C6 Courthouse Wedding
“Do you, Regina Hart, take Alexander Kingston to be your lawful husband?”
The question echoed through the small courthouse chamber.
Regina heart pounded so hard she could barely hear anything else.
Her heart start beating fast.
She did not know not what to do.
She is confused.
So confused.
Twenty four hours ago, she had been preparing to marry another man.
Now she stood beside a billionaire stranger whose hand rested firmly against hers.
Every instinct screamed that this was insane.
And yet somehow, she found herself whispering
“Yes.”
Thirty minutes earlier, Regina sat alone on a wooden bench outside the courthouse.
The white dress she had chosen for Collins felt heavier than ever.
People passed by without noticing her.
Maybe that was a good thing.
She was tired of being looked at with pity.
The courthouse doors opened.
Alex walked out, followed by his assistant, Daniel.
He looked calm.
Too calm for a man whose bride had abandoned him hours earlier.
When he spotted Regina, he changed direction and walked toward her.
Daniel looked nervous.
Very nervous.
“Sir, are you sure about this?” Daniel asked quietly.
Alex ignored him.
He stopped in front of Regina.
“You still have time to leave.”
Regina laughed weakly.
“Funny. I was about to tell you the same thing.”
For the first time, a small smile appeared on Alex’s face.
It transformed him completely.
Less intimidating.
More human.
“I don’t make decisions twice,” he said.
“That’s a dangerous habit.”
“It’s made me successful.”
“It’s also about to make you marry a complete stranger.”
Alex folded his arms.
“You know my name.”
“That doesn’t count.”
“You know I own Kingston Holdings.”
“Still doesn’t count.”
“You know my grandfather is sick.”
Regina sighed.
“And I know we’re both heartbroken.”
Silence settled between them.
Neither could deny it.
The wounds were still fresh.
The humiliation still burned.
Finally Alex spoke.
“Maybe that’s exactly why this can work.”
Regina frowned.
“What?”
“We’re not walking into this with fantasies.”
His voice was steady.
“No fairy tales. No false promises. Just an agreement.”
An agreement.
The words should have sounded cold.
Instead, they sounded strangely safe.
After what Collins had done, fairy tales were the last thing Regina trusted.
Alex extended his hand.
“If you still willing.”
You can think about it.
You can take your time.
Regina stared at it.
This was madness.
Absolute madness.
Yet the alternative was returning home to answer questions she couldn’t bear.
Returning to a life that suddenly felt broken.
For the first time all day, she felt something unexpected.
Freedom.
A chance to start over.
She slowly placed her hand in his.
“I am still willing.”
Before they entered the courthouse, Regina phone rang.
Her mother name flashed across the screen.
Immediately her stomach tightened.
“Are you going to answer?” Alex asked.
Regina nodded.
“Mom.”
It’s my mom.
I need to pick her call.
“Regina!” her mother cried. “Where are you? Everyone is talking. Collins says there was a misunderstanding.”
What happened my daughter.
Did to you do anything to him.
What really happened between both of you.
Explain to me let me know.
Regina nearly laughed.
A misunderstanding?
lol.
He cheated.
He was busy cheating on me while I keep loving him.
I don’t know he already have someone else.
He doesn’t love him.
He wasted time.
Everything.
Cheating wasn’t a misunderstanding.
It was a choice.
He made his choice.
“There was no misunderstanding.”
Calm down. Her mother replied.
“Sweetheart, maybe you should talk to him.”
“No.”
Talk to him about what.
Did you even listen to what am saying mom.
Did you understand everything I told you.
The word came out stronger than she expected.
Her mother fell silent.
“Regina?”
“I’m done begging people to choose me.”
I can’t continue this anymore.
I can’t keep loving person who doesn’t love me.
Tears filled her eyes.
“I am done.”
She ended the call.
For several seconds she couldn’t speak.
Alex handed her a handkerchief.
The simple gesture surprised her.
“Thank you.”
She use the handkerchief to clean her face.
“You don’t owe anyone an explanation.”
The words hit harder than he intended.
Because deep down, Regina needed to hear them.
The courtroom was small.
No flowers.
No decorations.
No guests.
Just a judge, two witnesses, Daniel, and an elderly clerk.
Nothing like the wedding Regina had imagined.
And strangely…
It felt more honest.
The judge adjusted his glasses.
“I’ve performed weddings for thirty years.”
He looked between them.
“But this is certainly one of the quickest.”
Daniel coughed.
Regina almost laughed.
Even Alex’s lips twitched.
The tension eased slightly.
The ceremony began.
As the judge spoke, Regina stole a glance at Alex.
He stood tall and composed.
Yet she noticed something she hadn’t before.
His hands were clenched.
He was nervous.
The discovery made him seem less untouchable.
Less billionaire.
More man.
When it was Alex’s turn to speak, his voice remained steady.
“I do.”
Simple.
Certain.
No hesitation.
Then everyone looked at Regina.
Her throat tightened.
Images flashed through her mind.
Collins.
The betrayal.
The humiliation.
The heartbreak.
She could walk away right now.
Nobody would blame her.
The judge waited patiently.
Alex said nothing.
He didn’t pressure her.
Didn’t rush her.
Just waited.
And somehow that mattered.
Regina inhaled deeply.
“I do.”
The judge smiled.
“By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
The words felt unreal.
Husband and wife.
Alex Kingston and Regina Kingston.
Just like that.
Done.
Finished.
Permanent.
The judge closed the folder.
“You may shake hands.”
Daniel burst out laughing.
Even the clerk chuckled.
“Most people kiss,” Daniel said.
Kiss her.
Kiss your wife.
Another person from the edge corner.
You people should kiss now.
Alex looked at Regina.
The question hung silently between them.
Regina felt her face warm.
“We just met.”
“Fair point.”
They settled for a brief, awkward hug.
It lasted only seconds.
But Regina noticed something unexpected.
For the first time all day…
She didn’t feel alone.
Outside the courthouse, reporters had somehow already arrived.
Cameras flashed.
Questions exploded from every direction.
“Mr. Kingston!”
“Who is she?”
“Is this a business arrangement?”
“Were both of you abandoned by your partners?”
What happened.
Did you know her before.
Did you both planned it.
Regina froze.
The attention was overwhelming.
Immediately Alex stepped in front of her.
Shielding her from the cameras.
His voice turned cold.
“The wedding is private.”
“But Mr. Kingston”
“No further questions.”
His protective instinct surprised her.
They hurried toward a waiting black car.
The moment the door closed, silence filled the vehicle.
Neither spoke.
Neither knew what to say.
Finally Regina looked down at her finger.
A wedding ring.
A real wedding ring.
Her wedding ring.
She laughed softly.
Alex glanced at her.
“What?”
“We are insane.”
For the first time, Alex laughed too.
A genuine laugh.
Deep and warm.
“Probably.”
Regina smiled despite herself.
Is this a movie.
Hmm
I don’t understand anymore.
Am i watching a movie.
Maybe this wouldn’t be a disaster.
Maybe.
Just maybe.
It could become something neither of them expected.
As the car pulled away from the courthouse, Alex’s phone suddenly rang.
The smile vanished from his face the moment he saw the caller ID.
“Grandfather.”
He answered immediately.
“What’s wrong?”
Regina watched his expression darken.
A knot formed in her stomach.
Alex listened for several seconds before whispering,
“I am on my way.”
He ended the call.
“What happened?” Regina asked.
Alex looked out the window.
His face had gone pale.
“My grandfather collapsed.”
Regina breath caught.
But before she could respond, Alex said something even more shocking.
“He was asking for you.”
The car sped toward the hospital as Regina stared at her brand new husband in confusion.
How could a man she had never met already know her name?
And what secret was Alex family hiding?
