Chapter 5 Ceremony

Aliyah was back in Conner's room, quietly seated in front of the mirror while professional stylists-sent by Conner-worked on her. The whole situation felt like a dream-or a nightmare. Just a few hours ago, she had agreed to their arrangement, and now, she was preparing for their civil wedding.

An elegant white dress was handed to her-not overly extravagant, but designed perfectly to highlight her natural beauty. As she put it on, she couldn't help but stare at her reflection. The woman in the mirror looked like someone else-composed and elegant on the outside, but confused and anxious inside.

While the stylist fixed her hair, she couldn't stop wondering, "Am I really doing the right thing?"

When everything was finally done, she took a deep breath before stepping out of the room.

As she descended the stairs, the first thing she noticed was the man waiting below. Conner.

He wore a white suit that fit his broad frame perfectly. His face was gentle, but his stance and aura exuded power. He looked like a king waiting for his queen.

Aliyah swallowed hard. Why was her heart suddenly beating so fast?

She stopped midway down the stairs, unable to move. A strange kind of nervousness wrapped around her. Was it because she admired Conner? Or was it the overwhelming truth that in just a few minutes, they would officially be husband and wife?

Conner looked up at her, a slow, sincere smile curving on his lips, almost as if he could read her thoughts.

"You look stunning," he said, his voice deep and filled with certainty.

She swallowed again. She didn't know why, but a sudden warmth spread through her body.

She had to stay calm.

She had to remind herself that this was just a game.

An agreement.

No emotions.

But why did it suddenly feel not so simple?

When she finally reached him, Conner extended his hand toward her. She hesitated for a moment before taking it. His palm was warm, his grip firm and steady-as if silently telling her that from this moment on, they were in this together, in a relationship built not on love, but necessity.

In Conner's luxurious living room, the once cold and elegant space was now filled with white flowers, tall candles, and soft curtains that matched the occasion. It wasn't a grand wedding like in fairy tales, but it was enough to remind Aliyah of what was about to happen-the start of a marriage born from a contract, not love.

At the center of the room stood a judge, dressed formally, holding documents that were about to be signed. Beside him were two men-clearly people of high status, not just in society but in Conner's life.

"Aliyah," Conner called, softly but with authority. He introduced the two men. "This is Mr. Salvador, my secretary, and Atty. Ramirez, my lawyer. They'll serve as witnesses to our wedding."

She nodded politely, keeping a neutral expression on her face. She had no intention of showing any of the emotions currently storming inside her.

Silently, she scanned the room. Everything was too perfect, too planned-as if there was no space for doubt or regret.

The ceremony began. As the judge recited the legal words that would bind her and Conner as husband and wife, she felt her hands slightly tremble. It didn't feel real. It felt like a dream-one she couldn't tell if it was a beautiful fantasy or a nightmare she couldn't stop.

She listened quietly, trying to maintain an outward calm while inside her, emotions clashed. Anger, regret, fear-and a strange thrill that came with Conner's presence.

She turned to him as he presented a small box containing a pair of wedding rings.

She gasped. She hadn't expected this. Why did everything feel so well-prepared for a marriage that was supposed to be just an agreement? When had he prepared this? And more importantly, why did he seem more serious than she anticipated?

But there was no time to ask.

Conner took her hand and gently slid the ring onto her finger. Her fingers flinched slightly, but she didn't pull away. When it was her turn, she slipped the ring onto his finger, and for a moment, their eyes met. There was an intense emotion in Conner's gaze-something she couldn't read or understand.

And then came the moment she feared the most.

"You may now kiss the bride."

She froze. She looked at the judge, then at Conner.

Was it her fault she suddenly panicked? She remembered his kiss in the kitchen-the way he touched her, the heat of his lips, the strange effect his presence had on her.

But this was different. This was a whole new situation.

As Conner slowly leaned in, the world seemed to slow down. He cupped her cheek with his hand, and she couldn't tell if his touch was gentle or possessive. She felt the warmth of his palm on her skin, and in that brief moment, she forgot how to breathe.

Then, his lips met hers.

Lightly, as if testing the waters. Not demanding, but enough to erase any of her remaining doubts. It was a tender kiss-but behind it lay a dangerous promise.

And that's where she made a mistake.

Because she didn't expect her own reaction.

Instead of pulling away, she felt herself responding to his kiss. It was like she was no longer the Aliyah who always held back. It was as if she lost herself when she instinctively wrapped her arms around her husband's neck.

Conner gasped at her response. And before she could even think of stepping back, he pulled her close by the waist-tight, possessive. He deepened the kiss, and that's when she felt a strange thrill rush through her body.

What should have been a simple, traditional kiss turned into something neither of them expected-a kiss that ignited a fire.

She forgot there were other people in the room.

She forgot this marriage was just a contract.

Because in the seconds that followed, the only thing she knew was the heat of Conner's kiss and the maddening truth that she now belonged to him.