3

Elara gasped into his mouth softly, but it betrayed her completely.

Their lips were locked warmly, unfamiliar in a way that made her heart stumble. Yet Alex didn’t deepen the kiss. He didn’t tilt his head, didn’t pull her closer, didn’t claim her the way a man in love would. And somehow, that made it even more overwhelming.

Her fingers curled slightly against his chest, uncertain whether to push him away or hold on.

Alex broke the kiss and Elara blinked, she pulled away from him instantly.

“Why did you do that?” She complained.

“Because of my family, they're here.” Alex replied, his eyes darted towards them as they entered one by one.

“You could've stated it, you could've just said that you wanted to kiss me,” Elara whispered angrily.

“It's just a kiss, nothing much.”He said nonchalantly, straightening his tie.

Elara rolled her eyes, she noticed how cold he was but she's not expecting anything less than that, his bride didn't show up like the way Henry didn't.

Alex smiled at his grandmother who looked so happy seeing that he's getting married. He looked at Elara who seemed to be staring at his grandmother as well.

Elara stared at the people entering the courthouse, he's not just rich and powerful, he has family members.

She wished her mother and sister would show up too but they wouldn't since they thought she's marrying Henry, not another man.

Alex held her hand and they both walked to the altar together. They stood in front of each other, her hands at her both sides while his hands in his pocket.

Elara could hear his family murmurs;

“Isn't she beautiful?”

“Alex never disappoints when it comes to women.”

“They're a perfect match. But she looks like she's from a poor background.”

Elara swallowed, it's not written on her forehead that she's from a poor background. So how did they know?

“Don't mind my family, they're like that, please.”Alex said, he's hearing their murmurs too.

The officiant entered through the other entrance. He pointed for them to sit on the empty chairs behind them.

They took their seat and two files were given to them.

“Where are your parents?”The officiant asked.

Elara exchanged glances with Alex and shook her head. Her mother is absent, who would be her witness.

Then a woman came to her side to stand for her as a mother. Alex nodded at her the moment she looked at him, he planned everything already.

He didn’t expect it to be Elara, it was supposed to be one random girl since that's what he told his brother.

“Read out your vows, Elara.”The officiant said.

Elara sighed, she held the file, she only ever imagined reading vows with one person which was Henry. But unfortunately for her, he didn’t show up and not just that, he cheated with her best friend.

“Jesus this is just for a year, please make me strong.” Elara prayed silently, she stared at the file one more time before opening it.

“I Elara Wilson sit beside you today with a heart that feels with joy.”Elara started reading,she chuckled bitterly, she's sad, she's not happy.

“Loving you has changed me in ways I cannot fully explain, and yet somehow, every part of it feels natural, like I was always meant to find my way to you. Before you, I thought love was something simple, something easy to understand. But you showed me that love is deeper than words, stronger than fear, and more powerful than anything I have ever known. You didn’t just walk into my life, you became a part of me, a part I never want to lose. I vow to stand beside you, not just in the beautiful moments, but in the difficult ones too. When life feels overwhelming and the world becomes too heavy, I promise to be your strength just as you have been mine.” Tears rolled down Elara’s cheeks, sniffing.

“I promise to listen to you, to understand you, and to never turn away, even when things are hard. I promise to choose you every single day. Not because I have to, but because I want to because loving you is the most certain thing I have ever felt. I will choose you in laughter, in silence, in joy, and even in pain. I will choose you when life is kind, and when it is not. I vow to protect what we have, to nurture it, and to never take it for granted. Our love is something rare, something real, and I will spend my life making sure it never fades. I promise to grow with you, to build with you, and to create a life that reflects everything we are together. You will be my safe place, my greatest comfort, and my most beautiful adventure. With you, I have found a love that feels like home, warm, and unshakable. And no matter where life takes us, as long as I have you, I know I will always be exactly where I belong.” Elara sniffed, she's not crying because of the words but because she wished it was Henry that was beside her.

“I vow to love you not only for who you are today, but for who you will become. I will stand by you as you chase your dreams, and I will remind you of your strength when you begin to doubt yourself. Your victories will be mine, your struggles will be mine, and together, we will face everything as one. Today, I give you all of me, my heart, my soul, my body and every promise I am capable of keeping. I give you my love without hesitation, without fear, and without limits. And for the rest of my life, through every chapter we have yet to write, I promise this: no matter what comes, no matter how the world changes around us, I will always choose you. Today, tomorrow, and forever.”

Elara burst into tears the moment she dropped the file. Alex was surprised, why did she get emotional? The vows and everything were fake.

The family members thought she was being sensitive because of the vows, it's normal to cry after the vows anyway.

“Elara pull yourself together please.” Alex whispered, he patted her back without moving closer to her.

“Remember this is just a fake wedding, we are getting a divorce after a year.” He whispered to her.