Page 2 of Her Possessive Dominant Fake Husband

"I'll be right there in the front row, glaring at him the whole time," Michael said, finally releasing a small, strained smile. "Don't worry, I'll make it awkward for him."

I laughed again, but it came out more like a sob. "Thanks. I need that."

We stood together, the silent room loud with the enormity of what lay ahead, and I felt the warmth of my brother’s loyalty like a comfortable blanket around my shoulders. He hugged me tightly, then left me alone in my fake fairy tale.

The minutes stretched like hours. I watched the clock, feeling my resolve fray with every tick. How had I gone from dreaming of love to signing a contract for a pretend version? Butwasn't this my life, a series of compromises wrapped in pretty packaging?

My heart drummed a steady beat of panic as I turned to leave. The girl in the mirror watched, her eyes full of questions without answers. I lifted the heavy skirt of my gown, took a breath that felt like it might be my last, and opened the door to whatever waited for me.

The music swelled, signaling it was time. I moved down the aisle like a mouse approaching a snake, but mesmerized despite impending doom. The whisper of silk against marble floors was nearly lost to the thundering of my pulse.

Everyone was staring; everyone was a stranger. The grand ballroom, smelling of flowers and extravagance, left me with only growing astonishment. This was how Alexander lived? Every moment lavish, every event luxurious?

At the end of it all stood Alexander, a beautiful statue carved in ice, his face as emotionless as my heart was wild.

I tried to keep my eyes forward, focusing on the man who would be my husband in contract if not in soul. This didn’t feel right, but I knew I had to go through with it. My family depended on me. My steps felt heavy under the weight of the dress, of the moment, of the thousand worries I couldn't silence. And yet, it was another sight entirely that almost stopped me mid-stride.

In the front row, an elegant blonde woman sat as if struck, shock shifting her features into something fierce and hurt. Her presence shot through me like lightning. She was sitting next to a man I recognized as Alexander's brother. So why was she staring at Alexander like he’d ripped out her heart and stomped it into oblivion?

I steadied myself, wondering why Alexander's eyes looked past me.

The rest of the room was a blur by comparison. I reached the altar, breathless from more than just the walk. Alexander turned to face me, his expression as unreadable as ever, but there was a tightness in his jaw that hadn't been there before. My nerves sparked like frayed wires as the officiant began.

"Dearly beloved," the words rang out, filling the vast space with their empty, untrue promise. I glanced up at Alexander, searching for a flicker of humanity in those glacier-blue eyes, but he was already looking past me, his gaze finding its way back to the woman beside his brother. My chest tightened, a sense that something was not what it seemed rising within me.

But I’d agreed to this, and the money would be worth whatever happened next… right? Besides, I’m Claire Dawn and I’ve never been someone who didn’t find the silver lining in any situation. For now, Alexander Reed is choosing me in front of the world, and even if it’s fake, it’sexhilarating.

The vows passed in a surreal haze as if my brain couldn’t process things. Instead, it felt like the time I had my wisdom teeth out, the world had felt unreal and fuzzy – just like now. Alexander's voice was steady, detached, and mine wavered with each syllable, cracking under the pressure of pretending this was anything more than a transaction.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife." The finality of it sank like a stone in my stomach. Every muscle in my body tightened, as realization filled me – this wasn’t real, but it was. When Alexander was done with me, I’d be a divorced woman who’d survived a sham marriage, and I couldn’t even tell anyone the truth. My next husband – my hopefullyrealhusband – could never know the truth.

I steeled myself for the kiss, expecting an obligatory brush of lips. But Alexander's hand pressed my lower backwith sudden, possessive force, pulling me against him with an urgency that stole the breath out of my lungs. His lips crashed onto mine in a demanding motion, and the room dissolved into heat and bewilderment.

It wasn't gentle. It wasn't what I thought a business arrangement would feel like. I trembled under the shock of it, a current of confusion and something darker coursing through me. The kiss seared away any illusion that this would be easy or cold. My body hummed to life, both wanting more and demanding I run. But I was frozen in place, surrendering to him as the thrill of his kiss burned through me.

When he finally pulled back, his eyes flickered with something unfamiliar—an intensity that made my pulse rebel and left me gasping for air. The control I'd imagined was nowhere in sight, replaced by a rawness I didn't understand but secretly wanted to feel again.

"Mrs. Reed," he murmured, his voice a low thrum that resonated in places I wasn't ready to acknowledge.

I touched my lips, expecting them to burn. "Yes," I whispered, but it sounded more like a question.

He watched me, his eyes telling me he already knew the secret I was trying so desperately to hide.

The ceremony concluded, a cascade of applause washing over us like a mocking tide. I stumbled through the next few moments, letting Alexander lead me down the aisle, my mind spinning in wild, uncertain loops like a lame horse struggling to stay upright.

The kiss lingered, branding me with more questions than I had answers for. It haunted me, even as the congratulations of wealthy strangers swirled around us. Was this all part of his plan? Was the passion an act as well?

I stole a glance at him, finding his profile hard and resolute. My heart, traitorous and confused, responded with a stutter I didn't recognize.

"You're full of surprises, Mr. Reed," I said, more to myself than to him.

We reached the end of the aisle, the noise and spectacle at our backs, and I was officially his wife. It was everything I had agreed to, yet nothing I had expected.

Alexander paused, his grip still firm on my hand. "Welcome to the family," he said, his voice carrying a note of challenge.

"Thank you," I replied, swallowing the storm of feelings that raged inside me. I didn't know if I meant it or if he even did.

Together, we faced the beginning of this charade, the end of our illusions, and the strange, uncharted territory in between.

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