Love rekindled from shadows

Episode eight

I was getting married today.

The words echoed in my mind like a foreign concept, something that felt both surreal and terrifying. I stood in front of the mirror, staring at the reflection of a woman who looked like a bride but didn’t quite feel like one.

The gown was stunning—an elegant off-shoulder piece with delicate lace details, cinched perfectly at the waist. My dark hair was styled in soft waves, pinned back just enough to reveal the diamond earrings Damien had sent over this morning.

Everything was perfect. On the outside, at least.

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” I said, expecting one of the stylists.

Instead, Elyano stepped inside, her warm smile filling the space.

“My dear, you look breathtaking,” she said, her eyes shining with emotion.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Thank you.”

She reached for my hands, squeezing them gently. “I know this marriage happened quickly, but I can see how much Damien adores you. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.”

My stomach twisted. She truly believed this was real.

“He’s lucky to have you, Sienna. And you’re going to be an amazing wife.”

I forced a smile, nodding even though my heart felt heavy.

A knock interrupted us again, and this time, it was one of the coordinators.

“It’s time,” she announced.

Elyano beamed, pressing a kiss to my cheek before stepping out.

I took a deep breath. Show time.

Damien stood at the altar, his face an unreadable mask as he watched the doors at the end of the aisle. The grand ballroom had been transformed into an ethereal wedding venue—soft candlelight flickering against the towering floral arrangements, the hum of anticipation filling the air.

This was it.

His gaze remained steady as the doors finally opened, revealing Sienna on the other side.

She was breathtaking.

A vision in white, she moved with a grace that made it impossible to look away. Every guest turned, whispering in awe, but Damien heard none of it. His focus was solely on the woman walking toward him.

Sienna held her chin high, her expression calm. To anyone else, she looked like a bride radiating confidence. But Damien could see the truth in her eyes.

She wasn’t happy.

He pushed the thought aside as she reached him, her delicate fingers sliding into his.

The officiant began speaking, but Damien barely heard the words.

The contract had already been signed. The legalities had been handled. This was just for show.

And yet, as he lifted Sienna’s veil and met her gaze, something tightened in his chest.

“Do you, Damien Sinclair, take Sienna Carter to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

He didn’t hesitate. “I do.”

The officiant turned to Sienna. “And do you, Sienna Carter, take Damien Sinclair to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

There was a beat of silence.

A single moment where she hesitated—so brief that no one else would have noticed.

Then, she nodded, her voice steady. “I do.”

The moment the words left her lips, the room erupted into applause.

The officiant smiled. “You may now kiss the bride.”

Damien reached for her, tilting her chin up as he leaned in.

And then, with the world watching, he kissed his wife.

It was supposed to be just for show. A simple, fleeting moment to seal the deal.

But as his lips met hers, something shifted.

Sienna stiffened at first, but then her body relaxed—just for a second.

And Damien?

For the first time since this entire arrangement began…

He forgot this was just a contract.

Sienna adjusted the strap of her sundress as she stepped onto the private jet, her gaze flickering toward Damien. He was leaning back in his seat, his usual composed demeanor intact, but she could sense the tension beneath it. Neither of them had been particularly excited when Elyano had insisted on a honeymoon trip, but refusing would have only raised suspicions.

“A private island,” she muttered, settling into the plush seat across from Damien. “Your grandmother really went all out.”

“She wants us to be the picture-perfect couple,” Damien replied, his voice laced with dry amusement. “And that’s exactly what we’ll be.”

Sienna exhaled and looked out the window as the jet took off. The charade wasn’t new to her, but something about this trip felt different. Being in the same house was one thing, but being alone with Damien in a secluded paradise for an entire week? That was an entirely different challenge.

By the time they arrived, the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the endless ocean. The island was breathtaking—white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a luxurious villa nestled between swaying palm trees.

Elyano had spared no expense.

The first day was a blur of planned activities. Breakfast on the terrace overlooking the ocean. A couple’s spa treatment. A sunset walk along the beach—all carefully orchestrated to sell the illusion of their love. Sienna found it exhausting, and she could tell Damien wasn’t faring much better.

But the hardest part was the staged photoshoot.

A professional photographer had been arranged to capture their “blissful honeymoon” moments, ensuring the media had all the proof they needed. It started simple enough—hand-holding, stolen glances, laughter that didn’t quite reach their eyes. But then, the photographer instructed them to pose closer.

“More intimate,” he said. “Like you can’t keep your hands off each other.”

Sienna barely had time to react before Damien’s hand slipped around her waist, pulling her against him. His touch sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. The world around them blurred as she looked up at him, their faces only inches apart.

And then, before she could overthink it, his lips were on hers.