tion that no longer felt like hers. The ivory silk of her wedding gow

rls, the soft glow of the fabric-everything a

a felt

be shared with someone she loved. But today, she was standing alone in a grand m

sn't a

a trans

ore she could respond, it swung open. Hugh Sterling stepped

able," he said, his

er throat tigh

omfort or reassurance. He simply

sion, the weight of the moment pressed down on her chest. Each step felt heavier tha

d-glass windows that bathed the room in a soft, colorful glow. But it felt cold, empty, despite the grandeur. The

chair. He was dressed in a sharp suit, though his body barely filled it. The soft fabric of the

t he wasn't here. Not truly. Not in any way that mattered. He was a gh

took their seats. They all looked at her with curiosity, some with thinly veiled disdain.

st loud enough for Aria to hear. "A

r money. It's obvious,

the years to shut out the opinions of others. She had n

bject of this twisted arrangement, nor did she. But the

the background, his words slipping past her ears without fully registering. She had memorized her vows the night before, but

nd," she said in a soft, controlled voice. "To have and to

at she was pledging to anymore. She couldn't promise a love she

ed out, her fingers brushing against his limp hand. His skin was cold to the

marriage. This

as she continued, "I will be your wife, and I w

the quiet rustling of leaves in the dead of night. There was no applaus

e, no one spoke. Aria's heart raced as she waited for the final moment. Would she hear those

priest said the words. The roo

kiss th

n her throat. The last

his dark hair. His skin was cold, his eyes staring unseeing. Th

o do it. She

No response. Just the chilling reality of their situation. She pulled away af

pping his hands together with a curt nod. "C

w forming. She wasn't sure if she was crying for herself, for

ise, as the murmurs of congratulations began

tch. A subt

briefest of moments, Aria thought her mind was pl

a tiny movement

hroat. Could it be? Could

oked around to see if anyone else had noticed. But no one seemed to be paying attention. The crowd was dispersing,

me in months, Liam's eyes flickered. Just for

pered, barely dar

say another word, his

room fel