Emma stood quietly in front of the towering mirror as unfamiliar hands smoothed silk over her skin and pinned layers of delicate lace along her shoulders
She kept her eyes forward but her heart was a storm behind her ribs
The room was too cold or maybe it was her body that had stopped knowing how to feel warmth
The wedding was scheduled in less than twenty-four hours
Not a celebration
Not a dream
But a contract
One she had signed to save her brother and bind herself to a stranger she barely understood
The woman adjusting her gown said something but Emma barely heard it
Her gaze drifted over her reflection
The girl in the mirror wore elegance like a mask
White silk trailed behind her like the lies she would now walk in
Her phone buzzed on the table beside her
She turned from the mirror and picked it up
It was a message from one of the hospital nurses
Her brother had smiled today
He had asked if she would bring him ice cream after the wedding
She swallowed the lump in her throat and typed back a simple yes
Then came the knock on the door
Soft
Measured
Intentional
She didn't need to ask who it was
The woman stepped aside as the door opened
Damon Lancaster stood at the entrance of the bridal suite
He didn't enter immediately
He just watched her
His eyes were unreadable
Not cold
Not warm
Simply distant
Emma didn't speak
She waited
He walked in slowly
His black tailored suit was flawless
His presence filled the room even without a word
His gaze moved once over her body
Not with hunger
Not with admiration
But as if he was studying a puzzle that refused to fit together
You look the part
His voice was calm
Too calm
She felt the sting in the back of her throat
Is that what I am now
A part to play
He walked closer
The distance between them shortened but the space felt colder
Do you regret signing it already
She looked him in the eye
Do you
He didn't answer right away
Instead he turned and looked out the tall window
The city stretched below them
Endless
Untouchable
Just like him
This isn't love Emma
Don't confuse it for anything it isn't
She nodded slowly
Her voice was quiet
I know what it is
I just wish I didn't
He looked back at her
And for a moment something cracked in his gaze
Not pain
Not pity
Just a flicker of something human
You'll have your brother's treatments
You'll have your conditions met
He said it like a transaction
Like a CEO closing a deal
And you'll have your name
Emma Lancaster
Wife of the coldest man in this city
She didn't say that part
But she felt it press into her ribs
He turned to leave but paused at the door
Wear something red under the dress
It's a family tradition
Then he was gone
Emma sat on the edge of the velvet chair and stared at her reflection again
This time she didn't see a bride
She saw a storm
A woman who would do anything for family
Even sell her freedom
Even chain herself to a man who would never love her
The next morning came in silence
The sky was gray
The air was sharp
The chapel was filled with strangers dressed in wealth
There were no flowers
No music
Only whispers and murmurs of curiosity
No one truly smiled
Damon stood at the altar like a statue carved from ice
Powerful
Silent
Unmoved
Emma walked down the aisle alone
No father
No friends
No warmth
Only duty
Her heels tapped gently against the marble as she walked
Every step felt like it echoed across the years she was giving away
When she reached him
He didn't take her hand
He only looked at her once and nodded
The priest began the words
Emma didn't hear them
She only watched Damon's face
When it came time to answer
She said yes without flinching
Damon did too
With a voice that could cut glass
The papers were signed in the backroom
Witnesses who didn't care stamped their approval
A legal transaction dressed in white
Then came the press
The photos
The forced closeness
Damon placed a hand around her waist
His touch was like frost
Smile
He whispered against her cheek
The cameras are waiting
She smiled
A lie painted in lipstick and pain
Hours passed
They returned to his penthouse
Now their penthouse
She stepped in and was greeted by quiet luxury
Walls of glass
Black floors
Silver light
He walked ahead of her and removed his jacket
There's a guest room prepared for you on the east wing
Your things are already there
She blinked
You don't want to stay in the same room
He didn't look at her
This is a business deal
Not a honeymoon
She wanted to scream
Cry
Break something
But instead she nodded
She walked past him and didn't say another word
She entered the room
Closed the door
And finally let the tears fall
She buried her face into the silk pillows
And for the first time since signing that contract
She let herself feel what she had become
A wife
By law
A prisoner
By choice