CHAPTER 5

AMARA

“My father decided that I would take her place after she refused to marry you. I didn't ask for the arrangement, and I didn't try to take her place, but I agreed because my father made it clear that the business agreement between our families could be affected if the marriage didn't happen.”

Tristan seemed surprised.

“So you agreed because of your family?”

“Mostly, yes. I also knew that refusing would create a serious problem for my father's company, and I didn't want hundreds of employees to suffer because of something I could technically prevent. I know it isn't exactly a normal reason to get married, but nothing about this situation has been normal.”

He remained quiet for a moment before asking about my own plans.

“What about your career? Your father mentioned that you have your own design company, and I assume you don't intend to give that up because you're married now.”

“I don't.”

I answered immediately because that was the one thing I was completely certain about.

“My company is important to me, and I've worked hard to build it. I don't expect you to be involved in it, but I also don't want anyone telling me that I have to stop working simply because I became your wife.”

“I wasn't planning to ask you to stop.”

His answer came without hesitation, which surprised me.

“That's good because I probably wouldn't agree anyway. I don't mind being your wife, but I still want to be myself outside of this marriage, and I hope you can respect that.”

“I can.”

He looked toward the garden before continuing.

“I also don't expect you to act like we're already in love. We barely know each other, and I think it would be ridiculous for either of us to pretend otherwise just because we got married today. We can take our time and figure out what kind of relationship we're actually going to have.”

I appreciated how straightforward he was.

“I agree with you. I don't want to pretend either, especially when we both know this marriage started because of circumstances neither of us planned.”

“Then at least we're clear about that.”

I smiled slightly.

“I was worried you would be angry with me.”

“Why would I be angry with you? You didn't decide to replace Selene. Your father did, and apparently my family agreed with him before anyone bothered telling me.”

I laughed softly.

“I don't know whether I should apologize or laugh at how ridiculous this whole thing is.”

“You can do both. I think that's what I've been doing since this morning.”

That made me laugh properly for the first time that day.

We stayed in the garden for a few more minutes, talking about simple things rather than the marriage itself. I learned that Tristan spent most of his time working, that he rarely attended social events unless his family expected him to, and that he preferred quiet places whenever he had free time. He asked about my design company, and when I explained how I started it, he listened without interrupting or treating my work like a hobby.

By the time we returned to the reception, I was still nervous about being married to him, but at least I no longer felt like I was standing beside a complete stranger.

The rest of the evening passed without any major problems. When it was finally time to leave, Tristan walked beside me toward the waiting car while our families remained behind to continue talking.

I stopped beside the car and looked at him.

“Are we going to the Westbrook mansion?”

“Yes. Your things were already moved there earlier today.”

I blinked.

“My things?”

He gave me a small smile.

“You didn't know?”

“No. My father didn't tell me anything about that. I assumed I would go back to the Bellrose house tonight and move my things later.”

“I think our families planned everything without asking either of us.”

“That seems to be their favorite habit.”

He laughed quietly before opening the car door for me.

I got inside and settled into the seat, still trying to process the fact that I was actually leaving my childhood home and going to live with a man I had met only a few hours ago.

Tristan entered the car a moment later and sat beside me.

For the first few minutes, neither of us spoke. The city lights passed outside the window while I stared ahead, thinking about everything that had happened during the past week.

I had started the day as Amara Bellrose, the daughter who had been asked to solve her family's problem.

By the end of the day, I was Amara Westbrook, the wife of a man I had never expected to meet.

I still had no idea what our marriage would become, but as Tristan sat quietly beside me, I found myself wondering whether perhaps getting to know him would not be as difficult as I had originally thought.