Chapter 4

After our secret argument, here we are, still going through with this ridiculous wedding. A wedding I didn’t ask for. A wedding where I have no idea what the outcome will be.

Now, here he is, holding my hand, slipping a gold ring onto my finger.

I wanted to pull my hand away, but I froze.

A family heirloom, with a ruby heart-shaped centerpiece. The ring looked too expensive to belong to a simple guy like Nelson.

My forehead wrinkled. My gaze darted between his face and the ring, trying to make sense of it.

Why does he have a ring like this? Why does it look like the one I have?

“I want you to wear this ring as a token of my everlasting love and loyalty.”

He said the words slowly, dragging them out like he was in some soap opera. His grin stretched wide as he kissed my hand like some cheesy prince in a bad drama.

What a show-off.

“Everlasting love and loyalty? Your face!” I muttered under my breath, trying to control the twitch at the corner of my lips.

If the mayor weren’t standing right there, I would’ve pulled my hand away and shoved him.

I wanted to scream at the mayor. There’s no need for these dramatic lines! We don’t love each other!

But my throat stayed shut. My pride wouldn’t let me make a scene.

So I swallowed my frustration, took the ring, and shoved it onto his finger.

“I want you to wear this ring as a sign of my love and devotion!” I said with forced sweetness that tasted like vinegar in my mouth.

My eyes narrowed as I glared at him. The hairs on my neck stood on end. I couldn’t help rolling my eyes.

Why did we have to go through all this? Why all this acting? We could’ve just signed the papers and walked out.

But no. My family wanted this full production.

Probably because I humiliated them once before.

How could they forget? The day I didn’t show up for my first arranged marriage, with Diego. My childhood friend. My best friend.

And now, look how fate plays with me.

What a small world.

It wasn’t planned for Nelson and me to meet again like this. We weren’t supposed to cross paths. But here we are, standing in front of a mayor, exchanging fake vows.

I heard Nelson chuckle beside me.

“Make sure to do that…”

I snapped my head toward him. “Do what?”

The wedding wasn’t even over, and here he was, already saying nonsense again.

“The eye-rolling thing… on our honeymoon.”

His grin stretched wider. Mischievous. Infuriating.

I narrowed my eyes even more, ready to burn holes through him.

“Your face! Go on a honeymoon by yourself!” I hissed with a fake smile, barely keeping my temper in check.

He awkwardly smiled but didn’t seem the least bit offended.

The mayor, completely oblivious to the war brewing between us, kept going with the ceremony.

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the mayor said with that all-too-sweet smile.

The secretary beside him even clapped, her face glowing with excitement like she was watching her favorite teleserye unfold live.

I wanted to vomit.

Excitement? For me, this wasn’t exciting. This was doom.

My stomach churned. My heart raced—but not the good kind of racing.

“You may now kiss the bride,” the mayor added with a playful grin, clearly expecting a show.

Nelson scratched his head like he was shy. Fake. All of it was fake.

“Mayor… can we just… do that on the honeymoon?” he said, biting his lower lip like some lovestruck fool.

The mayor laughed along with his secretary, both of them eating up Nelson’s act like candy.

“No interruptions… better that way,” Nelson added with a wink that made me want to smack the back of his head.

“Up to you both,” the mayor chuckled, waving us toward the papers.

We signed. Both of us were smiling like perfect newlyweds.

Smiling for the camera that didn’t exist.

Smiling for the show we didn’t audition for.

Smiling for this lie we were both now trapped in.

“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. De Vedra!”

There it was. The final nail in the coffin.

We walked out of the office, both still smiling like fools.

The second the door closed behind us, I yanked my hand away from his.

“The show’s over. Let go of my hand,” I said, lifting our joined hands for emphasis.

But he didn’t let go.

His grip tightened like he didn’t hear a word I said. His eyes darkened, his smile fading into something more serious.

I stepped back quickly, pulling my hand free with a forceful tug.

Then I turned and walked out. Fast.

The wedding was done. My obligation to him was done.

Now I could focus on the real reason I agreed to this marriage.

My condition.

Work for Hector Laquesta’s company. That was the deal.

“Where are you going?!”

His voice chased after me, loud and annoyed.

I didn’t slow down.

“What’s it to you?!” I snapped without looking back.

“I don’t care, Dorry!”

“Then don’t ask!”

I picked up my pace. I wanted distance. Space. Air.

We were only married on paper. Not in real life. 

“Hey, Dorry!”

His voice again. Sharper now.

Does he really think he can bark orders at me? Does he think wearing a necktie makes him powerful now?

I clenched my fists.

“No way I’m letting him get under my skin,” I muttered to myself.

But then he said something that made me stop mid-step.

“Didn’t you get informed?!”

I froze.

I turned around. Slowly. My glare sharp as a blade.

He started walking toward me, no longer smiling. No more jokes.

Serious. Focused. Eyes locked on mine.

“This game isn’t over with the wedding, Dorry.”

I swallowed hard but stood my ground.

“Don’t forget… you’re my wife now.”

The way he said it was calm but laced with warning.

“Wife? Hey, Nelson. We’re married on paper. That’s all. So don’t throw that word around like it means something!”

“Threaten you?” He laughed under his breath. “Yeah, we’re only married on paper. But that doesn’t mean you can just walk away from me.”

I blinked.

“It doesn’t mean you won’t fulfill your obligations to me!”

“Obligations?!” I took a step closer, pointing a finger at his chest.

“Are you crazy? I don’t owe you anything! Don’t use that word to take advantage of me. I know my rights as a woman!”

His brows furrowed.

“What are you talking about, Dorry?”

He tilted his head like I was speaking a different language.

“Don’t play dumb! You know exactly what I mean!”

He chuckled again, shaking his head.

“Who said I’m trying to trick you?”

“Stop smiling like that! You’re hiding something!”

“As far as I know, your family arranged this marriage. Looks like they didn’t tell you everything,” he said, stepping back, hands in his pockets like this was all a game to him.

My stomach twisted.

What was he talking about?

My family only told me to show up, get married, and then I could go on with my life.

I didn’t ask for details.

I didn’t care back then.

I just wanted their approval for my condition.

“What… are you talking about?” I asked slowly, my voice shaking just a little.

He smiled. Bit his lip like he was holding back laughter.

Then he leaned in closer.

“You might want to start eating a lot of sea squirts starting tonight…”

My brows furrowed. “What?”

“…so we can have a baby right away.”

My jaw dropped.

My brain short-circuited.

I forgot how to breathe.

Did he just say… baby?

I took a deep breath…

Then, without thinking, I smacked him hard on the shoulder.