The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. I hadn't slept at all. My mind was too restless, churning over the events of the previous day. The contract was signed, the deal was done, and in just a few days, I would become Mrs. Alexander Wu.
The thought sent a shiver down my spine. I knew nothing about this man, except for what I had read in the tabloids and heard in whispers. Cold, calculating, ruthless—those were the words most often associated with him. And now, I was bound to him, not by love or choice, but by necessity.
I dragged myself out of bed, feeling the weight of my decision pressing down on me. Today was supposed to be a normal day, but nothing felt normal anymore. I moved through my morning routine like a ghost, my mind elsewhere, until I heard a knock on the door.
"Lily?" My father's voice was soft, almost hesitant. "Are you up?"
"I'm up," I replied, trying to sound more composed than I felt.
He opened the door slowly and stepped inside. His eyes were filled with concern, but also with a resolve that mirrored my own. "Alexander called this morning. He's arranged for a wedding planner to meet with you today."
"Today?" I couldn't keep the surprise out of my voice. Everything was happening so quickly. There was no time to process, no time to think. Just one event after another, pushing me further along this path that I hadn't chosen.
"Yes, he wants the wedding to be this weekend," my father said, not meeting my eyes. "He's very... efficient."
Efficient. That was one way to describe it. Another way would be to say that Alexander Wu was in complete control, and there was no room for anything—or anyone—else to stand in his way.
I nodded, feeling numb. "I'll be ready."
By noon, the wedding planner had arrived. Her name was Caroline, and she was everything you'd expect in someone who planned high-profile weddings—polished, professional, and completely unflappable. She breezed into the house like a whirlwind, armed with swatches of fabric, binders full of floral arrangements, and a list of venues that read like a catalog of the most exclusive places in the city.
"Mrs. Wu—oh, sorry, Miss Chen," she corrected herself with a smile. "Soon-to-be Mrs. Wu, I suppose! We have a lot to cover, but don't worry, we'll have everything ready in time for the big day."
I forced a smile, trying to match her enthusiasm. "Thank you, Caroline. I appreciate all your help."
She waved a hand dismissively, as if planning a wedding in less than a week was the easiest thing in the world. "It's what I do! Now, let's start with the dress. I've brought a few samples for you to look at, but we'll need to do a fitting right away. Alexander has already taken care of everything, so all you need to do is choose what you like."
Alexander had already taken care of everything. Of course he had. This wasn't just a wedding—it was a merger, a business deal dressed up in white lace and flowers. My opinion didn't matter; I was just another piece of the puzzle that Alexander was arranging to his satisfaction.
Caroline laid out several dresses for me to consider, each more beautiful and elaborate than the last. As I looked at them, a part of me couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. I had always imagined my wedding day as something special, something filled with love and joy. But now, it was just another task to be completed, another box to tick off on Alexander's checklist.
I chose a simple, elegant gown—something that wouldn't stand out too much, something that wouldn't make me feel like an imposter in my own life. Caroline nodded approvingly and made a note on her clipboard.
"Excellent choice. Now, let's talk about the venue..."
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of decisions that weren't really mine. I nodded and agreed to everything Caroline suggested, my mind wandering as she spoke. I couldn't stop thinking about Alexander—about the cold, distant way he had looked at me when I signed the contract. How was I supposed to marry a man like that? How was I supposed to live with him, day in and day out, when we were practically strangers?
By the time Caroline left, I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. I collapsed onto the couch, rubbing my temples as I tried to stave off the headache that was brewing.
A soft chime interrupted my thoughts—my phone, buzzing on the table beside me. I picked it up and saw a text message from an unknown number.
"I'll pick you up at 7. We need to discuss some things."
No name, no pleasantries, just a command. I didn't need to ask who it was from.
Alexander.
I stared at the message for a long moment, debating whether or not to respond. What was there to discuss? Everything had already been decided. But I knew better than to ignore him. Whatever Alexander Wu wanted, he got. And now, I was part of that equation.
"Okay," I replied, my fingers trembling slightly as I typed the word.
At exactly 7 PM, a sleek black car pulled up in front of my house. The driver, dressed in a sharp suit, stepped out and opened the door for me without a word. I slipped inside, feeling the tension coil tighter in my chest as we drove through the city.
The car stopped in front of an upscale restaurant, the kind where reservations had to be made months in advance. Of course, that didn't matter to Alexander Wu. He could have whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.
He was already seated at a private table when I arrived, a glass of wine in front of him. He didn't stand to greet me, just watched as I approached, his expression unreadable.
"Lily," he said, gesturing for me to sit. "Thank you for coming."
I sat down, my hands resting in my lap. "You said you wanted to discuss something."
He nodded, taking a sip of his wine before speaking. "I wanted to make sure we're clear on a few things before the wedding. This is a business arrangement, nothing more. You'll have your own space, and I'll have mine. There will be no... expectations beyond what's necessary for appearances."
His words were like ice water being poured over me. I had expected this, but hearing it out loud still stung. There would be no love, no connection between us. Just a cold, calculated partnership.
"I understand," I said, keeping my voice steady. "But why me? You could have chosen anyone. Why did you agree to marry me?"
Alexander leaned back in his chair, studying me with those piercing eyes. "Your family's situation presented an opportunity that was mutually beneficial. I needed a wife for certain business ventures, and your father needed my financial support. It was a simple equation."
A simple equation. I shouldn't have been surprised. To Alexander, everything was a transaction. I was no different.
"But why marriage?" I pressed. "Why not just a partnership?"
He paused, as if considering how much to reveal. "There are certain circles in which being married confers a level of stability and trust that cannot be achieved otherwise. It opens doors that would remain closed to a single man. This arrangement benefits us both."
I nodded, though his answer left me feeling even colder inside. This wasn't just about money or business; it was about power, about control. And I was just a piece on his chessboard.
"I see," I said quietly.
He watched me for a long moment, as if trying to gauge my reaction. Then he leaned forward slightly, his tone softening just a fraction. "I know this isn't what you wanted, Lily. But it's the best option for both of us. We'll get through it, and once everything is settled, you'll have the freedom to live your life as you choose."
The freedom to live my life as I choose. But at what cost? I had already given up so much, and I hadn't even walked down the aisle yet.
"I hope you're right," I said, forcing a small smile.
He nodded, satisfied with my response. "I'll have the driver take you home. We'll meet again before the wedding to finalize the details."
I stood up, feeling numb as I left the restaurant. The ride home was silent, the city lights flashing by in a blur. When I finally stepped inside my house, I felt the full weight of what was happening settle over me.
This was my life now. A cold, calculated marriage to a man who saw me as nothing more than a business asset. There was no going back, no escape.
I was trapped, and the walls were closing in.
I sat on the edge of my bed that night, staring out the window at the dark sky. The stars were hidden behind clouds, the world outside as bleak as I felt inside. I didn't know what the future held, but I knew one thing for certain:
I was about to enter a world where love didn't exist, where emotions were a liability, and where the only thing that mattered was power.
And I would have to learn to survive in it.