Chapter Two

Valentine 

The first thing Valentine noticed was the silence, not the peaceful kind.

The dangerous kind that came after making a decision you couldn't take back.

Sunlight streamed through floor to ceiling windows, bathing the luxurious hotel suite in a warm golden glow. She blinked against the brightness, her head pounding faintly from the whiskey she barely remembered drinking.

Then she felt the unfamiliar weight draped across her waist and her breathing suddenly became uneven as she turned her head to see the handsome sleeping beauty of a man.

He was asleep beside her, one arm resting possessively around her as if it belonged there. 

His dark hair was tousled from sleep, his face stripped of the confidence he had worn the night before. Without the teasing smile and sharp gray eyes watching her, he looked younger.

Fragments of the previous night rushed back all at once, him walking up to her, their laughter, the way he had looked at her as though she wasn't broken, then his lips, his touch and everything that had followed. And immediately heat flooded her cheeks.

"Oh God"

She carefully lifted his arm from her waist, freezing when he shifted slightly in his sleep.

Please don't wake up, she whispered to herself. 

After a tense few seconds, his breathing settled again.

Valentine released the breath she had been holding and slipped out of bed.

Her dress was folded neatly over the armchair.

Someone, him, she guessed had even placed her heels beside it. She smiled despite herself.

"Still a gentleman," she whispered.

She dressed as quietly as she could, smoothing the wrinkles from her outfit before glancing around the immaculate suite one last time. She wasn't naïve.

She knew what last night had been.

Two strangers colliding at the lowest point in one of their lives or both because it also hit her she knew nothing about the man she shared a bed with. But that was going to work out perfectly, she didn't need any more complications. 

She found a notepad resting beside the hotel telephone.

After hesitating for a moment, she scribbled a quick message.

Thanks for helping me forget.

Emma

She still used her fake name, it was more fun that way. 

She almost laughed. He would never know who she really was and maybe that was for the best.

Placing the note on the pillow she had just vacated, she took one final look at the sleeping man.

"I hope you find whatever you are looking for," she murmured.

Then she slipped out of the suite without another sound.

The cool morning air hit her face as she climbed into the waiting taxi.

"Where to, miss?" the driver asked.

She gave him the address.

As the city drifted by outside the window, Valentine rested her forehead against the cool glass.

She should have felt guilty or ashamed but instead she felt lighter. 

Nothing could erase the image of Dominic tangled in bed with her stepmother but for one night she hadn't thought about him. 

Her phone vibrated for what felt like the hundredth time.

Aunt Grace Calling, 

Valentine stared at the screen before answering.

"I'm on my way."

"Do you know what time it is?" her aunt demanded before she could say another word. "The boutique has been waiting for nearly thirty minutes!"

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry won't help if the designers leave."

Valentine pinched the bridge of her nose.

"I said I'm coming."

"You better hurry." she said before hanging up. 

The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror.

"Tough night?"

"You have no idea."

Twenty minutes later, the taxi stopped in front of an elegant bridal boutique.

Valentine paid the fare before stepping onto the pavement.

She looked up at the display window full of white gowns and crystal veils. 

Mannequins frozen beneath impossible smiles.

A strange ache settled in her chest.

How many little girls dreamed of this moment?

How many imagined marrying a man whose face they couldn't even picture?

The bell above the door chimed as she walked inside.

"There she is!" Aunt Grace hurried toward her, relief washing over her face before quickly being replaced by annoyance. "You nearly gave me a heart attack."

"I'm here."

"That's all you have to say?"

Valentine simply nodded.

She didn't have the energy to argue, 

"Come," Aunt Grace said, softening slightly. "Everyone is waiting."

A team of assistants disappeared into the fitting room before emerging with a breathtaking gown.

Layers of ivory satin shimmered beneath the boutique lights.

Delicate lace traced the neckline. It was beautiful.

Valentine stared at it without emotion. This should be one of the best days of her life but she has absolutely no emotions. 

"Let's get you dressed," one assistant said excitedly.

Minutes later, she stood before the full length mirror, the dress fit perfectly, every bead, every stitch, every tiny crystal. 

It was exactly what she had imagined wearing someday but under different circumstances really. 

Aunt Grace stepped beside her, tears filling her eyes.

"You look just like your mother did when she was your age."

Valentine forced a smile, "I wish she were here."

"So do I baby."

Silence stretched between them and finally 

Aunt Grace reached for her hand.

"I know this isn't what you wanted."

"No," Valentine admitted quietly.

"But sometimes life asks us to sacrifice."

Valentine laughed bitterly.

"That's one way to describe it."

Her aunt squeezed her fingers.

"If this marriage doesn't happen.."

She didn't finish the sentence, she didn't have to, Valentine already knew. The family business would collapse.

The debts would swallow everything her late father had spent his life building, their home, their employees, their future, everything depended on one signature. 

One promise made to a man she had never truly met.

She looked back at her reflection, she was made a beautiful bride not because she had fallen in love or chosen forever.

But because she was the only person left who could save her family and in exactly three weeks, she was going to marry a stranger.