A stranger called husband

a's

ing, I woke u

is the wedding itinerary. Jewelry fitting. Dres

was

ourteen million dollars?" Just cold instructions like I was another item on h

in on the list like maybe there was a secret trapd

e wa

The man behind the wheel stepped out wearing all black and sunglasses, looking like someone out of a spy

Amara,"

stion. A

ging my secondhand tote bag li

s driver. I'll be

life so intense and straight-backed? Was it a requiremen

talk. No music. Just me and my wild thoughts, bouncing aroun

that probably cost more to enter t

hing s

by-diamonds ki

alty. "We've already pre selected a few pieces for your big day,

Mil

lin

thing. Let alone by a last name that felt l

were... b

te tennis bracelet. A necklace that

these?" I asked,

o the millimeter. H

urse

he'd already shortlisted six gowns. I wasn't e

Just occasional nods to let the assistants know which fit Lucien's taste best. I didn't even get to

third ballgown and sipping champ

the

ower, and options be in such a hurry to

n't ro

d,

was something else. Something urgent behind all this control. Like he nee

before sunset. Same sile

shallow again. That familiar, terrifying rhythm. I sat beside her, brushing her hair back, whispering

self to cry. Quietly. Behind the bathroom doo

who didn'

I bare

e in one hand and signed aw

was the ne

dressed for my fake wedding. We a

gue

mus

ud aunties in gele asking, "W

st

ci

suffocatin

ew about. The officiant looked bored. I was wearing the most beautiful dress I'd ever seen-lace

de me, flawless i

t even l

on

h that same voice he used to order pe

eciting a script for a schoo

kiss the bride," he nod

o

k

fake peck o

egant rejection I'

ckage. The seats were stitched in white leather, with a bottle

egs crossed, staring out the

ost l

sn't a

n obvious

n, the sun had set, but the light

s stu

u

line i

d golden lanterns. The mansion itself looked like something from a fairytale

. The marble steps felt too clean to touch. T

r us and Lucien stepped

ne cautious h

ide was

ause it w

like frozen galaxies. Everything in monochrome and silver,

elcome speech like, "Hey new wife, h

loosenin

e foot of the staircase. She

e left wing," he said. "

was

nod to a house that could fit t

m. "Are you al

a brow. "L

nt. Void of

or half a second. "Isn't th

uc

waiting for me toward the left hallway, dragging the dre

, I turned back and said, "You could've at

atched me like I was a m

im there-alone, bea