A Bride With No Wedding

The wedding took less than ten minutes.

No flowers. No music. No family. Just a silent room in a private courthouse , two signatures , and a judge who barely looked up from the papers.

Jessica stood beside Romeo, dressed in a plain beige dress borrowed from the wardrope his assistant had delivered that morning. Her hands trembled, not from nerves, but from disbelief. This was it. She was getting married- not for love, but for survival.

Romeo looked as composed as ever, in a perfectly tailored black suit. He didn't smile. He didn't even glance at her.

" Let's proceed, he said to the judge.

Jessica swallowed hard.

The judge nodded, adjusted his glasses, and began reading from a prepared script.

"Do you, Romeo Blackwood, take Jessica Lane as

your lawfully wedded wife, in accordance with the

terms agreed upon in the private contract signed

on".

" Yes, Romeo interrupted flatly.

The judge blinked, but didn't argue.

"Miss Lane?"

Jessica hesitated . Her voice caught in her throat.

This isn't real. This isn't how weddings are

supposed to feel.

But what choice did she have?

"Yes ," She whispered.

The judge stamped the document. "By the power vested in me"

Jessica didn't even hear the rest.

Outside, the sky was grey. Wind rushed down the courthouse steps. Jessica stepped out slowly, eyes fixed on the black car waiting by the curb.

The driver opened the door for her. She slid in, Romeo behind her.

They didn't speak the entire ride.

Her first glimpse of the penthouse took her breath away.

Glass walls surrounded the living room, giving a perfect view of the skyline. Marble floors, modern furniture, and a staircase that spiraled up like it belonged in a mansion. It was beautiful, Cold, Expensive.

Just like Romeo.

"You'll be staying in the guest suite on the second

floor", he said as he walked ahead of her, not

bothering to look back.

Jessica followed, clutching her small purse like it could protect her.

He pushed open a door.

The room was bigger than her entire apartment with a queen bed, a walk in closet, and a view of the city she used to admire from bus windows.

" There are rules", Romeo said. "You're free to move

around the penthouse, but don't enter my study

without my permission.

" My private calls are none of your business".

No guest, no media contact, and no sudden

changes to appearance ".

Jessica frowned. "Appearance?"

"You're my wife now. People will notice you.

That means you need to look the part.

My assistant will help".

"You mean ....change how i dress"?

" Among other things", he said simply.

She bit her tongue .

This isn't a marriage. It's a performance.

Later that night, Jessica stood on the balcony, staring out at the glowing city. The cold wind brushed her face, but she barely noticed.

Inside, the penthouse was quite. Too queit.

Her phone buzzed.

A message from her mom:

"Hope everything's okay, sweetheart. I love you ".

Jessica's eyes burned.

I lied to her. She thinks i got a job offer.

She doesn't even know i got married.

She looked at the ring on her finger. It was beautiful, of course a diamond so perfect, it didn't even feel real. Like everything else in this new life.

Behind her, She heard a faint voice.

She turned slightly.

Romeo stood in his office on the phone. The door was ajar.

"The merger can't be delayed ", he said sharply.

"He thinks marrying me the senator's daughter will

give him an advantage. He won't see this

coming".

Jessica's heart dropped .

So that's why I'm her. Im a chess move.

She stepped back from the balcony.

"Enjoy your cage, Mrs Blackwood ", She whispered

to herself .

And for the first time that day, she realized just how alone she truly was.