Chapter 3 3

The next morning, Lila awoke to sunlight streaming through the blinds, her mind still heavy with the weight of her decision. She had hardly slept, tossing and turning as the reality of what lay ahead gnawed at her. She felt trapped in a nightmare she couldn't wake from, and the worst part was, she had willingly walked into it.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, and she grabbed it without even looking, already expecting the message that would come.

Dominic Westwood: The contract will arrive at noon. Be ready to sign.

She stared at the message, the finality of it sinking in. The contract. That was what her marriage had been reduced to-legal paperwork, terms, and conditions. There wouldn't be vows of love or a fairy-tale wedding, just cold signatures and obligations.

Her stomach twisted as she tossed the phone aside and rolled out of bed. She went through the motions of getting ready, trying to ground herself in the familiar routine, but everything felt different. Her reflection in the mirror stared back at her with hollow eyes, a stranger in her own skin.

By noon, she was seated at her kitchen table, her laptop open in front of her. Just as Dominic had promised, an email from his lawyer arrived with the contract attached. Lila hesitated for a moment before opening it, her heart pounding in her chest.

The document was a stark reminder of how transactional this marriage was. Every detail was spelled out in cold, clinical language-how long the marriage would last, the financial benefits for her family, and the conditions under which either party could exit the arrangement. There was even a section outlining public appearances they would need to make together, to ensure the image of a "happy couple" was maintained.

Lila's throat tightened as she read through it. This wasn't a marriage. It was a business deal. And yet, she had no choice but to sign. Her family's future depended on it.

She reached for her phone and dialed Dominic's number, her hands trembling slightly as she pressed it to her ear. He answered after the second ring, his voice as calm and controlled as ever.

"Ms. Harrington."

"Dominic," she said, her voice wavering just enough for him to notice. "I got the contract."

"And?"

Lila took a deep breath. "I'll sign it."

There was a brief pause on his end, as if he was waiting for her to say more, but when she didn't, he simply said, "Good. Once it's signed, the terms will go into effect immediately."

She closed her eyes, trying to steady herself. "When do you expect us to... get married?"

"This weekend," Dominic replied, without hesitation. "It needs to happen quickly. I've arranged everything. You don't need to worry about a thing."

Of course he had. Dominic Westwood was the type of man who controlled every detail of his life with precision. There was no room for error in his world, no space for uncertainty.

"Do I have a say in anything?" she asked, her voice small.

"No," he said bluntly, his tone leaving no room for debate. "But you'll be well taken care of. I'll make sure of that."

Taken care of. The words felt hollow. Lila hung up without saying goodbye, unable to stomach hearing his voice any longer. She stared down at the contract on her screen, the cursor blinking, waiting for her to take the final step. It felt like signing away her soul.

With a deep breath, she clicked the signature line and typed her name.

Lila Harrington.

Her fate was sealed.

Later that day, Lila tried to distract herself with work, burying herself in the wedding plans for a client who was getting married in a few weeks. It felt surreal-planning someone else's perfect day while her own wedding would be anything but. She immersed herself in color schemes and floral arrangements, anything to take her mind off the fact that in a few short days, she would be a billionaire's wife.

But no matter how hard she tried, thoughts of Dominic kept creeping back in. What would life be like with him? Would he keep his distance, or would he demand more from her than just a public facade? The unknowns gnawed at her, filling her with a sense of dread.

By evening, she was exhausted, both mentally and physically. The doorbell rang, startling her from her thoughts. She wasn't expecting anyone. When she opened the door, she found a man in a dark suit standing there, holding a garment bag.

"Ms. Harrington?" he asked, though it was clear he already knew who she was.

"Yes?"

"This is from Mr. Westwood," the man said, handing her the bag. "He asked that you wear this for the ceremony."

Lila accepted the bag, her stomach twisting as she closed the door behind her. She unzipped it slowly, revealing an exquisite white gown inside. The fabric was delicate, shimmering under the light, and the design was simple yet breathtaking. It was the kind of dress any bride would dream of wearing on her wedding day.

But to Lila, it felt like a costume. A symbol of the role she was about to play.

She ran her fingers over the fabric, her mind swirling with a mix of emotions. This dress represented everything she had ever wanted-a beautiful wedding, a chance to create a life with someone she loved. But now, it was just another reminder of the charade she was about to enter into.

Tears pricked at her eyes, but she blinked them away, refusing to break down. She had made her choice, and now she had to live with it. This was her reality now.

The next few days passed in a blur. Clara came over several times, offering support and distracting her with stories about the brides she was working with, but the looming wedding hung over everything. Lila could feel the weight of it pressing down on her, growing heavier with each passing hour.

When the day of the wedding finally arrived, Lila stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. The gown fit her perfectly, the delicate fabric hugging her curves in all the right places. Her hair was swept up into an elegant chignon, and her makeup was flawless, soft and understated.

She looked like a bride. But she didn't feel like one.

Clara stood behind her, adjusting the veil and giving her a reassuring smile. "You look beautiful," she said softly.

Lila nodded, though her throat was tight with emotion. "Thanks."

"You don't have to do this," Clara said quietly, her voice filled with concern. "We can run. I'll drive us to Mexico right now."

Lila let out a small laugh, though it was tinged with sadness. "I wish it were that simple."

Clara sighed. "I know. But just... remember that you're stronger than this. You'll get through it."

Lila offered her a weak smile. "I hope so."

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. It was Dominic's lawyer, here to escort her to the courthouse. The wedding would be a private affair, just the two of them, Dominic's lawyer, and the officiant. No fanfare, no guests, no celebration.

As Lila walked through the quiet halls of the courthouse, her heart pounded in her chest. Every step felt heavier than the last, each one bringing her closer to a future she couldn't fully grasp. When she finally entered the small room where the ceremony would take place, Dominic was already there, waiting for her.

He looked every bit the powerful billionaire in his tailored suit, his expression unreadable as his icy blue eyes locked onto her. For a brief moment, something flickered in his gaze-an emotion she couldn't place-but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"Are you ready?" he asked, his voice low and controlled.

Lila swallowed hard, her palms sweaty despite the cool air in the room. "As ready as I'll ever be."

The officiant cleared his throat, and the ceremony began. It was quick, almost mechanical, the words of the vows feeling hollow as they were spoken. Lila's voice trembled as she repeated the lines, her heart aching with the knowledge that none of this was real.

When it was over, Dominic slid a ring onto her finger-a simple band, elegant yet understated. His touch was cool, and though he held her hand for a moment longer than necessary, there was no warmth in his grasp.

"You may kiss the bride," the officiant said, his voice a formality.

Lila's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't even thought about this part. Would Dominic actually kiss her? Would it be a real kiss, or just another part of the charade?

Dominic's gaze met hers, his eyes flicking down to her lips for a brief second before he leaned in. The kiss was quick, barely a brush of lips, but it left her heart racing all the same. There was something about the closeness of him, the brief connection, that sent a jolt of awareness through her.

And then it was over.