Catherine sighed, her shoulders heavy. "I know I told you that once you're married you can do whatever you want. But… can you please go easy on him?"
Alex nearly swallowed her mother whole with her glare. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Catherine hesitated, then tried a softer angle. Alex could be impossible when she felt cornered. "I just mean… don't be too hard on the guy. It isn't his fault."
Alex stared at her as if she'd suddenly grown two heads. "Are you defending him now? Mum, I didn't even want this marriage. I did this for you. And for the life of me, I still don't understand why you planned it behind my back—because dropping out of school is not reason enough."
Uh oh. Catherine had known this storm was coming.
"You told me I was getting married out of nowhere, fixed the wedding in less than a month, and then begged me to play nice. And I did. I swallowed all of it. But now you're asking me to enjoy a marriage I didn't want?" Alex's voice cracked, fury simmering in her eyes. "So what—am I supposed to just live happily ever after? That's impossible, Mum. This whole thing makes no sense. That man must have given you something for this arrangement, because no one would marry me otherwise. So tell me, what was it?"
"Alex," Catherine's tone was ice. "Don't you dare."
"Was it money?"
"Alex!"
"Well, it had to be something." Alex's laugh was sharp, bitter. "He couldn't possibly love me. He doesn't even know me."
Catherine glanced around—thank God the hallway was empty.
"Alex, you're going too far," she warned.
"Am I? Then explain it to me. Why did you plan a wedding behind my back? Why do you want me to treat him like a husband instead of what he really is—the man who thinks he can buy a wife?"
Catherine's hands trembled at her sides. She forced herself to breathe, to stay calm, though anger pricked hot under her skin. She had expected this confrontation, but the sting of Alex's words still cut deep.
"Alex," she said at last, her voice strained but calm, "I did it for you."
Alex froze, stunned—and then exploded. "What!? That's your explanation? That's what you're going to say? Damn it, Mum, that's just perfect!" Her laugh was loud, almost manic, echoing against the marble walls.
Unable to hold it in, she spun on her heel and stormed toward the bar.
Zara spotted her immediately. She had sworn she'd make Alex think she was still mad, but one look at her best friend's face—and she knew better.
"What happened?"
"Nothing," Alex bit out through clenched teeth.
Zara's eyes narrowed. Then she caught Catherine stepping into the room, a fixed smile plastered on her face, the kind only Zara and Alex would recognize as fake.
"Did you fight with your mum?" Zara asked, voice dripping with accusation. She never liked when Alex argued with Catherine.
"No. We didn't fight. It was just an argument."
"Alex…"
"Oh, please, Zara. Don't start. I don't need a lecture on respect right now, okay? I was just married off to someone I don't even know."
Zara's retort died on her lips. She knew Alex too well—poking the bear now would only make things worse. Instead, she softened her voice.
"Is that why you look like you're ready to bite someone's head off?"
Alex's jaw dropped. "And how exactly am I supposed to feel about this? Happy? Delighted? Grateful?"
"No," Zara said quickly. "I just meant… you don't usually let things get under your skin like this." She smiled. "C'mon, Alex. Cheer up. It's your wedding day."
The tone Zara used was so ridiculous that Alex laughed despite herself.
"It's not even a real wedding, duh."
"All the same. No one else gets lucky enough to marry into a rich family and a man they barely know. You're one of a kind, my darling."
Zara said it with such exaggerated cheer that Alex couldn't help it—she laughed again, shaking her head.
"I guess I really don't get angry over stuff like this," Alex admitted.
"Exactly. You don't. You're always the cheerful, mischievous one, remember?"
Alex sighed, her anger slowly ebbing. "Yeah, I guess so. Thanks, Zara."
Zara waved it off. "Forget it. A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. I'm not letting you ruin the day, grumpy face."
Alex grinned. "Okay, enough about the wedding."
"Yes, ma'am." Zara gave a playful bow, and the two burst into grins again.
Alex felt lighter, calmer—thankful for her friend. She had no idea how she would have survived the day without her.
Across the room, unnoticed by Alex, Zara exchanged a small nod with Catherine. Catherine's smile, though strained, was full of gratitude.
The party wound down as the sun set. The last few guests lingered, sipping wine and making small talk, until Elizabeth appeared, nearly dragging Alex by the wrist.
"Alright, time to go," she said cheerfully, leading her toward the gates where Julian waited beside a gleaming black Bugatti La Voiture Noire.
At the car, Catherine pulled Alex into a tight hug.
"Mum?" Alex rolled her eyes, wrapping her arms around her reluctantly. "It's not like I'm traveling. I'm just a phone call away."
"You don't understand what marriage is yet," Catherine whispered through her sobs. "Be a good girl, my darling."
Alex sighed. "I will. Just stop crying—it's irritating."
Catherine let out a wet laugh. "Oh, my pumpkin. Always brutally honest."
Alex pulled away and hugged Elizabeth, who kissed her cheek warmly.
"Oh, sweetheart, this house will always be open to you. We'll have a dinner soon—I'll tell you about it later. And you looked absolutely wonderful today."
Alex nodded with a bright smile before hugging Zara.
"I'll call," Zara whispered.
The last few guests waved and cheered as Alex slid into the backseat beside Julian. A driver already waited at the wheel.
"Martin," Julian said smoothly, eyes flicking toward Alex with something unreadable in them, "drive home, please."