BOUND TO THE BILLIONAIRE BY CONTRACT

THE WEDDING REHEARSAL

Chapter 7 THE WEDDING REHEARSAL

The morning sun poured through the large windows of St. Mary's Hospital, casting a warm glow across Mason's room. Olivia had barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw herself walking down the aisle toward Ethan Carter. The thought still felt unreal.

A gentle knock came at the door before Daniel stepped inside.

"Good morning, Miss Reed."

Olivia smiled politely.

"Good morning."

"Mr. Carter sent me to bring you to the rehearsal."

She glanced at Mason, who was sitting up in bed eating breakfast.

"You should go," Mason said with a grin. "You can't keep your billionaire groom waiting."

Olivia rolled her eyes and laughed softly.

"I'll come back as soon as I'm done."

"I'll be here."

She hugged him gently before leaving with Daniel.

An hour later, the black Rolls-Royce entered the private gardens of Carter Manor. The estate looked even more breathtaking in daylight. White roses lined the stone pathway leading to a magnificent glass pavilion where the ceremony would be held. Staff members hurried in every direction, making final preparations.

Olivia stepped out of the car, unable to hide her amazement.

"This is beautiful."

Daniel smiled.

"The chairman personally designed the ceremony."

As they approached the pavilion, William Carter welcomed her warmly.

"Good morning, Olivia."

"Good morning, Chairman."

"You'll be calling me Grandpa after tomorrow."

Olivia smiled awkwardly.

"I'll try."

William laughed before leading her inside.

The rehearsal was already underway. Wedding planners, photographers, musicians, and decorators moved around the venue checking every detail.

Then Olivia saw Ethan.

He stood near the altar wearing a tailored navy suit, discussing security arrangements with his head of security. Even from a distance, his commanding presence drew everyone's attention.

When he noticed Olivia approaching, he excused himself and walked toward her.

"You made it."

"I said I would."

He nodded once.

"Good."

One of the wedding planners clapped her hands.

"Perfect! Since both of you are here, let's begin."

She handed Olivia a bouquet of white lilies.

"Miss Reed, you'll walk from the entrance while Mr. Carter waits at the altar."

Olivia took a deep breath.

"This suddenly feels very real."

"It has to," Ethan replied quietly.

Soft piano music filled the pavilion as Olivia began walking down the aisle.

Every employee stopped working to watch.

She kept her eyes on Ethan, just as the planner instructed.

With every step, the distance between them grew shorter.

For a brief moment, Ethan forgot that they were only rehearsing.

She looked radiant beneath the morning sunlight.

Simple.

Elegant.

Beautiful.

When she finally reached him, the planner smiled brightly.

"Excellent! Now face each other."

They did.

"You'll exchange rings here."

She demonstrated where they would stand before asking them to hold hands.

Olivia hesitated for only a second before placing her hand in Ethan's.

His hand was warm and steady.

For reasons neither of them understood, neither pulled away immediately.

The planner grinned.

"Perfect. That's exactly the chemistry we need."

Ethan cleared his throat and gently released her hand.

"It's only a rehearsal."

The planner laughed.

"I know, Mr. Carter. But if you keep looking at your bride like that tomorrow, every camera in the room will capture it."

Ethan frowned slightly.

"I wasn't looking."

Several staff members exchanged amused smiles.

Even William Carter couldn't hide his satisfaction.

Perhaps this marriage had more hope than either of them realized

The wedding planner clapped her hands excitedly.

"Wonderful. Let's continue with the ring exchange."

An assistant walked over carrying a velvet box. She carefully opened it, revealing the simple platinum bands Ethan and Olivia had chosen together. Olivia smiled faintly. Even among all the expensive decorations and dazzling diamonds surrounding them, the simple rings still felt right.

The planner handed one ring to Ethan.

"When I give the signal, you'll gently slide the ring onto Miss Reed's finger."

Ethan nodded.

He took Olivia's left hand. Her fingers trembled slightly, but she didn't pull away. Slowly, he slipped the platinum band onto her finger. It fit perfectly.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

The planner smiled warmly.

"Now Miss Reed."

Olivia picked up Ethan's ring. She looked at his hand before carefully placing the band on his finger. The room fell silent.

Several members of the staff smiled.

Even though everyone knew it was only a rehearsal, something about the moment felt surprisingly real.

"Perfect," the planner said. "Tomorrow, you'll do exactly the same thing."

The rehearsal continued for another hour. They practiced walking back down the aisle together, greeting guests, and posing for photographs. Ethan followed every instruction with the same calm professionalism he used during business meetings, while Olivia slowly became more comfortable.

When everything was finally finished, the planner smiled with relief.

"I think we're ready."

William Carter applauded.

"Excellent work."

Most of the staff returned to their duties, leaving Ethan and Olivia standing near the flower-covered aisle.

William glanced at them before quietly walking away with Daniel.

"I'll give them a few minutes."

Outside, a gentle breeze moved through the gardens surrounding the estate.

Olivia slowly walked toward a marble fountain filled with blooming white lilies.

"It's peaceful here."

Ethan joined her.

"My grandmother loved this garden."

Olivia looked at him.

"I didn't know your grandmother."

"She passed away when I was twenty."

"I'm sorry."

He gave a small nod.

"She believed flowers made people forget their worries."

Olivia looked around at the colorful gardens.

"I think she was right."

For a while, they stood in comfortable silence.

It was the first silence between them that didn't feel awkward.

Ethan finally spoke.

"How's Mason?"

"He's doing much better. The doctors said he can probably leave the hospital in a few days."

"Good."

She smiled.

"He keeps asking about you."

Ethan looked surprised.

"Me?"

"He says he wants to thank you properly."

"There isn't any need."

"There is."

Olivia turned toward him.

"You gave him a chance to live."

Ethan looked away.

"I only paid the bills."

"No."

Her voice was soft but certain.

"You gave him hope."

For reasons he couldn't explain, her words stayed with him.

No one had ever looked at him the way Olivia did.

She didn't admire his money.

She appreciated his kindness.

That realization unsettled him.

Daniel approached quietly.

"Sir, the tailor has arrived with your wedding suits."

Ethan nodded.

"I'll be there in a moment."

Daniel turned to Olivia.

"Miss Reed, your dress has also been delivered."

She smiled.

"Thank you."

As Daniel walked away, Ethan reached into his jacket pocket.

"I almost forgot."

He handed Olivia a small velvet box.

She looked at him in surprise.

"What's this?"

"Open it."

Inside was a delicate silver bracelet with a tiny heart-shaped charm.

Olivia looked up.

"It's beautiful."

"It belonged to my grandmother."

Her eyes widened.

"Ethan... I can't accept something so valuable."

"My grandfather wanted you to have it."

She gently traced the charm with her fingertips.

"I'll treasure it."

Ethan nodded once.

"I'm sure you will."

As evening approached, Daniel drove Olivia back to the hospital.

Before she stepped out of the car, Ethan spoke.

"Tomorrow will be busy."

"I know."

"Get some rest."

She smiled softly.

"You too."

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then Olivia stepped out and disappeared into the hospital.

Ethan watched until she was gone before the car pulled away.

High above the hospital parking lot, hidden on the roof of a nearby building, a man lowered a pair of binoculars.

He reached for his phone.

"Mr. Hayes."

Victor answered immediately.

"What is it?"

"They've just left the rehearsal."

"And?"

The man smiled.

"They're exactly where you expected them to be."

Victor walked toward the window of his office.

"Good."

"Do you want us to make a move?"

Victor thought for a moment before shaking his head.

"No."

"Not before the wedding?"

"No."

His smile slowly returned.

"Let them have their perfect day."

He looked out across the glittering skyline.

"Because after they say 'I do'..."

"...their real nightmare will begin."

Far away, unaware that unseen eyes were already following their every move, Ethan and Olivia prepared for the biggest day of their lives, believing tomorrow would mark the beginning of a simple contract.

Neither of them knew that fate had already begun rewriting the terms.