CHAPTER FOUR   CARISSA’S POV  

The walk down the aisle was like a fever dream gone wrong.

For the guy who walked me down the aisle, I had no idea who he was. He was a huge man built like a brick wall, who was now following two steps behind me like he was so badly trying to replace my shadow. I barely heard a word the officiant said. The only thing that snapped me back to reality was when he asked for my consent, calling me Carissa Romano. I had never had a last name before today. I didn’t have a last name at all. I just said "I do" because I wanted to keep breathing.

I made a point not to look at the people sitting in the pews. But now, the ceremony was over, my veil was flipped back, and I was forced to face the crowd. The very luxurious crowd.

The reception was completely packed with extremely rich men in tailored suits and women dripping in diamonds. I recognized this kind of setting like the back of my hand. The quiet clinking of champagne glasses, the fake laughs, the heavy smell of expensive cologne. The only difference was that today, I wasn't some temporary side character hired to hold a glass and look pretty. I was the main attraction.

Mateo suddenly appeared at my side, sliding his hand firmly around my waist. I stiffened as a response and didn’t realize my body stayed that way till he leaned down to gruffly whisper. “ Loosen up. You look more like cattle being slaughtered than a happy bride.”

I directed a small smile to a couple who bowed slightly as they passed. “ Well that’s a funny comparison due to the fact that I am not a happy bride and I do feel like

A group of older men in dark suits walked up to us, holding glasses of scotch.

"Congratulations, Mateo," one of them said, raising his glass. "We were beginning to think you'd never settle down."

"Thank you, Hector," Mateo said smoothly. His grip on my waist tightened just enough to keep me close.

"And who is this lovely lady?" another man asked, looking at me. "Where have you been hiding her?"

"Carissa prefers to keep a low profile," Mateo answered for me.

I forced a small, polite smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you all," I said softly, keeping my words brief. I let my eyes drop slightly, acting mysterious and shy just like I had been trained to do for high-end events.

The men laughed, traded a few more quick compliments, and moved off toward the bar.

Before I could breathe a sigh of relief, another group approached. This time, it was a cluster of women led by an outrageously beautiful woman with sharp features, dark hair, and a diamond necklace that cost more than my life.

She completely ignored me. Her eyes were fixed entirely on Mateo, filled with hurt and deep annoyance.

"I'm surprised, Mateo," she sneered, her voice dripping with venom. "I didn't think you would get married so quickly after ending our ten-year engagement."

Mateo’s face turned completely cold. "That engagement was something arranged by the elders as a joke, Marcella. It should be treated as such."

Marcella’s face flushed bright red with anger. "A joke?" she spat out. "I saved myself for you for ten years! It was not a joke to me!"

"I never asked you to do that," Mateo said, his voice flat and unbothered. "And I suggest you forget about those past matters. Bringing them up may upset my new wife."

I squeezed my lips together, secretly enjoying every second of the drama.

Marcella’s eyes snapped toward me for the very first time. She looked at my face, my dress, and my bare shoulders with absolute disgust.

"I don't know what hole you pulled her out of just to get away from me," Marcella said harshly, stepping right into my face. "But you will regret trying to take my place, little girl."

I stared at her in total shock, my mouth slightly open.

Before I could even think of a comeback, Marcella turned on her heel and strutted away, her little group of minions following closely behind her.

"What the hell just happened?" I muttered under my breath.

Before Mateo could answer, his hand wrapped softly around my elbow. "We need to talk," he said quietly.

He led me away from the crowd, down a long private corridor, and pushed open a door. He guided me inside and shut the heavy wooden door, locking out the noise of the party.

This room was much bigger than the dressing room. It was a massive private office with floor-to-ceiling windows, leather couches, and a giant mahogany desk.

The second the lock clicked, I spun around to face him, launching into a barrage of questions.

"Who was that crazy woman? Why did she say I took her place? And who the hell named me Carissa Romano? Why am I here, Mateo? What is actually going on?"

Mateo didn't panic. He walked over to his desk, poured himself a glass of water, and pointed to a leather chair.

"Sit down, Carissa," he said.

"I don't want to sit down!" I yelled, crossing my arms over the heavy lace of the wedding dress. "I want answers!"

Mateo took a slow sip of his water. "Sit down, or I won't tell you anything."

I glared at him, but I sat down on the edge of the leather chair, my posture stiff. "Fine. Start talking. Who are you?"

Mateo leaned back against the edge of his desk, looking down at me. "Have you ever heard of Castillo Tech?"

I blinked. "Castillo Tech? Yes, of course I have. I was actually supposed to read up on them a few months ago for a client who wanted to invest in their stock."

"What do you know about them?" he asked.

"I know they're a massive global corporation," I said quickly. "They make military hardware, private security software, and microchips. They make billions of dollars every single year, and the founder's family basically runs half the economy in South America."

Mateo set his glass down on the desk with a quiet clink.

"I am Mateo Castillo," he said flatly.

My jaw dropped. "You're... you're a Castillo?"

"I run the company," he said. "And I married you today because I am planning to fake my death."