Chapter 4

LAURA

"He is Draco Atlas Smith, Laura. The man you're going to marry."

Laura was momentarily speechless at her father Leo's revelation. But as the truth sank in - that the tall, piercing-eyed man was her groom-to-be - her lips parted in shock.

Draco Atlas Smith was not old. He was still young, and if Laura wasn't mistaken, he was in his thirties or even older. He wasn't old as she had imagined, but rather young, tall, fair-skinned, handsome, well-built, and exuding sex appeal.

Laura's gaze involuntarily rose to meet Draco's eyes, and she struggled to stifle a gasp as their eyes locked.

Laura couldn't take her eyes off her. And those devilish eyes seemed familiar, but she couldn't recall where or when she had seen them.

Why was he looking at her like that? She asked herself.

His piercing, cold gaze was unnerving, making her want to retreat - no, run out of the library. Laura couldn't explain why, but her heart raced as she met his frosty stare.

A sense of foreboding washed over her, as if something terrible would happen if she proceeded with the wedding. She'd rather back out, despite the man's striking looks. In fact, she'd almost prefer marrying the man she thought was Draco to this stranger, who seemed incapable of smiling.

She couldn't bear the way he looked at her. Then, she noticed him glance at his wristwatch.

"Will you just stand there and stare at me all day, or will you approach me to finish this ceremony?" He said in a cold, baritone voice. "My time is precious," he added.

Laura bit her lower lip, feeling her father's gentle push urging her towards Draco. With little choice, she stepped closer to him. Draco's gaze shifted away from her, focusing on the judge.

Even in profile, Draco's furrowed brow was noticeable. As she drew closer, Laura caught the scent of his expensive cologne, its potency hitting her senses. She stood beside him, but just before the ceremony began, she heard a voice behind her.

"Before we begin the wedding, you need to sign this, Miss Laura." She turned around to see the elderly man she'd mistaken for Draco walking towards her, document in hand.

"What am I signing?" she asked the elderly man as he approached.

"It's a prenuptial agreement," he replied to her.

Laura's gaze drifted to her father, catching the flash of displeasure in his eyes. Their gazes met, and his expression turned even darker, conveying a message that seemed to urge her to object to the agreement.

For her, the prenuptial agreement posed no issue. After all, this was a contract marriage. Laura assumed Draco wanted to protect his assets, given the substantial assistance he provided to her father.

"You don't want to sign the prenuptial agreement?" He again heard that cold voice of Draco's.

She shifted her gaze from her father to Draco, who still wore a furrowed brow and pursed lips. Was this his natural expression? He looked perpetually displeased.

"What did you say?" she asked him about his previous statement.

"You don't want to sign the prenuptial agreement," he answered her, this time it's not a question, it's a statement.

Her brow furrowed in response, and she locked eyes with him, her hands clenching involuntarily. What did he think of her? That she was after his money? Taking a deep breath, she broke the gaze and turned to the elderly man holding the folder instead.

"Where do I sign?" she asked the elderly man.

"Here," he replied, handing her the folder and a ballpen, which she accepted.

She opened the folder, catching a glimpse of the prenuptial agreement. Without reading further, she impulsively signed it. Once done, she glanced at Draco, whose expression remained unchanged.

"There's your answer, happy?" she couldn't help but say, meeting his intense gaze.

His brows furrowed even more at what she said. It seemed the man didn't like what she had said.

"Laura," her father called out, his voice laced with reprimand."

She wanted to rolled her eyes at the moment but she stop herself. Instead, she took a deep breath.

"Let's start the ceremony." Draco said in a deep, and baritone voice.

Laura composed herself and turned to face the judge standing before them.

"Welcome friends, family, and loved ones. Today is a celebration and we are here to celebrate with Draco Atlas Smith and Laura Miller Williams in their lifelong commitment to each other."

She and Draco stood silently as the judge spoke, Laura mechanically following along. The ceremony proceeded, with her going through the motions.

Laura hesitated, struggling to utter the word 'yes' in response to the judge's question. Committing to marry a man she didn't love, one who seemed perpetually displeased, felt daunting. She wondered if his stoic demeanor was even compatible with marriage.

Honestly, she wanted to back out, to run away. But Miller Estate and its workers, who had grown dear to her, held her back. She couldn't abandon them, especially since the Miller Estate was their livelihood.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Draco's glance, and even without looking, she knew his brow was still furrowed. The tension in the room was palpable. She closed her eyes briefly, then heard Margarette's discreet cough, a silent reminder that her friend was there, ready to support her if she chose to make a break for it.

She opened her eyes and, simultaneously, her mouth to respond.

"Y-yes," she stammered, her voice cracking despite her efforts to steady it. As tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, she blinked rapidly to hold them back.

Don't cry, Laura. Don't cry infront of them.

When asked, Draco responded without hesitation, his eagerness almost palpable. The wedding ceremony proceeded swiftly and soon came to a close.

"After this heartfelt ceremony, I am delighted to announce that this couple has been joined in marriage. They now stand stronger and more united than ever. Congratulations, Draco and Laura Smith."

Smith. She was now Laura Smith.

"Draco, you may kiss your wife."

Upon hearing the judge's words, she couldn't help but glance at Draco. And just like before, she couldn't read any emotions in his eyes.

Laura unconsciously licked her lower lip, and Draco's gaze dropped to her mouth. She wished they could skip the kiss, that the marriage certificate was enough. But Draco's face descended, his expression unreadable, and Laura's breath caught inexplicably.

As their lips touched, a shiver ran down her spine. Laura's eyes remained wide open, locked on Draco's, who seemed intent on studying her reaction, his gaze heavy and unyielding.

Just as she thought to pull away, Draco's hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer, while his other hand cradled the back of her neck, holding her in place.

And without warning, Draco kissed her lips again. Her eyes widened because that time, their lips didn't just touch - Draco was kissing her with fervor, his eyes still open.

His piercing gaze stared at her as he continued kissing her.