“Look who decided to join us.” The owner of the piercing blue eyes proclaimed as soon as he recognized that it was his bride who had just walked through the door.
Cassian towered over the woman he was conversing with. His 6’2 frame made him look intimidating. He was dressed in a crisp Italian suit that accentuated his slim muscular build. Avery figured that he was her mysterious husband-to-be, and she was not disappointed.
He stalked over to her slowly, irritation evident in his eyes. “What took you and your family so long, huh?” His deep baritone voice filled the silent office. “We thought your father had changed his mind.”
The woman with him, who shared the same striking features, spoke up at that point. “I told you Kane Stanton was one to stick to his word. Plus, it’s normal for the bride to be fashionably late.”
Cassian rolled his eyes and walked out of the office, banging the door behind him. Avery knew that he did not want to be married to her any more than she wanted to marry him, but she found his attitude a bit unnecessary.
“My name is Cassidy, Cassian’s twin sister, and your sister-in-law to be,” Cassidy said as she wrapped her arms around Avery’s shoulders. “You look really beautiful.”
Avery flashed a small grateful smile, she was the first person to compliment her on her wedding day. “Thank you.”
“Of course. Come on, let’s get this show on the road.” With that, she led Avery out of the office.
The ceremony was in full swing soon after, but there was far more press coverage than guests. A lot of reputable business people filled the pews, yet the entire event felt more like a corporate meeting than a wedding.
It was clear both parties had spared no expense. Avery was impressed, given that she was only informed of the ceremony a week ago. She could see her family seated in the front row. Her stepmother looked smug, basking in the entire charade, while her father remained distant as always.
The priest began the ceremony, and everything else just faded into the background. Outside, hordes of TV reporters and presenters were setting up their cameras, eager to break the news about this unusual yet glamorous wedding.
“I am Amber from Channel 76, reporting to you live from the wedding ceremony of the infamous Cassian Black and Avery Stanton, the unseen daughter of the Stanton empire,” one reporter said, flashing a smile into the camera.
“This wedding comes as a surprise to many,” another reporter began, “especially considering CB Enterprises was recently accused of tax evasion and other corporate crimes. Stanton Limited, known for its integrity, must believe these rumors to be untrue. What other reason could there be for such a union?”
Variations of that story spread among the reporters, each feeding into the intrigue of the event. Some speculated it was a business strategy; others romanticized the union, eager for a fairy tale spin.
Inside the church, the priest continued to speak, but Avery barely listened. Her gaze kept drifting toward Cassian. His expression was cold, distant. Though he looked incredibly handsome in his suit, there was no warmth or interest behind those blue eyes. He appeared bored, indifferent.
Cassidy, sitting nearby, nervously checked her phone. The online chatter around the wedding was mixed. Some reports questioned the couple’s obvious lack of connection. They picked up on the cold distance between Cassian and Avery, with some even speculating that it might all be a ploy.
Cassidy, concerned, made her way to the altar when the rings were called for. She handed them over to the priest, but on her way back to her seat, she leaned close to her brother and whispered, “You need to sell this better. People are starting to talk. You two look like complete strangers.”
Cassian’s expression remained stone-cold, but he gave her a barely perceptible nod. The priest then turned toward Cassian, his voice warm and authoritative.
“Do you, Cassian Andrews Black, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”
Cassian stared into Avery’s wide brown eyes, and after a heavy pause, said, “I do.” The priest repeated the same question to Avery. She felt her heart pounding as she caught her father’s eye in the audience. For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw a glimmer of regret in his otherwise impassive gaze.
“I do,” she finally whispered, her voice barely audible.
The priest’s voice broke the silence that followed, “By the power vested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Polite applause filled the church, and the priest smiled. “You may now kiss your bride.” Cassian turned to Avery, his gaze locking with hers.
For the first time that day, they truly looked at each other. Avery’s heart fluttered with nerves. She had no idea what to expect, but she prepared herself for the obligatory kiss. Cassian reached out, gently cupping her chin, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin. His movements were calculated, smooth. He lowered his head toward her, and just as his lips brushed against hers, something shifted. His grip around her waist tightened, and the kiss deepened.
It wasn’t just a formal kiss for the cameras. It was intense, powerful. His lips moved against hers with a hunger that took Avery by surprise. The warmth of his body pressed into hers, and for a brief moment, she forgot where they were, who they were. Her hands instinctively wrapped around his neck as she rose onto her toes, responding to the unexpected intensity. The kiss lingered, sending a wave of murmurs and astonished whispers through the crowd.
To anyone watching, they looked like a couple deeply in love, wrapped in each other’s arms, lost in the moment. The act was perfect. The audience had already erupted into a loud applause, Cassian and Avery barely noticed and were still wrapped in each other’s arms. They finally separated. Cassian looked down at Avery and her flushed face then whispered so only she could hear him.
“Avery…” he drawled, leaning closer. “I heard a little birdie say they saw you sneaking out of a hotel room this morning.”