"You may now kiss the bride." The moderator's voice played several times in Jenn's head. "Kiss the bride?" She muttered. It never occurred to her she would be at a point in time kissing a stranger.
The wedding was a quiet civil ceremony that took place in Dave's penthouse, witnessed by four people from Dave's office. Jenn was wearing the white dress Dave bought her. She felt as if she was dreaming as she signed the marriage certificate. But it was not a dream. It was real and it was happening. Jenn knew that she was doing it for her brother. He mattered to her and seeing a way out of the problem, she just couldn't let it go. So, she decided that she would get married to the billionaire who wanted nothing more from her than her signature on the certificate.
Love was completely out of the agreement.
Dave leaned forward and kissed Jenn on the cheek after the registrar pronounced them husband and wife. It had been the chestiest kiss that she had ever received. She shivered.
When they emerged from the courthouse, Dave took her hand. "Welcome to your new life, Mrs. Peters," he said.
Jenn smiled weakly, trying to adjust to the idea. "Thank you, Mr. Peters."
That night, Jenn was lying in the guest room of Dave's penthouse, staring at the ceiling. She'd done it. She'd married Dave Peters to save her brother. But how? Where did she go from here?
Jenn closed her eyes. Tomorrow, she'd be up and married again by daylight. This was Dave's, that was hers. He was working. And besides, she was sleepy.
The following day, Jenn awoke early. She planned to visit David and tell him the news. She found Dave in the living room, with his newspaper open in front of him.
"Good morning," she said, trying to sound cheerful.
Dave looked up and smiled. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
"Not really," Jenn admitted. "Too much on my mind."
Dave nodded. "I understand. Do you need anything?"
"No, I'd rather not," Jenn said. "I'm going to see David today. I'll tell him about the lawyer."
"Of course," Dave said. "Let me know if you need anything."
Jenn thanked him and then left. Her stomach was in knots. She was shown to the visiting room. David was escorted in. He looked tired and anxious. But then he noticed Jenn and her relaxed face.
"Jenn," he said, pulling her into his arms. "What's wrong? You found a way to help me?"
"Yes, I did." Jenn sat down. "Dave Peters agreed to help you. He will pay your bail soon and promised to get a good lawyer to prove your innocence." David looked stunned. "Dave Peters? How did you manage that?"
"It's complicated, my dear. I had to agree to be his wife for a year. I couldn't sit doing nothing, Dave was my last hope, so I had to do it."
Tears trickled down David's face. "Thank you, Jenn. I don't know what I would do without you."
"We're family," Jenn said, her eyes misting. "We'll get through this."
Back at the penthouse, Jenn created her own space – she arranged books, sketches, – and tried to put an everyday glaze over the freakish setup. They had mastered the choreography of their public outings, with Dave's arm always around Jenn's waist.
They appeared at social events, and Jenn's honesty and humor charmed Dave's business associates. It was Dave's confidence and intelligence that coached her in social behavior. They are presented as a straight couple, a pair of two-dimensional, well-balanced figures in the outside world.
The trial date for David's case was approaching, and Jenn was anxious. Dave's attorney was new but bullish. The stakes were high. Jenn's days were filled with traveling to the courthouse, visits to David, and meetings with the attorney and staff.
Dave was always around. His business networks and money helped immensely, and Jenn was thankful he was "steadfast" towards her, just as the contract stated.
Then, the day of the trial comes. Jenn is in court, sweating, her heart is beat fast as the prosecution starts with their accusations. Then, the defense lawyer starts the counter-attack, one by one sweeping the allegations from the table while presenting all kinds of evidence to prove that it is very likely the prosecution is lying.
Jenn watched as the witness came to the stand. The look on David's face remained calm. He was sincere in his testimony. The judge examined the evidence, and by the end of the afternoon, it was clear that David was innocent.
The judge announced a recess for the day. The courtroom was abuzz with anticipation.
Later that night, Jenn and Dave went back to the penthouse. Jenn was tense but hopeful.
"How are you holding up?" Dave asked, handing her a cup of tea.
"I'm exhausted," Jenn admitted. "But I'm hopeful. The lawyer did an amazing job today."
Dave nodded. "I don't doubt that David will be acquitted. We're almost there, Jenn."
The next days were tense as the trial dragged on. The defense brought compelling evidence, while the prosecution's case grew weaker and weaker. At last, the day of the verdict, came. Jenn sat in the courtroom; breath held as the judge read the decision. "Not guilty."
There was jubilation throughout the courtroom, and she felt relief as David was finally a free man. She hugged him tight, her body shaking and tears streaming down her face. "We did it," she whispered. "You're free."
David hugged her back. "Thank you, Jenn. You saved me."
It was the exact thing that she had been working for. And they had finally gotten the right result.
Jenn awoke the morning after the trial, she entered Dave's penthouse kitchen and found him making breakfast— "Good morning," Dave greeted, looking up from the stove.
"Morning," Jenn replied. She sat on a stool at the kitchen island, and watched Dave cook. "Coffee?" he asked, holding up a mug.
"Uh, sure," she replied, feeling a bit like a guest in her home.