5. Marrital Contract

The wedding's procession went smoothly and solemnly. It was the first time Shienna had seen a live wedding because she was the bride.

Meanwhile, the look on Bryan's face did not show a glow of happiness, nor did it look sad. He could deliberately hide his feelings because he is trying to maintain an image.

This wedding is not something Shienna and Bryan were expecting.

Newshounds began to crowd the halls of the Gladiola Palace, checking in on the diva's wedding and the wealthiest businessman who had never been seen with any woman. It meant that the rumors were true, that they had indeed spent a hot night in Palmerston.

Now, reporters are waiting for Shienna and Bryan to clarify the news.

"I've asked some people to come to your house and get all the stuff you need," Bryan said once they were in the bridal suite of the Gladiola Hotel. They didn't want to spend the night having sex because that's not what they wanted. It's just that the image is what they need right now.

"What for?"

"You're moving into my penthouse after we spend our honeymoon."

Shienna snorted, still staring out the window blankly. She never expected her life to end like this. Even if she ran out of men in the world, she would rather not get married than spend her life with this man. However, fate said otherwise.

"You're starting to dare to organize my life just because you're willing to marry me."

"I just want to keep the baby. The entertainment world is fierce, Shienna. I'm sure you know that."

"Is that why you're never seen with your girlfriend? What's her name? Selena Denver, if I'm not mistaken. Isn't she a famous model who also graces the showbiz stage?"

Bryan didn't respond to Shienna's words. He was not in the mood to discuss Selena or other women. He just moved to the living room and then back to approach Shienna and handed her a piece of paper. Shienna skimmed what was written there.

"What is this? Isn't it enough to marry me and let me go after the child is born? Why does there have to be a contract?"

"So that neither of us breaks the boundaries."

Shienna did not respond to Bryan's words but looked at the contract in her hand. She read it carefully one by one until her eyes caught the umpteenth article that mentioned a condition that contradicted her.

"You must be crazy! It says here that I can no longer be active in the entertainment world. Do you have any idea what this profession means to me, huh?" snapped Shienna with eyes that seemed almost to glaze over, while Bryan merely shrugged.

"We didn't get married for love, so I don't care if you love your profession that much or not. All I know is that my desires are fulfilled." Bryan gave Shienna a cold stare. "Besides, you didn't resist or put up a fight when I picked you up. That means you've agreed to whatever I want in this marriage."

"You bastard, Bryan! Who the hell are you!? You're not even like Bryan I used to know."

"I'm not. The old Bryan has been dead since you broke his heart into pieces. Now, accept your fate as the wife of Bryan Sanders, the tycoon who will soon be your baby's father. Sign and live our married life well, honey. I assure you that you will not regret this."

Shienna gritted her teeth in annoyance. She picked up the pen in the folder, but she didn't sign the letter like Bryan wanted her to. Instead, she scribbled on the paper in her lap as she continued to scream hysterically. She was like a person in a trance.

"Damn you, Bryan! You'll never get my signature, you bastard!" Shienna got up, crumpled up the paper in her hand, and threw it at Bryan, who flinched without any reaction.

The man snorted, then shook his head in disbelief at the woman's behavior, who had only been his wife for a few hours.

"How would your fans react if they saw you acting like this, Shienna?" He shook his head again, grabbed the towel on the rack, and waltzed into the bathroom. He paused briefly at the door, turning to Shienna, still standing staring at his back. "Don't worry, I still have a copy. And if you're still not willing to sign it by the deadline, then I have the right to duplicate your signature even without your permission."

Bryan turned around and stepped into the bathroom, leaving Shienna, who was again screaming in deafening hysterics.

***

Tonight was the first night Bryan and Shienna enjoyed dinner as a married couple. Or maybe it's the first night in their entire lives since breaking up five years ago. Shienna's face is still scowling and reluctant to look at her husband, while Bryan, on the other hand, is just the opposite. He can't stop smiling, even though he has to.

How could he not? The reporters are now swarming and have become spectators to their activities, even when they step out of the elevator. Luckily, Bryan is never without a twenty-four-hour escort throughout the day.

"Smile, Shie. You'll scare the reporters with your pouty face," Bryan said while enjoying his steak. Shienna, who was still upset, just gave a forced smile with all her neat white teeth showing. "Well, something like that. It's still creepy, though."

"I'm still angry about the contract letter. So I didn't want to smile. Let the newshounds see I'm unhappy with marrying you," Shienna replied.

"Hmm... well, whatever you say. But the reporters won't forget what happened five years ago. You had broken a man's heart who has become a billionaire. And you still rejected him? Haha... You haven't changed a bit, Shienna. Still the same spoiled brat."

Shienna put down the cutlery in her hand loudly enough to attract the attention of the others enjoying their meal. Bryan was still calmly devouring the food on his plate without caring about his wife's attitude.

"You need to start learning to watch your language and manners, Mr. Sanders! Or I'll make you feel a lifetime of shame."

"Go ahead. You don't know me well enough. There's too much gossip about me, and look what I do. I keep quiet, and the rumors 'puff' away like magic." Bryan moved his hands in the air as he spoke his lengthy sentence. "Quite the opposite, see how the news about us swirls around until you can't deal with it anymore. Or do you want to see it?"

He picked up his cell phone from the table, scrolled through it briefly, and handed it to Shienna.

'A multi-talented artist dumps her wealthy lover after being caught cheating on her.' That's what it said.

Seeing the news, Shienna rolled her eyes, and her face turned bright red.

"That's just one story. Just look at the others." Bryan added.

'The multi-talented diva has spent a hot night with a young billionaire who is said to be the ex-boyfriend she broke up with five years ago. Is that why Shienna Miller ended things with David, the Rich One?'

"Damn it!" Shienna slammed the flat object onto the table and gave Bryan a sharp look.

"Don't look at me like that, Shie. I told you, you're the one who appeals to them, whether good or bad. Because the media has preferences too, if bad news comes out, you can bet they're your haters." Bryan sipped his wine. "Therefore, just do as I ask. You need to sign the letter, and that's it. I assure you, your life will be better."

Shienna didn't answer, but by the time they reached the room, she was already holding her hand to Bryan. "Bring me the other contract. I'll sign it."

Bryan gave her a crooked smile, then pulled out his cell phone and dialed someone. Not long after, a well-dressed man entered the room after being invited in and handed over a folder containing the new contract letter.

Shienna quickly grabbed and signed it.

"You didn't read it first? You don't know that I might have changed or added to it," Bryan said. Shienna handed the folder to him and snorted.

"I'm not sure you have time to do that." Shienna then waltzed into her room and removed her jewelry and accessories. Meanwhile, Bryan stared at where Shienna had gone with an unreadable gaze.

"But I did it, Shie. I've added some new chapters to it. And now you can't dodge whatever I'm planning on you."