Chapter 5 005

The rest of the day passed in a blur of legal documents and polished professionalism. Bella sat in Damian's sleek office, surrounded by lawyers and notaries, all speaking in clipped tones about the terms of the marriage contract, the clauses, the financial settlements, the stipulations for privacy and public appearances. It was surreal-like she was watching someone else's life unfold in front of her, detached from the gravity of what was happening.

Every so often, Damian would glance at her, his cold blue eyes appraising her reactions. He didn't say much-he didn't need to. His presence dominated the room, as if everyone worked for him, and they likely did. Even the lawyers looked nervous when addressing him, their eyes flicking to him for approval before continuing.

Bella tried to keep her emotions in check, but the weight of it all was suffocating. She was signing her life away to a man she barely knew, a man who had orchestrated this entire situation with the precision of a business deal. The marriage might have been fake, but the consequences of it felt all too real.

"Sign here, Ms. Hart," one of the lawyers said, sliding a thick stack of papers across the table to her.

Bella hesitated, her pen hovering over the line. This was it. Once she signed, there would be no going back. She glanced up at Damian, who watched her with an unreadable expression. There was no kindness in his eyes, no reassurance. This wasn't about protecting her-it was about protecting him.

She took a deep breath, then scrawled her name across the line.

The lawyer nodded, gathering the papers and packing them neatly into a folder. "The marriage will be legally binding as soon as you both sign in front of the witness tomorrow. The media will be informed after that."

Bella's chest tightened. Tomorrow. It was happening so fast. She hadn't even processed what was happening today, and tomorrow she'd be standing next to Damian, legally married to him in a room full of people who didn't know-or didn't care-that it was all a lie.

"Thank you, Mr. Blackwood, Ms. Hart," the lawyer said with a nod before exiting the room, leaving Bella and Damian alone.

The silence between them was thick, and Bella could feel Damian's gaze burning into her. She forced herself to meet his eyes, unsure of what to say-or if she even should say anything at all.

"You're quiet," Damian said, his voice low as he leaned back in his chair, studying her. "Having second thoughts?"

Bella swallowed, trying to gather her thoughts. "I don't know. I guess it just feels... overwhelming."

"That's understandable," Damian replied, though his tone remained detached. "But I don't expect this to be easy for you. I expect you to handle it."

His words hit her like a cold slap, but she nodded, knowing that resistance was pointless. He didn't care about her feelings. This was a business transaction, plain and simple. And now, she was a part of his world-a world that would chew her up and spit her out if she didn't adapt quickly.

"What happens after tomorrow?" Bella asked quietly, her voice barely audible over the thrum of her anxiety.

"We make public appearances as a couple," Damian said, his gaze sharp. "We'll live in the same house, attend the same events. To the outside world, it will be a real marriage. But behind closed doors, our lives will remain separate. You'll have everything you need-financial security, privacy. But don't expect more than that."

Bella's chest tightened again. His words were clear-there would be no emotional connection, no real relationship. She would be his wife in name only, a pawn in whatever game he was playing.

"And how long does this arrangement last?" she asked, feeling a flicker of hope that it might not be forever.

Damian's eyes narrowed slightly. "Two years. That's the minimum requirement for the media and the public to accept it as legitimate. After that, we'll part ways quietly. No scandals, no loose ends."

Two years. Bella tried to wrap her mind around the idea. Two years of pretending to be someone she wasn't, pretending to be a part of a life she didn't belong to. But what choice did she have? Damian was offering her protection, a way out of the mess Liam had created. And as much as she hated the idea of being trapped in this cold, emotionless marriage, the alternative was far worse.

She nodded, her voice small. "Okay. Two years."

Damian's expression didn't change. "Good. My driver will pick you up tomorrow at 10 a.m. for the ceremony. Don't be late."

Bella stood up, feeling her legs wobble beneath her. She needed to get out of there, to breathe, to try and process everything that had just happened. But before she could turn to leave, Damian's voice stopped her.

"One more thing," he said, his tone softer now, almost dangerous. "This arrangement only works if you keep your end of the bargain. No distractions. No complications. Do you understand?"

Bella swallowed hard, her pulse racing. "I understand."

"Good," Damian said, his eyes locking onto hers, a silent warning in his gaze. "Because once you're mine, Bella, there's no going back."

The next morning, Bella woke up feeling like she was living someone else's life. The sunlight streamed through the curtains of Lauren's guest room, casting a golden glow over the mess of emotions she was tangled in. It was the day of her wedding-a wedding that felt like a betrayal to herself, her dreams, and everything she had ever hoped for in a marriage.

Lauren had stayed up with her the night before, trying to comfort her, but there was nothing anyone could say to make this right. Bella had to face it alone.

At exactly 10 a.m., a sleek black car pulled up outside Lauren's apartment building. Bella stood at the window, watching the car with a mixture of dread and resignation. This was it. There was no turning back now.

Lauren gave her a tight hug before she left, whispering, "You're stronger than this, Bella. Just get through it."

Bella nodded, forcing a smile she didn't feel. "I will."

The car ride to the courthouse felt like a funeral procession. Damian's driver was silent as ever, the air inside the car heavy with tension. Bella tried to keep her breathing steady, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

When they arrived at the courthouse, Damian was already waiting for her. He stood by the entrance, dressed in a tailored black suit that looked like it had been made for royalty. His expression was unreadable, but the moment his eyes met hers, Bella felt a chill run down her spine.

"Ready?" Damian asked, his voice low.

Bella nodded, unable to trust her voice. She followed him into the courthouse, her heart pounding in her chest as they made their way to the small, private room where the ceremony would take place.

The officiant was already there, along with a couple of witnesses-likely employees of Damian's, judging by their stoic expressions. Everything was meticulously planned, clinical, devoid of any warmth or sentimentality.

As the officiant began to speak, Bella felt a strange sense of detachment. This wasn't her wedding. This wasn't her life. She was just playing a role, following a script that had been written for her.

"Do you, Damian Blackwood, take Bella Hart to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Damian said, his voice steady and unwavering.

The words hit Bella like a punch to the gut. She glanced up at Damian, trying to read something-anything-in his expression. But he was a wall of ice, his eyes locked on hers with a cold intensity.

"And do you, Bella Hart, take Damian Blackwood to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

Bella's throat tightened. She felt the weight of the moment, the finality of the decision she was making. But she had no choice. She couldn't back out now.

"I do," she whispered.

The officiant smiled briefly before turning to Damian. "You may kiss the bride."

Bella's heart stopped. She hadn't considered this part. Her eyes darted to Damian, panic flashing across her face.

But Damian was already moving toward her, his expression unreadable as he gently lifted her chin with his hand. For a brief moment, their eyes met, and Bella could swear she saw a flicker of something-something deeper, hidden beneath the cold exterior.

And then he kissed her.

It wasn't passionate or romantic. It was controlled, measured. A kiss for the cameras, for the audience that wasn't there. But the moment their lips touched, Bella felt a surge of something she hadn't expected-an electric current, a spark that made her knees weak.

Damian pulled back just as quickly, his face unreadable as he stepped away from her.

"It's done," he said quietly, his voice low and final.

Bella stood there, her heart pounding in her chest, feeling like she had just sold her soul to the devil.

And in a way, she had.