Only a business deal

This was her moment; she had to enjoy it to the fullest. Even though she didn’t want this union, it was still her wedding, and she couldn’t let Raymond’s foolishness ruin it for her.

“Let’s take pictures,” Eureka told him, her smile unwavering as the photographer stepped forward.

“I have important things to do,” Raymond said, walking away from her. She felt a pang in her chest as she watched him exchange pleasantries with his business partners who had just arrived.

Marriage was supposed to be a lifetime commitment. How was she supposed to manage it? She excused herself and went into the dressing room.

The moment she took a seat in front of the vanity table, wiping the tears that slid down her face, her mother appeared behind her. Eureka felt a deep relief, hoping her mother would take the pain away.

“What do you think you’re doing, Eureka?” her mother’s sharp tone shattered every hope Eureka had for comfort. “What if someone else had walked in here to see you like this? Do you even know the implication of that?”

Her mother didn’t spare a minute to listen to her; she was too angry. “Look at your makeup. Do you want to raise suspicion? What if a Blackwood family member had seen you? How do you think they would react? If you mess up, we’re all doomed. This is for our future. I hope you haven’t forgotten that,” her mother scolded, her voice laced with anger and frustration.

“Why, Mom?” Eureka turned to face her mother, fresh tears sliding down her face. “Why can’t you see that Raymond doesn’t love me and never will? What future do I have with such a man?”

“Who is talking about love, Eureka?” her mother’s voice softened, but there was a hint of despair in her tone. “You’re doing this for the family’s legacy. What do you want society to say when our company goes bankrupt and we’re thrown into the street? You don’t need Raymond’s love; we only need his family’s assistance. You’re our only hope of getting that. So, in everything you do, just remember your family’s life is at stake. Now wipe those tears and go out. Don’t raise suspicion,” her mother said before turning and walking out.

There was no escape in this marriage. She was bound to him, and that too, against her freedom. She wiped her tears, fanning her face with her hand and exhaling loudly before standing to go out.

Before her hand reached the door handle, the door creaked open, and Cassandra stood there, elegant as always, a cunning smile lighting her face.

“Hey, Eureka! I wasn’t expecting to see you here,” Cassandra said casually, masking her deceit. She walked past Eureka into the room, closing the door behind her. “I saw how dismissive Raymond has been throughout the wedding,” Cassandra added, faking a sad expression.

Eureka was livid. She had barely tried to push the earlier incident from her mind, and now Cassandra was here to do what—add salt to her injury?

“You must have some nerve, Cassandra,” Eureka stepped toward her, her expression dark and piercing. “What do you take me for? A fool?” she said, careful not to raise her voice and cause trouble for her family.

“What are you talking about?” Cassandra feigned ignorance.

“Don’t play dumb with me. You know exactly what I’m talking about. I saw you two in the dressing room!” Eureka was shaking with anger. She felt like punching Cassandra for disrespecting her enough to kiss her husband right after their vows. “Have you no shame? And to think you’re my best friend.”

“So what?” Cassandra’s soft tone shifted to one of derision. “Now that you know, what are you going to do about it?” she challenged, folding her arms. “You can go ahead and tell the whole world you caught your husband kissing your best friend on your wedding day. Do you need a microphone?”

“I should have known,” Eureka’s voice faltered. “The times you were convincing me not to accept the marriage weren’t for my good. It was because you wanted him all to yourself. How evil can you be, Cassandra? You harbored resentment for me while pretending to be a friend, poisoning my mind against Raymond. You disgust me.”

“You disgust me even more, Eureka! You’re forcing yourself on a man who doesn’t want you. How shameless can you be!” Cassandra snapped, losing her temper. “You stole my man from me. I’ve always known you wanted everything I had—fame, beauty, class, and men’s attention. I didn’t think you’d stoop so low as to connive with your parents to force Raymond into marrying you,” she lashed out, her eyes filled with fake tears.

“Well, he still chose me. If he loved you so much, why would he choose his inheritance over you?” Eureka’s words ignited anger in Cassandra. “Wake up, Cassandra. Raymond is mine now, and I want your filthy hands off him.”

A sly smirk spread across Cassandra’s face as she closed the distance between them. “You think so? You’re deluded, Eureka. You seem to forget you’re just a business deal. Raymond is using you as a tool to secure my future with him. I’ll always be the one in his heart, married or not—it’s just on paper.”

With that, Cassandra strode away, leaving Eureka frozen in place. Cassandra’s words hurt deeply, but what hurt more was knowing she was right: Eureka was just a business deal, and Raymond would never love her.