Chapter Four : The Wedding Bargain
1122 Words
Chapter Four – The Wedding Bargain
Zariah Monroe had never imagined her wedding day would feel so… hollow.
Standing in front of the grand floor-to-ceiling mirror in Caden Lancaster’s penthouse, she barely recognized the woman staring back at her.
The silk wedding gown clung to her curves like a second skin—an exquisite custom piece that any bride would have killed to wear. The delicate lace, the intricate beading, the soft train pooling at her feet—it was perfection.
And yet, she felt nothing.
No excitement.
No joy.
No love.
Because this wasn’t real.
A marriage of convenience—that’s what they had signed up for.
She exhaled sharply and adjusted the diamond bracelet on her wrist. A “gift” from Caden, though she suspected it was just another part of the image they had to sell to the world.
The door swung open behind her, and she turned to see Layla, Caden’s assistant, stepping inside with a clipboard in hand.
“It’s time,” Layla announced with a polite but professional smile. “The ceremony will be quick. Just the officiant, a few witnesses, and some press outside to capture your first public appearance as Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster.”
Zariah nodded, gripping the edges of her dress. “Let’s get this over with.”
—
The Wedding
The Lancaster estate was nothing short of breathtaking. The ceremony was held in the grand hall, an opulent space with towering chandeliers and floral arrangements that likely cost more than her entire apartment lease for a year.
Everything was perfect—too perfect.
Caden stood at the end of the aisle, dressed in a black-tailored tuxedo that made him look even more impossibly powerful. His silver-gray eyes locked onto hers the moment she stepped into the room, unreadable and unwavering.
Her heartbeat faltered for just a second.
She kept walking.
There were no guests, no family, no friends. Just the officiant, Caden’s lawyer, and a few strategically placed photographers waiting to capture the moment that would flood the media in less than an hour.
Zariah stopped in front of Caden, her fingers tightening around the bouquet she was holding.
“Miss Monroe,” the officiant began, clearing his throat. “Are you ready?”
No.
But she lifted her chin. “Yes.”
Caden didn’t react.
The officiant read the vows—the legal ones, not the romantic declarations of forever—and then it was time for the rings.
Caden slid the platinum band onto her finger with practiced ease. There was no hesitation, no softness. Just precision.
When it was her turn, her hands trembled slightly as she placed the ring on his finger.
She felt his gaze on her.
Assessing. Calculating.
“By the power vested in me,” the officiant declared, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
A beat of silence.
Then—
“You may kiss the bride.”
Zariah’s pulse spiked.
She barely had time to react before Caden’s hand slid to the small of her back, pulling her against him.
And then—his lips brushed against hers.
It was controlled, practiced—just like everything else about him. But the moment their mouths met, a current of heat crackled between them.
It was supposed to be fake.
But it didn’t feel fake.
Zariah sucked in a sharp breath as he pulled away, his lips hovering near hers for just a fraction of a second longer than necessary.
The cameras clicked, capturing the perfect fairy-tale moment.
To the world, they were the picture of a newlywed couple madly in love.
But only Zariah knew the truth.
This was just the beginning of a very dangerous game.
—
The First Night
Back at the penthouse, Zariah paced the living room, her wedding dress now replaced with a silk robe.
The reception had been brief—a quick public appearance for the press, a staged toast, and a few carefully curated interactions that made them seem like the perfect power couple.
Now, they were alone.
Married.
Legally bound.
And yet, strangers.
Caden walked in, his tuxedo jacket draped over his arm, his tie slightly loosened. He looked as composed as ever as if he hadn’t just committed himself to an entire year of pretending.
“Are you going to keep pacing all night?” His voice was smooth, laced with mild amusement.
Zariah stopped, narrowing her eyes at him. “I just married a man I barely know. Forgive me if I need a moment to process.”
He smirked. “It’s a little late for second thoughts.”
Her jaw clenched. “I’m not having second thoughts. I just want to be clear about one thing.”
He arched a brow. “Go on.”
She crossed her arms, meeting his gaze head-on. “I know we agreed that this is just a contract. That it’s all for appearances.”
Caden leaned against the bar, watching her. “And?”
“I want to make sure there are no misunderstandings between us.” Her pulse thrummed in her ears, but she held her ground. “This marriage might be legally binding, but it doesn’t give you the right to control me beyond what we agreed.”
Something flickered in his gaze—something sharp.
“I don’t need to control you, Zariah,” he said calmly. “But if we’re going to convince the world, you need to learn how to play the role.”
Her stomach tightened. “And what exactly does that entail?”
Caden pushed off the bar and strode toward her, stopping mere inches away.
“You’ll be seen with me,” he murmured. “You’ll live with me. You’ll act like the devoted wife the world expects you to be.”
His gaze dipped to her lips, and her breath hitched.
“And when necessary, you’ll touch me, just like you did today.”
Heat crept up her spine. “You mean to pretend to touch you.”
His smirk deepened. “Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.”
Her heart pounded.
Caden Lancaster was dangerous—not just because of his power, but because of the way he made her feel completely out of control.
She exhaled sharply. “Fine. If that’s what it takes.”
A slow, knowing look crossed his face. “Good. Because tomorrow, we start phase two.”
She frowned. “Phase two?”
His voice was a whisper against her skin. “Making the world believe that you’re already falling for me.”
Her stomach clenched.
Because the scariest part wasn’t that she had to pretend.
It was that, deep down, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to tell the difference.
- Writer
