Chapter 2 Married to a Stranger

Elena Carter spent the entire day lost in thoughts, her mind constantly drifting back to her meeting with the elderly man. Even after closing her flower shop for the day, she couldn't stop replaying the conversation over and over. The offer he made seemed too unbelievable, yet she had agreed to it, unsure of what her decision truly meant for her future.

As the evening wore on, Elena made her way home to the house she and her brother Jake had lived in ever since their parents passed away in a tragic car accident. It was a place filled with memories and warmth, but tonight it felt different-heavy with uncertainty.

When she entered, Jake immediately noticed the exhaustion on her face. "Hey, Elena. You look really tired today. What's going on? Is there something you want to talk about?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

Elena had always come home tired from work, but today was different. She looked more than just weary; she looked like something was weighing heavily on her heart.

For a moment, she thought about telling Jake what had happened with the old man, but quickly decided against it. She didn't want to add any more burden to her brother's already fragile health. Keeping this secret for now seemed like the best option, even though it made her uneasy.

"I'm fine, Jake. Just a stressful day at work," Elena said, forcing a warm smile.

Jake, still concerned, didn't buy it. "If that's the case, then go freshen up, eat something, and get some rest. You've been working so hard lately, and I can't have you getting sick. I'm not strong enough to take care of you if you get sick," he said with a small laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

"You don't need to worry about me. I'm not going anywhere," Elena reassured him, ruffling his messy hair before heading to her room to unwind.

The next morning, Elena went through her usual routine, dressing for work, but her mind was still occupied by the conversation with Arthur Sinclair. Marrying a stranger, a man she knew nothing about, didn't seem like something she should consider. But the weight of her brother's health and the looming threat of losing her shop made the decision feel inevitable. She couldn't afford to let him down.

When Elena arrived at the shop that morning, she was greeted by an unexpected sight. The old man, Arthur, stood at the door again, but this time he wasn't alone. A younger man, towering and imposing, stood beside him.

Elena's heart skipped a beat. The man beside Arthur had to be his grandson, the very man she was now supposed to marry. She had imagined him to be a completely different person, perhaps someone she wouldn't even be attracted to. But the man standing next to Arthur was nothing like what she had expected. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and exuded a quiet strength that was impossible to ignore.

"Come in," Elena said, her voice trembling a little, though she tried to mask it.

Arthur smiled, but it was short and serious. "There's no need to be so formal. This is my grandson, Damien. He's the man I've been telling you about. He has only a short amount of time today, so we'll head straight to the court to register the marriage."

Elena stared at Damien, his gaze cold and unreadable. He didn't say a word, but his eyes seemed to hold a world of unspoken thoughts. It was clear to Elena that this was no fairy tale. This was a marriage by necessity, not love.

"Let's go," Damien finally spoke, his voice low but commanding.

Feeling as though she had no other choice, Elena followed Damien out of the shop. She had already arranged for a taxi, and within moments, they were on their way to the court. The ride was silent, with Elena occasionally glancing at Damien, but he said nothing. She tried to start a conversation, but his aloofness kept her quiet, and soon she gave up.

When they arrived at the courthouse, a young man greeted them and led them to a private room. Everything felt like a blur-too much, too fast. They took their seats, and the papers for their marriage were handed to them.

Damien barely glanced at them before speaking. "I don't know what's so special about you that my grandfather wants me to marry you, but I'm doing this for his sake. It's just a contract."

Elena's heart sank a little, but she nodded in agreement. "Yes, just for a year." She signed the papers, the weight of the decision settling on her shoulders like a heavy burden. Her hand trembled, but she didn't hesitate. She had already committed herself to this, even though she didn't fully understand what this marriage would mean for her.

A sense of relief washed over her once the papers were signed. It was done.

Damien didn't linger after the signing. He stood up, handed her the key to his apartment, and coldly said, "I'll be heading to work now. You can move into the apartment at Gateway Estate. Here's the key."

Without waiting for her response, he walked out of the room, heading in the opposite direction to catch a taxi. Elena stood there for a moment, staring at the signed papers in her hands. She was now a married woman, married to a man she barely knew.

The enormity of the situation hit her, and for the first time, she wondered what the future would hold for her. She was bound to a stranger by contract, her life now entwined with his in a way she never imagined.

As Elena left the courthouse, her thoughts were consumed by what this marriage would mean for her and her brother.