The morning air was cool, carrying the faint scent of dew as Lila made her way to the hospital. She balanced a bag of freshly folded clothes and warm food in her hands, her mind preoccupied with the weight of everything that had been happening. Her father was still weak, her brother restless, and her mother—though strong—looked more tired than ever.
When she stepped into the hospital room, her mother was already awake, sitting by her father's bedside. Lila placed the bag on the chair and smiled softly. "I brought you food, Mom. And some clean clothes."
Her mother's eyes softened, but there was a heaviness in her expression. She reached out, squeezing Lila's hand. "Lila, I need to ask you something."
Lila blinked, her heart already racing. "What is it, Mom?"
Her mother hesitated for a long moment before speaking, her voice low but steady. "If you're truly getting married because of… this situation—because we need money for your father's treatment—then please, stop now. I don't want you to sacrifice your life, your happiness, just to save us. We'll find another way."
The words hit deep, slicing through Lila's chest. She swallowed hard, fighting the urge to break down. Her mother's love was always selfless, always putting her children first.
But Lila shook her head, forcing her lips into a small, brave smile. "No, Mom. That's not it. I… I really like him. He's kind, he's respectful, and honestly… I don't think it's a bad thing to marry someone like him. He's a good man."
Her mother studied her face, trying to read the truth in her daughter's eyes. After a moment, she sighed. "If you say so, Lila. Just… promise me you'll be happy."
"I promise," Lila whispered, though her chest tightened at the lie.
A few minutes later, after settling her mother, she stepped out of the room. "I'll be right back," she told her quietly.
Her mother nodded distractedly, more focused on her husband's frail form.
By the time Lila reached home, her thoughts were tangled and restless. She planned to quickly change before Adrian arrived, but her heart nearly leapt out of her chest when she turned the corner. Parked right in front of their humble apartment building was a sleek, black car—shiny, polished, unmistakably belonging to someone like Adrian Wolfe Blackwood.
He was early.
Her breath caught. She hurried inside, almost tripping over her own shoes as she rushed to her room. She slipped into a simple but elegant dress, brushed her hair, and applied the lightest touch of makeup. Her hands trembled the whole time.
When she finally stepped outside, Adrian was already standing by the car, tall and impossibly composed. His eyes swept over her once, sharp but unreadable, and he opened the door for her.
"Come," he said simply.
She nodded, trying to calm her racing heartbeat, and slid into the leather seat.
The ride was quiet at first, the hum of the engine filling the silence. Lila sat stiffly, her hands clasped on her lap, sneaking glances at Adrian. He seemed completely at ease, scrolling briefly through his phone, his jaw set in its usual seriousness.
Finally, she broke the silence. "Where… where are we going?"
He looked at her then, his gaze steady. "First, the photo shoot. Then the registry office for the certificate."
Lila's breath hitched. This was really happening.
---
They arrived at an upscale studio downtown, the kind she had only seen in magazines. Inside, the staff was already waiting, greeting Adrian with bows and polite smiles. Lila, meanwhile, felt entirely out of place, her heart pounding as they guided her toward racks of stunning dresses.
"Try these," one of the assistants said gently.
Within minutes, Lila found herself in a flowing white gown—simple, yet elegant. The fabric hugged her in all the right places, and for a fleeting moment, when she stood before the mirror, she looked like a bride. Her throat tightened.
Adrian entered, now in a perfectly tailored black suit. When their eyes met in the mirror, something unspoken passed between them. Not love, not tenderness—but something heavier, something binding.
The photographer directed them through different poses: Adrian's hand on her waist, their fingers entwined, standing side by side as though they were born to be partners. Each click of the camera sealed the illusion tighter.
At one point, Lila stumbled slightly in her heels, and Adrian instinctively caught her by the arm. For a moment, his grip lingered—firm, protective. Their eyes locked again, and she quickly looked away, cheeks flushing.
The photo shoot ended, and soon they were back in the car, heading to the registry office.
The room where they signed their marriage certificate was quiet and official. The clerk slid the papers across the desk, explaining the process with practiced ease. Lila's hand trembled as she picked up the pen.
"Are you ready?" Adrian asked, his tone steady but his eyes sharper than usual.
She nodded, though her heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst. "Yes."
Together, they signed. With each stroke of ink, her life shifted.
It was done.
Mrs. Lila Blackwood. The name echoed in her mind.
When they stepped out of the office, the world felt different—heavier, yet somehow surreal.
In the car again, Adrian finally broke the silence. "This weekend, you'll meet my parents."
Lila turned sharply, eyes wide. "So soon?"
"Yes," he replied firmly. "They need to see you. And since they're the reason we're doing this, it's only right."
Her lips parted, but she quickly gathered herself. "Fine. Then… you'll also meet my family this weekend. If we're going to make this believable, they should see you too."
For the first time that day, the corner of his mouth curved into the faintest of smirks. "Agreed."
The car eventually pulled up in front of her apartment. Adrian got out, opening the door for her.
"Rest," he said simply. "We'll talk soon."
Lila nodded, clutching her bag tightly. "Thank you."
When he drove off, she stood rooted to the ground for a long moment, staring at the spot where his car had been. The weight of the certificate in her bag was overwhelming.
She was married now. Not in love. Not in the way she had always dreamed. But married—bound to Adrian Wolfe Blackwood, a man she barely knew, yet who now had the power to change everything about her life.
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