Chapter 5 THE WEDDING AND WILLIAM'S RULES

♣ CHAPTER 5: ♣

The wedding day arrived faster than Kate Could think of.

One moment, she was being forced into a dress, the next, she was walking down the aisle like a lamb to slaughter.

The grand church was packed with powerful guests,business moguls, politicians, business tycoon, and society's elite.

Cameras flashed, whispers filled the air, but Kate barely process everything.

Her uncle, Mr. Carlos, held her arm tightly as he led her forward. "Smile, Kate,This is your new life." he muttered under his breath, his fingers digging into her skin. Kate's lips trembled.

At the end of the aisle, William Dray stood like a statue. He wore a black suit, his green eyes show his coldness. He didn't look at her with care, excitement, or even fake affection. Just blank and indifference.

Kate stopped in front of him, her heart pounding.

The priest began speaking, but Kate barely heard the words. Her mind screamed at her to run, but her feet wouldn't move.

"Do you, William Dray, take Kate Jones to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

There was a long pause.Kate's breath caught in her throat as William finally spoke.

"I do."His voice was steady and emotionless.

The priest turned to her. "And do you, Kate Jones, take William Dray..."

"I do." The words spilled from her lips before she could think.She didn't have a choice.

The ring was slipped into her finger.Then, finally-

"You may kiss the bride."

Kate got tensed.

William didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, tilted her chin up, and pressed his lips against hers. It was brief, cold, and meaningless.

The crowd cheered in applause, but Kate felt nothing except the weight of her fate.

She is now Mrs. William Dray.

Ater the wedding,the ride to William's mansion was silent.

Kate sat stiffly in the backseat of the sleek black car, her hands squizzing her dress. William sat beside her, staring outside the window like she wasn't even there.

The wedding reception had been a fake,fake smiles, forced congratulations, and William not speaking to her.

Now, they were alone.

The car pulled up in front of the mansion. It was even bigger at night, its walls and dark windows looking more like a fortress than a home.

The driver opened Kate's door. She stepped out.William walked ahead without waiting for her, she just follow him like a moron.

Inside, the mansion was silence. The house staff had lined up near the entrance, bowing slightly as William entered.

"Prepare the guest room for Mrs. Dray," he said without looking at Kate.

The butler nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Guest room..!."Kate felt a bitter laugh rise in her voice. Even on her wedding night, she wasn't considered a wife but an unwanted guest.

William turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Your room is down the hall. You'll have everything you need."

Kate forced herself to meet his gaze. "That's it?"

He raised a brow. "What were you expecting?"

She clenched her fists. "Nothing, apparently."

William sighed like she was exhausting him.

"Let's be clear, Kate. This is a transactional marriage. I gave you my last name, and in return, I expect you to behave."

Her nails dug into her palm. "Behave?"

"No scandals, no unnecessary drama," he continued. "You will attend public events as my wife, but behind closed doors, we are nothing more than business partners."

Kate's chest ached. She knew this marriage was never about love, but hearing it so plainly hurt more than she expected.

She lifted her chin. "And what if I decide to leave?"

"You won't." William smirked.

"You think I'm trapped?"

He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "You are trapped, Kate. Unless you want your family's name dragged through the mud, unless you want your uncle to take everything from you, unless you want to be left with nothing,you will stay."

Kate felt the walls closing in.

William leaned in slightly, his voice a low whisper. "Don't fool yourself into thinking you have options."

Tears gleamed on Kate's eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

She shrugged her shoulders. "Then I hope you enjoy having a wife who hates you."

William only chuckled. "Hate me all you want, Mrs. Dray. Just don't forget your place."

Without another word, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness of the mansion.

Kate wake up, feeling different,For a second, she forgot where she was. The massive bed, the silk bedsheets, and the large size of the room didn't felt real. It took her some moments to remember she was no longer in her parents' house.She is in the Dray mansion.

A quiet knock sounded at the door.

Kate rubbed her eyes. "Come in."

The door opened, and a maid entered, her posture looks calm and respectful.

"Good morning, ma'am. I have prepared your bath. Breakfast will be served in the dining room."

"Where's William?" Kate frowned.

"Mr. Dray has already left for work." The maid lowered her head.

"Huh...huh...!"

Kate wasn't sure why she felt disappointed. It wasn't as if she had expected him to wake up beside her and act like a loving husband. He had made it clear that this was a business deal and not a marriage.

She stood up and followed the maid into the bathroom. The bath was already filled with warm water, scented with lavender.

"You don't have to do all this." Kate sighed.

"It's Mr. Dray's orders." The maid hesitated

"Does he order you to treat me like a doll, too?" Kate's grip on the robe tightened.

The maid flinched but didn't respond.

Kate didn't protest. Instead, she dismissed her and dipped herself into the warm bath, letting the heat calm her muscles.

But no amount of luxury could erase the betrayal feeling in her heart.

After breakfast,she sat alone in a dining room big enough for twenty people. Kate wandered around the halls of the mansion.

The servants greeted her with polite smiles but kept their distance. They only spoke when needed and their voices sounds professional.

"Ma'am, Mr. Dray has instructed me to inform you of the house rules." The butler, an elderly man named Mr. Stewart, approached her as she walked.

"House rules?" Kate crossed her arms.

"Yes." He handed her a printed document. "You are free to go anywhere inside the mansion, but certain rooms are limited."

She read the paper. There were strict rules,she couldn't enter William's study without his permission, she couldn't have guests without his approval, and she wasn't allowed to leave the estate without security.

"What is this?,A prison?" she asked.

"Mr. Dray values his privacy, ma'am. These are his conditions." The butler stayed composed.

Kate swallowed the lump in her throat. "And if I break the rules?"

"I strongly advise that you don't." Mr. Stewart hesitated.