug. That wasn’t her style, but she gave a rare nod of genuine approval.

“Perfect,” my mother said, smoothing a piece of my veil. “You look beautiful, dear. Remember, the cameras will be on you all afternoon. Smile more. Now let’s go. Everyone’s waiting.”

I nodded and smiled.

We bypassed the media chaos outside and went straight to where the wedding party was waiting.

Callum was already there, looking dapper in his wedding tuxedo. He was talking to his father, but the moment his eyes landed on me, he stopped mid-sentence. His gaze slowly moved over me, a small smile tugged at his lips.

He stepped away from his father and walked over to me, stopping just inches away.

“You look incredible, Sienna,” Callum said.

I offered him a small smile. “You don’t look too bad yourself, Westbrook.”

He held out his arm as the church coordinators got us in position.

“Ready to get this over with?”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah.”

The heavy doors opened, and we stepped out to a sea of flashing cameras. Callum and I smiled for the media as we made our way to the altar.

“I, Callum Westbrook, take you, Sienna Caldwell, to be my wedded wife.”

“I, Sienna Caldwell, take you, Callum Westbrook, to be my wedded husband.”

We exchanged our rings and shared our first kiss as husband and wife.

A few minutes later, we stood beside his best man as the priest turned to the congregation.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you, Mr and Mrs Westbrook.”

***

Hours after our vows, the Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of his private estate. My new home.

Callum walked inside ahead of me, loosening his bowtie with one hand as he picked up his tablet from the console table. He glanced back at me.

“Your things were moved into the east wing master suite this afternoon,” he said, gesturing toward the stairs. “I’ll be in the study tonight. Get some rest. We have a breakfast meeting with my business partner at eight.”

I glanced toward the stair. “The east wing? Is your room over there too, or are you trying to tuck me far away?”

Callum tilted his head, completely unfazed by my tone. “My suite is right across the hall from yours.”

I crossed my arms. “So, we’re not spending our first night as husband and wife together?”

“We’ve been having s*x. There’s nothing special about tonight just because we signed some papers. Get some rest.”

I forced a smile. “Right. I forgot.”

He gave me a brief nod before turning down the hallway toward his study.

I stood alone in the quiet foyer, staring at the diamond band on my left hand.

I was officially his wife. The secret contract nobody knew about was signed. The public show was over, and now a wall between us was in place.