Chapter 8:

Skylar

I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole.

My face burned with embarrassment as I stared at the tiny stain on the corner of the page.

"I..." The words died in my throat.

Sebastian looked at the contract for another second before closing the folder.

"I'll have another copy printed."

His face remained as unreadable as ever, as though nothing had happened.

For some reason, that only made me feel worse.

He looked at me again. "We leave in two hours. You should freshen up."

He had already started turning away when his words finally registered.

"Two hours?" I blurted, scrambling off the bed. "I thought I had at least a few more hours."

He paused at the door and glanced back over his shoulder. "No. The earlier, the better."

Then he glanced at his watch. "And I don't like being late."

Without another word, he walked out.

The door clicked shut behind him. I stood there for another moment, trying to convince myself this was really happening.

Then I made my way to the bathroom.

Normally, I would've stood there admiring the luxurious space—the jacuzzi with built-in LED lights, the marble finishes, and everything else that I couldn't afford.

But today, none of it mattered.

The only thing my mind could process was one terrifying fact. I was getting married.

By the time I finished showering and slipped into my robe, there was a knock at the door.

Louisa entered with another maid.

The two of them helped me into a simple white wedding dress before guiding me to the vanity.

Neither of them spoke much.

I was grateful for that. I sat quietly while they pinned my hair into place and brushed light makeup across my face.

When I finally looked at my reflection, the memories came rushing back. Another white dress. Another wedding morning.

My chest tightened.

"Madam?" Louisa's gentle voice pulled me back.

I realized both women were watching me with quiet concern. "Are you alright?"

I forced a small smile. "I'm fine."

She studied me for another second before returning the smile.

"Very well. We'll give you a few moments alone."

The two maids curtsied before quietly leaving the room.

I let out a slow breath and stared at my reflection.

This wasn't about love, this was about getting my life back. About finishing college. About proving that Alex hadn't destroyed me.

I repeated those thoughts over and over until my heartbeat finally began to steady.

Finally, I pushed myself to my feet and took one last look around the room before turning toward the door.

That was when something white caught my eye.

A single sheet of paper lay beside the bed. "...Huh?"

I frowned and bent to pick it up.

It must have slipped out of the contract when I'd fallen asleep.

Shaking my head, I brushed an imaginary speck of dust off the page, intending to return it to Sebastian.

My eyes skimmed over the text without much thought. Then they stopped.

A heading near the bottom caught my attention.

Family Disclosure.

My brows drew together. Curious, I read the paragraph beneath it.

‘The First party acknowledges that his legal name is Sebastian Blackwood, eldest son of Richard Blackwood. The Second party further acknowledges that Alexander Blackwood, the son of Richard Blackwood's second marriage…’

The words blurred. No...

My eyes darted back to the line. I read it again. Then again.

Alexander Blackwood.

Blackwood.

My heartbeat pounded heavily in my chest. I clutched the page so tightly that it crumpled in my hand. I couldn't even hear my own breathing anymore.

Only one sentence echoed over and over in my mind.

Sebastian Blackwood—Alex Blackwood's older brother.

"No..."

My knees nearly gave out.

I caught myself against the dresser as I struggled to wrap my mind around what I just realized.

Without another thought, I rushed out of the room.

By the time I reached the staircase, I spotted Sebastian downstairs, calmly giving instructions to one of the servants.

He turned at the sound of my footsteps.

Sebastian gave a slight wave of his hand to the servant. "You may go."

The servant bowed respectfully and quietly left.

Only then did Sebastian look back at me. "All set?"

I held up the crumpled page, my hand trembling. "You're Alex's brother?"

"Older brother.” He corrected me without the slightest change in expression.

I could only stare at him in disbelief.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I demanded, my voice rising.

"Would it have changed your decision?" He asked calmly.

I frowned. "What?"

"If I'd told you yesterday that Alexander is my younger brother..." His voice remained even. "Would you have rejected my offer?"

The question caught me off guard. I opened my mouth. Then closed it again.

Because I knew the answer.

No… I still would've signed the contract. I still needed the chance to return to college. I still needed a fresh start. And I certainly didn't have $25,000 to pay for the damage I'd done to his car.

Sebastian watched the realization settle over me. "Then it wasn't relevant."

I stared at him in disbelief. "You're unbelievable."

One corner of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly. "I've been called worse."

He glanced at the watch on his wrist. "We're running late."

Without another word, he turned and walked toward the front entrance.

I stood there for a second, completely speechless, before letting out a frustrated sigh and hurrying after him.

***

The rest of the morning passed in a blur.

Before long, the car pulled into a private estate.

A few luxury cars were already parked outside, and several men in black suits stood near the entrance.

One of them immediately opened the car door for Sebastian before doing the same for me.

I stepped out, smoothing the front of my dress nervously.

This was it. The wedding.

Only...

It didn't feel like one. There were no rows of guests waiting inside.

No orchestra. No flower girls. No excited relatives rushing over to congratulate us.

Instead, a handful of serious-looking men in tailored suits stood quietly near a long conference table. A marriage registrar was already waiting, alongside two official witnesses and several lawyers who looked more interested in the documents than the bride and groom.

It felt less like a wedding and more like the closing of a billion-dollar business deal.

The ceremony itself was surprisingly short.

The registrar read the required vows. We answered when instructed.

A few more signatures were added to the documents.

Then,

"I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Just like that. Sebastian Blackwood had become my husband.

It happened so quickly that my mind barely had time to catch up.

"Congratulations," the registrar said with a polite smile.

One by one, everyone offered their congratulations before returning to discussing paperwork.

I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry.

A photographer soon walked over, camera hanging around his neck.

"Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood, we'll need a few photographs for the public announcement."

Sebastian gave a single nod. We stood side by side in front of a simple white backdrop.

The photographer lifted his camera. "Perfect... just a little closer, please."

I shuffled a tiny step toward Sebastian.

The photographer chuckled awkwardly. "A little more."

Heat crept into my cheeks.

Before I could move again, Sebastian calmly closed the remaining distance between us.

My heartbeat stumbled.

"Wonderful," the photographer said. "Sir, could you place your hand around your wife's waist?"

Without hesitation, Sebastian rested his hand lightly against my waist.

The warmth of his touch seeped through the fabric of my dress. My breath hitched. It was just a hand on my waist... so why was my heart racing?

"Excellent," the photographer praised. "Now look at each other."

I slowly lifted my head. Sebastian was already looking at me. His expression remained as unreadable as ever.

"Perfect."

Click.

"One more."

Click.

"And... we're done."

The moment his hand left my waist, I quietly let out a breath.

Just then, one of the assistants waiting nearby began walking toward us.

He stopped a respectful distance away, his eyes on Sebastian. “Sir?”

Sebastian met his gaze and gave a small nod.

The assistant stepped closer and leaned in, whispering something into his ear.

I couldn't hear a single word.

But for the first time since I'd met Sebastian I saw his expression change. His jaw tightened ever so slightly.

A muscle flickered before his face returned to its usual calm.

The assistant stepped back, bowed, and quietly walked away.

My heart began to race.

I looked at Sebastian. "What is it?"

He held my gaze for a brief moment before speaking.

"It seems..."

He paused just long enough to make my stomach knot.

"...your ex-husband has just found out we're married.”