Chapter 7: Wedding Day

SOPHIA'S POV

I stepped out of the cab, feeling the morning breeze against my skin. It was my wedding day. I chose to wear a simple, cream-colored dress I could afford for my fake marriage. 

As I made my way to the entrance of the marriage registry, I saw Mr. Graham standing by his car. He was dressed in a black suit. He looked every bit the powerful and handsome businessman he was. 

As usual, he wore a stern expression, “You’re late, Miss Clark” he said as he pocketed his phone.

‘Aren’t I just five minutes late?’ I hissed inwardly.

Without a word, he turned to one of his bodyguards who gave him a curt nod. The guard stepped forward, opening the trunk of the car. He pulled out a large white bag and gave it to Mr. Graham.

“What’s that?” I asked, confused.

“A dress. Put it on.” He handed it to me.

“What?” I blinked.

“You can’t wear that,” he said, motioning to my simple dress. “It’s not fitting for the occasion.”

“This is a fake wedding, Sir. It doesn’t matter what I wear.”

“It does,” he replied rudely, “to me. Go change."

I glanced at him, trying to gauge his mood, but his face was as unreadable as ever. Without another word, I walked toward the washroom.

Inside, I unzipped the bag and gasped. It was a wedding gown. A real wedding gown. It was elegant and too beautiful for something that was supposed to be a sham.

“This is just a contract.” I muttered to myself as I slipped the dress on. “What was the need to get me a dress?”

“How did he even know my size?” I was shocked the gown fit me perfectly, hugging me in all the right places, as though it had been made specifically for me.

“You look appropriate now,” he said, as soon as he saw me approached him.

I just nodded, feeling the weight of the dress on me as we walked into the registry office together. 

We approached the desk, where the clerk waited with a stack of documents. My boss's presence seemed to command attention, as always.

“Welcome, sir. Are you both ready?” the clerk asked, glancing between us as he quickly shuffled through the formalities.

I hesitated for a second, my gaze brushing toward Mr. Graham. He was already signing the document, his movements were swift and efficient, as if this was just another business deal. 

Of course, it was!

With a sigh, I took the pen from the clerk and signed my name next to his.

“Congratulations,” the clerk beamed, smiling briefly. “You’re now officially husband and wife.”

Husband and wife, my foot! 

It sounded so real, but, in the back of my mind, I knew it was all temporary.

“Well, it’s official,” Mr. Graham murmured as we left the registry. “We’re married.”

‘For now.’ I told myself.

Inside the car on our way to his house, the silence was unbearable. I stared down at the two papers lying in my lap. One was the marriage certificate that bound us together as husband and wife, and the other was the contract that spelled out exactly how hollow our marriage truly was. 

I shifted in my seat as my mind wandered to Hayden. My sweet Hayden, who was still in recovery, still unconscious since the success of the surgery. A tear slipped down my cheek, but I quickly wiped it away. 

Mr. Graham didn’t notice, he was too busy on his phone, grinning at whatever message lit up his screen. I suppose he was pleased. After all, he got what he wanted.

But what about me? I sacrificed my life for a deal. For my son. Only for Hayden.

We pulled up to his mansion, and the car came to a halt. I barely had time to take in the grandeur of the place before a chorus of cheers and applause welcomed us.

“Surprise!” A woman in her mid fifties exclaimed, rushing towards us.

“She's my mother.” I heard Mr. Graham's voice before the woman pulled me into a hug. I let out a fake smile.

“Welcome to the family, dear.” The smile on her face was one of happiness.

“Finally, he's married!” Another woman hugged Mr. Graham tightly, whom he also introduced as his aunt. Others were his cousin sisters. 

They swarmed us with well-wishes. But I only nodded along as they congratulated us. 

If only they knew.

I forced a smile, but my mind was a million miles away, stuck in a sterile hospital room with my son. 

“Oh my goodness!” Mrs. Graham's voice cut through my fog. I looked up, her eyes fixed on me, wide with surprise. “I’ve seen you before.”

My heart skipped a beat. ‘What?’

“God’s Will Orphanage,” she said softly. “Yes, that’s where I’ve seen your picture. I remember now. Mrs. Beckley showed me your photograph, and I fell in love with you instantly. 

I knew you'd be the perfect bride for my Damon, but he refused to marry a girl of my choice when I told him about you. And now look, here you are, my son’s bride after all! It must be fate.” They all smiled.

‘Fate?’ I almost laughed at the irony.

As everyone gathered around us in the living room, the questions started coming. “So, how did you two meet?” one of his cousins asked, grinning at us. “Was it love at first sight?”

How was I supposed to tell them that there was no love? That this was all a lie?

Before I could gather my thoughts, my phone buzzed. It was Mother Rose.

“Hello…”

“Sophy! He has regained consciousness!” She beamed from the other end.

My blood ran cold. Without a second thought, I stood up from my seat, barely registering the confused looks around me as I rushed out.

I hailed a cab, still in my wedding gown. “St. Charles Hospital.” 

I arrived at the hospital within the blink of an eye. Mother Rose, Kayden, and two matrons from the orphanage stood by, their expressions full of shock, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was that Hayden was alive.

“Hayden,” I rushed to hug him, almost tripping over the hem of my dress. I kissed his forehead, unable to stop the flood of tears. “You’re okay. You’re finally okay.”

“Mom,” Hayden called, his voice soft and confused. He pulled away from the hug to look at me. “Why are you wearing a wedding dress?”

I froze, unsure of what to say. What could I tell him? That I sold my soul for his surgery?

“Don’t worry about that now, Hayden. Your mom’s just happy you’re better. You need to rest.” Mother Rose came to my aid.

I exhaled, grateful for her intervention. 

AN HOUR LATER

As we sat on the hospital bed, I hugged both Hayden and Kayden, feeling whole for the first time in days. 

But just as I thought I could finally breathe, my phone rang again. Mr. Graham's cold voice cut through the air.

“Where the hell are you? Get back to the mansion this minute, or the deal is off.”

The happiness drained from my face. I kissed my sons on their foreheads and rushed out, my heart breaking at the sight of their sad expressions. But I had no choice. 

By the time I returned to Mr. Graham’s mansion, it was already dark. I crept inside, I didn't know where to go. 

I stumbled into a room and switched on the light, only to be greeted by walls lined with paintings. 

“Beautiful!” I was astonished by the sight before me. I brushed my fingers on the edges of the canvases, appreciating their artistry. 

‘This must be a gallery!’

I was still admiring the beautiful artworks when one painting in particular, caught my eyes. 

It was a bar scene, with a man and a woman facing each other. The woman’s hand rested gently on the man’s cheek.

A strange feeling washed over me. 

Something about that image reminded me of that night. 

That dreadful night.

I was about to touch the painting when…

“Didn’t you see the ‘no entry’ sign before coming in?”

I shrieked, turning to see Mr. Graham stood behind me, his face was hard with anger. 

My throat tightened as I struggled to find my voice.