Emma walked down the long corridor her footsteps echoing faintly against the marble floor behind her eyes a dull ache settled from holding back the storm inside her chest
She reached the elevator and pressed the button with a shaky hand her fingers still cold from signing her life away
As the doors slid open and she stepped inside she finally allowed herself to breathe
But it was shallow fragile like everything around her was made of glass
The car waiting outside gleamed in the early evening light a sleek black sedan too polished too perfect much like the man who owned it
The driver opened the door without a word and Emma slid inside sinking into the leather seat as if it might swallow her pain
Her fingers clutched her bag tighter than necessary her heart pounding in her ears louder than the city traffic outside
She closed her eyes for a moment and tried to block out everything that had just happened
But his voice echoed in her mind
You will be Mrs Lancaster in the eyes of the world but in private we are strangers
It was a business deal cold calculated emotionless
She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out her phone the screen lighting up with a photo of her younger brother Liam smiling in his hospital gown holding a thumbs up
Her chest tightened at the memory of his laughter the way he always tried to be brave for her even when he was in pain
This was for him
Only for him
The car pulled up in front of a towering luxury hotel and Emma looked up slowly her eyes wide as she took in the grand entrance chandeliers visible even from the outside
The driver stepped out and opened her door with silent efficiency
A tall woman in a dark blue suit approached her clipboard in hand and a courteous but distant smile on her lips
Miss Roselyn welcome to the Royal Crest Hotel Mr Lancaster has reserved the bridal suite for your stay until the ceremony
Emma gave a small nod too drained to speak
The woman led her through the marbled lobby past other guests who wore glittering jewelry and suits that screamed old money
She felt out of place like a ghost walking among royalty
The suite on the top floor was spacious and cold its elegance intimidating
Soft lighting expensive fabrics and towering glass windows that overlooked the entire city
Emma walked slowly to the window letting her bag drop to the floor and stared out at the endless horizon
Somewhere out there her brother was resting in a hospital bed waiting for a miracle she had just purchased with her soul
She whispered to herself barely audible
Hold on Liam I will get us through this
Night came slowly her thoughts refusing to quiet as she lay on the velvet couch staring up at the ceiling unable to sleep
She tried to imagine what Damon Lancaster did after signing away her future
Did he sleep peacefully did he return to his empire did he think about her at all
Probably not
The next morning arrived without mercy and she dressed simply in a gray blouse and black slacks tying her hair into a neat ponytail
At exactly eight the phone rang and the hotel concierge informed her the car was waiting downstairs
She took a deep breath grabbed her bag and headed out
The bridal boutique was a vision of whiteness light and soft music the scent of roses hanging in the air like a spell
Three women greeted her all dressed alike with polite but distant expressions
Good morning Miss Roselyn Mr Lancaster has requested five dress options to be prepared in advance according to your measurements
Emma was led into a large changing room where satin silk and lace waited on golden hangers
She tried on the first dress a grand affair covered in heavy beading and embroidery
Too stiff she whispered to herself
The second was beautiful but impractical the third soft and minimalistic a satin dress with a low back and delicate sleeves
When she stepped out in the third gown the women exchanged nods
This one suits you best Miss Roselyn it flows with your frame and complements your skin tone
Emma looked at herself in the mirror and blinked slowly
She looked like someone else
Someone who belonged to this world of wealth and silence
Someone who could belong to him
She heard the door open behind her and the room stilled
Damon Lancaster stepped in his presence quiet but immediate dressed in a tailored black suit his expression unreadable
His eyes scanned her from head to toe slowly deliberately
That one he said without emotion
The assistants nodded and moved to adjust the details taking measurements for tailoring and accessories
Emma turned toward him her voice soft but clear
Is that all you care about how the dress looks
He did not blink
This is a public arrangement you are expected to look the part
She opened her mouth then closed it again her thoughts heavy
He turned and walked out without another word
She stood there in silence the dress hugging her form as the assistants buzzed around her
Her heart felt heavier than the fabric
When she returned to the hotel suite that evening the silence swallowed her
She sat on the edge of the bed staring at the floor until her phone buzzed in her pocket
A video message
Her fingers shook as she opened it and Liam's face filled the screen smiling weakly from his hospital bed
Hey sis I heard you're getting married soon you must be nervous huh
His voice was soft but cheerful forcing bravery he didn't have
I'll get better soon I promise then we'll go to the beach like we planned
Pancakes every Sunday remember just like mom used to make
Tears rolled down Emma's cheeks as she watched the screen the sound of her brother's voice anchoring her in place
She pressed the phone to her chest and let the silence hold her for a while longer
She was marrying a man she didn't love to save the only family she had left
Even if it meant losing every part of herself along the way