Chapter 5 She said Yes

Elena sat in living room, the chaos of the past week simmering in her chest like a pot just short of boiling. Her legs were tucked beneath her, a pillow hugged to her chest as she stared at the ceiling. Her phone buzzed for the umpteenth time beside her, probably another message from a reporter or a friend pretending not to be dying with curiosity.

The world already knew. All those in her world knew.

The headlines had made sure of that. Ethan Sinclair Engaged to Unknown Brunette Beauty. The Billionaire Bachelor is Off the Market. It was like a fever dream-only she hadn't even said yes yet.

Her parents had said yes.

Her brother, Adam, had given a goofy thumbs up and said, "At least he looks like he can buy me a car."

He had never really cared about what went around in the house ever since his near death but now Elena wished there was someone against this marriage, someone to talk her out of this whole situation.

Even her mother, who'd once fretted over every boy Elena ever mentioned, had sat beside her and said, "Baby, this is your time. All the pain, all the struggle... it has to mean something. You deserve ease. Ethan seems like a good man. He has no scandals. No mess and he seems genuinely concerned about you."

Elena had nodded like she understood. But did she? How much of a person can one know in one meeting. She had followed his life at one point in her life when she had lost her interview. She had searched for people she wanted to be like when she finally got her chance to go to school. He had been one of them, all she knew about Ethan Sinclair was all she had gathered in magazines and television interviews.

She closed her eyes and let her mind wander.

Elena Sinclair.

The thought made her heart pound against her chest. It sounded powerful. Elegant. Like someone who belonged to penthouses and driver-assisted cars, not late-night diner shifts. She imagined waking up in a sunlit room with silk sheets. Walking into boardrooms in heels that didn't come from the clearance aisle. A future where Adam never had to stretch his shoes to make them last, where her dad could see doctors without her calculating costs first and her mother was finally able to enjoy her life.

She imagined Ethan, too. That poised confidence, the way he looked at her like she wasn't just another face in the world.

"I want to build a life with you." He had said. She wanted to trust him. Wanted to believe.

Her phone buzzed again.

This time, she picked it up. The message was from Ethan: No pressure. Just know that I want this. I want you. I want you to be a part of my life."

She typed slowly, her hand hovering over the send button. This could all blow up in her face but if it didn't. She sighed then hit send on her one letter word

"Yes."

"You said yes."

Ethan's voice had a warmth to it she hadn't expected. A crack in the cool armor he wore so effortlessly. He had come immediately she sent the message, appearing in her living room just as she was preparing for work.

Elena stood in the center of her small living room, still in her work clothes, but he looked at her like she wore diamonds. "I did."

He stepped forward and took her hand. "You won't regret it." Then like an after thought he hugged her to him filling her nose with the smell of him.

She wasn't so sure.

The next few days passed in a whirlwind.

Ethan, true to his word, showed up for everything. Cake tasting, venue walkthroughs, fabric consultations. He listened to her opinions, nodded thoughtfully, and didn't bulldoze her ideas like she expected a man like him might. She enjoyed his company and they made small talks at every chance they got.

There were dinner dates, shopping sprees and walks around parks.

At the bridal boutique, he sat through three hours of fittings with surprising patience.

"You look... stunning," he murmured when she stepped out in a dress with lace sleeves and a soft train.

Elena blushed. She had loved the dress as soon as she saw it but had been skeptical when she had seen the price tag.

He caught her hand and squeezed it. "Whatever you want, it's yours."

He was charming, but it wasn't just that. It was the way he remembered how she liked her tea. How he made sure Adam was included. How he asked about her dad's latest test results.

He was doing everything right. She had no reason to complain, no excuse to back out. An excuse she has been desperately looking for.

Her heart began to thaw and soon the wedding came.

The night before the wedding, Elena lay in bed staring at the ceiling, but this time her chest was quiet. The chaos had dulled.

There were still questions she didn't have answers to. Still a part of her that felt like she was standing on the edge of a cliff, heart in hand.

But there was also peace.

Maybe this was what fate looked like. Not fireworks or grand declarations, but a man showing up. A chance to stop surviving and finally start living like her mother always said.

A chance to live a life that would be solely hers, a life where she wouldn't have to worry about how her family was faring or what tomorrow would bring. She would have that life and a lot more as Ethan Sinclair's wife.

She smiled to herself. Her heart almost bursting with joy. All the doubts and fears slowing easing away as she finally found sleep.

Tomorrow, she would become Elena Sinclair.