004

North's POV

Sitting in the middle of the dressing room, a large frown spread over my face as the beautician worked expertly to give me her desired look.

A few moments ago, I was a chef. Fast forward to now, I am now the bride.

Not to the prince charming I have always dreamt of but to Finn Timber.

Ugh!

This was sickening.

Finn was good at using someone’s weakness against them. He knew what I needed and so he decided to use that to win me over.

I wanted to refuse but weighing his offer, I couldn't afford to.

With his help, I will be able to make a name for myself in the catering industry and I will be set up for life.

It’s just three months, I have nothing to lose. – I thought but deep down, my mind was undergoing an emotional turmoil.

Six months with Finn was like six months with the devil.

“You’re frowning too hard, you should smile a little.” The beautician said, bringing me back to the present.

The moment she stepped aside, the tailor came in and soon I began to try different gowns until I got the perfect fit.

Pushing aside my thoughts which were all over the place, I admired my new look in the mirror. Still on it, my fingers brushed against the price tag of the gown.

Immediately, a gasp escaped from my lips.

The gown was my current net worth.

Good gracious!

I was already having ideas when the door creaked open and Kora stepped in, locking eyes with me instantly.

Giggling, she made her way next to me and with her eyes glinting with mischief, she leaned in, “Mrs. Timber.”

“Don’t call me that.” I hushed, sending her a glare.

“Come on, you should get used to your new title already.” With a serious tone, she said, “A lot of people are itching to be in your place, you should count yourself lucky.” She laughed.

Grabbing her arm, I twisted it so hard until she yelped out in pain. “Don’t be stupid.” I snarled, my chest rising and falling in quick succession.

Now left to ourselves, I crossed my hands on my chest, staring into space as anger coursed through my veins.

“Sit, let me do the finishing touches.” Kora said and without making any fuss, I did as she had said.

While I sulked, Kora fastened the last button on the elegant white gown.

The dress was stunning, lace detailing, an open-back design, and a fit that hugged my body in all the right places. Any other woman might have felt like a princess at this moment.

But me?

I felt like a pawn.

A well-dressed and well-compensated pawn in Finn Timber’s little game.

“Relax, North. You’ll get wrinkles before you even say ‘I do,’” Kora teased, trying to lighten the tension in the room.

Furious, I shot her a glare through the mirror.

“Relax? I’m about to marry my ex. The same ex who stomped on my dreams years ago. ”

Kora smirked while I rolled my eyes in anger.

If anything, Kora shouldn’t be acting this way. She was fully aware of my past relationship with Finn and what had led to our breakup.

“Technically, you’re selling yourself to him and not getting married. And I have to say, twenty million dollars and business connections? Not a bad price tag.”

“Kora!” I groaned in agony. She was not helping matters, rather she was complicating things.

“Just saying.” She shrugged.

“If I were you, I would focus on the benefits and ignore the past.” She didn’t stop there. “He promised to help grow your career, didn’t he? That’s the only thing that should matter right now.”

I let out a slow breath.

Kora was right.

This wasn’t about Finn. It wasn’t about our past, our failed relationship, or his betrayal.

This was about me.

My dreams, my career and my future.

“Fine, let’s do this.” I mouthed, putting on a bright smile that plastered my face.

It wasn’t long after when a low knock interrupted us. “Mrs Timber, it's time to make things official." A lady said, poking her head through the opening.

On my return to the large hall, the happy look on the face of everyone present made my inside churn as my heart constricted against my chest.

We were toying with their intelligence but Finn was indifferent. He was doing it for a bigger price and so nothing else mattered to him.

Walking to the aisle where Finn stood with the priest, I tried to keep my gaze upright but I found myself darting my eyes around.

This was not the plan. I was supposed to be making new connections with potential clients but here I was, walking to the aisle.

It happened quickly and soon it was time for the exchange of vows.

While Finn's response was swift and loud, I could barely voice my response and before I could realize what was happening, I was shedding tears.

To my horror, the congregation took my tears as that of joy and soon they were clapping and cheering on the top of their voices and when I thought it was all over, the priest said the dreaded words.

“You may now kiss your bride.”

Grabbing my head tenderly, Finn leaned in and soon his soft lips made contact with mine. His kiss and tender touch awakening a feeling that had been dormant for years.

“You missed my lips, huh.” He chuckled in my ear, snapping me back to reality.

“Don’t have ideas.” I gulped, my gaze unsteady.

***

Finally, the wedding was over.

At the moment, I was standing in front of Finn’s mansion, grasping my gown tightly and waiting impatiently for him to join me. I was too preoccupied with my thoughts to start admiring his new home.

“Hey babe,” He cooed. He was about to place his hand around my waist but I slapped it off.

“I want your promise in action, now.” I demanded.

Finn’s sigh was audible as he loosened his tie. “Can we at least pretend to be civil for one night?”

“You promised not to go back on your words.” I was getting impatient.

Foremost, I needed the twenty million dollars he had promised me and then we could start talking about how he was going to help set me up in the catering world.

“Still impatient, as always.” He muttered, pushing the door in and reluctantly, I trailed after him.

Before he could deviate from the topic at hand, I played the voice recording I had taken while we were bargaining.

Finn was not to be trusted and I couldn't afford to take chances.

Amused, he began to chuckle but I was unfazed.

"You’re a piece of work, North." He was still chuckling as he unbuttoned his cufflinks, closing the distance between us with just a stride.

"Just keep your promise." I gulped, heat building up in my face and core.

What the hell was wrong with me? I shouldn't be feeling this way, not after what he had done.

Using his fingers, he traced the outline of my jaw, his face barely an inch away from mine.

"You think I wasn’t expecting this?" He whispered. "You’re predictable, babe. And as usual, I always play three steps ahead."

Before I could react, my back hit the cold marble wall, "Now tell me, are you really here for business, or are you just dying to have me touch you again?"

I gulped at his words as a shiver ran through my spines. To get away, I tried to wriggle from his grip but I wasn't quick enough.

Using his fingers, he traced slow, tantalizing circles along my jawline before traveling lower, barely skimming the curve of my collarbone. My heartbeat doubled as my resolve not to fall for him began to falter.

“Look at you.” He murmured, his voice like silk against my heated skin. “You’re trembling, North.” He chuckled.

I swallowed hard, determined to stay unaffected. “It’s just the cold.”

His lips curved into that knowing smirk that always made my stomach flip. “Liar.”

The warmth of his hand went down my arm, his touch featherlight yet it still had its effect. I hated that my body still responded to him, that even now, after all these years, he could still make me burn without trying.

“You remember, don’t you?” He whispered, his lips brushing against my ear. “How good it felt when I had you beneath me? When you moaned my name like a prayer?”

My breath hitched, and my knees nearly buckled. I hated that he was right. I hated that my body ached in response, that my mind was beginning to cloud with suppressed memories of the nights we had spent tangled in the sheets.

“I’m not that girl anymore.” I ratted out, gripping the fabric of my gown like my life depended on it.

He chuckled again.“No?” His fingers trailed down my side, skimming dangerously close to the curve of my hip before he abruptly pulled away, leaving my body burning with desire.

I exhaled sharply, the loss of his touch leaving me shaken. My mind screamed at me for wanting more, for nearly losing myself to him again.

Now standing a few feet away, he loosened the top button of his shirt. “We leave first thing in the morning.”

I blinked, struggling to grasp his words.

“What?”

He tilted his head, watching me with his eyes glinting with amusement. “You and I are going to see my family. We’re paying them a visit.”

“I can’t. I have a job lined up…” I gulped, my eyes almost popping out of their sockets.

“Cancel it.” He cut in smoothly. “As my wife, you have new priorities now.”

I clenched my fists, my frustration getting an edge over me. “You can’t just decide things for me, Finn.”

“Why not? You said ‘I do’ to me before the priest not long ago. Are you going back on your words now."

“It was just an agreement, a marriage on paper to fulfil your selfish desire." I yelled, blaming myself for falling for his schemes.

“That's for me to decide.” He whispered, his voice cold and calculating.