Chapter3
1293 Words
Sienna stood in front of her mother’s hospital room door.
The contract had been signed.
One million dollars would save her mother.
But starting today...
Her life no longer belonged entirely to her.
She would become Alex Harrington’s wife.
A marriage based on a mutual agreement. For the benefit of both parties.
And Sienna didn’t know yet… Joining the Harrington family meant entering a game that had begun long before she even knew Alex’s name.
**
The wedding day arrived. The day that was supposed to be the happiest day in a woman’s life. At least, that’s what Sienna had always thought since she was a child.
She had once imagined wearing a white dress. Walking toward someone who loved her.
Hearing the promise that they would be together forever. But reality wasn’t as beautiful as she’d imagined. Today, Sienna was wearing a wedding dress. But the man waiting for her at the altar wasn’t someone who loved her with all his heart.
Alex Harrington.
He is the man who will shatter the peace of Sienna’s life.
The bridal preparation room feels too quiet. The makeup artist and hairstylist move around her, making sure every detail of her appearance is perfect.
Sienna looks at herself in the mirror. The white dress clinging to her body looks beautiful. Too beautiful for a fake relationship.
“Miss Sienna.”
A woman from the makeup team smiled.
“You look absolutely beautiful.”
Sienna returned a small smile.
“Thank you.”
Her phone vibrated.
A message from the hospital.
[Your mother’s surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning. All fees have been paid.]
Sienna stared at the message for a moment. At least now she could breathe a sigh of relief. Her mother would have a chance at life. And that was enough to keep her going until today.
The wedding was a private affair. No big party. No hundreds of guests. Just close family, a few business associates, and people the Harrington family considered important.
Sienna knew exactly why. Alex didn’t want this wedding to be a spectacle. Especially not something that would become the talk of the town. Sienna was grateful for that.
When the door to the room opened, all eyes turned to her.
Sienna walked slowly. Alex stood at the far end of the room wearing a white suit. His charm shone even brighter. It even made Sienna doubt that the Alex standing before her was the same person. His smile looked genuine, not forced.
A beautiful smile.
Calm.
Perfect.
Hard to read.
As Sienna stood beside him, Alex whispered softly.
“You still have a chance to back out.”
Sienna turned to look at him.
“Are you going to back out?”
Alex fell silent.
“No.”
“Then stop doubting me.”
For a moment, Alex’s eyes softened.
“You really are stubborn.”
Sienna almost smiled.
“You don’t know me yet.”
The ceremony continued.
“I accept this marriage.”
Alex’s voice rang out clearly.
Then it was Sienna’s turn. Her hand trembled slightly—not because she was hesitant, but because she realized that once those words were spoken, there would be no turning back.
“I accept this marriage.”
A simple sentence. Yet one that would change her entire life.
After the ceremony, Sienna was introduced to the Harrington family for the first time.
The middle-aged man sitting in the head chair was Adrian Harrington.
Alex’s father.
He didn’t say much.
But his gaze was piercing.
“Sienna.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“Thank you for becoming part of this family,” he said coldly. Just like Alex had when they first met.
Sienna understood.
She was a stranger who had suddenly entered their family’s life. Then Clara approached. Unlike Adrian,
the woman smiled immediately.
“Welcome to the Harrington family.”
Clara gently held Sienna’s hand.
“I know you still feel like a stranger here.”
“Don’t worry—you’ll get to know all of us little by little.”
Clara smiled.
“The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and don’t be shy around us.”
Those words sounded sincere, which put Sienna at ease.
But then Clara added,
“Alex only seems gruff on the surface. He’s actually very kind.”
Sienna remained silent.
“I hope you can be a little more patient with him.”
“I’ll try.”
Clara nodded.
“Good.”
Alex watched his stepmother. It seemed he had to brace himself for the surprise Clara was about to spring on him. Alex was suspicious of the woman with the soft-spoken manner. But his heart told him otherwise.
Meanwhile, Erick was watching them.
He approached Alex.
“Congratulations, bro.”
Alex nodded.
“Thanks.”
Erick looked at Sienna.
“She’s different from what I imagined.”
“What do you mean?”
“I didn’t expect you to choose a simple woman like her. And that’s really great.”
Alex narrowed his eyes.
“Do you have a problem with that?”
Erick smiled.
“Of course not.”
Alex knew exactly what was going through his younger brother’s mind. Of course Erick was curious about why his older brother had gotten married so suddenly—and why he’d chosen a simple, innocent-looking girl.
**
Night fell.
Alex and Sienna finally headed to Alex’s private residence—a penthouse in the city center.
When the door opened, Sienna fell silent.
The cityscape was visible through the large glass wall. Everything was beautiful. But once again… it felt quiet.
“Your room is on the left.”
Alex pointed in that direction.
“My room?” Sienna raised an eyebrow.
“You didn’t think we were going to sleep in the same room, did you?”
Sienna’s face flushed slightly with embarrassment.
“Of course not.”
“Good,” Alex replied casually.
Sienna looked at him.
“What?”
“It’s nothing.”
But for some reason, that answer made the atmosphere feel awkward.
Alex walked toward the study.
Before going in, he stopped.
“Sienna.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.” Sienna was surprised. For what?
For agreeing to help?
For saving him from trouble?
“Don’t get the wrong idea. I just want our contract to go smoothly without any hitches.”
Sienna stomped her foot hard. She muttered under her breath as Alex walked away. “Typical!”
**
That night, Sienna sat on her new bed.
She looked at the ring on her finger.
Today she had officially become the wife of Alex Harrington, CEO of Harrington Holding. It was like a dream. She was a Cinderella who had married a prince.
But she knew better. She wasn’t the woman Alex wanted. She was just part of a deal.
On the other side of the penthouse, Alex stood by the window. His cell phone buzzed. A message came in.
From Clara.
[Congratulations on your wedding. Wishing you happiness]
Alex read the message several times.
The message was simple. But that was exactly what made him even more wary. Because he knew Clara.
That woman never said anything without a reason.
Alex turned off his phone screen. He gazed at the city spread out below him. This marriage was just a deal. To protect his rights.
But Alex was beginning to feel conflicted; his heart was filled with doubt.
Was bringing Sienna into his life a way to save himself?
Or was it actually dragging her into his family’s war?
And he didn’t know yet… that tonigh
t wasn’t just the beginning of their marriage.
It was also the beginning of a game that someone had been planning for a long time.
- Writer
