Chapter 5 Married

That's all Alejandro said.

Scarlett blinked. No ceremony. No vows. Just ink on paper.

A thick manila folder was placed on the desk between them, its contents far heavier than the paper it held.

The registrar cleared his throat again. "These are the legal documents. Once signed, the marriage will be binding under the federal law."

Scarlett's fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the pen. Her eyes scanned the document, the words blurring for a moment: Spouse A: Scarlett Brooks. Spouse B: Alejandro Moritz.

Her name beside his. It didn't feel real.

She glanced at Alejandro. He was calm, unreadable, his posture relaxed as if this were just another business transaction. His pen was already in hand, poised.

Scarlett hesitated.

This is insane. I don't even know him. I'm really doing this because I was humiliated. Scarlett really wanted to leave and forget about this whole mistake but she couldn't.

She inhaled sharply, then signed her name. Each letter felt like a step to her death.

Alejandro didn't pause. He signed with a swift, practiced motion, like he'd done this a hundred times before. His signature was bold and confident.

The registrar took the papers, stamped them with a loud thud that echoed in the silent room.

"Congratulations," he said, barely glancing up. "You're legally married."

Scarlett stared at the certificate. Her name beside his. Mrs. Scarlett Moritz. The title felt foreign and heavy.

Alejandro stood and adjusted his cufflinks. "Let's go."

As they walked out, a photographer clearly hired snapped a few shots. Scarlett turned to Alejandro, confused.

"Why the photos?" She asked.

Alejandro smirked. "We need to make it look real. For the press and for my mother. And you can consider this the first step to start your revenge against Harry."

Scarlett nodded slowly. "You're right. It needs to be real."

They climbed back into the car. This time, Alejandro looked at her directly.

"From now on, we play the part. Publicly and privately, we're husband and wife. No feelings attached. And no complications."

Scarlett met his gaze. "Aren't we going to sign a contract stating the period of our marriage?"

"No, we don't need it, whether it's going to end or not depends on my decision alone".

"But earlier I told you I'll only be a temporary wife and you agreed, don't tell me I've been tricked".

"I told you, we'll see about it, I didn't make any promise to you". He said.

Scarlett snapped."You should've been clear about it, and not made me fall into your trap, I clearly remembered you agreeing to my terms".

With a sharp tone. Alejandro said. "You know you should be facing a defamation lawsuit right now. Don't you?"

I...know, but...

"Just shut your pretty mouth and be a good girl. Okay".

Scarlett was speechless. Her head bowed low, as one thought just kept ringing through her head. How has she stupidly gotten here, because of some stupid proposal.

As the car pulled away, she couldn't help but ask herself. I've i made a mistake?. Is my revenge even worth it to be tied to a man like Alejandro Moritz?.

Scarlett's thoughts were a tangled mess. She stared out the car window, watching the city blur past in streaks of gold and gray. Her heart felt heavy, As they raced through her mind, lost in them. She couldn't believe she was married, out of impulse, just to take revenge. But for once, she wanted to use this opportunity to get back at them.

She had married Alejandro Moritz, a billionaire and of all aspects a stranger. All to put Isabella in her place. But now, sitting beside him in silence, she realized how little she knew about the man she'd just signed her life to.

Still, something didn't sit right. Scarlett felt there was more Alejandro wasn't letting out about his reason for agreeing to the contract. For crying out loud, she knew nothing about him.

She'd tried Googling him earlier. All she found were polished headlines: philanthropist, investor, economic powerhouse. And about his age: Thirty-four years old.

Scarlett couldn't believe he's actually eleven years older than her.

He had no scandals. No ex's. No drama. Just power, privacy, and perfection.

Too perfect, she thought. And that scared her a lot.

Her own past felt like a cruel joke of all the imperfections and twists. Two years of a wasted relationship with Harry, his late nights, secret calls, canceled dates. She'd ignored the signs. Trusted him. I loved him. And he'd betrayed her with the one person who knew exactly how to hurt her.

Her stomach twisted with the pain and betrayal.

The car slowed at a traffic light. Alejandro tapped the steering wheel rhythmically, his gaze fixed ahead.

Alejandro, without looking at her, asked. "You've been quiet. What's wrong?"

Scarlett didn't answer. She wasn't ready to speak to him.

He turned to her, his gaze sharp. "Scarlett." he called.

She had to force a small smile.

"Nothing. I'm okay."

He didn't press further. Instead, he pulled into the valet of a high-end restaurant. Which made Scarlett's brows furrowed.

her expression speaking louder than words.

"What are we doing here?"

Alejandro chuckled as he stepped out of the car, walked around, and opened the door for her like a perfect gentleman. Scarlett was stunned.

She couldn't help but ask, "Are we... supposed to be seen together?"

Alejandro just shrugged at her alarmed tone and replied, his voice strained, "You are my wife, Scarlett. We just got married. So do not dare get embarrassed about it. And yes. We will be seen more often...together, because you are now Scarlett Moritz. So start getting used to it."

Scarlett took a deep breath as her head screamed, What have I gotten into?

She wasn't prepared for any public attention, it never came to mind and it was clear Alejandro wasn't about to hide their marriage.

"Come down."

Still, she didn't move.

Alejandro sharply said, his eyes narrowed. "Unless you want me to carry you out."

That did it. She stepped down quickly, sensing the shift in his mood. He closed the door, took her hand, and led her inside.

The restaurant was elegant, intimate, and buzzing with quiet luxury. They were seated quickly. A waiter approached, and Alejandro ordered in fluent French. Scarlett didn't understand a word and she didn't bother asking.

Alejandro was on his phone when he spoke.

without looking away from his phone.

"Come here," he ordered.

Scarlett paused. unsure if he was talking to her. But when he raised his head and looked at her sharply, she gave a questioning look. Is he talking to me?

Alejandro raised his head, eyes locking with hers. "I said, come here."

She stood, unsure, and walked toward him. He reached out, tugging her gently by the waist until she sat on his lap. Her breath hitched.

Luckily they were at a hidden corner of the restaurant. But if anyone could pass by they could see them...

Alejandro leaned in, his voice low against her ear.

"You've been quiet, little wife. Where's the daring woman from yesterday?"

He asked, his lips brushed her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. She squirmed, resisting the pull...but her body betrayed her, responding to the heat of his touch.

Just as the moment threatened to tip into something more intimate. The waiter returned with their food.

Scarlett tried to stand, but Alejandro's grip tightened, keeping her close. His hand lingered at her waist, firm but not forceful. The waiter, sensing the tension, quickly served the dishes and exited.

Scarlett exhaled, her cheeks flushed and her heart pounding.

This is dangerous, she thought. Trying again to leave his arms.

But Alejandro didn't let go.

His voice dropped, low and deliberate. "are you trying, not to be intimate with me?"

Scarlett's breath hitched. There was something in his tone. commanding, and laced with danger.

She didn't want to be bullied by him in this so-called marriage, so she tried making herself clear about her earlier condition. I told you my conditions earlier, that there would be no form of intimacy and I'll only play the role of your wife in public and...

Alejandro cuts her words shut. "I agreed to this marriage for my reasons, and fucking you was among them and I clearly told you, you would accept your duties as my wife publicly and privately or didn't you read the document," he continued, his fingers tracing slow circles on the skin of her thigh. "Don't make the mistake of resisting my touch."

Scarlett's heart pounded. She tried to pull away again, but he held her tighter, his teeth nibbling at her neck.

"Not now, this is embarrassing" Scarlett muttered under her breath. And Alejandro heard her.

"Scarlett" he said in a sharp tone, giving her a silent warning.

Scarlett was still perched on Alejandro's lap, her body tense, her heart thudding from the heat of his whispered words and the possessive grip around her waist. The restaurant's low lighting wrapped around them, until a voice sliced through the quiet space of the restaurant.

"Alejandro..."

The tone was shrill with excitement, but the sweetness was clearly fake. Scarlett stiffened, suddenly hyper-aware of the position she was in. Alejandro's body went rigid beneath her.