The next morning, the rain had stopped, but the city still felt heavy and grey.
Aria Sen barely slept that night.
The signed contract lay on her desk, the black ink of Ronan Blake's signature staring back at her like proof that everything had really happened.
She had done it.
She had asked one of the most dangerous men in the city to marry her.
And he had agreed.
Aria rubbed her tired eyes and looked at the clock.
8:12 AM.
Her phone buzzed suddenly.
A new message appeared.
Unknown Number:
"Be ready in two hours."
That was it.
No explanation.
No greeting.
Aria didn't need to guess who sent it.
"Ronan…" she muttered.
Two hours later, Aria stood outside the city courthouse.
Her heart beat quickly as she looked down at her simple white dress. It wasn't a fancy wedding gown—just something plain she bought that morning from a small shop.
This wasn't supposed to be a romantic wedding.
It was just a contract.
A deal.
Still… her hands felt cold.
A black car slowly stopped in front of the courthouse.
Aria recognized the expensive vehicle immediately.
The door opened.
Ronan Blake stepped out.
Even in daylight, he looked intimidating.
He wore a perfectly fitted black suit, his dark hair neatly combed, his sharp grey eyes calm and unreadable.
People walking past instinctively moved aside for him.
Ronan noticed Aria and walked toward her.
"You're early," he said.
Aria blinked.
"You told me to be ready."
Ronan glanced at her dress.
"You look nervous."
"I'm not."
"Your hands are shaking."
Aria quickly hid them behind her back.
Ronan almost smiled.
Almost.
"Relax," he said. "It's only a marriage."
"That's not a small thing!"
"To me it is."
Aria stared at him.
Of course.
For someone like Ronan Blake, this was probably just another strategic move.
"Let's go," he said.
Inside the courthouse, everything felt quiet and official.
A clerk led them into a small room.
There were no guests.
No music.
No decorations.
Just a desk, some papers, and a government official who looked bored.
The man adjusted his glasses and looked at them.
"Names?"
"Ronan Blake."
"Aria Sen."
The official typed something into his computer.
"Marriage by agreement?"
"Yes," Ronan answered calmly.
The official handed them the final marriage document.
"Please sign here."
Aria's heart started racing again.
This was it.
Once she signed this paper, her life would completely change.
She glanced at Ronan.
He looked perfectly calm.
Without hesitation, he signed his name.
Ronan Blake.
The pen moved smoothly across the paper.
Then he slid the document toward her.
"Your turn."
Aria took the pen.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
For a brief moment, she wondered if this was a mistake.
Marrying a spy.
Entering a dangerous world.
But then she remembered Victor Kane.
The man her father wanted her to marry.
Her stomach twisted.
No.
This was the only way.
Aria signed her name.
Aria Sen Blake.
The official stamped the document.
"Congratulations," he said without emotion.
"You are now legally married."
The words echoed in Aria's mind.
Married.
Ronan stood up and took the marriage certificate.
"Let's go."
"That's it?" Aria asked.
"Yes."
"No ceremony? No witnesses?"
"You want a party?"
"…No."
They walked outside.
The sunlight felt strangely bright after the quiet courthouse.
Aria looked at the ring Ronan had placed on her finger just minutes ago.
It was simple but elegant.
"Why a ring?" she asked.
Ronan glanced at it.
"People believe rings."
"What?"
"If we're pretending to be married, we need to look convincing."
Aria nodded slowly.
That made sense.
Ronan checked his watch.
"Now we move to phase two."
"What phase two?"
"Living together."
Aria almost choked.
"Already?!"
"Of course."
"But—"
"If you live separately, people will suspect something."
Aria sighed.
Of course.
Nothing about this marriage was going to be normal.
Ronan's driver opened the car door.
They both got inside.
The car began moving through the city.
Aria watched the streets pass by through the window.
After a few minutes, she asked quietly,
"Where are we going?"
"My house."
Aria's stomach flipped.
"You mean… our house."
Ronan corrected her.
Aria leaned back in her seat.
Her fake marriage had lasted less than one hour.
And already she was moving in with her mysterious spy husband.
But the bigger problem was still coming.
Victor Kane.
When he found out about this marriage…
Things would get very dangerous.
As if reading her thoughts, Ronan spoke calmly.
"Your family will know within 24 hours."
Aria's heart skipped.
"And Victor Kane?"
Ronan's eyes turned cold.
"He'll know even faster."
The car turned onto a quiet road leading toward the wealthy district of the city.
Ronan looked at her one more time.
"Are you ready, Mrs. Blake?"
Aria took a deep breath.
"No."
Then she forced a small smile.
"But it's too late now."
Ronan's lips curved slightly.
For the first time since they met…
He looked amused.
And somewhere far across the city…
Victor Kane's phone began to ring.
Someone had just delivered shocking news.
The woman he planned to marry…
Had already become someone else's wife.
And the man she married was the one person Victor Kane hated the most.
Ronan Blake.
The war had officially begun.