CHAPTER 2: THE WEDDING THAT WASN’T A CHOICE

The black sedan pulled up to the chapel at 8:59 AM - one minute early, just like Leo had ordered. Kai sat in the back, wearing a simple white suit his mother had bought him the day before, his hands resting on his still-flat stomach. He hadn’t slept all night, replaying Leo’s words in his head: Just business. Nothing more.

His mother, Lin, reached over and squeezed his hand. “It’s going to be okay, my love,” she said, her voice thick with tears. “We’ll be right here with you.”

Kai forced a small smile. He knew she was lying - nothing about this was okay. But he didn’t want to make her sad, not when she’d already given up so much to be here. His father, Collins, sat beside her, his jaw tight with anger - anger at Leo, at the situation, at his own powerlessness to protect his son.

The door opened, and Leo’s assistant, Mia, stood there - her face impassive, just like her boss. “Mr. Rothwell is waiting inside,” she said. “The ceremony will start in five minutes.”

Kai got out of the car, his legs shaking. The chapel was small and old, with stained-glass windows that cast colorful light across the wooden pews. Only a handful of people were there: Leo’s father, Viktor, sitting in the front row with a scowl on his face; three of Leo’s mafia lieutenants, standing against the wall like bodyguards; and Kai’s parents, sitting in the second row. No flowers, no music, no guests to celebrate. Just a contract to be sealed with vows.

Leo was standing at the altar, wearing a black suit that made him look even taller and more intimidating. He didn’t turn around when Kai walked in, didn’t acknowledge him at all. The priest - a man who looked like he’d been paid well to keep quiet - cleared his throat and started speaking.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”

Kai walked up to the altar, standing beside Leo. He could feel the heat of his body, the sharp, woodsy scent of his alpha pheromones. It made his omega instincts stir - the urge to lean into him, to seek his protection. But he pushed it down, remembering his promise to himself: don’t hope. Don’t feel. Just get through this.

The priest continued, his voice droning on. “Do you, Leo Rothwell, take Kai Collins to be your lawfully wedded spouse, to have and to hold from this day forward?”

Leo finally turned to look at Kai. His eyes were cold, empty. “I do,” he said, his voice flat.

“And do you, Kai Collins, take Leo Rothwell to be your lawfully wedded spouse, to have and to hold from this day forward?”

Kai looked into Leo’s eyes, searching for any sign of humanity. There was nothing. Just the same hatred he’d seen in the conference room. “I do,” he whispered.

The priest handed them rings - simple silver bands, no engravings. Leo slipped the ring onto Kai’s finger, his touch so brief it felt like a ghost. Kai did the same, his hand trembling so much he almost dropped the ring.

“I now pronounce you spouses,” the priest said. “You may kiss the groom.”

Leo hesitated for a split second, then leaned in and pressed his lips to Kai’s. It was a cold, quick kiss - no passion, no feeling. Just a formality. When he pulled away, he turned his back on Kai again, walking over to his father.

Viktor stood up, clapping his hands once. “Good,” he said. “The contract is sealed. Now, Leo, we have business to discuss. The Vasquezes are moving in on our downtown territory.”

Leo nodded, already walking toward the door. “Mia will take you to the penthouse,” he said without looking at Kai. “Stay there. Don’t leave without my permission.”

Then he was gone, along with his father and the lieutenants. Kai stood at the altar, the silver ring feeling heavy on his finger, as his mother ran up to him and pulled him into a hug. He finally let the tears fall, sobbing into her shoulder as she held him tight.

“He’ll take care of you,” she whispered. “I know he will.”

Kai didn’t believe her. As Mia led him out of the chapel and back to the sedan, he looked out the window at the city passing by. He was married now, trapped in a gilded cage with a man who hated him. And the only thing keeping him there was the tiny life growing inside him - a life that had already cost him everything.

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