The day of the wedding finally arrived, and Katriel felt like she was living in a whirlwind. She had never cared much for luxury, but Zayn had spared no expense—even though the ceremony was only among family. nothing was done halfway.
Standing in front of the pear-shaped mirror, adjusting her customized veil, Katriel felt strangely detached. This was supposed to be a real marriage, a lifelong bond... but now, it was just a contract. A business deal.
Still, as she looked at her reflection, she didn't just see a bride. She saw a woman standing on the edge of a new journey—one filled with uncertainty and mystery.
A journey that would change her life forever.
The wedding was held by the riverside at one of Zayn's private golf clubs. The view was stunning. She took a deep breath, smoothed the fabric of her dress, and made her way to the ceremony. Her heart pounded as she walked down the aisle.
Zayn stood waiting at the altar, his face unreadable—calm, blank, as always.
As they exchanged vows, Katriel's emotions surged. She had always believed in fairytales. But this? This happened so fast. She wished it wasn't just a contract.
She wished this man—her boss, the CEO of the Leblon Group—was marrying her for love.
She wished she could love him, too.
But that wasn't the deal.
The kiss sealed their vows. Katriel felt a strange swirl of emotions as her lips touched his. She was kissing her boss. Her husband. A stranger.
Cassy watched with disdain, her glare sharp and unkind, joined by murmurs of disapproval from Katriel's side of the family.
---
On the ride home, Katriel stared out the window and finally asked, "What's next?"
Zayn looked at her, eyes flat and unreadable. "We start our new life living together, Katriel. As husband and wife."
She sat still, stunned, struggling to move or even nod. What did he mean by that? She didn't know what to expect from this new world she'd been forced into.
The car pulled into the driveway of the house she had come to know. Their house.
"Welcome, Mrs. Qin," one of the staff said as she stepped out of the car.
She had lived here for a little while already, but it still felt strange hearing it said aloud.
Mrs. Qin.
She had heard them refer to her that way before—but this time, they said it to her face. She was now a wife. A wife to a man who was still very much a stranger.
Katriel stared at the ceiling that night, unable to sleep.
What happens if I fall in love with a man who doesn't believe in love?
And worse , what if I already have?
The First Weeks
The first few days of marriage flew by in a blur of events. Zayn and Katriel attended dinner parties, business meetings, and charity events. She was now his official secretary, and while everyone was surprised at her promotion, no one dared question it—she had always kept to herself.
Katriel struggled to keep up with Zayn's demanding schedule, but she was determined to make the arrangement work. And slowly, she began to feel… comfortable.
She started noticing things about him: his quiet intelligence, his sharp wit, and, surprisingly, his subtle kindness.
He wasn't exactly the man the rumours painted him to be.
But no matter how comfortable she felt, she couldn't shake the sense that she was living a lie.
---
One night, as they prepared for bed, Zayn glanced at her with those intense eyes and said, "You're doing a good job, Katriel. Keep it up. You're a natural."
Katriel's heart fluttered with pride. "Thank you, sir."
"Sir?" he raised a brow.
"Zayn," she corrected herself with a small laugh.
"I appreciate that," he said quietly. "Now, go to sleep."
Weeks turned into months. Katriel began to settle into life as Mrs. Qin.
In front of their families, they played the loving couple.
At work, it was boss and secretary.
But under the surface… Katriel was struggling.
She was starting to lose herself in the role.
Who was she now.Katriel, or Mrs. Qin?
They were invited to a dinner party hosted by one of Zayn's business rivals, Simon Jones.
Katriel knew immediately, and Simon was trying to get under Zayn's skin to find a weakness.
He was charming, but his eyes were cold and calculating. A man who'd stop at nothing to win.
Simon kept probing, asking questions about Zayn's deals. Katriel could sense Zayn's annoyance building,but he stayed calm. His voice was smooth, composed, even wise.
Katriel watched in awe. He was a master of the game, always two steps ahead of his enemies.
On the drive home, she turned to him and said, "You handled Simon perfectly. Like a pro."
Zayn smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Thank you, Katriel. We make a good team."
Her heart skipped. She turned toward him, meeting his gaze.
For a brief moment, it didn't feel like they were just pretending anymore.
Katriel began to grow into her role. She attended more social events and rubbed shoulders with powerful women and CEOs' wives. Her coworkers even started commenting on how radiant she'd become.
"She's glowing," one whispered.
"She was always beautiful,but now, she's stunning," another said.
Of course, with beauty came jealousy. But Katriel kept her head down. She was focused.
That evening, they were on their way to Zayn's parents' house for dinner. It was stormy, but the rain didn't fall until they had already started eating.
The dinner began lightly, with casual conversation and polite questions about married life. But soon, things shifted.
Zayn's father leaned forward and said something unexpected.
"We'll talk about the family business. It's time for you to take over."
Zayn's expression turned serious.
Katriel's heart skipped a beat.
What does this mean for us now?