Immediately, Isabella got home. On her way to her room, she ran into Elena.
"Well, today is your wedding day," Elena said, her tone oddly light.
Isabella said nothing. She simply glanced around, half-expecting Camilla to appear from somewhere. The sisters were almost inseparable. They were always together, and Camilla's absence felt strange.
Elena noticed her searching eyes and smirked slightly. "Looking for my sister? She went out early this morning to run some errands."
"Oh," Isabella replied softly.
Something didn't feel right. Whenever they went out, they always went together. Still, Isabella told herself it wasn't her business and walked past Elena. Behind her, Elena's lips curled into a knowing smile.
Isabella returned to her room and began getting ready.
The gown waiting for her wasn't extravagant. It was simple, clean, and white. A short dress, white shoes, and a modest veil. That was all.
She changed into the dress and stood in front of the mirror.
This was not the life she had imagined. Not the wedding she had dreamed of. There was no grand proposal, no joy, no love. Just obligation.
She ran her fingers over the fabric. It was soft, almost comforting, but her palms were damp with sweat. Her heart felt heavy as she stared at her reflection.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
It was Julian.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"Yes," Isabella replied quietly.
"I'll be there soon to pick you up. Wait for me."
"Okay."
She ended the call, picked a small white purse from her wardrobe, placed her phone and a few essentials inside, then sat on the bed to wait for Julian.
***
Julian was already on his way to pick up Isabella, but there was an unease in his chest he could not shake off. Seeing Camilla at the mansion that early did not sit right with him. It had to mean something. Camilla never did anything without a motive.
His hands tightened around the steering wheel as he drove through the quiet city streets. This was not how he had imagined marriage. He had always dreamed of falling in love, proposing properly, going on dates, dinners, building something real. Not this. Not marrying a stranger. Not marrying someone who had lied.
If only his father would wake up. Maybe then all of this madness would stop. Instead, he was paying for sins that were not his. The air around him felt suffocating, heavy, almost poisonous. Still, he forced himself to stay calm. He had no choice but to play along.
He was already dressed in a black suit, simple and clean, the kind he wore on normal days. Nothing about today felt special. Nothing about it felt right.
Soon, he pulled up in front of Isabella's mansion. He took out his phone, hesitated for a moment, then sent a short message telling her he was outside. He waited, tapping his fingers lightly, his patience stretched thin.
A few minutes later, Isabella stepped out.
The dress was simple, but it suited her. No heavy makeup, no dramatic accessories. Just her. For a moment, Julian found himself staring longer than he intended to.
He stepped out of the car and opened the door for her without a word. Isabella climbed in, and he returned to the driver's seat, starting the engine as they headed toward his mansion.
"Isabella," Julian said after a while, his eyes fixed on the road. "Be honest with me. Did you do anything this morning?"
She turned to him. "What do you mean?"
"Anything at all that could get you into trouble," he asked again. "Anything you are not telling me."
"No," she replied quickly. "I didn't do anything."
"Are you sure?" he pressed.
"Yes. Why are you asking me this?"
"I saw your sister at my mansion this morning," Julian said. "I don't know what she was looking for, but I know it was not innocent. If she showed up there, it means something. That is why I am asking."
"I didn't do anything," Isabella said again, this time lying.
Julian nodded and said nothing more, focusing on the road.
Isabella's palms grew sweaty. What if this was all part of Camilla's plan? Her heart pounded painfully in her chest. She prayed silently that meeting the stranger that morning had not been a terrible mistake. Camilla was not just cruel. She was dangerous.
And Isabella had a sinking feeling that this was only the beginning.
Immediately, Julian and Isabella arrived at the mansion and stepped out of the car. One of Adrain's guards approached them and informed them that Adrain wanted to see both of them in the hall.
Without a word, they followed the guard inside.
They passed through several corridors before finally entering the hall. It was massive and beautifully decorated. Isabella slowed her steps as she looked around. This was her wedding hall. The wedding she never planned. The wedding she never wanted.
Everything was already arranged. Tables and chairs were neatly set, decorated in soft colors. Near the altar were framed pictures of her and Julian standing side by side.
Her heart tightened.
How did they even get her picture?
She had no friends present. No family cheering her on. No excitement. Just her suffering, quietly unfolding.
Julian walked beside her in silence.
Adrain sat comfortably on one of the chairs, watching them approach with an amused smile.
"What a lovely couple," he said. "Have your seats."
They sat opposite him, stiff and expressionless.
"So today is your wedding," Adrain continued. "This is the hall you will be using. I wanted to make it memorable for you since it is your first wedding. I did not want to simply force you to sign papers and send you off."
He chuckled.
"This should be a day you remember for the rest of your lives."
Neither Julian nor Isabella responded.
"You can glare at me all you want," Adrain added. "It will not change anything."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Before anything else, you will both sign a contract. I already handled everything at the court, so there is no need for stress."
A man walked in shortly after. He looked official, though Isabella doubted he truly was.
"These are the couple," Andrew said. "They will sign their marriage documents."
The papers were handed to them.
Isabella read through them slowly, her vision blurring. There was no escape. One by one, they signed.
After a short while, the registrar handed them the marriage certificate and left.
Andrew smiled.
"That was the first part," he said. "Now, the second part. My own contract."
Two separate documents were placed in front of them.
Julian read it once. Then again.
"What do you mean we have to have a child within six months?" Julian asked sharply.
Adrain's smile disappeared.
"You do not have the power to question me," he said calmly. "You either do as I say, or face the consequences."
Julian clenched his jaw, his fists tightening under the table.
Isabella felt her chest tighten as tears filled her eyes. If her mother were still alive, maybe none of this would be happening. Maybe she would not be sitting here, signing away her life.
A single tear fell as she picked up the pen and signed.
Julian followed shortly after.
"Good," Adrain said, standing up. "Everything is settled. The guests will arrive soon, so get ready."
He laughed, turned, and walked out of the hall.
Isabella and Julian remained seated, silent and broken, like two people who had completely lost hope.
As Isabella was sitting there, her phone suddenly rang. It was Camilla. She wondered why Camilla was calling her at a time like this. With trembling hands, she picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Look across the hall, to your right. Table five," Camilla said.
Isabella slowly turned her head. Her eyes met Camilla's instantly. Camilla was seated at table five, staring directly at her. She was not wearing a fancy dress, only a casual outfit, and there was a smug look on her face.
"You just dug your own grave," Camilla said coldly, her eyes never leaving Isabella.
Isabella's phone slipped from her hand and fell to the floor.