The morning light was cruelly beautiful soft gold spilling across ivory silk and diamonds that glimmered like promises Grace never made. The entire city seemed to hold its breath for the wedding of the year. Hers. Grace sat in front of the mirror, surrounded by makeup artists and stylists who moved like choreographed dancers. Laughter and excitement filled the room, but none of it touched her. Her reflection looked perfect a stranger in lace and pearls. "Almost ready," her mother said cheerfully from behind her. "You look radiant." Grace met her eyes in the mirror. "I look trapped." Her mother froze, the smile flickering. "Darling, please don't start." "Why not? It's my wedding day. Shouldn't I be allowed to feel something?" "You'll feel love in time," her mother murmured. Grace turned sharply. "You keep saying that. But what if I never do?" Her mother sighed and reached to fix a loose strand of hair. "You will, Grace. He's a good man. You'll see." Grace's chest tightened as she turned back to the mirror. "Then why does it feel like I'm walking into a cage?" The ceremony was a spectacle. Rows of orchids lined the aisle, soft piano music filled the air, and the venue shimmered with gold and white elegance money could buy but emotion couldn't touch. The guests murmured in admiration. Cameras flashed. Grace's father stood proudly beside her, offering his arm. "You ready?" "No," she whispered. He didn't hear her or pretended not to. As she stepped into the sunlight, every face turned toward her. Gasps rippled through the crowd. Grace Lawson or soon, Grace Cole looked ethereal, a living headline in motion. But all she felt was weight. The veil, the expectations, the eyes watching. And then she saw him. Adrian Cole stood at the altar, immaculate in a tailored black suit, the embodiment of calm control. His jaw was tight, his eyes unreadable. He barely smiled. For a moment, Grace wondered if he was as miserable as she was and the thought almost comforted her. Each step down the aisle felt heavier than the last. She wanted to run. Her fingers clenched around the bouquet like a lifeline. Then Adrian's gaze locked with hers. Something flickered there not warmth, but recognition. Understanding. Maybe even apology. It made her chest ache. When she reached him, he extended his hand. She hesitated only a second before placing hers in his. His palm was warm, steady, grounding. "You look beautiful," he murmured, low enough for only her to hear. "Don't," she whispered back. "Don't what?" "Don't pretend." His jaw tightened, but his thumb brushed over her knuckles just once, almost involuntarily. "Wouldn't dream of it," he said softly. The ceremony blurred. Words about love and unity floated past her like smoke. Her mind drifted to the pen in her shaking hand when she signed the contract, to Adrian's calm voice, to the way her heart had thudded when he'd said, Because I don't want anyone else to. When the officiant said, "You may now kiss the bride," Grace's pulse stopped. Adrian's hand found her waist. The touch was polite, almost distant, but something about it made her knees weak. His lips brushed hers light, brief, formal. The cameras flashed. The guests sighed. But in that single second, she felt it a spark beneath the restraint. A fire both of them were pretending not to see. When he pulled back, his expression was unreadable. "Congratulations," he murmured. She whispered back, "To the victors?" His lips curved slightly. "To the survivors." The reception was chaos. Reporters outside. Champagne inside. Speeches, laughter, endless congratulations. Grace smiled for photos, posed for family portraits, and accepted compliments she didn't care about. Adrian stayed close always a few feet away, polite, collected, untouchable. Every time their eyes met, she saw it again: that quiet tension neither of them could name. During the first dance, he offered his hand. "May I?" She hesitated. "Do I have a choice?" "Not tonight," he said, faint amusement flickering in his eyes. As they moved together, the music wrapped around them slow, haunting, intimate. His hand rested lightly at her back; hers lay stiff against his shoulder. "You really don't smile much, do you?" she said under her breath. "Only when there's something worth smiling about." "Meaning today isn't?" He looked down at her, gaze unreadable. "Meaning today feels like a performance." Grace blinked. "Then why play along?" "Because I keep hoping the act will turn real." Her heart skipped. "That's not going to happen." He smiled faintly. "You keep telling yourself that." Her breath caught. For a moment, the world narrowed to the warmth of his hand, the faint scent of his cologne, the way his voice dropped when he said her name. "Grace." She looked up, pulse tripping. "What?" He hesitated. Then, softly: "You don't have to like me. But don't hate me for things I didn't choose." The words struck deep unexpected, vulnerable, almost pleading. She didn't know what to say. So she said nothing. Hours later, the guests had gone, and the mansion was quiet. Grace sat alone by the window in her wedding dress, staring at the stars. Her hair had come loose. Her lipstick had faded. Behind her, the door opened softly. Adrian. He'd taken off his jacket, undone his tie. He looked tired and far too good-looking for someone she wanted to stay mad at. "Big day," he said lightly. She didn't turn. "If that's your attempt at small talk, it's failing." He smiled faintly. "Noted." Silence filled the room thick, uncertain, alive. "You should rest," he said finally. "Tomorrow will be worse. The press won't let us breathe." "I'll survive." "I know." He paused, his voice lower now. "Grace... this doesn't have to be a war." She turned then, meeting his eyes. "It already is." He nodded slowly. "Then let's at least agree to fight fair." Her breath caught at the softness in his tone. "Goodnight, Mrs. Cole," he murmured. "Don't call me that," she whispered. "Then what should I call you?" "Someone you barely know." He smiled faintly. "For now." And with that, he walked out, leaving her alone heart pounding, chest aching, fingers trembling from a touch that still lingered. Outside, the city lights shimmered like the world was celebrating. Inside, Grace felt the opposite of free.
