Chapter 7

The taxi screeched to a halt in front of the marriage bureau, and Sarah nearly went flying forward, saved only by the seat belt she had barely remembered to wear. 

She muttered a quick “Thanks” to the driver, handed over some cash, and stumbled out, feeling the weight of what she was about to do settle in her stomach.

She stared up at the building, her nerves kicking in.

This is insane. Absolutely insane.

Sarah took a deep breath, rolling her shoulders back. Okay, Sarah. Just breathe in, breathe out.

She smoothed her dress, adjusted her bag, and mentally gave herself a pep talk. You are not a coward. You are a strong, independent woman who is about to do something completely reckless, but it’s fine.

Nodding to herself, she placed one foot forward and then stopped.

Her heart pounded as she glanced at the glass doors of the bureau. What if he’s already gone? What if I’m about to make the dumbest decision of my life?

Before she could spiral any further, she groaned and shook her head. "Too late for logic now."

With one final deep breath, she marched inside.

And immediately froze.

Right at the entrance, standing tall like some kind of god of doom, was Elliott Remington.

Their eyes met, and Sarah’s brain short-circuited.

She hadn’t been expecting to see him the second she walked in, at least, not like this. He looked just as infuriatingly perfect as last night, except this time, there was no dim lighting or alcohol to make her forget how intimidating he was. Dressed in a sharp black suit with his usual cold, unreadable expression, he looked like he was on his way to sign a billion-dollar deal rather than a marriage contract with a woman who had proposed to him while drunk.

She blinked at him, then blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"Do you miss me that much?" She asked, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Fashionably.”

Lucas blinked. This woman had no idea who Elliott was, did she?

For the first time since she met him, she saw the tiniest flicker of something in his gaze. Was it amusement? Annoyance? It was gone before she could analyze it.

Elliott didn’t bother responding. Instead, he turned and started walking toward the waiting area.

Sarah scoffed, following him. "Wow. A whole morning without me, and you’re already giving me the silent treatment? I’m hurt."

Still no response.

She narrowed her eyes. "You know, you’re not very fun."

Lucas, Elliott’s personal assistant, who had been pacing the room with a phone to his ear, finally speaked. He lowered the phone and let out a sigh of relief. "Miss Winters you actually showed up."

Sarah placed a hand on her chest, feigning offense. "Was there ever any doubt?"

Lucas simply raised an eyebrow.

She rolled her eyes. "Okay, fine. Maybe a little doubt. But I’m here, aren’t I?"

Lucas muttered something under his breath before turning to Elliott. "She’s here, sir."

Elliott didn’t even acknowledge the statement. Instead, he gestured toward the private office where they would be finalizing everything.

Sarah hesitated for half a second before following him inside.

Inside the private office, a thick file sat on the table, and Sarah’s stomach twisted at the sight of it.

Elliott sat down across from her, his expression still unreadable. He reached for the file and slid it across the table. "Read it."

She blinked. “What’s this, a contract?”

Sarah frowned. “You actually drafted a marriage contract?”

Elliott gave her a look. “You were the one who proposed. This makes it legal.”

Sarah picked it up, flipping through the pages.

The words blurred for a moment before sharpening into cold, hard terms: One year contract. No emotional involvement. No interference in personal matters. Public appearances required.

She blinked at the words, rereading them as if they would magically change.

One year. No emotions. No interference.

This wasn’t a marriage, it was a business deal with a human-shaped iceberg.

Sarah let out a slow breath, her fingers tightening around the pages.

Her heart warred with her mind.

This is crazy. I shouldn’t be doing this. I should just walk away right now and pretend last night never happened.

But then…

Chloe’s face flashed in her mind.

Her ex-fiancé’s smug expression.

The whispers. The humiliation.

Sarah gritted her teeth.

No. Walking away wasn’t an option.

She wasn’t going to let them win.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked up the pen.

She glanced up at Elliott, who was watching her with his piercing eyes. He said nothing, merely waiting.

Sarah swallowed hard.

And then, with one final deep breath, she signed her name.

With a stroke of a pen, Sarah Montgomery became Mrs.Sarah Remington.

The moment the ink dried, she knew there was no turning back.

She looked up at Elliott. "Well, I guess we’re married now. Should we celebrate with cake, or is that against the contract too?"

Elliott closed the file without responding.

Sarah groaned. "Still no fun."

Lucas, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke up. "Congratulations, Mrs. Remington."

Sarah blinked.

Oh.

Oh, crap.

She was Mrs. Remington now.

She dropped her head onto the table. 

Elliott stood up. "We’re leaving."

Sarah peeked up at him. "So soon? 

Elliott shot her a blank look. "Get up."

With an exaggerated sigh, she stood.

As they left the office, Sarah let out a dramatic gasp. "Wait! Do I get a wedding ring? Or is that too emotional?"

Elliott didn’t even look at her. "Lucas, handle it."

Lucas nodded. "I’ll have it arranged."

Sarah grinned. "Ooh, can I pick a big, sparkly one? The kind that blinds people when it catches the light?"

Lucas cleared his throat. "I’ll… see what I can do, Mrs Remington"

As they stepped out of the bureau, Sarah let out a deep breath.

She had really done it.

She had married a billionaire.

And she had absolutely no idea what she’d just gotten herself into.