The Proposal Becomes Reality

The contract was signed, and Lana’s life would never be the same again. With the ink barely dry, she returned home that night, knowing her world was about to change entirely. The stakes were high, but for her father’s health and well-being, she had decided to put her own needs aside.

The next few days felt surreal. Her small apartment, filled with memories and the remnants of her simple life, now looked like a chapter that was closing. She spent hours packing up her belongings, carefully deciding what to take with her and what to leave behind. A simple life with few luxuries, but it was hers. It had been a space where she could be herself. Now, she was moving into an unfamiliar world where every move, every word, would be scrutinized.

On Friday morning, a black limousine arrived at her apartment complex to take her to Ryan’s mansion. Lana took a deep breath, looking around her apartment one last time. It was goodbye to the life she knew and the beginning of something unknown.

As she entered the limousine, she felt a mix of fear and determination. This wasn’t just about her, and she reminded herself of her father lying in the hospital. For him, she would go through with this.

---

When the limousine pulled up in front of Ryan’s mansion, Lana’s heart skipped a beat. The place was breathtaking, an architectural marvel of glass and steel, surrounded by meticulously landscaped gardens. She’d never imagined she’d be living in such luxury, but instead of feeling excitement, a sense of cold isolation washed over her.

The front doors opened, and Ryan appeared, standing tall and immaculate, dressed in a tailored suit. His expression was as unreadable as ever, though his eyes showed a flicker of curiosity as they settled on her.

“Welcome,” he said simply, extending a hand to her.

“Thank you,” she replied, forcing herself to remain composed as she took his hand and stepped out of the car.

Inside, the mansion was just as impressive. Marble floors, high ceilings, and modern decor gave it an almost museum-like quality. As she looked around, she felt an unsettling emptiness. The house, though beautiful, lacked warmth.

Ryan led her up a grand staircase to her new quarters. He opened a door to reveal a spacious suite, tastefully decorated and equipped with everything she could need.

“This is your room,” he said. “Make yourself comfortable. You’ll find a schedule for our public appearances on the desk. We’ll be making a few public outings together in the coming days.”

She nodded, her gaze shifting to the stack of documents neatly laid out on the desk.

“We’ll be married in a private ceremony next week,” he continued, his tone businesslike. “There will be no guests, no family members. It’s merely a formality for the media.”

His words stung slightly. A marriage that was merely a formality—it was hard to accept, even though she had agreed to this arrangement.

“I understand,” she replied, her voice quiet.

He looked at her for a moment, his gaze searching, but he quickly returned to his usual detached expression. “Good. If you need anything, speak with Mrs. Collins. She manages the household.”

With that, he left her to settle in, closing the door behind him.

Lana exhaled, feeling a surge of emotions she couldn’t quite name. It was strange, knowing she was in this huge house yet felt more alone than ever. She knew no one here and barely knew the man she was marrying.

But she reminded herself of why she was here. Her father’s health and happiness depended on her decision. That thought kept her grounded as she began unpacking her belongings.

---

The week leading up to the wedding was a whirlwind of preparations. Every aspect of her life seemed scheduled, from fittings for the dress to lessons on handling media interactions. Ryan made it clear that their relationship was strictly professional in public and private, leaving her feeling like she was preparing for a role in a play rather than a marriage.

On the day of the wedding, Lana stood in her room, gazing at her reflection. The simple white dress fit her perfectly, a testament to the seamstress’s skill. She looked beautiful, but there was a hollowness in her chest that even the finest gown couldn’t fill. This was a marriage in name only, a contract that bound her to a man she barely knew.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and Mrs. Collins, the house manager, entered with a soft smile.

“It’s time, dear,” she said kindly, her tone gentle and reassuring.

Lana nodded, forcing a smile in return. She followed Mrs. Collins to the ceremony room, where Ryan awaited her. He stood in a dark suit, his expression unreadable. He looked perfect, as always, but there was no warmth in his gaze as she walked down the makeshift aisle.

They exchanged vows, reciting words that held little meaning, yet the weight of the moment still pressed on her heart. When it came time to kiss, Ryan gave her a brief, almost impersonal kiss on the cheek, a reminder that this was all for show.

With the formalities over, they signed the marriage certificate. In that moment, Lana realized the reality of her decision. She was Mrs. Ryan Blackwood now, bound to him by legal terms and conditions.

After the ceremony, Ryan turned to her, his tone still businesslike. “We’ll need to make a public appearance this evening. It’s expected.”

“Of course,” she replied, hiding her emotions behind a polite smile.

---

Their first public appearance as a married couple was at a high-profile charity gala. As they stepped out of the limousine, photographers swarmed around them, flashes lighting up the night as questions were shouted from every direction.

Ryan maintained his stoic expression, one hand on her lower back as they made their way inside. Lana followed his lead, forcing herself to smile and wave. It was a surreal experience, a performance she hadn’t expected would come so easily.

Inside, they mingled with influential figures in the business world, people who seemed to view Lana as nothing more than a new accessory on Ryan’s arm. She kept her composure, answering questions politely and nodding in all the right places, though she felt like an outsider looking in.

Throughout the night, Ryan’s attention was focused on maintaining their image. He was the perfect gentleman in front of others, attentive and polite. But whenever they found themselves alone for a moment, the warmth vanished from his gaze, replaced by a distant, calculating look.

At the end of the night, as they returned to the mansion, Lana couldn’t help but feel the weight of their arrangement settling over her like a cold shadow. They were married in name only, two strangers bound by a contract.

In the quiet of her room, she sat on the edge of her bed, wondering if this was all her life would be from now on—an endless parade of social appearances, hollow smiles, and a husband who kept her at arm’s length.

But she reminded herself of the reason she had agreed to this. Her father was getting the best care possible, and that was all that mattered. She had sacrificed her own happiness for his sake, and she would find a way to live with it.

---

The days turned into weeks, and Lana’s life settled into a routine. She attended events with Ryan, learned the ins and outs of high society, and grew accustomed to the role of Mrs. Blackwood. Yet, in private, they barely spoke, each living in separate worlds despite sharing a home.

One evening, after another charity gala, Lana sat alone in the library, nursing a glass of wine. She found herself wondering about Ryan, about the man behind the cold exterior. She couldn’t deny her curiosity about him, about the life he led outside their public appearances.

Just as she was lost in thought, Ryan entered the library. He looked surprised to see her there, though he quickly masked it.

“I didn’t expect to find you here,” he remarked, his tone as cool as ever.

“I wanted a quiet place to unwind,” she replied, her voice steady.

He nodded, seemingly unsure of how to continue. For a brief moment, the silence stretched between them, charged with unspoken words.

Finally, Ryan spoke, his voice softer than usual. “You handled yourself well tonight. People seem to be impressed.”

“Thank you,” she replied, surprised by the hint of warmth in his tone.

He hesitated, then added, “I know this isn’t easy for you, Lana. But you’re doing well. It’s… appreciated.”

Lana felt a flicker of something in her heart a faint glimmer of hope. Perhaps there was more to him than the cold businessman he projected. But before she could respond, he turned and left the room, leaving her alone once more.

As the days went on, that brief moment lingered in her mind, a reminder that maybe, just maybe, there was more to their arrangement than she had first believed.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***