CHAPTER 4: Marriage on Paper

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts and Louis walked in. “Decided yet?”

Lydia looked up. “If you decide you want…” The words caught in her throat. She forced herself to continue. “ a real marriage. Can you force me to…”

She couldn't finish.

“Just don’t behave like last night”

Heat rushed into Lydia's face. If only she had gone straight home that night, this wouldn’t be happening.

She picked up the pen, and signed her name.

“Carter.”

The door opened immediately. “Yes, sir.”

“Prepare the registry.”

Lydia's head snapped up. “The registry?”

Louis placed the signed contract inside a folder. “The marriage will be registered today.”

“My family isn’t aware.”

He looked at his watch. “You can tell them later.”

“My family should at least consent.”

“Do they?” His gaze held hers. “Your father values his position more than you. I don’t care about your stepmother.”

He paused.

“Your mom isn’t the one making decisions in that house either.

Lydia's heart sank. “I still need my documents.”

“Call your mother. Five minutes.”

Lydia dialled her mother's number.

“Lydia?”

She swallowed. “Mom, I need my birth certificate and every document required for marriage registration.”

“Wasn’t it cancelled?” Grace sounded bewildered. “What’s going on?”

“I'm getting married today.”

“To whom?”

Lydia closed her eyes. “Louis Vale.”

Grace gasped. “What?”

"I'll call your father."

The line ended.

Richard barely had time to settle into his chair before his phone rang. “What is it?”

“Richard…” Her voice trembled. “Lydia says she's getting married today.”

He frowned. “What nonsense?”

“She asked me to send her documents. She said the groom is…”

Grace hesitated. “Louis Vale.”

Richard shot to his feet. “Louis Vale?”

His surprise quickly turned into excitement.

“You're going to talk her out of it?”

“Richard…”

“Are you out of your mind?” His voice hardened. “Lydia is marrying the future CEO of Vale Group. Send every document they need immediately.”

Grace was silent. “What if she is pushing herself because of the betrayal?”

“That's her choice. This is the best thing that has happened to our family.”

The line went dead.

Grace stared at her phone for a moment before lowering it. She wasn’t expecting that from Richard.

A voice came from behind her. “Louis Vale?”

Victoria stood at the entrance, Vanessa beside her.

Victoria folded her arms. "So… when exactly did Lydia become acquainted with him?"

Vanessa's eyes narrowed. 

The marriage registry took less than fifteen minutes. Carter stood as witness. The registrar slid the certificate across the desk.”

“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Vale.”

Lydia stared at the paper. Yesterday, she had imagined walking down an aisle in a white dress. Today, she walked out of a government office with a marriage certificate.

Louis accepted Carter's congratulations with a brief nod. Then turned to Lydia.

“Carter will pick you up tomorrow morning.”

Before she could answer, he stepped into the waiting car. 

When Lydia reached home, Richard met her in the sitting room. Pride lit his face.

“You've done well.”

Victoria's eyes swept over Lydia “So you really managed to marry into the Vale family.” Grace quietly followed Lydia to her room and closed the door.

“Lydia.” Her voice remained gentle. “Tell me the truth.”

She stepped closer. “Were you forced into this or is it because of Ryan?”

“I just moved on, Mom. I'm happy.”

Grace searched her face for several seconds. Then she pulled Lydia into a hug.

"If you're happy…" She stroked her hair. "…then that's enough for me."

Later, when the house had gone quiet, Lydia sat alone on the edge of her bed. The marriage certificate and contract rested beside her. 

She looked at the gold band on her finger. It felt more like a chain than a ring.

She thought about Louis' cold eyes. His quiet insults. If he could make her feel this powerless in a single day, what would one year with him do to her?