chapter 2

“I’m okay,” Lucy said quietly, standing up and brushing the dust from her clothes. Her voice shook, but she tried to keep it steady as she wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.

Across from her, Austin DiMarco studied her closely. She was broken, yet something about the way she held herself, fragile but still standing, made her shine even more.

“I’m Austin,” he said gently. “I’m a businessman.”

Lucy blinked, taken aback by his calmness and timing. “I’m Lucy,” she replied with a weak smile. “Just a roadside food vendor.”

Austin raised an eyebrow. “You don’t look like ‘just’ anything,” he said honestly, glancing down at her soft makeup, her delicate features, and the ruined bouquet still clutched in her hands. “You look stunning.”

Lucy let out a small, tired laugh. “Well, thank you. But looks don’t matter, do they? Not when you’ve been publicly humiliated by someone you gave everything to.”

Austin tilted his head. “Maybe not to some men. But to me? Character matters. And I just saw yours.”

Lucy narrowed her eyes slightly. “What does that mean?”

“It means…” Austin paused, hands in his pockets, “I’m looking for a bride. Would you be mine?”

The silence that followed was so sharp it could cut glass.

Lucy blinked. Then blinked again. “Excuse me?” she said, a shocked laugh escaping her lips. “You must have some nerves. Did you seriously just ask me to marry you? You don’t even know me!”

Austin chuckled, a sound low and smooth. “That’s true. But I don’t need years to see a woman who deserves better than what she just got. And if you think I’m playing games, I’m not. I’m tired of people chasing my bank account. I want something real, or at least, something that starts from the truth.”

Lucy raised a brow, still trying to figure this man out. “Do you usually propose to strangers in parking lots?”

He smirked. “Only the ones I feel drawn to.”

Just then, Greg stepped out of the mall with Vanessa by his side, their hands full of shopping bags. His eyes locked on Lucy and narrowed.

Lucy spotted him instantly. Her heart twisted, but she straightened her back and pointed toward him.

“There,” she said softly to Austin, “that’s the man I love… or at least, used to.”

Austin followed her gaze, and his jaw tightened.

“Greg!” Lucy called out, walking toward him. “Please. Let’s not do this here. I’m sorry. Can we talk? Can we go back to how things were?”

Greg rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed. “Are you serious right now?” he snapped. “After all this drama?”

He looked between her and Austin, then scoffed. “Oh, I get it. So this guy’s your rebound now? Pathetic.”

Lucy stepped forward, eyes pleading. “I’m not trying to rebound. I just… I don’t understand what I did wrong.”

Greg laughed, loud and cruel. “You loved me. That was your mistake. You thought love was enough. But it’s not. Look at me now. I have everything. And I don’t need some tearful jollof girl dragging me down.”

His hand rose suddenly, anger flashing in his eyes.

Austin stepped in immediately, his voice sharp. “Don’t you dare lay a hand on her.”

Greg paused mid-motion, staring at him like he was insane.

“Oh wow,” Greg said with a slow grin. “So now she’s got a new bodyguard? That was fast.”

He took a step closer, chest puffed up. “You don’t know who I am, do you?”

“No,” Austin replied coolly. “But you’re about to know who I am.”

Vanessa laughed, tossing her hair. “This is getting interesting.”

But Lucy wasn’t done. She reached into her purse and pulled out the divorce papers, her fingers trembling.

“I signed them,” she said, holding them out to Greg. “Take them. You’re free.”

Greg snatched the papers, gave her one last cold look, and stormed off with Vanessa.

As they disappeared into the crowd, Lucy finally broke down.

“I loved him for three years,” she whispered, covering her face. “I supported him when he had nothing. I watched him grow. And this is how he repays me? With public shame and a slap in the face?”

Austin moved closer, handing her a clean handkerchief. “You didn’t deserve any of that.”

She looked up at him, eyes swollen but sincere. “Why did you help me?”

He smiled softly. “Because I could see you were alone. And no one deserves to go through something like that by themselves.”

Lucy hesitated, holding the handkerchief to her lips. “Were you serious? About the marriage thing?”

“I was,” Austin said without missing a beat.

She stared at him. “Why?”

“Because I’ve been around long enough to know when something real shows up, even in a mess. I don't need perfection. I need someone genuine. Someone like you.”

Lucy chuckled bitterly. “You think I’m genuine? You don’t even know me.”

“Then let’s get to know each other,” Austin said. “Starting with this. Say yes, and we’ll figure the rest out.”

Her heart pounded. It was crazy. Completely insane. But so was love. So was the pain. And maybe, so was healing.

She took a deep breath. “Okay,” she whispered. “Let’s do it.”

“Are you sure?” Austin asked, one last time.

Lucy nodded. “Yes. I’ve got nothing left to lose.”

..✿....✿..

Later that afternoon

The courthouse was quiet. The echo of heels on marble floors followed them as they walked down the hallway. Austin held the door open for her, and she stepped inside.

A judge sat at the bench, flipping through some papers. When he looked up and saw the pair, he blinked.

“You’re here for a civil marriage?”

“Yes, sir,” Austin said.

Lucy swallowed hard, glancing at the form in front of her.

They filled it out, standing side by side. When it was time to sign, their eyes met, and for a moment, everything else disappeared.

They signed.

Just like that, they were husband and wife.

Austin reached for her hand, his fingers warm and steady against hers. He looked at her with a smirk that could melt steel.

“Welcome to a new chapter, Mrs. Austin,” he said, voice low and full of promise.

Lucy gave a soft, uncertain smile. “Let’s see where it takes us.”

But before she could take a step forward, Austin turned to her, more serious now.

“I want you to come with me tomorrow,” he said. “There’s a family gala… It’s time you officially meet my parents.”

Her heart skipped. “Your parents? Already?”

He nodded. “I want them to know who my wife is. I want them to see the woman I chose… and I need you to represent me well.”

Without waiting for a reply, he reached into his inner jacket pocket, pulled out a thick bundle of crisp notes, and handed it to her.

“Get yourself something stunning to wear,” he said, voice cool and casual. “All eyes will be on you tomorrow night.”

Lucy stared at the money in disbelief, not just one or two bills, but a whole stack.

Her breath hitched. How could a simple businessman carry this much around so easily?

She hesitated, the cash weighing heavily in her hands. Something doesn’t add up, she thought. No ordinary businessman carries this kind of money in his pocket.

Her eyes flicked to him, narrowing slightly. “This is a lot,” she said carefully. “I don’t need it.”

Austin raised a brow, a little surprised. “You’ll be my wife in that room, Lucy. I want you to shine.”

“I can shine without your money,” she said, stepping closer, her voice firm but gentle. She slipped the cash back into his coat pocket. “Don’t worry. I can handle myself.”

Austin didn’t argue. He looked down at her with something deeper in his eyes, admiration, maybe. Or curiosity.

“You’re not like the others,” he murmured.

“And you’re not just a businessman,” she replied quietly, studying him.

They held the gaze a second too long.

Then Austin’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen, and instantly, his jaw clenched.

“What’s wrong?” Lucy asked.

He tucked the phone away quickly, forcing a smile. “Nothing to worry about. Just business.”

But Lucy saw it, the flicker of something dark in his eyes before he masked it. And as they walked to the waiting car, one thought wouldn’t leave her mind.

Who exactly did I just marry?