Lauren stood before the marble steps of the marriage registry, the sunlight reflecting off the glass doors and painting her face gold but her glow was nothing but a mask. A smile sat on her lips, stretching across her face and making her look like the happy bride she could only imagine but her fingers trembled as she unlocked her phone again, pressing the familiar number. But again, the call went unanswered.

The silence that embraced her even in this noisy court house was louder than any rejection she has gotten in her life. Her chest tightened as she stared at the phone, willing it to ring, to prove she wasn’t the fool they’d called her.

But her screen remained blank and with every passing second, the bright red dress she’d worn so hopefully seemed to lose its color. The fabric clung to her like a cruel reminder that she was holding on to the things she badly wanted to believe in.

“You really outdid yourself this time, Lauren,” she whispered to her reflection in the glass door that was staring back at her with glossy eyes and trembling lips.

For the first time that morning, a tear broke free tracing an ugly path down her cheek.

“Miss Sterling?”

She was startled at the sound of a woman’s voice. A clerk stood by the entrance, smiling politely at her. “It’s your turn now, ma'am. Is your groom still not here yet?”

Lauren’s throat tightened as she gave an embarrassed nod, forcing her lips into a curve that didn’t reach her eyes.

“He’ll… he will be here soon.” She managed to say but even as she did, her fingers curled around her phone in quiet despair. She already knew the truth.

She had wanted to give Julian one last chance, a final chance to prove that the man she’d once believed in still existed somewhere beneath this betrayal. She hadn’t confronted him about the conversation she’d overheard in his office but instead, she’d gone to him quietly, asking him to keep the promise he’d made to marry.

That had to be the hardest thing she had ever had to do. Walking to a man who was a betrayer through and through and talking about a future together felt like bile on her tongue. But playing dumb had been the only option for her.

Julian had smiled, assuring her he’d be there but he wasn’t and at that instant she realised she had been a fool to even believe another word that came out of his gutter mouth.

Lauren turned slowly, her gaze sweeping across the decorated hall and the soft music blaring through the speakers. The white balloons hung in contrast to the emotions she was feeling. Her choice of a red dress was rather symbolic, reminding her that she was bleeding while everyone else thought she was celebrating love.

A shaky laugh bubbled up her throat.“I gave you a chance,” she whispered under her breath, eyes welling up. “One last chance to change my perspective and show me what I heard was untrue, but…” Her voice broke as steadied herself and in a low and firm voice, looking straight ahead she whispered. “Now I know, everything has been a lie from the very start and I won't let you ruin my life.

“Today, I’ll get married. Even if I have to marry a beggar, Lauren will do it."

Her heart stilled as the decision settled. The pain didn’t vanish but it helped harden her resolve. With her chin lifted high, she turned away from the registry hall and stepped into the courtyard. Her heels commanded attention with each heavy step she took.

All she needed was a name on that paper and she would get it.

Tears were coming again, but Lauren felt better. One month, she told herself. She could pay a man to wed her for a month and after that, walk away. After all, what she needed was time to claim the safe her mother left and that was more than enough.

Her gaze swept across the small parking lot desperately searching for a “victim” of her circumstance and finally, her gaze landed one a prospect.

A few feet away, parked beside the curb, sat a sleek black car. Inside, a man leaned back in the driver’s seat. His well tailored suit hugged his broad shoulders and his jawline looked sharp beneath the slant of sunlight. There was a quiet power in his stillness, like he was someone used to being obeyed without question and his aura drew her in.

Next to him, a man paced anxiously, phone pressed to his ear. Lauren held her breath as she studied him. Something about the way he sat with quiet authority in the air around him made her hesitate but then the assistant’s voice carried across the lot.

“Boss, Miss Vivienne still isn’t picking up.”

The man in the car exhaled slowly, eyes dark and cold as he turned his head. “Since she doesn’t want to get married,” he said calmly, “cancel her from the plans. Let’s go.”

The assistant froze immediately, panic flickering in his gaze. “But, President,” he stammered, “you have no other choice. You need the certificate. If you don’t get married today…”

Alexander’s jaw tightened. His fingers drummed against the wheel, irritation flashing across his features. “I know.” He cut him short.

He didn’t need the reminder. His board was on edge and the investors were restless. And with his family whispering around, convinced that his bachelor life and absence of a female was the stumbling block he needed the marriage certificate to shut them up and restore his peace. But the bride he’d chosen for convenience had just proven unreliable.

Calculating his next move, a rich feminine voice broke the silence beside him.

“You seem to also be missing a bride, sir.”

Alexander turned, brows narrowing. A woman stood a few steps away. Dressed in a red dress, she looked delicate yet composed but something in her eyes looked fragile and fearless all at once.

Lauren’s heart pounded. She could feel his gaze sweeping over her, weighing and assessing and every instinct screamed at her to step back or just walk away but something deeper and desperate pushed her forward. Desperate situations call for desperate actions, they say.

Her fingers gripped around her phone tightly as she looked directly in his eyes.

“You need something?” he finally asked.

She drew in a breath, lifted her chin, and maintained the contact. “It seems we’re in the same situation,” she said softly. “Your bride is missing… and so is my groom”

She gave him a moment to digest before picking up from where she stopped. “So… I am proposing we get married?”

If a pin had dropped at that moment, no one would have missed the sound. Alexander blinked, his eyes narrowing as if searching for a sign that she was joking. Even the assistant stopped moving but she didn’t flinch. She just stood there, offering him exactly what he needed.

He leaned back slowly studying her. Then turned to his assistant. “I need her information in ten minutes.”

Lauren’s heart lurched. Was that… agreement?

He looked back at her, expression still cold. “Why should I marry you?”

Her throat instantly went dry, but she straightened her spine and forced the words out. “Because I’m the most perfect option you’ll find today, sir.”

The corner of his mouth twitched hinting amusement but he fought hard to keep it in check. “Confident, aren’t you?”

“Driven, I would say.”

His assistant returned moments later, a folder in hand, whispering something into his ear. Lauren swallowed hard, nerves fluttering in her chest as she watched him read. She had no wealth, no reputation and completely nothing to make her a worthy match.

But she had today, and she wasn’t leaving empty-handed.

Alexander’s gaze lifted from his assistant. His cold eyes locked with hers, assessing carefully.

Then his lips parted. “Miss Sterling—”

“Lauren Sterling. Heiress of the Sterling family. Former renowned jeweler and fiancée of Julian Drake.”

Alexander’s calm voice sliced through the silence.

Lauren froze. Her eyes widened slightly, the edges trembling with disbelief and slowly, she turned to him. His expression was calm and almost unreadable. She had known from the beginning that he wasn’t an ordinary man, but for him to uncover her past this quickly screamed of power that reached farther than she had imagined.

Her fingers twitched against her skirt, and a faint, bitter smile touched her lips. “You really don’t waste time, do you?”

But Alexander didn’t smile back. His eyes were cold and sharp, fixed on her as though he could see through the layers she tried so hard to hide.

“Do you understand what you’re doing?” he asked quietly.

She knew what she was doing but whether she understood it or not didn't matter to her. She needed it, period. She had made her choice, and turning back was no longer an option.

Lifting her gaze and gathering as much confidence as she needed, she cleared her throat. “I know what I’m doing,” she said softly. “And I won’t regret it.”

Approval flashed in his eyes but it vanished as quickly as it came. He gave a single nod, signaling the registrar to proceed.

When her name was called, Lauren stepped forward, her heels echoing faintly against the tiled floor. The pen felt heavy in her hand as she signed her name. The moment she finished, the clerk handed the papers to Alexander, who signed his name with effortless precision, as if this were nothing more than another business deal.

Lauren glanced sideways at him and wondered how he managed to be so calm and detached even under such circumstances. She wondered if marriage meant anything to him at all. For her, this wasn’t love. This was survival, revenge, and a chance at carving a new name for herself.

“By the power vested in me by the state, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The judge's voice rang out, drawing her back from her land of thoughts.

In spite of herself, the term “Husband and wife” gave her such a thrilling effect. She could finally get the most important piece of belonging she had and she had bagged a wealthy man as an icing on the cake.

Julian would be so devastated when he finds out what he lost. Good radiance to bad rubbish!

Minutes later, they stepped out of the registry office. Lauren blinked as the bright sunlight almost blinded her vision and she reminded herself for the tenth time in twenty four hours to not forget her glasses next time she is leaving the house. The city buzzed around them, cars honking as they drove in and out of the premises and yet, for a fleeting second she felt detached from it all. It was as if she was watching a scene from someone else’s life. Her fingers tightened around the document in her hand taking her train of thoughts back to the reckless moment that has resulted in this.

Lauren looked down, finally staring at the certificate in her hands and the words written across. It felt surreal.

The certificate read; Marriage Certificate for Lauren Sterling & Alexander Ashford.

She froze, her heart almost stopping as her eyes lingered on the name beside hers. She looked up at him, disbelief flashing across her face. How didn't she know?

“Alexander… Ashford?” she whispered. Her voice trembled slightly.

She had heard the name countless times before. Everyone in the city had. He was the CEO of the Ashford Empire and his wealth and influence were used to tell stories and instill fearful respect. A man like him didn’t just exist but he controlled others' existence too. And now, somehow, she was tied to him by a signature on a page.

Her lips parted in quiet amazement. “So it’s you... Alexander Ashford.”

“Flesh and blood.” He nodded.

A soft, humorless laugh escaped her mouth. “You hide it well.”

Alexander turned to meet her gaze, his eyes cool and calculated. “Is that a problem?”

Lauren shook her head slowly. “No. It changes nothing.” She said, forcing her tone to stay even, but deep down, the realization had set her thoughts spiraling. She had married not just a stranger but a man powerful enough to destroy her if he wished.

Taking the certificate from her hand, Alexander placed it neatly into a folder and his eyes met hers again. This time, there was fire in them.

“I need you to understand something, Lauren,” he said quietly. “Now that we’re married, there’s no turning back. I don’t believe in fake marriages and as far as I’m concerned, this is real.”

His words sank deep causing Lauren to panic for a bit. She only wanted her safe but the finality of his words made her question the possibilities. Whatever this was and whatever it would become, as long as Celine and Julian felt the heat, she was all for it. Her pulse steadied and a slow resolve formed beneath her fear.

“I understand.” She said calmly.

“I’ll give you a day to pack your things,” he continued. “My assistant will pick you up tomorrow.”

She nodded slowly. “Alright. But I have one condition.”

One of his brows lifted slightly. Alex wasn't used to people demanding, he always set the conditions.

“Which is?” He said, deciding to humor her.

“I don’t want our marriage public for now.” Lauren said and her tone sharpened instantly. Alex noticed the coldness in heeyes.s and for a moment, he wondered the cause of it. “I have things to settle first. Some debts need to be repaid so until then… this stays between us.”

Beneath her calm exterior, there was more. Hatred and determination burned and it intrigued him. He didn’t ask what she meant by all the jargon she had said and simply just watched her.

“Three months,” he said finally. “I’ll give you that long to handle your affairs. After that, if you haven’t finished whatever you need to do, I’ll make our marriage public myself. I don’t hide what belongs to me.”

Lauren’s lips pressed into a thin line as she weighed his words. “Three months is enough.” She finally replied.

Satisfied, he gave a brief nod. “Good. I’ll be away for a few days. Take care of what you must before I return and if you need to reach me, go through my assistant.”

Lauren didn't mind and thought that was do-able so she finally settled, willing herself to enjoy the ride.

The silence that followed was comfortable and for some reason it felt almost wrong to her. She had just married a total stranger, how was she so calm and relaxed?

Her phone buzzed in her hand and the vibration startled her, pulling her back to reality. She looked down at the screen with a broad smile, sure that that was her lawyer but her blood instantly ran cold as her eyes landed on the name on her screen. Julian.

For a moment, she considered ignoring it but didn't see the point. She would eventually have to talk to him, anyway. She also wanted her new husband to know she didn't have skeletons in her cupboard.

“I have nothing to hide,” she murmured, and hit the green button.

“Lauren! Where the hell are you? I’ve been calling you!” Julian barked, his voice so loud she had to move the phone from her ears or it would have bled.

She stared into the distance, her tone flat. “Do you remember what day it is, Julian?”

He paused for a moment and then stiffened a chuckle. “I’m… I'm sorry babe, I got caught up in work. The national jewelry competition is coming up and Celine needs me to help her prepare. I’ll make it up to you, okay?”

“Can you hear yourself speak? You missed your fucking wedding, Julian.” Lauren fired back, losing her calm.

“And I said I will make it up, woman. You can always reschedule a wedding but a competition has a time frame. If you think of it, it is not that deep.”

Lauren’s hand tightened around the phone. She couldn't believe her ears. She couldn't believe that a man who had showered her with so much love could turn into a cold and nonchalant human under her watch.

“Right,” she simply said, too tired for his bullshit. “Take your time.”

She ended the call before he could respond and for a long moment, she could say nothing. Thankfully, Alex did not push.

He straightened his sleeves and cleared his throat “You’re leaving now?”

Lauren nodded. “Yes.”

She turned to go but before she could walk away, his voice called her back.

“Lauren.”

She stopped and turned, confusion flickering in her eyes.

Alexander’s gaze held hers, steady as ever and then, for the first time, something softened in his tone. His lips curved slightly, not into a full smile, but something close.

“Hello, Mrs. Ashford,” he said quietly. “Please take care of me.”

“Then, go with me to get married now!”

“Huh?!” Julian was shocked. He was only trying to make her feel guilty when he heard her words.

He stood there like he had lost his mind, the words of Lauren kept on repeating in his head and suddenly, he panicked.

He didn't want to get married to her. He was just trying to coax her and then keep delaying things until they got everything they needed from her, but who knew Lauren would be so desperate to get married?

Get married? To Lauren? Hell no!

He would never get married to a fool like Lauren. She couldn't dress seductively for him, she was too uptight and all she knew was to listen to orders. He had never liked that kind of woman.

Truly, he had liked Lauren at first when he was still pursuing her. She had been young, fresh and innocent then and she had this high-class aura that made one want to worship her. She was cold but gentle, intelligent but not arrogant, and her aura brought out her beauty to the top, but, after she became obsessed with him, listening to his words like a puppet, she had lost her shine in his eyes and his woman, Celine, was much better.

Celine was soft, gentle and would throw a tantrum once in a while which made him feel like a real man, and when she was in bed…

Just thinking about Celine made him even more disgusted with Lauren and the thought of getting married to her made him want to puke, but he knew he couldn't show it, so he hid his true emotions and showed a helpless look on his face, but what he didn't know was that Lauren could see the disdain in his eyes and aside from anger and some pain and regret, she felt nothing more.

“Why?” Lauren raised an eyebrow, “You can't do it? I thought you were ready to marry me?” She asked in a strained voice that shocked Julian back to his senses.

He looked at her, then immediately kept his thoughts and rushed towards her.

“Who said so?! Why wouldn't I want to marry you, Lauren? Don't you know how much I love you? We have been together for years and you should know how loyal I am to you. I didn't even touch you just so our wedding night would be special. Hold on! Lauren,” He suddenly furrowed his brow as if he was hurt, “…You don't trust me?” he asked with a choked voice.

Lauren stood speechless. If she didn't have to put up with the acting, she would have been clapping her hands for his performance. She wondered how a man could spit out nonsense and make it make sense.

As she recalled his words, she couldn't help but finally snap.

“You love me?” She asked, then laughed aloud. She looked at Julian with eyes filled with so much anger, “We have been together for years and not once did you propose to me! You keep promising me, making lousy excuses and now you tell me you love me?!” She yelled, then shook her head while looking at him incredulously.

“You know what, Julian?!” She asked sharply and Julian suddenly had a bad feeling.

He moved towards her with a frown but Lauren moved back.

“Enough Lauren! Don't cause a scene!” He finally snapped. He felt so pissed off at this moment.

He had had enough of her tantrums and was too tired to deal with this nonsense. If she thought he would relent and agree to marry her now, then she must be joking!

He sneered at his thought, and the eyes he looked at her became colder and the aura surrounding him turned sharper as he stared at her.

Lauren who noticed the dark look in his eyes and his aura felt disdainful.

He knew he couldn't sway her and now he wanted to suppress her and make her listen like she had always done, but jokes on him this time!

She looked at him pointedly, “Julian, let's give each other a break and think about what we truly want!” She spat out, and without waiting for a response from him, she turned around and dragged her bag with her.

“Lauren! If you walk out of that door, then don't bother coming back!”

Lauren paused, her hand on her bag tightened and her eyes that stared ahead grew colder and ruthless.

If not because she still had to keep acting like things were still alright, she would have torn his face and made him know that Lauren wasn't to be offended.

But…

She took a deep breath to calm her raging blood, “Calm down, Lauren. Let them continue to jump around for now, and they wouldn't know what hit them when you get started.”

After the prep talk, she didn't bother with Julian again and walked out with her head raised high.

Meanwhile, Julian stood in the middle of the large sitting area in shock. He couldn't believe that the woman who had always listened to him like a robot dared to disobey him.

He had thought he had successfully threatened her when she stopped, but—

How did it become this way? Just because of the marriage?

Julian frowned then immediately brought out his phone and called a familiar number.

“Julian~”

A sticky-sweet voice sounded from the other end of the phone but this time, Julian couldn't feel it as he was worried about something.

“Celine, Lauren left. Go find out from her what the hell is happening!”

The other person on the phone was stunned, then her loud shrill voice sounded, “What?! How could that wretch leave?! That's impossible!”

Julian frowned. That was also what he had thought too, but since it had happened, he knew he needed to do something. Lauren still had something they wanted and they weren't done using her yet.

Besides, the design competition was around the corner.

***

Meanwhile, Lauren didn't know those two were planning for her but even if she knew, she would only sneer and still continue with whatever she was doing.

Here, Lauren was surprised to see the assistant of Alex and she quickened her steps to meet him.

Her eyes flashed with surprise as she looked at the car he was resting on.

“Madam!” The assistant greeted her and immediately walked towards her to pick up the box in her hand.

Lauren stood there in surprise, she narrowed her eyes, “You—”

Suddenly, the car window sliding down interrupted her words and when she saw the handsome face that appeared in her presence, shock was an understatement of what she felt.

Her eyebrow raised, and she looked at him perplexedly, “You… I thought you said you’d be leaving for a business deal?” She asked.

Alex who she was talking to looked at her from her head to her toes, then he silently heaved a sigh of relief.

After ascertaining that she was alright, he relaxed on the seat, then threw her a one-sided look, “Aren’t you coming in? Or did you want to go back in?”

Lauren was stunned, then she flashed him an embarrassed smile.

“Coming! Coming!” She responded, then immediately hopped into the car and sat next to him.

As the car drove away, Lauren couldn't help but turn to look at the house that was gradually becoming smaller.

Her fist secretly clenched, and her eyes became dull.

And as if Alexander noticed her mood, he stretched out his hand to pat hers.

“You’re only allowed to be gloomy now. But the moment the car stops, you have to forget that place because where we are heading to right now is your home, Mrs Ashford.”