chapter four

The Wedding of Convenience

The grand Sinclair estate was alive with the hum of chatter and the clinking of champagne glasses as high-society guests milled about, dressed in their finest. The wedding of Jack Sinclair and Sophia Wilson was a spectacle, the kind that the tabloids lived for. Despite the extravagance—the towering floral arrangements, the gilded chandeliers, the string quartet playing softly in the background—there was an emptiness to it all.

Sophia stood in front of a gilded mirror in one of the estate’s luxurious rooms, staring at her reflection. The wedding gown, a masterpiece of lace and satin, felt more like a costume than a symbol of love or joy. Clara had come to help her dress, but her friend’s encouraging words had done little to ease the knot in her stomach.

“This isn’t the dream wedding we used to talk about,” Clara said softly, adjusting Sophia’s veil.

Sophia managed a small smile. “It’s not a dream, period. But it’s necessary.”

Clara sighed. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“So do I,” Sophia murmured, glancing at the clock. The ceremony was moments away, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was walking into a battlefield rather than a new chapter of her life.

Downstairs, Jack waited in his wheelchair near the altar, his face a mask of indifference. The weight of countless stares pressed down on him, their whispers barely concealed.

“Poor Jack,” someone murmured behind him. “To think he had it all, and now…”

“At least he still has the family fortune,” another voice chimed in. “And a wife willing to settle.”

Jack’s jaw tightened. He was used to the pity, but today it felt suffocating. He glanced at Marcus, who stood nearby as his best man.

“You don’t have to do this,” Marcus said under his breath.

Jack’s eyes darkened. “It’s already done.”

The murmurs grew louder as Sophia entered the room, her arm linked with her father’s. The guests craned their necks to get a better look, their expressions a mix of curiosity and judgment.

“She’s beautiful,” one guest whispered.

“Too bad she’s stuck with him,” another replied.

Sophia held her head high, refusing to let the whispers faze her. Her father’s grip was firm, a silent reminder that this arrangement was as much his doing as the Sinclairs’.

When she reached the altar, she met Jack’s gaze. His eyes were cold, his expression unreadable. As the officiant began the ceremony, the words washed over them like static.

“Do you, Sophia Wilson, take Jack Sinclair to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health…”

“I do,” Sophia said, her voice steady.

The officiant turned to Jack. “And do you, Jack Sinclair, take Sophia Wilson to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health…”

Jack hesitated for a fraction of a second, his eyes flicking to the crowd before settling on Sophia. “I do.”

The pronouncement came swiftly, and the applause that followed felt hollow. Jack didn’t reach for Sophia’s hand as they were introduced as husband and wife. Instead, he wheeled himself down the aisle, leaving her to follow behind.

The reception was an opulent affair, with tables laden with gourmet dishes and a band playing lively music. But the atmosphere was far from celebratory. Jack and Sophia sat at the head table, the distance between them as palpable as the tension in the room.

“Congratulations,” Marcus said, raising his glass as he approached.

Jack’s response was a bitter smile. “Save the pleasantries, Marcus. We both know this isn’t a cause for celebration.”

Marcus glanced at Sophia, who sipped her champagne quietly, her face calm despite the murmurs around them. “She seems to be handling this better than you are.”

“Of course she is,” Jack muttered. “She’s getting exactly what she wants.”

Sophia set her glass down, her voice cool. “And what exactly is that, Jack? Enlighten me.”

Jack turned to her, his eyes narrowing. “Don’t play innocent. You’re here for the money, the status, whatever scraps my family can throw your way.”

Sophia’s expression didn’t falter. “Believe what you want. But you might want to ask yourself why your family is so eager to marry you off to someone like me.”

The jab landed, and Jack’s jaw tightened. Before he could respond, Marcus cleared his throat. “Maybe we should save this conversation for later.”

Sophia stood, smoothing her dress. “I think that’s an excellent idea. If you’ll excuse me, I need some air.”

The rest of the evening passed in a blur. Jack kept to himself, nursing his bitterness, while Sophia navigated the sea of guests with practiced grace. By the time the festivities ended, both were relieved to retreat to the mansion’s private quarters.

The car ride back was silent, the tension between them thicker than ever. When they arrived, Jack wasted no time wheeling himself into his study, slamming the door behind him.

Sophia lingered in the foyer, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she paced. The mansion was beautiful, but it felt cold and unwelcoming, much like its owner.

Finally, she made her way to the study, knocking lightly before stepping inside. Jack didn’t look up from his drink.

“What do you want?” he asked, his tone sharp.

“We need to talk,” Sophia said, her voice firm.

Jack scoffed. “Talk about what? How wonderful our life together is going to be?”

“About what’s really bothering you,” she said, ignoring his sarcasm. “I get that this isn’t what you wanted, but it’s happening. We can either make the best of it or let it destroy us both.”

Jack finally looked up, his eyes filled with anger. “You think this is about me not getting what I want? My life was ripped away from me, Sophia. Everything I worked for, everything I was—it’s all gone. And now I’m stuck in a sham marriage with someone who probably pities me as much as everyone else does.”

Sophia’s expression softened, but her voice remained steady. “I don’t pity you, Jack. And I don’t care what the world thinks about us. But if you’re so determined to push me away, then fine. I’ll keep my distance. Just don’t blame me for the life you’re choosing to live.”

She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.

“Why did you really agree to this?” he asked, his tone quieter now.

Sophia hesitated, her back still to him. “Maybe one day, I’ll tell you. But for now, let’s just try to survive this... together or apart.”

She left the study, leaving Jack alone with his thoughts.