The Contracted Heart

Episode 5: Cold Wedding

Elena stared into the floor-to-ceiling mirror at a woman she didn’t even recognize. Her body was draped in a white gown that was gorgeous lace and fine embroidery, the glittering textile pooling at her feet, and the bodice, which opened like a flower to reveal a flowing train, secured her waist.

Little girls dreamed of donning such garb only in fairy tales and love stories. It was not, however, a romantic date. Elena Carter also wasn’t a fairy-tale bride.

The fingers on her right hand shook as she reached for those diamond earrings on the vanity.

Like she was looking at someone else's life from afar, everything feeling so surreal.

This morning, she would be Elena Sinclair. Not out of affection. Not because of devotion.

Because of a contract.

She flinched when the doorbell rang. She turned as a wedding coordinator peered inside. “Miss Carter, it’s time.”

She started to feel sick. After one last look in the mirror, she straightened her shoulders and approached the door, entering the life she had agreed to, foreign as it may have seemed.

A Ceremony Without Love

Wealth and power filled the

At the entrance, Elena gripped her bouquet so tightly its colour drained from her knuckles. Her father was not there to escort her down the aisle. No family to murmur comforts.

She was on her own. Afterwards, the doors opened and all eyes were on her. The sweet lilt of the wedding march began to play, and Elena pushed herself to make the first step.

One step.

Then another.

She gripped her chest as she started to move forward, her eyes fixed.

He stood at the altar, tall and calm, in a black suit that was powerfully tailored. His silver-grey eyes were so intensely focused on her that it was difficult to detect his expression.

Warmth and passion are absent; only calculating is present. Like a piece of the complex puzzle he had put together, and she was just one piece. She began to feel more and more out of place the closer she got.

Her people weren't these people.

This was never her home. And the man at the end of the aisle, there to greet her?

He was still unknown.

Promises Without Clarity

Adrian reached out to her as she approached the altar, and she paused before taking his hand. She felt an unaccustomed chill as his cool, strong fingers touched her.

Elena's mind raced as the officiant started talking, his words a haze.

The lines were prepared, the formalities of a fictitious wedding, and she could hardly see them. Then Adrian's voice rose above the haze. Adrian Sinclair said, "You, Elena Carter, accept as my legally wedded wife." His speech was calm, polished, and devoid of passion. Elena forcefully gulped.

It is now her turn. Although she opened her mouth, the words remained in her throat. At a wedding, this was inappropriate. Warm, not chilly. Lacking objectivity. Then she tried to talk. "You are my legally wedded husband, Adrian Sinclair, and I am Elena Carter."

It felt like hollow, alien words.

Yet they sealed her doom. The minister glanced at Adrian. "I'll let you kiss the bride."

Elena felt her breath catch.

A flicker of something, annoyance? Crossed Adrian's face. Leave of absence?

And then, with a motion so quick it seemed unreal, he leaned in.

There was just a faint touch of contact between his lips and hers. There is no love or passion, just enough to satisfy the cameras that flash around them. He withdrew as fast as he had started.

And this was the end of it.

An encounter with unfamiliar people The lavish event was hosted in a large ballroom with crystal chandeliers and gold decorations.

When the newlyweds arrived, tables were arranged with exquisite china, and guests were enjoying pricey champagne.

Elena was suffocated. She received strange glances and murmured conversations everywhere she went. Is she anything or someone? What makes her? They were all aware that she didn't belong here.

Adrian was impossible to perceive normally since his expression maintained a mask of indifference. He sipped his whisky, engaged in courteous conversation, and was the ideal host.

Elena was invisible next to him.

A woman moved forward, tall and exquisite, her steely blue eyes hardly masking contempt. Victoria Sinclair is Adrian's mother. She drank her champagne slowly and whispered, "So, you're the one." Elena attempted to grin. "I would guess so." Victoria's lips curled, but not into a smile.

"I must admit that I had higher expectations." Elena's back tightened up. "More?" Victoria surveyed her.

"A lady deserving of the Sinclair moniker." Elena's hand tightened around her glass. "Mrs. Sinclair, you have my word; I don't require your consent."

The older woman's expression indicated that she had found Elena's disobedience amusing. "Of course you don't," Victoria said lightly. "But you shouldn't take your temporary position permanently.

This family has expectations. And we don't take well to outsiders." Adrian arrived at Elena's side before she could reply.

"Mother," he said coolly, and Victoria's expression changed to the ideal one of politeness:

"Adrian. I'm so delighted for you, my love! His warning voice was loud and clear. "Enjoy the party." Victoria turned elegantly and walked away after giving a small, non-eye-catching smile.

Elena sighed as her stomach constricted. Her voice trailed off, "She is unhappy with me." Adrian continued to stare at his mother's vanishing form. "She does not have to." Elena studied his face and gazed at him. "How about you as well? Do you feel bad about this?

He showed an unreadable flash in his face for the first time that night. But the mask reappeared as fast as it had appeared.

All he said was, "This is business." "Just that."

The words ought to have cheered her up. However, they left her feeling hollow.

The Wedding Night That Wasn't Elena entered the enormous bedroom that was suddenly hers after several hours.

It was a sophisticated but cold chamber, a far cry from the guy she had married. Her chest tightened as she fixed her gaze on the immaculately made bed.

She was wed.

She was alone, though.

Adrian was standing there with his tie loose and a blank expression on his face when the door opened and she turned. There was silence for a minute between them.

And then he said something. Here you will rest. I'll be in the opposite room.

Elena forced a breath and nodded. Correct. Of course.

As though he was going to say something else, he paused.

However, he turned and left without saying anything more, the door clicking behind him.

Consequently, Elena stood there in her bridal gown feeling more alienated than ever. It had been a lavish wedding.

Her marriage was firmly established.

But her husband?

He remained as far away as before.