By noon, Sophia's hair was done soft waves pinned elegantly, with a few delicate pieces framing her face. Her makeup was perfect, natural but polished. She looked like a bride.
She felt like an imposter.
"Time for the dress," Vivienne announced, appearing with her team.
Getting into the dress was like a ceremony itself. Vivienne and her assistants handled the delicate fabric with reverence, adjusting every fold and button until everything was perfect. When they finally stepped back, Sophia couldn't breathe.
The woman in the mirror was stunning. The dress transformed her, made her look like she belonged in Alexander's world. The lace sleeves were elegant, the fitted bodice showed her figure without being obvious, and the full skirt made her feel like a princess from a fairy tale.
"Oh honey," Margaret said from the doorway, her eyes misty. "You're absolutely beautiful."
"I feel like I'm playing dress-up," Sophia admitted.
"You look like a woman in love." Margaret came closer, adjusting the small veil attached to Sophia's updo. "And for what it's worth, I've worked for Mr. Sterling for eight years. I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you."
"Margaret"
"I know about the arrangement," Margaret said gently. "I handle his paperwork, remember? But arrangements can become real, Sophia. Sometimes the best relationships start as business and become something more."
A knock interrupted them. Robert Sterling stood in the doorway, distinguished in his tuxedo, his eyes bright with unshed tears.
"I'm supposed to walk you down the aisle," he said. "If that's alright with you. Alex asked me to stand in, since your father…" He trailed off, his expression sympathetic.
Sophia's throat tightened. "I'd be honored."
Robert approached, taking both her hands.
"You look exactly like a Sterling bride should look. Absolutely radiant." He paused. "Alex is beside himself down there. Pacing like a caged animal. I haven't seen him this nervous since his first board meeting."
"He's nervous? He's done this before well, almost."
"That was different. That was obligation and expectation. This…" Robert smiled. "This is real, whether either of you has figured it out yet or not."
Music started playing downstairs—the signal that it was time.
"Ready?" Robert offered his arm.
Sophia took a deep breath, her heart pounding so hard she was sure everyone could hear it. "Ready."
They descended the grand staircase to the main floor, which had been transformed into an elegant ceremony space. White roses everywhere, gossamer drapes creating an intimate atmosphere despite the two hundred guests. The late afternoon light streamed through the windows, casting everything in golden warmth.
Everyone stood as she appeared at the top of the aisle. Sophia's eyes went immediately to Alexander.
He stood at the altar in a perfectly tailored tuxedo, and when his eyes found hers, his expression made her forget how to breathe. He looked stunned, emotional, completely unguarded.
This wasn't the Ice King. This was just Alexander, looking at her like she was the only person in the world.
Robert walked her slowly down the aisle. Sophia was vaguely aware of the guests she spotted Ethan in a wheelchair in the front row, grinning despite doctor's orders to rest but she couldn't look away from Alexander.
When they reached the altar, Robert placed Sophia's hand in Alexander's, then leaned in to whisper something to his grandson.
Whatever he said made Alexander's grip tighten on Sophia's hand.
The officiant began speaking, but Sophia barely heard the words. She was too focused on Alexander on the way his thumb brushed across her knuckles, on the intensity in his gray eyes, on the barely perceptible tremor in his hands.
"Alexander," the officiant said, "please recite your vows."
Alexander took both her hands, his voice steady but emotional. "Sophia, when you walked into my office four days ago, you were looking for a miracle. You didn't know that I was looking for one too. Not a business solution, not a contract that would solve my problems.
I was looking for someone real in a world of facades. Someone honest in a world of lies. Someone brave enough to face impossible choices with grace and strength."
He paused, his eyes never leaving hers. "I don't know what we're doing here. I don't know if this is the beginning of something or just a beautiful moment we'll both remember fondly.
But I know that standing here with you, I feel something I haven't felt in years. Hope. And I promise you for this year, for whatever time we have I will honor you, protect you, and be worthy of the trust you've placed in me."
Sophia's eyes stung with tears. This wasn't the vow they'd practiced. This was real, raw, completely unscripted.
"Sophia?" the officiant prompted gently.
She took a shaky breath. "Alexander, you saved my brother's life. You gave me a solution when I had none. But more than that, you've shown me that strength doesn't mean being cold, and control doesn't mean being heartless. You've been kind when you didn't have to be, honest when it would have been easier to lie, and present when I needed someone to lean on."
Her voice cracked slightly. "I don't know what happens after today. I don't know if we're building something real or just playing parts in a story we're both telling ourselves.
But I promise you this I will never betray your trust. I will never take advantage of your vulnerability. And I will be your partner, your ally, and your friend, for as long as you'll have me."
The officiant smiled. "The rings?"
Margaret produced the wedding bands. Alexander slid Sophia's ring on with shaking hands, his touch gentle. When Sophia placed his ring on his finger, she felt the significance of the gesture marking him as hers, even if temporarily.
"By the power vested in me," the officiant said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. Alexander, you may kiss your bride."
Alexander stepped closer, his hands framing her face. "Okay?" he whispered, just like at the rehearsal.
But this time, Sophia didn't just nod. She pulled him down to meet her halfway.
The kiss was nothing like the rehearsal. It was deeper, more intense, charged with all the emotions they'd been dancing around for days. Alexander's arms came around her waist, pulling her close, and Sophia melted into him.
The guests, the ceremony, the contract everything disappeared except the feeling of Alexander's lips on hers, his heart beating against her chest, the rightness of being in his arms.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, the room erupted in applause. But Sophia barely heard it. She was too focused on Alexander's expression wonder and fear and something that looked dangerously close to love.
"Mrs. Sterling," he murmured, testing out the name.
"Mr. Sterling," she replied, her voice unsteady.
"What have we done?"
"I have no idea. But I think we just made it real."
Alexander's smile was brilliant, transforming his entire face. "Yeah. I think we did."
They walked back down the aisle together, hands clasped, while guests threw rose petals and called out congratulations.
Sophia caught Robert's eye as they passed the old man was crying openly, his expression one of pure joy.
In the foyer, away from the guests, Alexander pulled Sophia into an alcove.
"That wasn't the vow we practiced," she said.
"No. I couldn't say the scripted version. Not when you looked at me like that." He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I meant every word, Sophia. Every single word."
"So did I."
"We should probably talk about what this means"
"Later," Sophia interrupted. "Right now, we have two hundred people waiting to celebrate with us. We can figure out what we're doing after."
"After," Alexander agreed. But he didn't let go of her hand, and Sophia didn't pull away.
They had a year. A whole year to figure out if this was real or just a beautiful lie they were both choosing to believe.
But standing there in her wedding dress, her hand in Alexander's, Sophia couldn't bring herself to care about contracts or terms or what happened when their time was up.
For now, she was married to Alexander Sterling.
And that felt like enough.