The chapel smelled like roses and rain.
Mia stood in front of the tall mirror, her reflection barely recognisable. The white gown fit perfectly, hugging her in all the right places. The lace was soft against her skin. Her hands trembled as she adjusted the small veil pinned into her hair. It was strange. Everything around her looked like a dream, but she couldn't feel any of it.
The makeup artist said she looked beautiful. The planner called her lucky. But Mia felt like a thief standing in a stranger's fairytale.
Outside, she could hear the faint murmur of guests. Not many. Max had insisted on something quiet, private, and even secret. Just a handful of witnesses, no reporters, no cameras. The whole event felt more like a transaction than a celebration. That was what it was supposed to be
She stared at herself again. Mrs Mia Hult. The words still didn't sound real.
A soft knock came at the door. One of the wedding staff members peeked in.
"Miss...uh, Mrs Hult, it's time."
Her heart thudded. She nodded, her lips pressed into a shaky smile.
Mia gave her head a reassuring shake before she finally turned to leave her room. Everyone was waiting.
She swallowed as soon as she stepped out of the room. She could flee now and put all of this behind her and never look back. This was the only chance she had to back out of everything. But Mia had to remind herself that for someone like her, there was no way out. Anywhere she went, they were going to find her. She had to do this.
The hallway outside was lined with white flowers and candles. The rain had stopped, leaving drops clinging to the tall windows. As she walked, her heels clicked softly against the floor, echoing in the silence. Every step felt heavier than the last.
Then she saw him.
Max Hult stood at the end of the aisle, tall and calm in a black tuxedo. His expression didn't change when she entered. No smile, no warmth, just quiet observation. His eyes, sharp and grey, followed her every move.
Mia's breath caught. Even after everything she had been told about him, the money, the isolation, the power, nothing prepared her for how unreadable he was. He looked like a man who had seen everything, lost everything, and decided long ago not to care. This was the man she was going to marry in a few minutes.
Her eyes remained on his as she walked towards where he was standing, but she could feel the curious eyes on her and tried her best not to look at them because she knew the moment she did, she wouldn't be able to keep her anxiety at bay.
She held her breath when she was finally standing in front of him, but he looked unfazed unlike her.
And then the wedding finally began..
The officiant's voice was steady, almost too formal.
They went through the motions, the vows, the rings, and the signatures. Everything felt like a complete blur to Mia, but she knew she had to get through the day. She had gone through a lot to get to this moment, and she couldn't afford to ruin it.
When it was time to say "I do," Mia's throat went dry. She managed to whisper it out.
"I do."
Max's answer came without hesitation. "I do."
The words echoed in her chest like a closing door.
Applause followed. It was polite and controlled. Someone snapped a photo. Someone else clapped too loudly. Then it was over. Just like that, she was married.
Max turned to her.
"Congratulations," he said quietly, his tone flat, almost cold.
"Thank you." Her voice was barely a whisper.
They posed for a few photographs, the two of them standing close but never touching. Mia tried to smile, but it felt wrong. She could feel the weight of his gaze on her even when the camera clicked.
When the guests were gone, the silence returned. The sound of the rain starting again outside filled the space between them.
Max walked toward her, his movements calm and deliberate.
"You look pale," he said.
"I'm fine," she lied.
He studied her for a moment longer. "This wasn't your idea, was it?"
Her heart skipped. "What do you mean?"
He tilted his head slightly, like he could see through her. "Most women don't look like they're about to faint on their wedding day."
"I'm just…" tired."
He didn't respond. His eyes lingered on her a moment longer, and then he turned away.
"We'll leave for the estate in an hour. My driver will take you there. You can rest after that."
She wanted to ask something, anything, but the words wouldn't come. He was already walking away, hands in his pockets, his posture straight and distant.
When he was gone, Mia finally let out the breath she'd been holding. Her hands shook again. The ring on her finger felt heavy, too heavy, like the weight of the guilt that had followed her since the moment she meant Max Hult.
She looked out the window at the grey sky and the sleek black car waiting outside. Somewhere behind her reflection, she saw her own fear looking back at her.
This was it.
The beginning of a lie she had to live. The deal she couldn't escape, she had put up with everything for this moment and she could no longer back out.
And as the door opened and one of Max's guards gestured for her to follow, she whispered to herself under her breath:
"You just have to survive the year."
But when she stepped outside and saw Max watching her through the rain, his expression unreadable, a chill ran down her spine.
Something in his eyes told her he already knew.
"Whatever you came here for, Mrs Hult," he said quietly, "you won't find it."
The words hung in the air like a promise and a warning.