Chapter 2

A strange sense of calm settled over me. The chaos of the last hour faded into the background.

"Alright," I said into the phone. "You're in charge. What's the first order of business, boss?"

I could almost hear her smile. "Where are you?"

"I'm parked a few blocks from the church."

"Stay put. I'll handle the press. And Ethan?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't worry about a wedding dress. I've got it covered." She hung up.

I leaned my head back against the seat and closed my eyes. Marrying my biggest business rival to save my family's reputation after being publicly jilted. It was the most impulsive thing I had ever done. It was also the only thing that made sense.

My phone rang again. This time it was my mother.

"Ethan, what in God's name is happening? The Greens are calling me, Olivia's mother is screaming..."

"Mom, listen to me," I said, cutting her off. "The wedding is not off. It's just... the bride is changing."

"Changing? What are you talking about? Did you hit your head?"

"I'm marrying Chloe Adams. Today. Now."

There was a stunned silence. "Chloe Adams? Your rival? The woman who tried to buy out our logistics division last year? Are you insane?"

"It's a long story. Right now, this is about protecting the Miller family name. We can't be the laughingstock of the city. Tell Dad. Tell everyone to stay put. The wedding will proceed."

I didn't give her a chance to argue. I hung up and sent a text to my assistant, telling him to alert the venue that the ceremony was delayed but not canceled.

Less than ten minutes later, a sleek black car pulled up behind mine. Chloe's assistant, Mia, got out. She tapped on my window.

"Mr. Miller, Ms. Adams sent me. She asks that you return to the church. She will meet you there in twenty minutes."

Mia was the epitome of efficiency, just like her boss.

As I drove back, another call came in. It was Olivia's father, Mr. Green.

"Ethan, my boy, there must be some misunderstanding," he said, his voice slick with false concern. "Olivia is just worried about her friend. Let's postpone the wedding for a few weeks. No one needs to know."

"Postpone?" I laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. "There's nothing to postpone, Mr. Green. Your daughter made her choice. Now I've made mine. Do me a favor and don't call me again."

I hung up and blocked his number.

When I walked back into the church, the atmosphere was thick with tension and confusion. The guests were whispering amongst themselves, shooting me looks of pity and curiosity. My parents rushed over, their faces pale.

"Ethan, are you sure about this?" my father asked, his voice a low rumble.

"I'm sure," I said, my jaw tight.

Just then, the main doors of the church opened again.

A collective gasp went through the room.

Chloe Adams stood there. She wasn't in a traditional white gown. Instead, she wore a stunning, custom-tailored white pantsuit that was both elegant and powerful. It fit her perfectly. Her hair was styled in sleek, confident waves, and her makeup was flawless. She looked less like a last-minute replacement and more like she had been planning this for months.

She walked down the aisle, her heels clicking decisively on the marble floor. The reporters, who had snuck in, started shouting questions.

"Ms. Adams, what is your relationship with Mr. Miller?"

"Is this a publicity stunt for a corporate merger?"

Chloe stopped beside me at the altar, gave me a quick, reassuring glance, and then turned to face the crowd and the cameras. She took the microphone.

"Thank you all for being here to celebrate this wonderful day," she began, her voice ringing with confidence and charm. "I know there has been some confusion, so allow me to clear it up."

She smiled, a dazzling, camera-ready smile. "The story of Ethan and me is not one of business, but of a long, and very patient, love."

I stared at her, my jaw slack.

"Ethan and I have known each other for years," she continued, weaving a fantastical tale. "But due to our... competitive natures, we kept our feelings a secret. Ms. Green was a dear friend who graciously agreed to help us keep our relationship under wraps. But today, we decided we couldn't hide any longer. We wanted to share our true love with the world."

She looked at me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Isn't that right, darling?"

The entire church was silent, hanging on her every word. The reporters were scribbling furiously. My parents looked utterly bewildered.

I was speechless. She had, in less than two minutes, transformed a humiliating public scandal into a dramatic, star-crossed romance.

Chloe leaned closer to me, her voice a whisper only I could hear. "Play along, Miller. Or our 'marriage' is over before it begins."

She held out her hand to me. The crowd watched, breathless. I took her hand, my mind reeling. This woman was either a genius or completely insane. Or maybe both. In that moment, I was just grateful she was on my side.