The morning air was sharp and cold, heavy with the smell of rain.
Avery Lin stood in front of the city courthouse wearing a white silk blouse tucked into a pencil skirt, her hair neatly pinned. There was no bouquet, no lace, no smiling bridesmaids. Just a black umbrella in one hand and a marriage certificate waiting to be signed in the other.
Across from her, Adrian Zhao exited a sleek black car. His three-piece suit was immaculate, his expression unreadable. Even the raindrops seemed to hesitate before touching him.
He approached without a word. The city around them blurred into background noise — horns, chatter, the faint click of cameras hidden behind tinted windows.
Because of course the paparazzi had come.When the Zhao family's "devil heir" and the Lin heiress walked into a courthouse together, the world noticed.
"Ready?" he asked.
Avery looked up at him. "Do I have a choice?"
Adrian's lips twitched. "Everyone has a choice, Miss Lin. Some just don't like the consequences."
"Then let's get it over with," she said, stepping past him.
Inside, the ceremony was almost absurdly mundane.A clerk who looked half asleep slid the papers across the counter. There were no witnesses except for Adrian's assistant, Ethan, who watched the entire process with the grim politeness of a man attending a funeral.
Avery signed first. Her pen didn't shake.When she handed it to Adrian, their fingers brushed briefly. Static jumped between them — the faintest spark of something unspoken.
He noticed it too, though his expression didn't change. He signed his name with the steady precision of a man used to making dangerous deals.
"Congratulations," the clerk said mechanically, stamping the certificate. "You're officially husband and wife."
Avery exhaled slowly. It was done.In her past life, she'd walked down an aisle filled with roses, only to meet her death.In this one, she'd walked into a courthouse filled with shadows — and met her weapon.
Outside, the sky had opened. Rain poured in silver sheets as reporters gathered near the steps, shouting questions.
"Miss Lin, is it true you were engaged to Mr. Caleb Zhao before this?""Mr. Zhao, is this marriage a corporate merger or a love match?""Are the rumors about your family feud true?"
Avery froze for half a second. Adrian didn't.
He stepped forward, one hand sliding around her waist as if it belonged there. The crowd's noise exploded as cameras flashed like lightning.
"This marriage," he said smoothly, his voice cutting through the chaos, "is our private matter. I advise you all not to make it your problem."
The tone in his voice was soft but lethal, and even the boldest reporter took a step back.
Avery blinked up at him, her body tense where his arm rested."You're very good at pretending," she said quietly.
He looked down at her, eyes dark. "Who said I was pretending?"
Her pulse stuttered. For a heartbeat, she couldn't tell if he was mocking her or warning her.
He released her as quickly as he'd touched her, stepping into the car. "Get in, Mrs. Zhao. We have a press storm to manage."
Mrs. Zhao.The name hit her harder than she expected.
The drive to his penthouse was silent, broken only by the sound of rain against glass. The city outside blurred into streaks of color.
"You didn't tell me this would be public," she said finally.
Adrian didn't glance away from the road. "I don't hide things I'm not ashamed of."
"So you're not ashamed to marry your brother's fiancée?" she asked, voice icy.
He smirked faintly. "I'm not ashamed of taking what he threw away."
Her nails bit into her palm. "You don't even like him."
"That's precisely why it's satisfying."
Avery turned to the window, her reflection pale against the storm. "You're cruel."
"I'm honest," he corrected softly. "You'll learn the difference."
The elevator ride up to his penthouse was silent but thick with unspoken things. When the doors opened, Avery found herself staring into a world of glass, marble, and cold precision.The air smelled faintly of whiskey and rain.
"Your room is on the left," Adrian said, shrugging off his coat. "Ethan will arrange your wardrobe transfer. If you're going to play my wife, you'll need to look the part."
Avery's eyes flashed. "Play your wife? I thought I was your wife."
He turned slightly, that slow dangerous smile curving his lips. "You are. On paper. But you and I both know this isn't a love story."
"No," she said, stepping closer until her heels clicked against the marble between them. "But every story has a twist, doesn't it, Mr. Zhao?"
He looked at her for a long moment, something unreadable flickering in his eyes — amusement, maybe admiration, maybe something darker.
Then he leaned in, his breath brushing her ear. "Careful, Mrs. Zhao. You might start enjoying the game."
Her heart skipped. She stepped back, spine straight. "I don't play games I can't win."
"Neither do I," he murmured.
Later, when he was gone and the penthouse was silent, Avery wandered to the window. The rain had stopped, leaving the city glistening under streetlights.She stared at their marriage certificate on the table, the ink still fresh.
She'd thought this alliance would make her feel strong. Untouchable. But standing here now, in the home of a man whose motives were as deep and dark as the night sky, she realized something else.
Adrian Zhao wasn't her weapon.He was her biggest risk.
And yet, when her phone buzzed again — a new headline flashing on the screen — she couldn't help the small, triumphant smile that curved her lips.
BREAKING NEWS:Lin Heiress Marries Brother of Ex-Fiancé — Zhao Family Scandal Shakes the City!
Avery looked out over the glittering skyline, her reflection sharp against the glass.
"Let the world talk," she whispered. "They have no idea what's coming."
But somewhere behind her, in the darkened reflection, a figure moved — a shadow she hadn't heard enter.
Adrian's voice was quiet, almost too soft to hear."Neither do you."