Chapter 2
"What the hell did we do last night?"
Scarlett's voice cut through the quiet of the cheap hotel room. Morning light leaked through the thin curtains, making her squint as a sharp ache throbbed behind her temples.
Jace groaned from the messy bed beside her, rubbing his face like he was trying to wipe away the fog clouding his memory. "I... have no clue. Feels like I got hit by a truck."
Scarlett sat up slowly, her limbs stiff. On the bedside table lay a crumpled receipt from a wedding chapel. Jace's phone screen lit up, showing a blurry photo of two barely coherent people exchanging rings.
"We're married," she said flatly, disbelief and panic threading her voice.
Jace blinked, staring first at her, then the receipt. "Married? Seriously? How?"
"Exactly my question." Scarlett ran a hand through her tangled hair. "I don't even remember walking into a chapel."
He sighed, sitting up fully. The weight of it settled between them like a thick fog. "Looks like we're stuck with this mess until we figure out how to fix it."
Scarlett laughed bitterly. "Fix it? Annul it before it ruins our lives?"
Jace shrugged, wincing. "Vegas rules say we might have to pretend we're a happy couple for a while."
She pressed her shaky arms into the mattress, wincing as the dull throb pulsed behind her eyes. She glanced around the grimy room—stained sheets, flickering fluorescent bulb—and the d*mn wedding receipt glaring back.
"I still don't get it," she muttered hoarsely. "How do two strangers get married after a night of drinking?"
Jace ran a hand through his messy hair, his smile half-amused, half-resigned. "No clue. I remember the bar... then blank. I'm pretty sure I shouldn't be part of this."
Scarlett snorted, then sighed. "Same here."
He gave her a tired grin. "Guess we're stuck with each other—at least until we undo this nightmare."
She looked at him, really looked, and for a moment the frustration softened. "You don't sound so mad about it."
"Because," Jace said, locking eyes with her, "some part of me thinks this mess might be exactly what we need."
Scarlett laughed, short and surprised. "You're insane."
"Maybe. But right now? I'd rather be stuck with you than anyone else."
She shook her head, but a reluctant smile crept up. "Fine. But let's be clear—I'm not signing up for any honeymoon."
Jace chuckled, holding out his hand. "Deal. Just two messed-up people trying to survive a terrible decision."
Scarlett hesitated, then took his hand, squeezing it with more hope than she wanted to admit.
"Okay," she said, steadying her voice. "Let's figure this out—one messed-up step at a time."
Jace let go and leaned back against the headboard, rubbing his face. "So... what now? Lawyer? Annulment?"
Scarlett swallowed, the reality sinking deeper. She wrapped her arms around her knees, staring at the faded carpet. "I can't believe we actually did this," she whispered, voice cracking.
Jace's eyes softened. "Yeah, me neither."
She looked up, tears threatening to spill. "I'm supposed to be faithful. Supposed to be someone's wife one day. And I cheated... on a husband I'm not even married to. Or was."
Jace frowned, surprised by her honesty. "You cheated?"
Scarlett nodded, biting her lip. "Not with you. Not really. But with my fiancé."
Her voice trembled. "He wasn't just my fiancé. He was my best friend. And I found out he was with someone else—my best friend. They planned it behind my back."
She blinked fast, hating the vulnerability. "So here I am... drunk, married to a stranger, trying to fix a life that's already broken."
Jace shifted closer, voice low and steady. "I get it. I've been crushed too. My girlfriend cheated on me—with my boss. Thought I was the fool for trusting her."
He let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. "Funny how life throws curveballs."
Scarlett met his eyes, pain mirrored there. "Maybe that's why we ended up here. Two burned people making a terrible choice to escape."
Jace shrugged. "Maybe. But we're stuck in it together now."
She managed a small, tired smile. "Yeah… together."
Scarlett stood suddenly, scrambling for her scattered clothes. "I should get out of here. Figure this out on my own."
Jace watched, a slow smile spreading. He said nothing, just kept his eyes on her—curious, maybe a little amused.
She glanced back, catching it. For a moment, the tension thickened—not hostile, but charged. Two strangers thrown into chaos, unsure if they were enemies, allies, or something else.
She zipped her jacket, hesitated, then met his gaze squarely. "This whole thing? It's insane."
Jace nodded, his smile softening. "Yeah. But maybe insane is exactly what we need."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide a grin. "You're something else."
He smirked. "I try."
She raised an eyebrow. "Do you always do this with random people?"
Jace met her gaze, unfazed. "Depends. You regretting it already?" His tone was teasing, but something in his eyes was genuine.
She paused, fingers tightening around her bag strap. "Regretting? I'm a married woman now. And I don't even know your name." Her voice cracked as the weight settled.
Jace smiled softly, tenderness flickering. "Names don't mean much at two a.m. in Vegas."
She took a breath, swallowing the knot in her throat. "I need to get out of here." Without waiting, she grabbed her bag and headed for the door.
He called softly, "Hey... I'm Jace. Just in case you want to remember."
She paused, glanced back, then stepped out without a word.
The door clicked shut behind her. Her heels clicked quickly down the hallway, bag slung over her shoulder. Her head still pounded, mouth dry, thoughts scattered.
Too early for this much noise, this much heat. The city was alive—cars honking, tourists laughing, Vegas not giving a d*mn about her ruined night.
At the street's edge, she raised a hand for a taxi.
Her phone buzzed.
She pulled it out, expecting a message from her sister or someone checking in. Instead, the screen lit up with a name she didn't want to see.
Caleb.
Her stomach twisted.
She let the call ring out. Then, a second buzz. A text.
"Scarlett… can we please talk?"
She stared at it.
Another message followed:
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have slept with Chloe. It was a mistake. I was drunk, not thinking. I miss you. Please don't shut me out."
She didn't reply. Didn't even react. Locked her phone, shoved it back in her bag, and looked up as a yellow taxi slowed beside her.
"Where to?" the driver asked.
"Just drive," she said, eyes fixed on the road ahead.