The sound of camera shutters clicking filled the small private hall, though there were no guests to witness the moment.
Lina stood at the end of the aisle, dressed in a simple white gown. It wasn't the kind of wedding dress she'd dreamed of as a child — no lace, no veil, no flowers. Just plain white satin, chosen by his assistant.
At the other end of the aisle, Leon stood waiting. His black suit was flawless, his hands folded behind his back. His face, as always, was unreadable.
This wasn't a wedding of love.
It was just business.
She took a deep breath and forced herself to walk forward. Each step felt heavier than the last, as though chains were wrapped around her ankles.
Her mother had cried that morning, thanking her over and over for "saving the family." Lina couldn't even bring herself to cry anymore. She was numb.
When she finally reached him, Leon's sharp gaze swept over her from head to toe.
"You're late," he murmured dryly.
She swallowed. "The seamstress… took longer than expected."
His lips curved in a faint smirk, but he didn't press the matter. Instead, he turned to the officiant, a bored-looking middle-aged man in a suit.
"Let's get this over with," Leon said.
The ceremony was quick. There were no vows of love, no promises of forever. Just legal words, signatures, and a pair of rings that meant nothing.
When the officiant finally pronounced them husband and wife, Lina's stomach turned.
Leon slid the ring onto her finger, his touch cold but steady. Then he leaned close, his lips brushing against her ear.
"Smile," he murmured, his voice just for her. "There are photographers here. Don't make it look like I dragged you to the altar."
Forcing her lips into something resembling a smile, Lina looked up at the camera flashes.
This is all pretend, she reminded herself.
One year.
Just one year.
After the ceremony, he didn't offer her his arm. He didn't even look at her.
Instead, he walked ahead, leaving her to follow as they exited the hall and stepped into the waiting black limousine.
The door shut behind her with a soft click.
Leon sat on the other side, staring out the window, his expression unreadable.
Neither of them spoke as the car pulled away.
It wasn't a wedding night.
It was the beginning of a contract.
A contract that might cost her more than she could have ever imagined.