freezing on the marble. High ceilings rose overhead, and c

hand that morning. Within the newly signed contract, th

esh as she ascended th

to her left, where staff members were assembling

ilored black suit appr

red quietly. "Mr. Pi

reath felt timed, and every pul

h was her most modest apparel, to avoid bringing attention

h step cautiously. Double doors sto

te office. She hesitated on t

sk as in the penthouse, with the early

her signature already written. As she entere

ng gradually. His tone lacked war

epped into the ro

leather chair opp

the envelope on

ly before tearing it open. He withdrew the con

side and gave her a look

" she remar

nd practiced. "From this momen

of that name. It felt foreign

" she answered, seeking

reat. Now, there are two important challenges to handle." His lip

emony. She had studied her acceptance line many times in her thoughts, but no

tinued, "I have neve

bewilderment. "I gathered a

arried today at midday. A small ceremony was perf

we travel to City Hall to file documentation, and t

ke sure she got

and mine bot

er Harris seated in the hospital parking lot with t

you

in his eyes. "Perfect." He stood and

My driver will transfer your lugg

strand of hair behind

the door but suddenly turne

e formal portraits. The florist is ready to receive your order.

portunity for uncertainty. Rose gasped an

king the maintained grounds. The early light glistened on

typed one message: It's happen

e. She laid h

ed in a travel bag in her

her away at exactly ten o'clock, she caught a glimpse of it through the op

thout it, she felt empty. But the contract banned her from performing

hat Julius would properly fu

Rose stared at passing buildings and familiar sights that she

the estate gates. The gravel driveway led to the mai

r the lunchtime celebration, below them, long tables wer

f her skirt. Her reflection in the tinted glass showed pale cheekbon

ctified. The room, with its white stone walls and stained-g

rble altar crowned by a tiny silve

arcoal grey, approached rose from her seat. "Ms. Voss,

just a stra

with careful fingers. The photographer's aide hovered with a silver compact

raging calm. He paused and regard

clicking on the stone floor as he reached the alta

opposite him. Lady Tait moved aside, allowing them space. The organist began p

is was real, even if the

ny book. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here

ed lines. "I, Rose Voss, take you, Julius Pitts, to be my

ts, take you, Rose Voss, to be my lawful wife..." He halted at the l

ward..." The ritual continued. Strangers p

ered Harris's pallid face and the quivering i

her, poverty was a thing of the pas

death do

se's pulse boomed in her ears. Julius placed a single, exquis

ions, Mr. an

. Rose's smile felt engraved into her cheeks. But, below t

e were offered, while servers presented trays of hors d'oeuvres such as smo

their arrival bene

both families mingle, aunts in pearls, uncles in well-cu

l man with salt-and-pepper hair clutching a glass o

ds lazily in pockets, and obs

indicated the seat on his right

ulius offered her a folded napkin. H

n eyebrow. "

zpacho presented in shot glasses. Another offered freshly c

She dressed in a beautiful blue suit and kept a constant smile.

se responded, h

o Julius. "He always m

ent. He took a deli

a little woman with compassionate eyes. "A

ched across to grab Rose's hand. "You are doi

ile. "Would you

head. "No, dear."

e admission tent. Two males in black suits arrived, foll

nali

ulius' agreement had a privacy clause that plainly preven

ed, but Julius' mothe

fting her beautifully groomed br

stantly to the tent's entrance and talked to the guests in a

r microphone. "Mr. and Mrs. Pitts, may we have a quote on your marriage

ose's pulse hammered. Her glance we

a steely look. "This union i

you hurry into marriage? "I heard Mrs

a whiplash that silenced everyo

s side and extended his

s they walked past, guests were stunned in silence. The serve

ailed the waiting car. He opened

eart still thumpin

s whispering. The media had already begun shoo

d away, leavin

mouth was tightened. The c

eave," he murmure

llarbone, where her heart th

eyes momentarily.

d, indeed, the carefully planned one, had gone in an in

had tied her not only to Julius but also to th

glittered blue beyond the gate. Rose pressed her fin

noticed something that stole her breath away, h

roat g

ed stares, his blank,

in?" she replied, her voi

rearview mirror. Uncertaint

nging her and her desire to