The bus ride to the registery was filled with her thoughts running wild at what she had gotten herself into.
When she stepped off at Cityview, the quiet hum of the registry grounds greeted her. The building stood pale and stiff like the decision she was about to make glass doors, marble steps, and the weight of finality in the air.
She paused outside.
Just five minutes. That's all it would take to sign her life away.
She walked in.
The waiting area was empty, save for two suited men standing by the corridor Damien's guards. He must have so much power to put people away because he wanted to make use of the registry. They gave her a glance and one of them nodded toward a private room down the hall.
Lena pushed the door open.
Damien Blackwood sat at the far end, dressed in grey today. Cold, precise and perfect as if the whole world bent to his will.
"You're late," he said, not looking up from his phone.
She swallowed hard and stepped inside. "Only by ten minutes."
He looked at her then, eyes sharp as steel. "Ten minutes is the difference between sealing a deal and losing millions."
He motioned to the chair beside him. A registrar sat at the desk, flipping through documents, clearly used to these kinds of arrangements.
No flowers. No vows. Just a signature.
"Do you want me to read it again?" Damien asked.
Lena shook her head. "I already did."
She said looking back at him sternly.
"Then sign."
He handed her the pen.
Her fingers trembled slightly, but she steadied them. She signed. He followed, swift and indifferent.
The registrar stamped the documents, slid one copy to each of them, and left the room without a word.
Damien stood. "Now it's official."
She stood too, slower.
His gaze swept over her, unreadable. "There's a dinner tomorrow night. We'll make our first public appearance as a couple. You'll wear what my assistant sends."
"Right," she murmured.
He took a step closer. "Whatever this arrangement is, Miss Walker, don't confuse it for something more. This is business. Keep your emotions out of it."
She met his eyes. "You won't have to worry about that."
A guard took down her address.
He studied her for one second longer than necessary, then turned and left, his guards falling in behind him.
Again, he didn't look back.
And once again, Lena was left in a room with a decision she couldn't undo.
She was now Lena Blackwood, on paper but nothing inside her changed.
She took a taxi home and was glad Mrs Walker wasn't downstairs as she made for her room, hoping the night would be shorter than her day had been.
.
.
"Oh my God. What a pleasant surprise." Mrs Walker voice ran down the hall. "Your visit was due in a week. What do we hold this pleasant surprise?"
"I'm here to take my bride." His voice came with the strength his face hard. Cold and stiff.
"Blair, darling, meet the heir to the Blackwood innovations." Mrs Walker introduced Blair who rushed over to Damien's side and tucked her arm into his.
"I've heard so much about you. The pictures don't do justice to your looks at all."
Damien was stunned by her action as he slowly peeled her hand off his arm. His expression didn't change, but the gesture was enough to silence the hallway.
"I don't recall asking for your familiarity," he said indifferently.
Blair blinked, her painted smile faltering for a brief second. She let out a light laugh to mask the sting. "I was just being warm. We're practically family now."
Mrs. Walker stepped forward quickly, her voice slightly tighter. "Yes, of course. Forgive Blair. You know, she can be overly enthusiastic around important people."
Damien turned his head slightly, scanning the living room. "Where is Lena?"
"Lena?" Mrs. Walker asked, her voice shifting, guarded. "She's… around somewhere. But really, Mr. Blackwood, I didn't expect you'd come all the way down here. We were going to send her over tomorrow." Mrs Walker hissed the shock on her face. How could he know Lena?
"I prefer to do things personally," Damien replied.
Blair attempted another smile. "That's sweet. Most CEOs send their assistants. Or a car."
Damien didn't respond. His gaze landed on Lena as she appeared from the corridor, still in her plain home clothes, her steps quiet, her face unreadable. She held her copy of the marriage certificate.
"There she is," he said.
Lena froze for a heartbeat, then walked forward. Her hands were clenched at her sides, but her face held the calm she had been perfecting since signing the papers.
"You are here," she said quietly.
Damien offered her a small nod. "Get your things. We're leaving."
Blair turned sharply. "Leaving? But she lives here."
"Not anymore," Damien said flatly. "She's my wife now. And my wife lives with me."
Blair's eyes caught the marriage certificate and she gasped loudly. Mrs Walker felt the same but masked her expression from her guests.
Mrs. Walker stepped in, eyes darting between Lena and Damien. "Surely, you could give her the evening to settle her things? Say proper goodbyes? This is her home…"
Damien's lips twitched at the word home. "You and I both know that's not true."
His eyes darted to her clothes and stained hands.
Lena looked away, shame and relief dancing in her chest.
"I'll get my bag," she said, her voice low.
"No need," Damien replied. "Everything you'll need is already in the penthouse. You only need yourself."
There was a long pause. Then Lena nodded and walked out of sight to grab her phone.
Blair stepped forward again, this time without the smile. "She really married you?" she asked under her breath.
Damien looked down at her, his face void of warmth. "Yes. She did. And she wears my name now. That's all that should concern you."
Blair opened her mouth, but the words died before they formed.
When Lena returned, Damien was already at the door.
She didn't look back as she walked past Mrs. Walker. Not at the forced smile. Not at Blair's burning gaze.
She simply followed her husband into the night, into the black SUV that waited outside.
Into the unknown.
As she sat in the car, she finally looked at the name of the man she had married....