Chapter 020
her?”
Aiden looked at her for a moment, then said with quiet honesty, “We’ll figure that out later.”
Alina looked away. Her hands were suddenly clammy. She wasn’t sure if it was fear rushing through her.
He took her silence as a maybe and stepped even closer.
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“I’ll handle the paperwork,” he said gently. “You just… pick a ring. One you’d actually like.” he muttered but she didn’t reply.
Her mind spun with what-ifs, with fears, with questions that had no answers. What had she gotten herself into? A life-long
pretense?
“I… I’ll think about it.” She replied quietly.
He gave a nod.
But before he turned to leave, Alina stepped forward, catching his sleeve.
He looked back at her.
She hesitated. Then inhaled slowly, looking up at him.
“Thank you,” she murmured. “For eating with me yesterday. Even if you didn’t eat.”
He nodded, then turned and walked away.
****
A few hours after breakfast, Alina sat on the edge of her bed, phone pressed to her ear as she tapped her foot against the cold tile
floor impatiently.
The moment the call connected, Lorraine’s bubbly voice rang through. “Hey, princess. How are you?”
“I’m fine… but you’re not going to believe what I’m about to say.” Alina sighed.
Lorraine immediately perked up. “What is it?” she asked, curious.
Alina exhaled, brushing her fingers through her hair. “Aiden wants us to actually get married. Legally. With a certificate. And a
real ring. This week.”
There was a brief silence. Then a loud gasp. “Wait…what? Are you serious?”
“Why should I lie?” Alina asked, rubbing her forehead softly.
There was another pause from Lorraine’s end before her voice came back, “Honestly? Do it. At least that way, your stepmom witch won’t have any more excuses to control your life. Jennifer and Kelvin will be forced to back off. You’ll be untouchable.”
Alina hesitated. “You really think it’s the right move?”
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Chapter 020
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“I know it is, girl,” Lorraine said with a confident laugh. “And let’s be real… the way he’s been acting? Aiden might actually like you. I haven’t been around him, but I can feel it. And he doesn’t seem like the kind of man who’d mistreat you.”
Those words stuck in Alina’s chest.
I’ll call you later,” Alina murmured, ending the call before she could talk herself out of what she was about to do.
She stared at her screen for a few seconds, fingers hovering over it. Then, without thinking any harder, she opened her messages
and typed:
“Let’s do that tomorrow.”
She hit send. And waited.
Seconds passed.
No reply.
Her brows drew together slightly. Why wasn’t he answering?
She sighed, leaning back into the bed, her phone resting on her chest.
This was a terrible idea.
…Maybe.
But it also didn’t feel like the worst one she’d ever had.
And that, somehow, made it all the more terrifying.
******
Later that evening, she heard the door open. Aiden was home. She waited a moment, then stepped out of her room.
He was removing his jacket when she approached him.
“Hey,” he said first, his tone neutral. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.” she replied, watching him carefully. “Did you see my text?”
Aiden paused. He reached into his pocket, unlocked his phone, and checked the screen. When he saw her message, his eyes lifted
slowly to meet hers.
“You made up your mind?” he asked.
She nodded.
He stared at her for a second longer, then muttered a quiet, “alright” before walking past her and into his room.
That was it.
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No smile. No excitement. Just silence.
Alina stood frozen, confused. Wasn’t this what he wanted? Then why was he so cold now?
“Did something happen at work?”
She thought about following him to ask… but stopped herself. If he didn’t want to talk, maybe she should just let it be.
So, she went back to her room, sat on the edge of her bed, and stared at the wall.
Is this really the right thing to do?
She didn’t know anymore.
***
The next morning came quicker than expected.
Aiden was already dressed when Alina walked out of her room. They didn’t say much, but the silence wasn’t heavy, just calm.
They headed out together, stopping first at a jewelry store.
She tried on a few rings. Aiden remained silent, but when she picked a simple, elegant one, he nodded with approval and paid for it without blinking despite the cost.
Then, they headed to the magistrate court.
The whole process felt surreal. Quick signatures. A couple of formal words. And then it was done.
Alina stared down at the certificate in her hand, heart racing. Married. Just like that.
Back in the car, she stared at the certificate for a moment longer, then opened her messages. She took a photo. Attached it. And
typed:
“I’m getting married this weekend. Don’t you want to attend?”
She smiled faintly as she hit send, imagining the look on Jennifer’s face when she opened it.
For once… Alina was in control.
And it felt damn good.
