a's

into another room. "You'll rest in here for a few hours before we set out in th

tired. An almost silent knock woke me in the morning, and when I ope

e. You'll be briefed after the ceremony," the man from the

e man on what he just said, "ceremony", the word

guess you signed the contract without reading

no

d bathed, one of the ladies began to work on my hair, while the other took the time to apply make-up diligently on my face. I stared at

g?" I asked with

. They just smiled

t agree

pretty, say yes, and you'll be fine." One o

I asked,

garment bag. She unzipped it with care and held up a

"No, no. This has

tight. It fit perfectly and almost like it had been made just for me. My

ike a nightmare w

like something out of a dream. Tall glass windows with gold trimming,

oached me with a headset a

.. y

We're behi

of hallways. My heels clicked against the tiles as I passed catering st

pened as we a

id the man with

wedding gown because I didn't sign a wedding agree

replied as if he was

uld hear music now, a soft piano and the hum of voices. I tried to dig

end of the hall

ned with roses and gold chairs. Cameras clicked and light

ouldered. His hair was raven-black and neatly combed; his jaw looked sharp e

s Julian Cross: the Billionaire CEO who was both ruthles

g toward him in

ouldn't be

ispered to the man besi

ard gently. Smiling at the spectat

felt like a count

an didn't look at me; he just offered his arm li

ath. Then he finally looked at me and smiled.

pered, with a ri

linked at h

everywhere. If you walk try humiliating me right now, it me

enting me from falling as if we were a real couple. I'm doomed! Finished! Crushed! It was true

," I said, yet his s

the contract

peak, but the words blur

reeing to marry a stran

mber one in business, Aria. Never sign something you don't understand."

how much the place was filled with guests. Were they

ove you,"

ad as he said, "

is all a lie

nt cleared

ane, to be your lawfully wedded wife. To love and to ch

n't he

d

Lane, take Julian

e cracked as I

d closed ove

breath, "you'll leave with nothin

o

I didn't want this. I d