Chapter 25: When The Act Feels Real

Sophia was still curled up in bed when she heard a knock on her door. She groaned softly, reluctant to get up, but the door creaked open, and Julian stepped inside. He was already dressed in a crisp suit, his presence commanding as always.

"You’re awake," Julian said, leaning against the doorframe.

"Not really," she muttered, rubbing her eyes. "What do you want?"

Julian smirked, his hands tucked into his pockets as he walked further into the room. "We need to talk about the wedding."

Sophia sat up straight, suddenly more awake. "Wedding?"

"Yes," he said, standing at the foot of her bed. "We need to have a small ceremony. Just something formal in front of my father’s lawyer and a few board members. That way, it’s legally binding."

Sophia blinked, trying to process his words. "You mean... like, tomorrow?"

Julian shook his head. "Today."

Her jaw nearly dropped. "Today?"

"I already have everything arranged," Julian continued, unfazed by her reaction. "You don’t have to do anything. Just be present. I’ll handle the rest."

Sophia scoffed, running a hand through her hair. "You make it sound so easy. You’re really something, you know that?"

Julian crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "We had an agreement. This is part of it. You agreed to be my wife for a year, Sophia. This is just making it official."

Sophia stared at him, feeling an odd mixture of frustration and disbelief. He spoke about marriage like it was just another business deal—like it didn’t carry any weight. But to her, it was still a wedding. A wedding that, no matter how fake, would change her life.

She looked down at her hands, her fingers twisting the bedsheet. "Yeah, I know," she mumbled. "It’s just... a lot to take in."

Julian watched her carefully before his tone softened just a little. "I know it’s sudden, but this is the only way."

Sophia sighed. "Fine. But don’t expect me to act like some loving wife in front of them."

Julian smirked slightly. "Wouldn’t dream of it. Just put on a good show for a few hours, and after that, you can go back to hating me in private."

Sophia rolled her eyes. "Great."

Julian turned to leave but paused at the doorway. "Emma will help you get ready. Be downstairs in two hours."

Then, without another word, he walked out, shutting the door behind him.

Sophia exhaled sharply and fell back onto the bed. A wedding. A fake wedding. She was about to become Mrs. St. Clair in a matter of hours.

She stared up at the ceiling, her mind racing.

Was this really happening?

Of course, it was.

This wasn’t some dream she could wake up from. It was a decision she had made, and now she had to go through with it.

She sat up again, rubbing her face tiredly. One year. That was all. Then she could walk away, take her money, and finally have the power to ruin Tina and Alex.

Her hands curled into fists.

This wasn’t just about surviving anymore. It was about revenge.

A soft knock at the door made her look up. Emma peeked inside, her warm smile calming Sophia just a little.

"Good morning, Mrs St Clair”, Emma said, stepping inside. "Mr. St. Clair asked me to help you get ready."

Sophia swallowed. Mrs. St. Clair. That name felt foreign to her, like an identity she wasn’t sure she could wear.

But she had no choice.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed the covers aside and stood up. "Alright. Let’s do this."

……

The moment they arrived at the private garden where the ceremony was to take place, Sophia’s chest tightened. The setting was intimate yet grand, the kind of place where real love stories unfolded—except theirs wasn’t one of them.

Soft instrumental music played in the background, blending with the gentle rustling of the trees.

The warm sunlight filtered through the sheer white drapes that framed the altar, creating an ethereal glow around them.

The air smelled of fresh roses and jasmine, a scent so sweet it almost made her dizzy.

Julian walked beside her, his presence solid and unwavering. His touch at the small of her back sent a warmth through her, even though she knew it was just for appearances.

She didn’t know why she felt nervous—it wasn’t like this was a real wedding. It was just business. A contract.

Then why did her palms feel clammy?

Julian’s father’s lawyer stood beside the officiant, the board members watching with polite smiles.

They were here to witness what they believed to be the union of love between the next heir of St. Clair Industries and the woman he had chosen to be his wife. Only Julian and Sophia knew the truth.

She forced herself to breathe.

The ceremony began.

The officiant spoke the usual words of commitment, but Sophia barely processed them. Her ears rang with the pounding of her heart.

When Julian turned to her for the vows, her breath caught.

"I, Julian St. Clair, take you, Sophia, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To stand by you, protect you, and…" He hesitated just for a moment, as if the weight of his own words hit him.

Then, with a slight shift in his tone, he continued, "…honor this commitment for as long as we are bound by it."

His voice was deep, steady, but there was something else in it. Something she couldn’t quite name.

Sophia’s throat felt dry.

It was just words. Just an act.

But why did it feel so real?

Her turn came. She swallowed hard and lifted her chin.

"I, Sophia, take you, Julian, to be my lawfully wedded husband…" The words clung to her tongue, refusing to come out as easily as she expected.

She forced herself to push forward. "To honor this commitment for as long as we are bound by it."

Their eyes met.

For a moment, the world outside them faded. No board members, no lawyer, no contract. Just the weight of their words hanging between them.

The officiant continued, instructing them to exchange rings.

Julian reached into his pocket and pulled out a simple but elegant diamond ring. He took her hand in his, his touch warm and firm as he slid the band onto her finger.

She was hyper aware of how his skin felt against hers, how effortlessly he did it, like he’d done this a thousand times before.

When it was her turn, she fumbled slightly. Her hands were trembling, but she managed to slide the wedding band onto his finger.

"And now," the officiant declared, "by the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife."

Sophia barely had time to process it before the words that came next struck her like lightning.

"You may kiss the bride."

Her breath hitched.

Wait.

She hadn’t thought about this part.

Her body tensed, but Julian was already moving, stepping closer until his presence enveloped her completely.

Her heart pounded as his fingers brushed against her cheek, tilting her face slightly upward.

She should pull away.

She should remind him that this was just a contract.

But before she could react, Julian’s lips pressed against hers.

It was brief. Light. A soft brush of warmth.

But it sent her entire world tilting on its axis.

A small round of applause broke out around them, but Sophia barely heard it. Her mind was stuck on the way Julian’s lips had felt—firm yet gentle, fleeting yet lingering.

Why did it feel different?

Why did it feel… real?

Julian pulled away, his expression unreadable.

Sophia tried to ignore the way her stomach twisted.

Then, before she could steady herself, a voice broke through the air.

"You look absolutely stunning, my dear," an older woman from the board said, stepping forward with a knowing smile.

She eyed Sophia carefully, then added, "And if I may say so, you have that glow… You wouldn’t happen to be expecting, would you?"

Sophia’s breath caught in her throat.

Her entire body went rigid.

Her mind scrambled for a response, but before she could speak—

Julian placed a firm hand on her waist and said smoothly, "Yes. We’re having a baby."

Sophia’s head snapped to him in shock.

He didn’t even hesitate. His voice was effortless, natural.

The woman beamed. "Oh, how wonderful! Congratulations to both of you."

The murmurs of approval and well-wishes spread among the board members.

Sophia remained frozen, staring at Julian in disbelief.

How could he lie so easily?

How could he make it sound so convincing?

More importantly…

Why did part of her almost believe it too?