Chapter Three

The Wedding

Lily's Pov

The courthouse was gray and cold, just like everything else in my new life.

I wore a simple cream dress from the closet Alexander's stylist had filled. No veil. No flowers. No guests except the two witnesses Alexander's lawyer brought.

Alexander stood beside me in a black suit, checking his phone while the judge read the vows.

"Do you, Alexander James Hunt, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do." He didn't look at me.

"Do you, Lily Marie Morgan, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do." My voice barely worked.

"You may kiss the bride."

Alexander's jaw tightened. He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine for exactly two seconds. Cold. Perfunctory. Like signing a document.

"Congratulations. You're now husband and wife."

Mrs. Lily Hunt.

It was done.

"My grandmother expects us in an hour. We need to go." Alexander was already walking away.

I followed him to his black car. A driver opened the door for me. Alexander sat on the opposite side, as far from me as possible, and went back to his phone.

Twenty silent minutes later, we pulled up to a mansion that made the penthouse look small.

"This is the family estate. My grandmother lives here." Alexander finally looked at me. "Smile. Be sweet. Don't mention the contract. My grandmother believes this is real."

"I understand."

"And if Cassandra is here, ignore her. She's family friends. It would be suspicious if she wasn't around."

Of course she would be here.

Inside, a butler led us to a sunroom where an elderly woman sat in a wheelchair, a blanket over her lap.

Her face lit up when she saw Alexander. "My boy!"

His entire demeanor changed. He smiled, warm and genuine, and kissed her cheek. "Hello, Grandmother."

"And this must be Lily." She reached for my hand with trembling fingers. "Come here, child. Let me see you."

I knelt beside her wheelchair. Up close, I could see how sick she was. Pale. Frail. Dying.

"You're lovely," she said softly. "Not like those plastic women Alexander usually surrounds himself with."

"Thank you, Mrs. Hunt."

"Call me Margaret, dear." She squeezed my hand. "I'm so happy Alexander found you. I was beginning to think he'd never let anyone into his heart."

Guilt crushed my chest. This dying woman believed her grandson had found love. And it was all a lie.

"He makes me very happy," I whispered, the lie tasting like poison.

"I can see that." Margaret smiled. "I can finally rest knowing he won't be alone."

Alexander's hand suddenly touched my shoulder. "We should let Grandmother rest."

"Nonsense. I want to hear everything. How did you meet?"

Alexander sat on the arm of my chair, his hand still on my shoulder. "We met at a charity gala. Lily was there with a friend. I couldn't take my eyes off her."

The lie came so easily to him.

"And you, Lily? When did you know he was the one?"

I looked up at Alexander, his cold eyes warning me to play along. "The moment he spoke to me. I knew my life would never be the same."

At least that part was true.

Margaret beamed. "Young love. Promise me you'll take care of each other. Promise me."

"I promise, Grandmother." Alexander's voice was soft, almost convincing.

"And you, Lily?"

"I promise." The words felt like chains.

A door opened behind us. "Well, isn't this touching."

I turned. A man who looked like an older, harder version of Alexander stood there. Cold eyes, cruel smile.

"Father." Alexander stood, his warmth vanishing instantly. "I didn't know you'd be joining us."

"Wouldn't miss meeting my new daughter-in-law." James Hunt walked toward me like a predator. "Stand up, girl. Let me see what my son bought."

"James!" Margaret's voice was sharp. "That's enough."

"Oh please, Mother. We all know this is about your precious dying wish." He circled me slowly. "She's plain. Forgettable. Probably desperate. What did he offer you? Money? Debt forgiveness?"

"Stop." Alexander's voice was ice.

"Why? We're all family now." James smiled. "Tell me, Lily, what's your price?"

Tears burned my eyes but I refused to let them fall.

"Get out." Alexander moved between us. "Now."

"This is my house."

"It's Grandmother's house. And you're upsetting her. Leave."

James laughed, but he walked toward the door. "Enjoy your little pretend marriage, son. I give it six months before she realizes what you really are."

He left. The room felt like it could breathe again.

Margaret looked exhausted. "I'm sorry, dear. James has never been a kind man."

"You should rest, Grandmother." Alexander helped adjust her blanket. "We'll visit again next week."

"Before you go..." Margaret reached into her pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. "This was my engagement ring. My husband gave it to me sixty years ago. I want you to have it, Lily. Welcome to the family."

She opened the box. Inside was a stunning diamond ring, vintage and beautiful.

"I can't—"

"Please. It would make me so happy."

Alexander took the ring and slid it onto my finger beside the plain gold band. It fit perfectly.

"Thank you," I whispered, guilt eating me alive.

In the car ride back, Alexander was silent until we were halfway home.

"You did well."

"She's dying believing a lie."

"She's dying happy. That's what matters." He went back to his phone.

"Does nothing bother you? She gave me her ring. Her actual wedding ring."

"It's just jewelry, Lily. Don't get emotional about it."

"It means something to her!"

"And in two years, you'll give it back. That's how this works." He finally looked at me. "Don't confuse this for real. Don't start believing the lie."

I turned to the window, blinking back tears.

We reached the penthouse. Alexander got out and walked to the elevator without waiting for me.

Inside, Elena was setting the table.

"How was the wedding, Mrs. Hunt?"

"Fine." I couldn't talk about it.

Then I heard her voice.

"Alexander, darling! I brought champagne to celebrate!"

Cassandra emerged from his office in a tight red dress, carrying two glasses.

She saw me and her smile sharpened. "Oh. You're back. How was playing bride?"

Alexander took a glass from her. "It went as expected."

"Poor Margaret. She has no idea." Cassandra laughed.

Elena quietly left the room.

I stood there in my wedding dress, wearing a dead woman's ring, watching my husband drink champagne with his girlfriend.

"I'm going to my room." I turned away.

"Lily." Alexander's voice stopped me.

I looked back.

"Dinner is at seven tomorrow. Be there. We need to keep up appearances for the staff."

"Of course." I walked to my room, closed the door, and finally let myself break.

I cried silently into a pillow, my wedding night spent alone while he laughed with another woman.

This was my life now.

My phone buzzed. Sophie.

"How was your day? Did you do anything special?"

I typed back with shaking hands. "Yes. Something very special. I'll tell you about it soon."

Another buzz. Unknown number.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Mrs. Hunt. I hope your husband knows what a lucky man he is. It would be a shame if something happened to ruin his happiness. -VS"

Vincent was watching. Still threatening.

I looked at Margaret's ring on my finger, sparkling in the dim light.

A third buzz. David Chen.

"I know today was your wedding. I'm sorry you're going through this alone. If you need a friend, I'm here."

I heard Cassandra's laughter from across the penthouse, followed by Alexander's low voice.

I turned off my phone and curled up in the expensive bed.