"Why do we have to change it? Didn't you say there's not much time left? Let's go, don't keep people waiting." Lily Shaw was slightly stunned, but she didn't really care why Aiden Grant was suddenly acting up—she only thought about getting through the necessary procedures with him as quickly as possible.
Right now she's both hungry and exhausted, and really doesn't have the energy to tangle with him.
Aiden read her feelings from her indifferent words and unconcerned expression. Ignoring the cigarette ash still on his hand, he reached out and pressed his palm against the pure white, strapless wedding dress, leaving two black fingerprints on the flawless gown—making them stand out glaringly.
Lily spared a single, emotionless glance at Aiden's impassive face, then turned without a word and walked into the room to change into another wedding dress that covered her body completely.
Before leaving the room, Lily glanced at her reflection in the mirror. With herself wrapped up this tightly, even her so-called good father might not recognize her.
Looking back at that meticulously designed wedding gown, Lily sighed almost inaudibly, recalling Aiden's identity; she exhaled softly—undoubtedly, the Eldest Young Master Grant didn't want her real appearance shown before the guests.
She had announced five years ago that she was severing her father-daughter relationship with Justin Shaw, but in the eyes of others, she was still Justin Shaw's daughter.
Back then, Eldest Young Master Grant had said he would marry a daughter of The Shaw Family, so whether he married her or Crystal, it made no difference. For men like him, this was nothing but a business alliance—whom he married didn't matter at all.
Clenching her fists secretly, Lily cheered herself on: Lily Shaw, hang in there. You'll definitely find your little brother soon and fulfill Mom's dying wish.
When she met Aiden's eyes again, Lily felt tranquil as still water in her heart, yet she still raised a faint smile. "Husband, time's almost up, right?"
The sweet, gentle "husband" made Aiden's heart race. He knew full well this little woman was only playing along, but the heat in his chest refused to die down.
For the first time, he looked away before someone else did, yet his hand forcefully gripped Lily's small, dangling hand, half-embracing, half-dragging her toward the church.
Lily looked on with a soft smile as Aiden's fingers, faintly trembling, slipped a three-carat diamond ring onto her finger. The fit was perfect; she instinctively wiggled her hand. It was neither too loose nor too tight, just right. This ring was originally meant to go on Crystal's finger, but on her own it felt like it belonged here.
Heh. "Good sisters," huh?
Raising her head, Lily looked at Aiden, the smile still perched on her lips. Aiden offered a slight smile in return, then bent down and brushed a light kiss at the corner of her mouth.
As she walked forward, arm in arm with Aiden, Lily suddenly felt a pang of sadness: from today on, her life would be bound together with Aiden Grant's for at least a year, as his titular wife—his shield in reality.
The priest's face was full of gentle kindness as he guided this brand-new couple through the ceremony, one step at a time. Finally, it was time for the vows.
"I do."
With a faint smile, Lily said these words to the unreadable Eldest Young Master Grant across from her, but inside, she still felt regret. She hadn't, as she'd once imagined, looked into the groom's eyes and burst into happy tears after saying those three words.
When she said "I do", there wasn't a ripple of emotion inside her. Her heart was like dead water—even a hurricane couldn't stir up a single wave.
And Aiden? His voice betrayed absolutely nothing, as if he were doing something as mundane as eating or sleeping.