Chapter Two

The silver coin around Natalie's neck glinted beneath the chapel lights.

For a brief moment, Adrian forgot where he was.

His pulse froze.

Impossible.

His gaze remained fixed on the necklace as memories he had buried years ago surfaced without warning.

A little girl with chestnut-brown hair.

A stubborn smile.

Paint-covered fingers.

The promise he had never forgotten.

"When I grow up, I'll come back for you."

The officiant's voice pulled him back to reality.

"Mr. Lewis?"

Adrian blinked. The wedding hall came back into focus.

Hundreds of guests, Reporters, The woman standing before him.

Maria Daves.

No…, That couldn't be right.

Maria had never worn that necklace before.

His eyes lingered on it for another second.

Then he dismissed the thought.

There would be time to investigate later.

Right now, the ceremony had to continue.

The priest smiled politely.

"Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do."

The answer came automatically.

Firm, Controlled, Without any hesitation.

Natalie's stomach twisted.

She looked up at him.

How could he sound so calm?

How could anyone sound so calm while marrying a complete stranger?

The priest turned toward her.

"And do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

The hall fell silent.

Every eye turned toward her.

Natalie couldn't breathe.

This was her chance.

Her last chance.

If she refused, maybe someone would finally listen.

Maybe the nightmare would end.

But then she remembered Caitlyn's threat.

The locked room.

The guards.

The way nobody had believed a single word she said.

Fear tightened around her chest.

Her fingers clenched around the bouquet.

Slowly, she looked at Adrian.

His expression remained unreadable.

Patient, As though he already knew what her answer would be.

Natalie swallowed.

"...I do."

The words felt like a prison sentence.

The priest beamed.

"Then by the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife."

Applause erupted throughout the hall.

Natalie barely heard it.

Her world had gone strangely quiet.

Husband and wife.

The words echoed inside her head.

She had actually done it.

The priest chuckled.

"You may kiss the bride."

A fresh wave of panic crashed into her.

Adrian stepped closer.

Close enough for her to catch the faint scent of cedarwood and expensive cologne.

Close enough for her to realize just how intimidating he really was.

One hand lifted gently beneath her chin.

His touch was surprisingly careful.

"You look terrified," he murmured.

Natalie stared at him.

"This is still a mistake."

Something flickered in his eyes.

"Maybe."

Before she could respond, his lips brushed hers.

The kiss was brief.

Nothing more than what was required.

Yet the crowd exploded into cheers.

Cameras flashed, Guests applauded.

And Natalie finally understood.

This wasn't a misunderstanding anymore.

She was Adrian Lewis's wife.

Several hours later, the wedding reception was finally coming to an end.

The ballroom remained beautiful.

Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead.

Soft music floated through the room.

Elegant guests laughed and exchanged farewells.

Natalie sat alone at the hotel bar.

Her wedding shoes had already become instruments of torture.

Her head hurt, Her life hurt.

And unfortunately, alcohol seemed to be helping.

A little.

"Ma'am," the bartender said nervously, eyeing the collection of empty glasses before her. "Perhaps you've had enough."

Natalie stared into her drink.

"I married a stranger today."

The bartender blinked.

"Congratulations?"

She laughed.

Then laughed harder.

The poor man looked terrified.

Across the room, Adrian stood speaking with Hendrick Daves.

Unlike Natalie, neither man appeared particularly distressed.

"I appreciate your cooperation today," Hendrick said.

"It wasn't cooperation," Adrian replied calmly.

"It was necessity."

Hendrick smiled awkwardly.

"Maria simply needed time to adjust."

Adrian's gaze drifted toward the bar.

Toward Natalie.

“Interesting, Very interesting”.

The real Maria would have been charming guests, Seeking attention.

Enjoying every second of being the center of the room.

Instead, his wife looked like she wanted to disappear.

Another inconsistency.

The list was growing.

Eventually Adrian excused himself and crossed the ballroom.

Natalie noticed him immediately.

She straightened.

Or at least attempted to.

The chair nearly tipped over.

Adrian caught it before disaster struck.

"Careful."

She squinted at him.

"You're very tall."

"Thank you."

"No, I mean unnecessarily tall."

For the first time all day, Adrian nearly smiled.

Nearly.

He took the seat beside her.

"What exactly was all that this morning?"

Natalie frowned.

"What was what?"

"The disappearance."

"I didn't disappear."

"You vanished an hour before your wedding."

"I wasn't at the wedding."

"You signed the marriage agreement months ago?."

Natalie stared at him.

Then pointed at herself.

Slowly.

"D-do you still think I'm Maria?"

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

"You're drunk."

"No."

She nodded seriously.

"Actually... yes."

He sighed.

"Natalie."

The name slipped out before she could stop it.

Both of them froze.

Adrian stared at her.

"What did you say?"

But Natalie's eyes had already closed.

A second later, she slumped sideways.

Fast asleep.

Adrian caught her before she hit the floor.

For several moments, he simply looked at her.

Natalie?, The name felt strangely familiar.

The presidential suite occupied the entire top floor of the hotel.

Adrian carried her there himself.

She weighed almost nothing.

By the time they entered the room, she was sleeping soundly against his shoulder.

He placed her carefully on the bed.

The room fell silent.

For a moment, he considered calling for assistance.

But it was nearly midnight.

Most of the staff had already left.

And the smell of alcohol clinging to her wedding gown suggested she would be uncomfortable sleeping in it.

Adrian rubbed a hand across his jaw.

Then made a decision, Nothing inappropriate, Nothing unnecessary.

Just enough to make sure she could sleep comfortably.

He pulled a clean bedsheet from the closet and draped it around her before carefully helping her out of the heavy wedding gown.

His movements remained respectful, Then he removed her heels.

And froze.

A scar.

A long, pale scar curved around her ankle.

Adrian frowned.

Maria didn't have a scar there.

He was certain.

He had known Maria for years.

Business dinners.

Family events.

Vacations arranged by their parents.

He had seen her countless times.

And never once had he seen that scar.

Slowly, his gaze lifted toward the sleeping woman.

Her expression looked softer now.

The doubt that had begun with the necklace returned.

Stronger this time.

His eyes moved from the scar...

To her face...

Then back again.

"How did Maria get this?"

The question lingered in the silent room.

But deep down, Adrian already knew something was wrong.

Terribly wrong.

And for the first time since the wedding began—

He wondered if the woman sleeping in his bed was actually Maria Daves at all.