The Billionaire's Contract

Sienna sat still as the makeup artist brushed a light layer of powder across her cheeks. The bridal suite was quiet. The manic energy of the morning had faded, leaving a heavy, expectant silence in the room.

"You look perfect," the artist said, stepping back and lowering her brush. "Just don't cry and ruin the mascara. It's waterproof, but let's not test it."

Sienna offered a small smile. "I won't. Thank you, Maya."

The door to the suite clicked open. Janet, the wedding planner, peeked her head in. She held a clipboard tight against her chest, her expression tight.

"Sienna, we have a small delay," Janet said. She stepped fully into the room, letting the heavy door shut behind her. "Nothing major. But I can't find Liam. The photographer wants to do the first-look photos in the courtyard right now."

Sienna picked up her phone from the vanity. No new messages. "Did you check the groomsmen's suite?"

"I knocked," Janet said. "No answer. His best man is downstairs at the bar, but he said Liam went back upstairs twenty minutes ago to change his tie."

"I'll go get him," Sienna said. She stood up, smoothing the front of her white silk dress.

"You aren't supposed to be walking around the halls," Janet warned. "Guests are already arriving downstairs."

"The groomsmen's room is just at the end of this floor," Sienna replied. "I'll be quick."

She stepped out of the suite before Janet could argue. The hallway of the St. Regis hotel was empty and quiet. Thick, patterned carpets muted the sound of her heels. She held the heavy fabric of her skirt with one hand, walking at a steady, unhurried pace.

The door to room 412 was slightly open. A sliver of warm yellow light cut across the dark hallway carpet.

Sienna reached for the brass handle. She paused.

A sound drifted through the narrow opening. A soft, breathless laugh.

Sienna recognized that laugh immediately. It was Chloe, her younger sister. Chloe was supposed to be in the ballroom, making sure the florists arranged the centerpieces correctly.

"Liam, wait. Stop. Someone might come in," Chloe's voice murmured.

"They're busy downstairs. We have time," Liam replied. His voice was low and rushed.

Sienna didn't breathe. Her hand tightened on the brass handle. She pushed the door open. It swung wide and hit the wall with a dull thud.

Liam’s black tuxedo jacket lay crumpled on the floor. His white dress shirt was completely unbuttoned. Chloe was pressed against the edge of the room’s heavy mahogany desk, her hands gripping Liam’s shoulders.

Sienna stopped in the doorway. She didn't scream. She didn't throw anything. She just stood perfectly still and watched them.

Liam jumped back so fast he tripped over his own jacket. He stumbled, catching himself on the edge of the sofa. Chloe gasped loudly and scrambled backward. She pulled the neckline of her bridesmaid dress up, her eyes wide and panicked.

"Sienna," Liam said. His voice cracked. He reached for his collar, his fingers fumbling awkwardly with the small white buttons. "Sienna, listen to me."

Sienna looked at him. She noted the red flush on his neck. Then she looked at Chloe. Her sister couldn't maintain eye contact. Chloe stared down at the carpet, her chest heaving.

"How long?" Sienna asked. Her voice sounded strange to her own ears. It was entirely flat. Steady.

Liam took a cautious step forward. He held both hands up, palms facing her. "It’s not what it looks like. I swear. It was just a mistake. A really stupid mistake."

"You are half-naked with my sister. Today is our wedding day," Sienna said. She didn't raise her voice. "Answer the question. How long?"

Chloe finally looked up. Her eyes were wet. "Sienna, please. We didn't mean to hurt you."

"Six months," Liam muttered. He dropped his hands to his sides. "It started six months ago."

Sienna nodded slowly. Six months. That covered the cake tasting. The deposit for this hotel. The Thanksgiving dinner at their parents' house where Liam had held Sienna's hand under the table.

"Get your things and get out," Sienna said.

"Sienna, baby, please." Liam tried to step closer again. "We can fix this. It’s just stress. The wedding planning got to me. We’re both just stressed out."

"Do not call me that." Sienna took a step back, ensuring a clear distance remained between them. "I want you both out of this room. Pack up and leave."

"You can't cancel the wedding," Chloe said. Her voice shook, pitching higher. "Mom and Dad invited everyone. The governor is sitting in the front row downstairs. What are you going to tell them?"

Sienna shifted her gaze to her sister. "I am going to tell them that you are sleeping with my fiancé. You can go downstairs right now and explain the exact details to Mom."

Chloe choked out a sob. "You're going to ruin everything."

"You already did that." Sienna looked down at her left hand. The diamond engagement ring caught the light from the window. She grabbed the band and pulled it off her finger. It slid over her knuckle with a slight resistance.

She tossed it toward the desk. It hit the wood with a sharp click and rolled to a stop next to Chloe's silver clutch.

"The wedding is off," Sienna said.

Liam stared at the ring on the desk. "Sienna, be reasonable for a second. We paid for everything. Your parents paid fifty thousand for the reception alone. We can just... we can push through today. We can get married today and figure this out tomorrow."

Sienna let out a short, dry laugh. "You actually want me to walk down the aisle and marry you after catching you with my sister."

"We just need to save face," Liam said. He sounded entirely desperate now. "Just for today. For our families."

"I'm leaving," Sienna said.

She turned her back to them and walked out of the room.

"Sienna, wait!" Liam called out.

She didn't stop. She kept her pace steady as she walked back down the quiet hallway. She didn't run. She didn't look back to see if he was following her. He wasn't.

She reached the bank of elevators and pressed the down button. The metal doors reflected her image. The pristine white silk dress. The careful makeup.

The elevator chimed and the doors slid open. A hotel bellhop pushing a brass luggage cart paused, looking at her in surprise.

"Going down, ma'am?" he asked hesitantly.

"Yes," Sienna said. She stepped inside the empty car.

The doors closed, shutting out the silent hallway.

The elevator doors opened a minute later to the bustling main lobby. Guests in suits and formal dresses milled around near the entrance to the grand ballroom. A string quartet played softly in the corner.

Sienna stepped out. Several people turned to look at her, their conversations pausing as they noticed the bride walking through the lobby alone.

Janet spotted her from the ballroom entrance. She rushed over, her heels clicking rapidly against the marble floor.

"Sienna! What are you doing down here?" Janet asked, her eyes darting around. "Where is Liam? Guests are starting to take their seats."

Sienna stopped. She looked at Janet, then glanced toward the open doors of the ballroom where expensive white flowers covered every table.

"Tell the hotel staff to pack up the food," Sienna said. "And tell the guests to go home."

Janet stared at her, her mouth slightly open. "What? Why?"

"Because there is no wedding," Sienna said.

She turned toward the main glass doors of the hotel and walked out into the busy street.