As they walked back to the hotel, Mara's mind was racing. Everything was happening too fast.
Ethan couldn't contain his excitent. "We should go buy the rings now and get our marriage registered." Mara laughed, shaking her head. Ethan stopped walking and turned to her, his eyes filled with determination, and pulled his phone out of his pocket holding Mara's hand with his other free hand.
Mara glanced at Ethan, who was still on the phone with Steph, giving instructions like he was closing a business deal. And maybe to him, marriage was a deal a decision made, executed without hesitation.
Mara, on the other hand, felt like she was being swept up in a whirlwind. Was she really about to marry a man she had just t?
A man who made her heart race but also completely took over every situation without question?
She took a deep breath, trying to convince herself she wasn't making a mistake.
But then Ethan hung up and turned to her with that dangerously charming smirk. "All set. Your apartnt is canceled. You're moving in with ."
Mara stopped walking. "Wait... don't I get a say in that?"
Ethan tilted his head as if confused by her hesitation. "You said yes to being my wife.
That ans your life is with now."
Mara stared at him. "Ethan... you do realize we barely know each other, right?" He stepped closer, his intense gaze locking onto hers. "I know enough."
Mara swallowed hard. "Like what?"
Ethan smirked, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "I know you don't trust easily, but you want to. I know you act strong, but deep down, you're scared of being alone. I know you think too much, and right now, you're wondering if saying yes to was a mistake."
Mara's breath hitched. "And?"
Ethan's fingers traced her jaw gently. "And I know that no matter how much you
overthink this, you feel it too."
She hated how right he was.
Because yes, it was insane. It was reckless. It made no logical sense.
But when Ethan looked at her like that, with so much certainty... she felt it too.
She sighed, shaking her head with a small smile. "You're impossible."
Ethan chuckled. "And you're stuck with now, Mrs. Anderson."
Mara rolled her eyes. "Not until Thursday."
Ethan grabbed her hand and laced his fingers through hers, pulling her close. "That's still too far away."
Within a week, Mara and Ethan held a private wedding ceremony. It was small and intimate, with only Steph and two senior partners as witnesses. The whole thing felt surreal to Mara, like a dream she hadn't quite woken up from.
Ever since they t, Ethan had treated her like a queen. He even gifted her an entire set of rings to choose from, making sure she had exactly what she wanted.
Before the wedding, they both went through dical tests, sothing Ethan insisted on, even though he already had her dical report from the investigation. He did it for her sake, wanting everything to be right. And yet, there was sothing he still kept hidden. Sothing he needed from her, sothing she might not be ready to give.
There were monts when Mara wondered if it was all too good to be true. "I won't regret this," she whispered to herself, trying to silence the tiny voice of doubt.
She, of all people, had fallen madly in love. If soone had told her this weeks ago, she would have laughed. Yet here she was, standing at the altar, about to say I do.
Her anger toward Maria, the pain she had held onto, started to lt away. She was beginning to understand, that love changes you. It makes you do things you never planned for.
She had always wanted to build a life for herself, to chase her career dreams. And she still would. But maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't hurt to have a family of her own too.
Mara looked stunning in her long-sleeved lace ball gown, the delicate fabric hugging her perfectly. Her hair was styled elegantly, exposing her graceful neck and the million-dollar earrings that shimred under the lights. Ethan, as always, looked effortlessly charming in his tailored blazer, his eyes never leaving Mara
Before Mara could fully soak in the mont, the ceremony was over. Just like that, they were husband and wife. It all happened so fast, one mont she was standing at the altar, and the next, she heard the familiar words she had watched unfold at Maria's wedding just days ago.
"You may now kiss the bride," the judge announced, his smile wide and knowing.
Ethan, playfully, ran his tongue over his upper lip, pressing his palms together in a teasing gesture before finally letting them drop. Mara couldn't help but smile at his reaction.
Her heart pounded as she realized what was about to happen. She had never been kissed before, not once. And now, here she was, standing in front of everyone, about to share her very first kiss with her husband.
Excitent fluttered in her chest. What would it feel like? she wondered. Would it be soft? Passionate? She had no idea, but one thing was certain, she was ready.
Ethan gazed at Mara, reading every emotion on her face. The last thing he wanted was to make her uncomfortable, but he couldn't deny how long he had waited for this mont. All week, he had imagined it, his first kiss with the woman he loved.
"I love you, Mara," he whispered, his voice deep and full of aning.
Gently, he slipped his hand behind her and pulled her closer. He smiled softly before pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. Mara's eyes fluttered closed as she savored the warmth of his lips against her skin.
This was it, the perfect mont. Before she could fully process what was happening,
Ethan's lips found hers. The kiss was slow and deep, just as he had imagined, her soft lips against his, making his heart race.
But then, sothing felt off. Mara wasn't as responsive as he had expected. She wasn't pulling away, but she wasn't completely lting into him either. Maybe she just needs more ti, he thought. Maybe she isn't quite where I am yet.
So instead, he softened the mont, stealing one more gentle kiss on her forehead.
Mara smiled, wrapping her arms around his.
She felt safe and protected. The kiss lingered in her mind, leaving a warmth in her chest she couldn't explain.
Nearby, Steph and the others tried their best not to stare. Finally, they stepped forward, grinning as they approached the newlyweds.
"Congratulations," Steph said with a smirk.
"That was... quite a mont."
Mara blushed, and Ethan chuckled, squeezing her hand.
Their journey had only just begun.
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