[Elena's POV]
His hand shot out, gripping my jaw. It wasn't soft. It wasn't gentle.
Was he trying to scare me?
I didn't give up once I started something.
Just like the night that led to all this.
"Are you sure?" he muttered, his hot breath brushing against my face.
"You're sure you can handle the consequences of becoming my wife?"
"I wouldn't be here if I couldn't," I whispered.
"I want to become your wife, Hardin Kings."
A low smirk curved his lips. "I love that courage of yours."
"I guess you convinced your father, then."
He released me, and a shaky breath left my mouth.
He pulled out his phone and dialed a contact, putting it on speaker.
"Good morning, Mr. Kings," a voice echoed.
"Bring the marriage papers to my office. Now."
"Yes, sir."
Andrew ended the call. Our eyes locked. I smoothed my dress nervously.
He didn't look away. "Are you sure about this?"
"This isn't a marriage, but a loveless cage forever."
My heart skipped. Loveless marriage?
The man I loved wanted a loveless marriage, while I wanted his heart.
I smiled anyway, not letting him sense my racing heartbeat.
Minutes later, the door opened and his lawyer entered, holding a folder, a pen, and two witnesses.
A chill ran through my spine.
"Good morning, sir. I'm here with the witnesses," he said.
Hardin looked at me. "Are you sure?"
"I'm certain," I replied, my lips pressed tight.
"Then we can proceed with the signing," the lawyer said.
Hardin took the folder, flipped it open, and signed without hesitation. Still, I noticed the firm grip he had on the pen.
Then he handed it to me and leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze fixed on me, forcing my breath into uneven gasps.
If I signed this, there would be no turning back.
Slowly, I pressed the pen to the paper.
My hand trembled.
But I signed.
I had made up my mind.
He gathered the papers and handed them back to the lawyer.
"It will be submitted to the court as a pending request. I'll keep you updated, Mr. Kings."
Hardin nodded. "Thank you."
The door closed behind them.
Now, it was just Hardin and me in the office.
Silence filled the space.
Then reality crashed over me.
I was now Mrs. Hardin Kings.
My dream had come true because of...
One reckless night.
One leaked video.
One forced marriage.
But the real question wasn't how this happened.
The real question was simple.
How do I make Hardin fall in love with me?
How do I make him look at me the way a husband should?
How do I make him choose me... willingly?
I didn't just want his name.
I didn't just want this marriage on paper.
I wanted his heart.
Would I get it?
He didn't blink. He just stared at me.
___
I hadn't told my parents at first. I knew they would disapprove.
"Father, please." I knelt in front of him, holding his hands.
"I promise I'm not forcing myself. I truly want to marry him. Please."
"You can't be happy with Hardin," my father insisted. "He's my friend, and I know him well."
My mother sighed and sat beside him.
"Elena loves Hardin," she said softly.
My father's eyes widened. "Is that true?"
My throat tightened. "Yes."
The room fell silent.
"Do you remember when he saved me from the fire?" I continued softly.
"He was the first person I saw when I woke up in the hospital. I think I started loving him at that moment."
Tears slid down my cheeks. "I know he's cold. But he's not a bad man."
My father looked conflicted, lips tight, fingers tapping the armrest. "Hardin can't fall in love with anyone, Elena."
"I don't care. I love him," I whispered.
After a long silence, my father sighed. "If that's what makes you happy, then I won't stop you."
Relief flooded through me, and I hugged him tightly.
"Thank you, Father."
___
Tonight was different from the others.
The stars in the sky looked brighter than usual, almost like silent witnesses watching over me.
A thrill ran down my spine.
My father had finally given his approval, and Hardin had signed the marriage papers.
My dream was about to become reality.
Once the court finalized everything, I would move into Hardin's mansion, and everything would eventually fall into place.
I closed my eyes, inhaling the fresh night air drifting through my open window. My hands rested slightly on the frame.
Could I really smile after such a terrible journey?
"Hi!"
The sudden voice startled me.
I recognized it immediately.
Chelsea. My second friend. When had she come back? She hadn't been in town for a while now.
I turned around to find her standing there with a wide grin.
She smiled, her arms wide open.
"Chelsea!" I squealed, jumping into her arms.
She laughed and hugged me tightly.
"I missed you, Chin-Chin," she teased, using the nickname she gave me.
"I missed you too, Tomato," I replied, using her nickname too.
We broke apart, still smiling.
"When did you get back?" I asked.
"Just minutes ago. I rushed here first. Are you okay?" she said.
I knew what she meant. She'd heard the news.
"You heard about it too?" I asked as I sat down.
"Of course, Tomato. It was everywhere. I was so worried. I called you, but you didn't answer. I had no choice but to come back home." She sat beside me.
"How did it happen? I know you loved Hardin, but I didn't expect it to happen like this."
"I didn't plan it either," I admitted. "It was my first day at work. I got caught in the rain. He found me and took me to his place until it stopped. And then..."
I paused, avoiding her gaze.
"And then?" she pressed.
"I couldn't deny my feelings any longer," I muttered.
Her eyes widened. "You... started it?"
I lowered my head. "I tried to stop myself, but I failed."
"Gosh!" she gasped.
My cheeks burned red.
"Aww!" Chelsea groaned dramatically and pinched my cheeks teasingly. I scoffed.
"But if it happened inside his mansion, how did it get out?" she asked suddenly, her tone turning serious.
I looked at her. The mood shifted instantly.
"I don't know," I admitted.
"If it wasn't Hardin..." she trailed off.
"Then who else was there that night in the mansion?" she asked quietly.
A chill crept up my spine.
Yes.
Who was the third person in that mansion?
And what did they want?
I swallowed hard.
Then she whispered, "What if Hardin did it?"
I froze.
