The judge’s voice resonated in the quiet courtroom. "I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Aeisha stood still, clutching the signed contract, the ink of her signature barely dry. The weight of her decision hit her with full force—she was now married to Elliot Cane, the second-richest man in the city.
Behind them, Elliot’s entourage broke into polite applause, their congratulations echoing through the room. The enthusiasm of the moment felt strangely out of place to Aeisha, who could barely process the surreal and detached nature of what had just transpired. She sighed, forcing herself to accept the reality she had willingly stepped into.
Elliot’s calm voice pulled her from her thoughts. "We’ll celebrate at Château, the five-star Michelin restaurant."
Aeisha blinked, startled by his nonchalant declaration. "Château?" she repeated, incredulity lacing her tone. "We don’t need to celebrate in such an expensive place."
Elliot raised an eyebrow, his expression betraying mild amusement at her protest. "And why not?"
She hesitated, feeling the weight of her discomfort. "The cost of a meal there could buy a car," she said finally, her voice soft.
A faint smirk played on Elliot’s lips, his gaze unwavering. "It won’t make me bankrupt, Aeisha. Let it go."
Realizing the futility of arguing with him, Aeisha sighed and relented. "Fine," she muttered, her resignation clear.
The car ride to the restaurant was a quiet one, Elliot seated beside her, exuding his usual composed authority. When they arrived, Aeisha’s breath caught as she took in the grandeur of the restaurant. Its elegant exterior was impressive, but the interior—lavish furnishings, sparkling chandeliers, and polished marble floors—was nothing short of opulent.
The staff greeted them with practiced warmth and efficiency. The manager approached swiftly, a polite smile gracing his face. "Welcome, Mr. Cane, Mrs. Cane. Congratulations on your marriage."
Aeisha froze for a moment at the sound of “Mrs. Cane.” The title felt foreign, and she struggled to respond, managing only a polite nod.
The manager gestured toward a private area. "Please, allow me to escort you to your private room."
Elliot nodded in acknowledgment, ready to follow, but their path was interrupted. A sudden tug on Aeisha’s hand made her turn sharply, and she found herself face-to-face with Zeus.
Her chest tightened at the sight of him. His once-familiar face, now unwelcome, was a stark reminder of betrayal.
"Aeisha," Zeus said, his voice a mixture of confusion and urgency. "Where have you been? Why are you just appearing now?"
Anger flared in her chest, and she yanked her hand from his grasp. "Why do you care, Zeus? You were ready to cancel the wedding for Daisy and her baby."
Shock swept across Zeus’s face, draining the color from his cheeks. "You know about that?"
Before she could respond, Elliot stepped closer, his frown deepening as he placed a firm hand on Aeisha’s waist. His voice was calm but edged with authority. "Is there a problem here, babe?"
The unexpected endearment caught Aeisha off guard, but she quickly caught on. Two could play this game. Smiling sweetly, she wrapped an arm around Elliot’s, her voice light. "No, honey, everything’s fine."
Zeus glanced between them, his confusion now tinged with disbelief.
Elliot’s piercing gaze didn’t waver. "We’re heading to our private room. Excuse us."
Without waiting for a response, Elliot guided Aeisha away, his hand firm and steady against her back. Aeisha kept her gaze forward, refusing to glance back at Zeus. She didn’t need to see his expression to know it was filled with questions she had no intention of answering.
Once inside the private room, with the door securely closed behind them, Aeisha exhaled a long sigh of relief.
Elliot observed her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Who was that?"
She hesitated, debating whether to explain, but it seemed pointless to hide the truth. "That was Zeus," she said finally. "The man I was supposed to marry yesterday."
Elliot raised an eyebrow, but his silence prompted her to continue.
Her voice wavered slightly as she admitted, "I found out he’s been in a relationship with my sister. She’s pregnant with his child."
Elliot’s lips pressed into a thin line, but his tone remained even. "And what do you want to do about him?"
The question surprised her. She stared at him, unsure of his meaning. "I don’t want to do anything. He’s not worth my time."
Elliot nodded once, as if her answer was enough. "Good."
The simplicity of his response threw her off. There was no judgment, no probing questions—just quiet acceptance. For the first time in days, Aeisha felt a faint sense of relief. Elliot’s presence, though detached and often cold, seemed to offer a strange kind of steadiness, like an unyielding wall against the chaos of her life.
"Let’s eat," Elliot said, motioning toward the table.
As they sat down to dine, Aeisha couldn’t help but reflect on the whirlwind her life had become. Yet, amid the chaos, a thought lingered in the back of her mind—perhaps, in Elliot Cane, she had found an unlikely ally.
