7

The wedding ended as quietly as it began.

The room was too white and too quiet, my parents seated stiffly on one side, and Desmond Nathan’s all-purpose right hand,serving as the official witness.

Nathan had already told me his parents were gone. Tragic accident. Years ago.

And for the first time since this entire charade started, I’d actually seen a flicker of emotion in his eyes when he mentioned it.

But that softness was gone now. Packed away like his suitcase.

Because the moment we stepped outside the courthouse, just minutes after signing my name onto a new life, he turned to me and said—

“I’m flying out of the country. Business.”

That was it.

No honeymoon. No dinner. Not even a ride together back to the penthouse.

I scoffed. Loudly.

He raised a brow like I was being dramatic, then said, “I’ll call Desmond. He’ll make sure everything’s in place.”

I nodded without a word.

And just like that, Mr. Husband walked off and disappeared into the backseat of a black car like a man running away from his own wedding.

Because maybe he was.

****

On the way to the penthouse, still in my white courthouse dress and barely-there makeup, I stared out of the car window in silence, arms folded, head buzzing.

I was officially married to a man who couldn’t even bother to fake affection for more than a day.

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

My phone buzzed in my lap.

Tina 💥 Calling...

I blinked.

Tina?

I scrambled to answer.

“Bestie?” Her voice exploded into my ear. “Is that you? Or should I say... Mrs. freaking Blake?”

I winced. “Tina—”

“You got married?? To a billionaire?? And didn’t tell me?? Girl, I had to see it on the news! I nearly choked on my lunch.”

I smiled for the first time all day. “It happened fast. I swear. I didn’t even have time to think.”

“Didn’t have time,babe, you got married! You could’ve at least texted me a ‘hey, I might say I do to a billionaire today, stay tuned!’”

“I’m sorry,” I said, softly. “Everything just... spiraled.”

There was silence for a second.

Then her voice softened. “It’s okay. I was just shocked. But guess what?”

“What?”

“I’m back.”

I blinked. “Back?”

“Back in New York, baby! Got transferred to the head office. Can you believe it? After two years of long-distance calls and missed birthdays? We’re in the same city again!”

“Tina,” I breathed. “That’s, That’s amazing.”

“Damn right it is. And I better see you this week, Ivy. Don’t care if you’re Mrs. CEO now. Best friends before billionaires.”

I laughed, finally feeling the heaviness in my chest ease. “Why not today? Come over. I could really use your energy right now.”

There was a pause.

Then Tina gasped dramatically. “Ah! God forbid! I’m not about to interrupt your wedding night.

My eyes widened. “Tina!”

She giggled. “What? You’re a whole wife now, sis. Tonight is not for guests. Tonight is for legs in the air, white sheets and billionaire blessings.”

I choked on my breath. “Please stop...”

“Nope,” she said gleefully. “You’ve suffered enough. It’s time for holy matrimony with some unholy activities. I’ll come over tomorrow. With wine. And full gist d******d.”

I was still laughing when the call ended, shaking my head.

If only she knew my “wedding night” involved a luxury penthouse and... absolutely no groom.

****

The moment I stepped into Nathan Blake’s penthouse, the reality of it hit me.

I was in.

Not as a visitor.

Not as a fling.

But as his wife.

The guards stationed at the private elevator barely blinked as I passed. Everything screamed power and wealth,from the marble floors that gleamed like glass to the gold-accented chandelier dripping elegance from the ceiling.

The silence was deafening.

No welcome note.

No sign of the man I just signed my life to.

I wandered deeper, my heels clicking softly against the polished floor, feeling very much like Alice in a Wonderland I didn’t ask to enter.

The penthouse stretched wide and endless, each room I peeked into feeling bigger than my entire apartment back home.

A library.

A private gym.

A wine cellar.

Finally, I found what looked like a master bedroom. Massive bed. Jet-black silk sheets. Cold, masculine. Definitely his.

I stepped inside, unsure if I should even be snooping, but curiosity tugged harder than manners.

And there it was,on the shelf above the nightstand.

Pictures.

Childhood photos of Nathan, younger, smiling wide with two familiar adults. His parents.

A small pang tugged at my chest.

Then, a few steps over...

A framed photo. Her.

The same woman who had her tongue down my husband’s throat.

Up close, she looked perfect. Rich. Polished. Smug.

And just like that....

“So your name’s Amy,” I muttered under my breath, lips curling.

I scoffed and hissed as I turned away. “Typical.”

I scanned the room again, arms folded across my chest.

Then something moved.

A shadow.

Behind the door.

And then—

“AHHH!”

I screamed as a figure stepped into view.

A woman. Tall. Elegant. Wearing black.

I stumbled back, heart in my throat. “W-Who the hell are you?!”

She didn’t flinch. Just lifted a brow like I was the intruder.

“I’m the housekeeper,” she said smoothly. Her voice had the softness of velvet, but her tone? Icy.

“And you must be… the new Mrs. Blake.”

She said it like a joke.

Like I was temporary.

My heartbeat slowed, but my fists clenched.