THE WEDDING SHE NEVER WANTED

Ariana De Souza stood at the window of the grand Sterling estate, her reflection blurry against the glass. She should have felt excited—this was the day she had been raised to expect, the moment she would step into a new life. But instead, she felt like a stranger in her own skin.

Eighteen years old and barely out of high school, Ariana had imagined a future filled with choices, dreams, and the freedom to make mistakes. She never envisioned herself standing here, about to marry a man she barely knew, under the guise of family duty.

Theon Sterling was a mystery, a quiet figure she had only seen at family gatherings, a man of few words but strong presence. At thirty, he seemed to belong to an entirely different world—one that Ariana couldn’t even begin to understand. He was calm, composed, and focused, traits that had earned him respect in business and from those around him. But those same traits made him feel distant, almost cold to Ariana.

Her wedding dress was beautiful—a satin white gown with delicate lace trimming—but it felt like a costume she was forced to wear for a play she didn’t want to act in. The house around her was silent, except for the occasional clink of silverware and murmured conversation downstairs as guests prepared for the ceremony.

“You look stunning,” said Tasha, her cousin, stepping into the room with a camera in hand. “This is your moment, Ari. Enjoy it.”

Ariana turned to her cousin with a forced smile. “Stunning, yes. But I feel more like a deer caught in headlights.”

Tasha laughed, a soft, light sound that filled the otherwise quiet room. “Don’t overthink it. This is your future. You’ll get used to it.”

“Used to what?” Ariana asked, her voice tinged with bitterness. “The fact that I’m getting married to a man I hardly know because my family’s business is in shambles?”

Tasha winced. “I know it’s not ideal, but you don’t have to do this alone. Theon’s a good man. You’ll see.”

Ariana shook her head, staring out the window again. Theon. His name sounded foreign to her, like a stranger she was about to be bound to for the rest of her life.

When her father’s business had hit a financial crisis, the Sterlings had offered a solution—an alliance between their families sealed by marriage. Ariana’s father, too proud to admit defeat, had accepted the deal without consulting her. Ariana’s future had been decided in a boardroom meeting, not a conversation with her.

The door opened, and her Aunt Laila appeared. “It’s time, sweetheart.”

Ariana swallowed hard and nodded, trying to ignore the knot in her stomach. This was it. The moment that would change everything.

As she descended the stairs, her heart pounded in her chest. The guests were waiting, their polite smiles hiding the gossip that buzzed under the surface. Theon was standing at the altar, his back straight, his dark eyes fixed ahead. He was impeccably dressed in a black suit, his expression unreadable.

Ariana walked down the aisle, trying to calm her nerves. She could feel the weight of everyone’s gaze on her, but it was Theon’s gaze that held her attention. It wasn’t warm. It wasn’t cold. It was neutral, as though this was just another transaction to him.

When she reached him, they exchanged a glance—brief, fleeting—and he gave her a small, respectful nod.

“Shall we begin?” the officiant asked, his voice gentle but firm.

Ariana barely heard the words as the ceremony started. The vows were spoken, but they felt like they belonged to someone else, not her. Theon’s voice was steady when he said his part, promising to cherish and protect her, but there was no emotion behind the words. It wasn’t love that filled the air; it was duty.

When the officiant finally declared them husband and wife, the room erupted into applause, but Ariana felt no rush of happiness, no sense of accomplishment. Just an overwhelming sense of unease. She was a wife now. A wife to a man who was still a stranger in many ways.

Theon turned to her, his eyes soft but still distant. “You’re safe here,” he said, his voice low enough that only she could hear. “I won’t rush you. We’ll take it one step at a time.”

Ariana nodded, but the words didn’t offer her the comfort they were meant to. She wasn’t sure if she could ever trust him, or if she could even trust herself in this new life.

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After the ceremony, Ariana followed Theon through the mansion’s grand hallway, her thoughts racing. Theon didn’t speak, but he led her to a sitting room, where a tray of champagne and hors d'oeuvres awaited them.

“Do you want to sit?” he asked, gesturing toward the couch.

Ariana hesitated before lowering herself onto the plush cushions. Theon sat beside her, maintaining a respectful distance.

“I know this isn’t what you expected,” he said, his voice steady. “But I promise you, I’m here for you. I will always respect your space.”

Ariana looked at him, really looked at him, for the first time since the wedding. He wasn’t like the men she had imagined falling for—someone exciting, spontaneous, full of life. Theon was steady, reserved, but there was an unwavering kindness in his eyes.

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel,” Ariana admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

“You don’t have to feel anything right now,” Theon replied. “I’ll give you time. You don’t have to pretend for me. But I’m here, Ariana. Whenever you’re ready.”

And in that moment, something softened inside her. She didn’t know if it was relief, or just the overwhelming weight of it all finally hitting her. But for the first time in days, Ariana felt like she might not be as alone as she had thought.

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