Husband and Wife

The ceremony was over in less than fifteen minutes.

As quick and empty as the marriage itself.

The judge spoke in a monotone while arranging papers on the table. He knew how these convenience weddings worked. The atmosphere was cold.

Neither Alexander nor Estefania seemed interested in listening.

She could barely keep her nerves under control.

He just wanted it finished.

"You may place the ring on the bride."

Alexander took the small box without emotion and slid it across the table.

Estefania opened it slowly.

The ring gleamed under the white light of the room.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she put it on.

Alexander was already wearing his.

The judge cleared his throat before continuing.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife."

The man looked up, expecting something more.

A kiss.

A smile.

But Alexander stared at him with such coldness that the judge quickly handed over the copies of the marriage certificate.

No comments.

No congratulations.

No romance.

As they walked toward the exit, Alexander noticed something strange.

The girl didn't seem like a Rosales.

No arrogance.

No demands.

She didn't act like someone raised in luxury.

Even her dress was slightly wrinkled.

And she wouldn't stop fidgeting with her fingers.

That struck him as odd.

Very odd.

The car was waiting outside.

Alexander got in first.

Estefania climbed in behind him, but the door caught part of the dress and the fabric tore slightly.

Her eyes widened in horror.

"I'm sorry..."

She tried to fix it quickly, letting out a nervous laugh.

Alexander closed his eyes for a second.

This was going to be a very long year.

Neither spoke during the ride.

Estefania watched everything through the window, trying to hide her excitement.

The lights.

The buildings.

The streets full of people.

It all still seemed incredible.

Alexander, on the other hand, reviewed documents from the back seat.

But several times he caught the girl's gaze lingering on his injured leg.

That irritated him.

He hated being watched with curiosity.

Or worse... with pity.

He clenched his jaw slightly.

Since the accident, everyone seemed to look at him differently.

As if he were no longer the same man.

As if he were broken.

When they finally arrived at the Castellanos mansion, Estefania froze.

The enormous, illuminated residence looked like something out of a movie.

Her eyes slowly traveled over every detail.

The massive columns.

The perfectly manicured gardens.

The golden lights illuminating the entire entrance.

"Close your mouth or you'll catch flies," Alexander muttered as he stepped out of the car.

She snapped out of it immediately.

Alexander let out a tired sigh.

His parents were already waiting outside.

Alexander's mother was the first to approach.

"Welcome, dear daughter-in-law."

Estefania glanced around, confused, as if it took her a few seconds to realize they were talking to her.

"Hello... sir and ma'am."

The woman smiled warmly.

"We're family now. You can call us your in-laws."

Alexander watched the scene discreetly as they walked toward the entrance.

Something still didn't add up.

The girl seemed too simple to be a Rosales.

Too timid.

Too... lost.

She was hiding something.

Inside the house, Estefania couldn't stop staring at everything.

Every room seemed bigger than the entire convent.

Even the floors gleamed.

She tried to walk carefully so she wouldn't trip.

The heels were still killing her feet.

"Your luggage will arrive later," Alexander's mother mentioned.

The driver and Estefania exchanged a quick look.

"They got lost at the airport," she lied immediately.

Alexander barely glanced her way.

Another strange thing.

A woman from a millionaire family with no luggage.

No assistants.

No anything.

Alexander's parents said their goodbyes, as they'd all meet again that evening to sign the agreements.

They had just wanted to meet the newest member of the family.

Alexander pointed toward one of the rooms upstairs.

"Second door on the right."

"Thank you."

The response came so sincerely that Alexander frowned slightly.

He didn't understand why she acted that way.

Any other woman wouldn't have been surprised.

Estefania went up and opened the door slowly.

The room was enormous.

The bed looked too big even for five people.

The windows overlooked the entire city.

She seemed amazed just to have a room of her own.

She came back downstairs.

"There are three rules in this house," Alexander said, his voice cold. "First: you don't come and go like this is a hotel. Second: you're not allowed in my study. And third: don't touch my things."

Estefania nodded quickly.

"Okay."

"Good."

Alexander left without another word.

The moment she saw him walk away, Estefania kicked off the heels in desperation.

"Oh my God!"

The small blisters on her feet burned horribly.

She walked barefoot back to the room and let out a small, nervous laugh.

This was definitely still better than the convent.

So much better. She lay down on the bed.

Meanwhile, Alexander entered his temporary study inside the mansion.

He locked the door behind him before leaning the cane against the desk.

He needed silence.

He needed to think.

The phone started ringing seconds later.

Alexander answered without checking the number.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Castellanos, I'm terribly sorry our agreement couldn't go through. My daughter had second thoughts at the last minute and—"

Alexander slowly frowned.

"Excuse me?"

Silence on the other end of the line.

"About the marriage..."

Alexander straightened in his chair when he recognized Mr. Rosales's voice.

"Are you talking about the same woman I married less than an hour ago, who is currently in my house?"

The man's heavy breathing came through the phone.

Silence.

An uncomfortable one.

A dangerous one.

"My daughter..."

"Estefania Rosales."

More silence.

Alexander narrowed his eyes.

Something wasn't right.

But it was plausible that Estefania had gotten cold feet — that would explain why she'd been late.

"I'll see you tonight to sign the agreements," the man finally said before hanging up abruptly.

Alexander remained motionless for several seconds.

Then he picked up the marriage contract again.

"Mandatory duration of one year."

"Neither party may request separation before the term is completed."

"The union will guarantee stability for both companies."

Especially his.

Alexander set the documents on the desk and slowly placed a hand on his cane.

He'd never imagined ending up married to a stranger.

Much less to a woman pretending to be a good girl.

Meanwhile, in the second-floor bedroom, Estefania was filling the enormous bathtub with hot water.

Steam was slowly covering the bathroom.

She removed the dress carefully and draped it over a chair.

The torn fabric was still visible.

Then she lowered herself into the hot water and closed her eyes.

The relief was immediate.

For the first time in years, she didn't feel cold.

No silence punishing her.

No fear.

Just peace.

She leaned her head back and let out a soft sigh.

She never wanted to leave.

But knocking on the door eventually forced her out.

"Ma'am, your husband Mr. Castellanos is waiting for you downstairs."

Estefania slowly opened her eyes.

For a moment she'd forgotten she was married — something she'd never imagined.

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