"Do you, Allegra Naomi O'Connell, take Nicholas Samuel Greyworth to be your lawfully wedded husband?" The minister's voice echoed through the grand hall.
Do I?
Allegra shivered slightly _ not from cold_ no, the long sleeved wedding dress Estelle had insisted on was warm enough _ but from the knots of anxiety in her chest.
The man before her was Nicholas Greyworth, a man whose reputation preceded him. A cold, ruthless, untouchable billionaire, sitting motionless in a wheelchair. He hadn't looked at her once, almost as if he was being forced to marry her.
And perhaps he was.
The minister watched her expectantly.
"I do." Allegra said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The words felt heavier than any Allegra had ever spoken. A contract signed two nights ago left her no choice. Disobedience wasn't an option with Estelle Greyworth watching every move.
Marrying Nicholas Greyworth was a decision she had made at her lowest, but a deal was a deal and she had to fulfill her end of it.
Estelle Greyworth, the groom's mother, stood with the small group of wedding guests, with a self-satisfied smile plastered on her face. Allegra had just stepped into the lion's den and she knew it.
Nicholas' tone was flat, his voice deep and cold as he said his vows. It was obvious that the billionaire had absolutely no interest in his bride.
Allegra's heart ached. This was nothing like the wedding she dreamt of or the groom she dreamt of… No, she would not think about him now.
When the rings were slipped onto their fingers, the minister spoke with a loud voice.
"I pronounce you man and wife!"
Polite, hollow applause followed.
Allegra tried to mask her fright behind an awkward smile, while Nicholas remained rigid with a sour expression.
Cameras clicked and lights flickered. The headlines would hit the public in hours; 'Widowed Billionaire, Nicholas Greyworth, finally remarries!'
Estelle swept up to the couple as they alighted the alter, her diamonds glistening under the lights.
"Congratulations Mr and Mrs Greyworth." She said, smiling from ear to ear, while her eyes glimmered with satisfaction.
"Thanks." Allegra murmured, watching Nicholas' frown deepen. Nicholas wheeled himself away, completely ignoring his mother.
The ceremony was dull and simple, with a frightened young g bride, a scowling groom and a satisfied matriarch.
Soon, Guests started leaving, offering Nicholas polite congratulations he barely acknowledged.
The car ride to the Greyworth mansion was silent but suffocating. The only sounds Allegra could hear was her heart pounding loudly in her chest. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Nicholas, sitting rigid beside her.
When they arrived at the Greyworth estate, Nicholas spoke _ his first words to her that day. Allegra noticed his marine blue eyes, hard and piercing as steel.
"Listen carefully," he said, turning slightly. It was the first time she saw his eyes—cold marine blue eyes. "We are married on paper only. You mean nothing to me. Follow my mother's rules and stay out of my way. After five years, you leave."
He didn't wait for her response. He turned his wheelchair and wheeled away, leaving her standing in the middle of the hall with tears in her eyes.
Her tears would mean nothing to him anyway.
A soft voice broke into her thoughts. "Hello, dear."
An elderly woman shuffled toward her, welcoming and gentle. "I'm Molly. I've served this family for thirty years. It's nice to finally have someone new in this cold house."
Allegra managed a small smile. "Thank you."
"Don't let Nicholas frighten you," Molly said, patting her arm. "You'll grow to understand him."
Allegra swallowed. "Will I? He looked at me like he… hates me."
"Oh, sweetheart." Molly sighed, rubbing her hand over Allegra's. "He doesn't hate you. He hates life."
Before Allegra could ask what she meant, Molly gestured down a long corridor. "Come with me. Your room is in the east wing."
Allegra followed the old housekeeper out of the grand hall, towards the east wing. Her life had changed for ever.
All she knew was that she had to do this for five years. Five years of obedience. Five years of pretending. Five years of being the wife of Nicholas Greyworth. All for money she never even wanted in the first place.
But as she walked deeper into the mansion, she felt it in her bones:
She hadn't only married into a family.
She had stepped into a trap.
And every corner of this grand, beautiful house whispered the same warning—
She had no idea what she had just signed up for.