C2 It's like a dream come true for me

I pull out of his grip and walk out of his office, feeling his blue gaze burning into my skin. I know he doesn’t trust me to keep my word, but I don’t care.

I just want to go home and figure out what to do next. This marriage is going to be a nightmare, and I know it. Cameron Braxton is just like my father, cold and emotionless and greedy... but I’ll do what I have to do for my sister.

I have no other choice.

I get back to my apartment a few minutes later, shaking and crying. I don’t know what to do, what I can possibly do to make things better. I’m trapped in a nightmare of my own making.

I shouldn’t have signed that contract without reading it, and now I’m paying for my mistake.

I think about trying to escape, trying to run away from Cameron Braxton and his empty promises. But then I think of my sister, Emily. I know she’s counting on me to do this, so she’ll be safe... and that settles the matter in my mind.

I grab my phone and dial Emily’s number, waiting for her to pick up.

She does after a few rings.

“Hey, Becca,” she says, sounding cheerful. “How was your meeting with Cameron?”

“Terrible,” I mutter into the phone.

“What?” she frowns into the phone. “What happened?”

“He wants me to do things that aren’t in the contract,” I tell her. “He wants me to depend on him for everything, and he won’t let me leave his house.”

“Oh,” Emily says quietly. “That’s not good.”

“No, it’s not,” I say bitterly. “But I signed the contract and I can’t back out now.”

“Well...” Emily pauses. “Maybe it will get better, Becca. Maybe he’ll turn out to be nice once you get to know him.”

I scoff into the phone. “No, Emily, he won’t. He’s not that kind of man.” I’m silent for a second. “So... what am I going to do? I want to make you happy, but this is a nightmare.”

“You have to do it, Becca,” Emily tells me. “I need your help. I know this is hard for you, but you’re the only one who can save me now.” Her voice cracks. “Please... just do this for me?”

I swallow the lump that’s formed in my throat. “Of course, Emily. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you’re safe.”

I hear Emily sobbing on the other end of the line. “Thank you, Becca,” she whispers.

“It’s okay,” I tell her, smiling sadly. “I love you.”

“Love you, too,” Emily replies.

We hang up, and I drop my phone onto the counter. I stare around my apartment, trying to soak up the familiar feeling of being home.

In two weeks, I won’t be able to come back here. I’ll live with Cameron Braxton in a mansion I’ve never even seen.

I have two weeks left to myself.

Then, everything changes forever.

Two weeks later.

I stand nervously in front of the mirror, smoothing out my dress for what feels like the hundredth time. My stomach is filled with butterflies, my heart pounding inside my chest. I can barely believe I’m here, that this is really happening.

I’m marrying Cameron Braxton today.

I smooth out my dress again, trying to calm my nerves. I look good, I remind myself.

The dress is expensive and beautiful, hugging my body tightly and then flaring out in layers of netting. It’s white and pretty and perfect... just like a wedding dress should be.

I wish Emily was here, but she’s already at the church. I was supposed to ride with her, but Cameron sent a limo for me instead.

He told me he wanted me to show up looking like a queen, and I couldn’t deny the limo would make me feel like one.

I pick up my phone, checking the time for the hundredth time too. It’s almost time to leave. I slip on my veil and grab my bouquet, taking a deep breath.

I’m ready.

The limo pulls up in front of the church a few minutes later, and Cameron is already there waiting for me. He helps me out of the limo, giving me a brief kiss on the cheek.

He’s dressed in a suit and tie, looking every inch the rich man he is. His blue eyes study me briefly before he pulls back.

“Are you ready?” he asks.

“I think so,” I say nervously. “I’ve never been married before.”

He smiles slightly. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. You just have to stand up there and look beautiful.”

I frown, but don’t respond. He’s right, but that doesn’t help my nerves any.

He leads me into the church, the sound of violins and piano filling the air.

The guests turn to look at us as we walk down the aisle, and I feel my cheeks burning hot. I see Emily in the front row of guests, smiling at me with tears in her eyes.

My heart swells with love for her, and I smile back.

We stop in front of a priest, who begins the ceremony.

The rest of the service goes by in a blur, the words going in one ear and out the other.

All I can focus on is the fact that I’m marrying this man, this stranger I barely know. He takes my hands and places a ring on my finger, promising to love and honor me.

I place a ring on his finger and do the same, trying not to think about the fact that we both know we’re lying.

This isn’t a love match, not even close to it. We’re getting married to help each other, but I know that Cameron will never love me.

He’s too cold inside for that.