Chapter 1 A New Beginning

I stood inside the grand hall, surrounded by the aid of strangers sporting their finest apparel. The air had become thick with the fragrance of roses and steeply priced fragrance, but I felt nothing but vacancy. Andy, my only friend, hadn't shown up. His disapproval of this contract marriage echoed in my mind, leaving me to face this world of luxury by myself. I couldn't blame him; I wasn't even sure if this turned out to be the right choice. But desperation has a way of clouding judgment.

A tender voice startled me from my thoughts. "Ma'am, it's time."

A woman in a neat black suit, healthy, her eyes kind but expert. I gave a small nod, took a deep breath, and stood up. My mirrored image in the replica nearly took me by way of wonder. The lady staring decreased again at me, someone I rarely diagnosed. My hair became styled in an elegant updo, and the wedding dress-oh, the dress. It was a masterpiece of lace and satin, clinging to my curves in all the proper locations. For a second, I allowed myself to feel lovely.

"You're lovable," the girl stated, as if studying my thoughts.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.

I left the bridal suite and made my way to the doorway of the hall. As I walked in, the room fell silent, and all eyes were on me. Everyone stood up, their gazes a combination of admiration and hobby. This is it. The moment that has become alleged to alternate my life.

I appeared ahead to see Anthony's reputation at the altar, tall and forced in his white suite. His piercing blue eyes met mine, revealing no longer anything of what he might be feeling. Was he as worried as I was? Did he experience the same doubt creeping into his mind?

Evelyn, Anthony's grandmother, stuck out my eye and gave me an assuring nod. Her face softened into a gentle smile, and it gave me the courage to take the next step. I forced a smile in return and endured my walk down the aisle.

When I reached Anthony, he extended his hands towards me. The priest commenced his sermon; however, his words dwindled into the ancient past. My mind was racing, looking to remind myself why I had come here. Don't fall for this. Everything is a lie, I repeated to myself. This is the handiest contract, a way to a cease.

"Do you, Mia Thompson, take Anthony Rodriguez to be your lawfully wedded husband?" the priest asked.

"I do," I said, my voice extraordinarily consistent.

"And do you, Anthony Rodriguez, take Mia Thompson to be your lawfully wedded partner?"

"I do," Anthony responded, his voice deep and resonant.

"You may additionally kiss the bride."

Anthony turned to me, his face unreadable, and leaned in. His lips brushed closer to mine, mild yet commanding. The kiss was brief, a trifling formality, but it sent a shiver down my spine. The crowd erupted into applause, pulling me back to reality. Don't take a look at it, Mia. It's all just an act.

After the ceremony, the reception became a whirlwind of introductions and congratulations. Anthony guided me through the group with a possessive hand on my back once more, introducing me to people whose names I might forget.

"Mia, this is Richard Hemsworth, a companion one in every one of my businesses," Anthony stated, gesturing to this person with gray hair and a company handshake.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mia," Richard said, his eyes glinting with interest. "I've heard quite a lot about you."

"All good things, my choice," I spoke back, forcing a polite smile.

"Absolutely," he chuckled. "Anthony speaks exceptionally of you."

I glanced at Anthony, who gave a mild, almost imperceptible nod. Was he speaking pretty of me, or was this genuinely some other part of the facade? I felt like a puppet in a play, dancing to a script I hadn't rehearsed.

The night wore on with extra introductions and small talk. Celebrities I'd only ever seen on TV have been all at once right in front of me, shaking my hand and wishing me nicely. Top billionaires, fashion designers, and song manufacturers mingled around us, and I was crushed by the sheer opulence of all of it.

"You look like you could use a drink," Anthony murmured into my ear at one issue.

"Is it that obvious?" I asked, giving him a sideways appearance.

"Just a little." He smirked, signaling to a waiter for champagne. "You're doing great, by the way."

"Thanks," I stated, accepting the glass. "Not bad for my first billionaire bridal ceremony."

He chuckled, a legitimate thing that was particularly hot and true. "Not bad in any respect."

We stood in snug silence for a second, sipping our liquids and searching for the visitor's giggle and dance. For a fleeting second, I nearly felt... normal. Like each other on her bridal ceremony day, sharing a quiet second with her husband. But then the truth crashed backpedal. This isn't real, Mia. Remember that.

"Do you suspect they know?" I asked.

"Know what?"

"That is all a... a business association."

Anthony's eyes flickered with a few things-was it guilt? Annoyance? It was hard to tell. "Does it matter?" he asked after a pause.

"I bet not," I spoke back, even though it did consider me greater than I wanted to confess.

As the night went on, I felt a developing experience of isolation. I became surrounded by people, but none of them were there for me. Not sincerely. I glanced across the room, half-searching ahead at the appearance of Andy's acquainted face, even though I knew he wouldn't come. He had made his feelings smooth the last time we spoke.

"You're making a mistake, Mia," he had stated, his eyes completely on the venture. "You don't want to sell yourself to get out of poverty."

"It's not like that," I had argued, even though part of me feared he would end up properly. "This is a hazard for me to have a future, to make something for myself."

"At what price?" he had countered. "This isn't you."

But what did he understand about my desperation? About the nights I went to a mattress hungry or the times I sang on road corners for a spare alternate? This was my risk to get away from that existence, even though it intended to make compromises. Even if I was supposed to marry someone I barely knew.

"Are you okay?" Anthony's voice broke through my thoughts.