"You may now kiss the bride."
Kylie's heartbeat thundered in her chest. She had worn silk and diamonds before, smiled for photos and faked joy for press releases but nothing prepared her for this moment. Not when Cole Walter was standing so close, his hand firm around hers, and the officiant's words still echoing in the quiet courtroom.
They were married.
Not for love. Not for forever. But for power.
Cole didn't hesitate. He leaned in slowly, giving her a final chance to back away. Kylie didn't move. Her eyes stayed locked on his. The room cold, elegant, and filled with legal witnesses felt like a stage. And this kiss? Their curtain rise.
His lips brushed hers. Just enough to convince the cameras. Just enough to leave her skin tingling.
When he pulled back, his expression didn't change. Cold. Composed. Professional.
But Kylie's knees felt a little less steady.
The lawyer cleared his throat. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Walter. All documents have been filed. You're legally husband and wife."
Mrs. Walter.
The name hit her harder than she expected.
Outside, flashes popped. Cameras lined the courthouse stairs. Kylie held Cole's hand as they stepped into the blinding light. He leaned in for another kiss. She tilted her head, allowed it. This one lasted longer. More intense with pressure. More fire.
She could feel the heat in the way Cole's fingers pressed into her waist, the way his mouth hovered over hers for beat too long before pulling away.
When he stepped back, her heart was racing.
They waved to the crowd. Perfect. Powerful. Married.
And completely fake.
Inside the limousine, silence filled the space.
Kylie leaned back against the leather seat, exhaling. "That kiss was convincing."
Cole didn't look at her. "That was the point."
She turned her head, watching him. "You're good at this."
"I don't do things halfway."
"No," she said softly. "You don't."
He looked out the window, jaw tight. His profile was sharp, carved in steel. He was clearly a man built by pressure.
She wondered who had hurt him so badly that he believed love was just another battlefield.
"We'll be at the reception in twenty minutes," he said, checking his watch.
"Reception? oh I forgot more cameras, more lies."
"Less about lies," he said, finally turning to her, "more about control. You want to take Collins Global back? We need them to believe we're unbreakable."
She nodded. "So we keep playing."
"We play until we win."
The reception was held in a luxury rooftop ballroom, overlooking the skyline. Everything sparkled gold linens, crystal chandeliers, and a thousand whispers behind fake smiles.
Kylie smiled through it all. She let society women hug her and pretend they hadn't once called her unhinged. She laughed at jokes she didn't hear. She drank champagne like an armor to keep her from having conversations.
Cole stayed by her side. He touched her waist. Whispered in her ear. He looked at her like she was the only woman in the world.
she knew it was all pretend, but it felt dangerously real.
At one point, while dancing with him in front of the crowd, she whispered, "Do you always fake chemistry this well?"
He smirked. "I'm not faking."
"You're a good liar, Cole."
"You married one."
The music played on, but her thoughts did not.
Later that night, back at the penthouse, Kylie kicked off her heels and collapsed onto the velvet chaise.
"That was exhausting."
Cole loosened his tie. "It was necessary."
She looked at him. Really looked. He was handsome, yes but there was more. There was restraint in him. A man who was constantly controlling every part of himself.
"Did you enjoy any part of today?" she asked.
He paused. "Yes."
She raised a brow. "Which part?"
"When you said 'I do.'"
Her heart skipped.
"Why?"
"Because for a second, you weren't pretending either."
Kylie sat up. "What if I was?"
"Then you're at better lying than me."
He turned and disappeared into his room, leaving her speechless.
She stared at the door he closed behind him.
And for the first time since they made the deal, Kylie wondered what it would feel like to marry someone and really mean it.