Chapter 5: The Fake Bride’s New Life

Fedora had never envisioned herself in the wedding business, but Bridal Fix was not a typical wedding company. There were no flower arrangements, no giddy brides dreaming of their big day, no childhood fairytales being fulfilled. Instead, Bridal Fix operated in a world of necessity, where marriage was a tool, a strategy, an answer to problems that money alone could not solve.

Each marriage was a transaction, meticulously planned based on the needs of the client. Some men needed only a simple court registration—a signature, a ring, and a marriage certificate—to satisfy business or legal obligations. Others required the full spectacle of a wedding, dictated by cultural or family expectations. Traditional ceremonies, white weddings, elaborate receptions—every detail was determined by the demands of the client’s world.

Fedora had found herself standing in grand banquet halls, exchanging vows before hundreds of guests, only to quietly sign divorce papers months later. In other cases, she married in near-empty government offices, where only a lawyer and a few witnesses bore testament to the arrangement. Each scenario was different, yet the rules remained the same: no strings attached, no emotions, and absolutely no physical intimacy-except in public places where an audience needed convincing. Physical touch, like holding hands, pecking, or mouth-to-mouth kissing, attracted an extra charge, and all her clients knew that.

Her work had taken her across the globe. She had been a bride in luxurious Shanghai hotels, adorned in a delicate red qipao for a traditional Chinese wedding, where the groom’s family performed intricate tea ceremonies. In South Korea, she played the role of a gyobaek bride, bowing respectfully to elders in a solemn exchange that held more weight than any legal document. In Japan, she had worn a pristine white shiromuku, participating in a Shinto wedding ceremony that was steeped in centuries-old traditions.

The clients varied just as much as the locations. Some were charming and polite, treating Fedora like an honored guest. One wealthy businessman in Tokyo had even gifted her an exquisite diamond bracelet as a farewell present—“a token of appreciation,” he had said with a bow. Others were cold and detached, speaking to her only when necessary, making it clear that she was merely a means to an end.

One of her most challenging clients had been a powerful Chinese CEO whose mother demanded an extravagant wedding before handing over control of the family business. He treated the arrangement like a hostile takeover, issuing detailed contracts that dictated everything from her wardrobe to how she should address his parents. Fedora had played the role flawlessly, earning his respect—but not his warmth.

No matter how grand or simple the arrangement, her boundaries remained firm: no sex, no physical touch beyond what was necessary for appearances. She was the perfect wife in public, but behind closed doors, there was always distance. Some men tried to test the limits, hoping for something more. They quickly learned that Bridal Fix was not a dating service—it was a business, and Fedora was a professional.

She had become a master at disappearing. One moment, she was a wife, smiling at cameras, hosting dinner parties, playing the part. The next, she was gone, her existence in that life erased as if she had never been there at all.

As CEO, Fedora ran a tight ship. Every client was thoroughly vetted, and every contract was airtight. Confidentiality was paramount. No digital trails, no social media presence, no public records beyond what was legally necessary. Her clientele consisted of high-profile businessmen, politicians, and socialites who needed a spouse—but only for a time. Some required a wife to maintain a public image, others to fulfill family obligations or secure lucrative deals. Fedora delivered exactly what they needed, no questions asked.

***

Fedora had become an expert at transformation. One day, she was the elegant trophy wife, attending galas in New York, draped in couture and exchanging polite conversations with business elites. The next, she was the quiet, supportive spouse of a tech mogul in Silicon Valley, blending effortlessly into the minimalist world of innovation and intellect.

She tailored herself to each client’s needs, ensuring that she fit seamlessly into their world. If a man needed a wife with a background in academia, she became a university student, complete with lecture notes, study groups, and an air of intellectual curiosity. When a powerful CEO wanted a wife who exuded elegance and authority, she ran a fictional fashion house, attended high-profile industry events, and offered insightful opinions on design trends. For a school administrator seeking respectability in a conservative community, she transformed into a dedicated teacher, attending PTA meetings and engaging warmly with students and parents.

Her adaptability was her greatest asset. She could charm a royal family in Dubai, negotiate social expectations at a traditional Indian wedding, or navigate the rigid etiquette of European aristocracy. She studied cultures, mannerisms, and industries, learning just enough to hold her own in any environment. Whether it was discussing stock market trends, debating fine art, or pretending to enjoy a sport she had no real interest in, Fedora never let a client down.

She had no real identity of her own anymore—only the ones she created. And in a world where appearances mattered more than reality, she was flawless.

***

Each contract came with a lucrative payout. Fedora wasn’t just securing her financial future—she was building an empire. Every marriage was a carefully orchestrated transaction, and every divorce was prearranged to ensure a clean exit. No scandals, no messy legal battles, no emotional entanglements. Just business.

She reinvested her earnings into Bridal Fix, expanding its reach, hiring a discreet legal team, and recruiting a network of trusted operatives—stylists who curated her appearances, social coaches who refined her personas, and legal experts who ensured every contract remained airtight. Every detail was meticulously handled to maintain the illusion of perfection.

But Fedora wasn’t just accumulating wealth—she was making power moves. With her earnings, she diversified her investments. Real estate? She owned luxury apartments in Dubai, penthouses in New York, and beachfront villas in the Maldives. Stocks? She had a carefully curated portfolio in tech, fashion, and healthcare. She was no longer just playing the game—she was mastering it.

Yet, for all her success, Fedora never forgot her roots. She was helping her siblings in ways they never even realized—paying off mortgages, funding their children’s education, and covering unexpected expenses without them knowing the money came from her. She had learned that financial security meant freedom, and she made sure those she cared about never had to struggle.

And then, there was her philanthropy. Not the flashy, attention-seeking kind, but the kind done in the shadows. She anonymously funded scholarships for underprivileged students, covered hospital bills for children with special needs, and supported cancer patients who couldn’t afford their treatments. She never attached her name to any of it—no public recognition, no press releases. Just quiet, meaningful impact.

Fedora was cashing out, but she was also giving back. On the surface, she was a woman of mystery, seamlessly slipping in and out of different lives. But behind the scenes, she was a silent force, changing lives in ways no one would ever know

***

Publicly, Fedora was the woman with a string of ‘unlucky’ marriages. She was whispered about in high society circles, her name appearing in gossip blogs with headlines like "The Woman Who Can’t Stay Married" and "Fifteen Weddings, Fifteen Failures—What’s Her Secret?" She was a mystery, someone who always moved on too quickly, never settling, never explaining.

But behind closed doors, she was Bridal Fix—the architect behind marriages that existed for reasons beyond love. She made weddings happen, and when the time came, she made them disappear. Her life was a series of carefully crafted identities, each tailored to fit her client’s world.

Of course, fifteen marriages didn’t go unnoticed. Bloggers obsessed over her, speculating about the “curse” that made every one of her relationships end. Some called her a gold digger, others labeled her a heartbreaker, but none of them knew the truth. Fedora had mastered the art of staying ahead. She had an entire team dedicated to scrubbing her name from search engines, paying off bloggers to remove damaging stories, and ensuring that no scandal ever stuck.

Interviews? She refused them all. Even the biggest media houses couldn’t get a word out of her. She knew the power of mystery, and she wasn’t about to let curiosity unravel her empire.

Her personal life? It no longer existed. Friends from her past faded away, unable to understand her choices. Even her family questioned her, but they eventually accepted that Fedora was, as always, in control of her own life.

Her world revolved around Bridal Fix now. No emotions, no attachments, no second-guessing.

At least, that’s what she told herself.

***

Fedora was wealthy, independent, and powerful. Yet, every now and then, when a new bride-to-be gushed about love, when a client spoke of duty over desire, or when she watched one of her siblings share a quiet, knowing glance with their real spouse, a question would linger in the back of her mind:

Was she truly free? Or had she built a prison of her own making?

But before she could answer, the next contract awaited, and Fedora had a wedding to plan.