Chapter 3 A COLD WEDDING

‎Georgia had imagined her wedding countless times when she was a little girl.

‎

‎She dreamed of soft petals beneath her feet not cold marble.

‎A golden sunset lighting the sky.

‎Laughter echoing through the air.

‎Violins playing the sweet tune of forever.

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‎She would wear a white gown covered in delicate diamond stones, flowing like a dream.

‎She would walk down the aisle toward love, not legality.

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‎Her groom would wait at the end of the aisle, eyes glassy with emotion, heart open, whispering,

‎"You're mine always."

‎

‎She never imagined this.

‎

‎The ceremony was held in a private room at city hall.

‎No flowers. No music. No guests.

‎Just Liam.

‎

‎Georgia stood beside him in complete silence.

‎

‎It was a cold room that smelled like power and pressure, nothing soft, nothing warm.

Just grey walls, a bored official, and a man whose ring was a business deal, not a promise of love.

‎

‎No violins.

‎No smiles.

‎Just the clicking of pens.

‎Just the ticking of the clock.

‎

‎Liam stood beside her, calm and unreadable, looking every bit the ruthless billionaire the world knew him to be.

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‎The justice of the peace read the vows like they were instructions on a receipt.

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‎"...to have and to hold, from this day forward..."

‎

‎Georgia kept her breathing steady.

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‎Each word wrapped around her throat like a chain.

‎

‎When it was her turn to speak, she hesitated.

‎

‎Just for a second.

‎

‎She thought about running. Turning and walking out that door. Leaving it all behind.

‎But she didn't.

‎She couldn't.

‎

‎She lifted her chin, swallowed her pride, and whispered,

‎"I do."

‎

‎Liam's voice followed, deep and cool.

‎

‎"I do."

‎

‎No smile.

‎No emotion.

‎

‎Just a contract sealed with words that should have meant everything but meant nothing.

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‎The officiant pronounced them husband and wife with all the excitement of reading a grocery list.

‎

‎And just like that, Georgia Lane became Mrs. Liam Patel.

‎

‎They signed the marriage license in silence.

‎

‎Liam's signature was bold and precise.

‎

‎Georgia's hand trembled slightly at the end of hers. She hoped he hadn't noticed.

‎

‎He had.

‎

‎Of course he had.

‎

‎When the signing was done, Liam slipped the papers into a black leather folder.

‎

‎"You'll move into my house tonight," he said without looking at her.

‎

‎"Tonight?" she repeated, her voice sharper than she intended.

‎

‎His eyes flicked up to meet hers. Cold. Calm. Controlled.

‎"Appearances matter, Georgia. Or did you think this was a game?"

‎

‎Her throat tightened.

‎"I haven't had time to prepare."

‎

‎"Prepare for what?" he asked, raising a brow. His voice was smooth, almost bored. "This isn't a real marriage. You won't be expected to perform any... duties."

‎

‎Heat rushed to her cheeks, despite her best efforts to stay composed.

‎"How generous of you," she said dryly.

‎

‎He ignored the sarcasm. "I've arranged for your things to be delivered."

‎

‎"You've already packed my things?"

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‎"You agreed to this," he said, his tone sharp like a blade. "No illusions. No regrets."

‎

‎Georgia clenched her jaw, swallowing the angry words bubbling inside her.

‎

‎Yes, she had agreed.

‎

‎Because she hadn't had a choice.

‎

‎Now she was bound to a man who didn't believe in love.

‎A man who saw her not as a partner, not as a woman with dreams and hopes, but as a strategy.

‎A signed solution.

‎A cold business deal.

‎

‎He studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable.

‎

‎When he finally spoke, his voice was lower and almost too soft.

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‎"Let's get this over with."

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‎He turned and walked away without waiting for her.

‎

‎Leaving her alone in the quiet, echoing room.

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‎Georgia closed her eyes for a brief second, pulling in a shaky breath.

‎

‎Then she straightened her back.

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‎Lifted her chin.

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‎If she was going to survive this year as Liam Patel's wife, she would do it with her head held high.

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‎She would not break.

‎She would not cry.

‎And she would never let him see her fall apart.

‎

‎Not now.

‎

‎Not ever.

‎

‎Just before she stepped out of the room, she heard his voice again. Low. Icy.

‎

‎"Now... let the real game begin."

‎

‎She froze.

‎

‎Her heart skipped.

‎

‎Game?

‎What game?

‎

‎What had she just walked into?

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‎What game do you think he's talking about?