The next morning felt unreal.
Serena stood in front of the mirror inside the hotel room Adrian had arranged for her overnight. On the bed behind her lay a simple but elegant white dress.
Not a grand wedding gown.
No diamonds.
No decorations.
Just clean, refined, and beautiful.
Like the agreement itself.
Simple.
Clear.
Emotionless.
A message came from Adrian:
The car is downstairs.
Her heart beat faster.
This was really happening.
She touched the dress fabric slowly.
"One year," she whispered.
Not forever.
Just survival.
She dressed quietly.
No family present.
No friends.
No celebration.
Maybe that made it easier.
Maybe it made it sadder.
Outside, a black luxury car waited.
The driver opened the door respectfully.
"Good morning, Mrs.—"
He stopped himself.
"Miss Vale."
Serena nodded quietly.
The drive was silent.
The city moved around her like everything was normal.
Like her life wasn't about to change completely.
The Civil Marriage Registry was surprisingly ordinary.
People lined up.
Couples signing papers.
Some happy.
Some nervous.
Some in love.
She wondered briefly what that felt like.
Then she saw him.
Adrian Kingston stood near the window, dressed in a perfectly tailored dark suit.
Calm.
Composed.
Like he was signing another business merger.
When he saw her, something in his gaze softened for half a second.
"You came."
"I said I would."
His eyes moved slightly as he observed her dress.
Not greedily.
Not possessively.
Just noticing.
"You look appropriate."
Serena almost smiled.
"That's the most romantic thing you've said."
A small silence.
Then surprisingly he replied:
"I'm not known for romance."
"Good," she answered. "Neither am I."
The registrar called their names.
They stepped forward.
Forms were placed before them.
Names.
Signatures.
Legal vows.
The registrar asked formally:
"Do you both enter this marriage willingly?"
Serena hesitated one second.
Then:
"Yes."
Adrian answered without hesitation:
"Yes."
"Do you understand this is legally binding?"
Both:
"Yes."
"Then sign here."
The sound of their pens on paper felt louder than it should.
Serena Vale became…
Serena Kingston.
Just like that.
No music.
No kiss.
No promises.
Just ink.
The registrar smiled politely.
"Congratulations."
Adrian nodded.
Serena just exhaled slowly.
Outside the building, Adrian handed her a small velvet box.
Serena frowned.
"What's this?"
"For appearance."
She opened it.
A simple but expensive wedding band.
Elegant.
Understated.
Her fingers paused.
"This makes it feel real."
Adrian answered quietly:
"Legally… it is."
He took the ring gently.
For a brief second his fingers touched hers.
Both noticed.
Neither reacted.
He slid the ring onto her finger.
"We should look convincing."
Serena nodded.
"Right."
She placed his ring on his hand too.
That moment felt strangely intimate.
More than it should.
More than a contract deserved.
As they reached the car, Adrian's assistant rushed toward them.
Concerned.
"Sir… the news leaked."
Adrian didn't look surprised.
"How bad?"
"Very."
He handed Adrian a tablet.
Headline:
KINGSTON HEIR SECRETLY MARRIES UNKNOWN WOMAN
Another headline:
WHO IS SERENA VALE? GOLD DIGGER OR MYSTERY WIFE?
Serena felt her stomach drop.
"That was fast."
Adrian remained calm.
"Expected."
"They'll attack you too," she said.
His answer was simple:
"I'm used to attacks."
Then he looked at her.
"You're not."
She appreciated the honesty.
"I'll survive."
That answer seemed to satisfy him.
Then his assistant said carefully:
"Sir… your father is demanding a meeting."
A small silence followed.
Adrian's expression became colder.
"Of course he is."
Serena asked quietly:
"Is that bad?"
Adrian answered honestly:
"He will try to destroy this marriage."
"And me?"
A pause.
Then:
"Yes."
Serena took a slow breath.
"Then I should prepare."
Adrian opened the car door for her.
"You won't face them alone."
That sentence stayed in her mind longer than she expected.
As the car drove away, Serena looked at the city passing by.
Her old life was gone.
Her new life had begun.
Beside her sat her husband.
A man she barely knew.
A man who didn't believe in love.
A man who might become the biggest mistake of her life…
Or the most dangerous decision she would ever make.
And neither of them knew yet…
This contract marriage would become far more complicated than they planned.