A week later…
Sarah stood in front of her closet, staring at her clothes. What did someone wear to a fake wedding at a courthouse? She had been standing there for ten minutes, unable to decide.
Her phone buzzed. A text from Mason: *Car will pick you up at 9 AM. Courthouse at 10 AM.*
That was it. No "good luck" or "see you soon." Just the facts. Just like everything else about this arrangement.
She pulled out a simple navy blue dress. It was professional but not too fancy. Mason had filled her wardrobe a day after she signed the marriage contract papers. She had more than enough clothes to wear.
She also didn't want to look like she was trying too hard. This wasn't a real wedding, after all.
At exactly 9 AM, a black car waited outside the mansion for her. Sarah grabbed her purse and headed downstairs. The driver nodded at her but didn't say anything. The ride to the courthouse was quiet except for the sound of traffic.
Mason was already waiting when she arrived. He stood near the courthouse steps, checking his phone. He wore a dark suit that probably cost more than her five months income from sold albums. He looked up when she approached, his expression blank as always.
"You're on time," he said. Not "you look nice" or "ready for this?" Just a statement about punctuality.
"You said 10 AM," Sarah replied. She felt nervous, but she tried not to show it.
Derek appeared beside them, carrying a briefcase. "All the paperwork is ready. This should be quick."
They walked into the courthouse together. The building was old and smelled like cleaning supplies and paperwork. People were everywhere - some dressed nicely, others in casual clothes. Sarah saw other couples who looked like they were getting married. Some looked happy and excited. Others looked nervous like her.
"This way," Derek said, leading them down a hallway.
They stopped outside a small office. The sign on the door said "Justice of the Peace - Margaret Foster." Derek knocked, and a woman's voice called "Come in."
Justice Foster was a woman in her fifties with gray hair and kind eyes. She smiled when they entered her office.
"Mr. Liu and Miss Chen, I assume?" she asked, looking at the papers Derek handed her.
"Yes," Mason said. His voice was flat and businesslike.
"Wonderful. Let's get started then." Justice Foster looked at the papers. "I see you have your marriage license already. That makes things easier."
Sarah's heart started beating faster. This was really happening. In a few minutes, she would be married to Mason Liu. A man who barely spoke to her and she hadn't even known for more than two weeks. A man who was paying her to be his wife.
"Do you have rings?" Justice Foster asked.
Sarah's stomach dropped. Rings. She hadn't even thought about rings.
"No," Mason said simply.
Justice Foster smiled. "That's fine. Not everyone chooses to exchange rings during the ceremony. We can proceed without them."
She gestured for them to stand in front of her desk. Sarah and Mason stood side by side, not touching. Derek stood behind them, watching quietly.
"Dearly beloved," Justice Foster began, "we are gathered here today to join Mason Liu and Sarah Chen in marriage."
The words felt strange and unreal. Sarah stared at a spot on the wall behind Justice Foster's head. She didn't want to look at Mason. She didn't want to see his cold expression during what should have been a happy moment.
"Mason," Justice Foster continued, "do you take Sarah to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, until death do you part?"
Mason's voice was steady and emotionless. "I do."
Sarah's hands were shaking now. She hoped no one noticed.
"Sarah, do you take Mason to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, until death do you part?"
The words stuck in her throat for a moment. This was her last chance to back out. She could say no and walk away. Go back to her father and do as he said, face her ruined career and her almost empty bank account.
But she thought about the contract. About the protection Mason's name would give her. About the chance to fight back against the lies.
"I do," she said quietly.
"By the power vested in me by the state, I now pronounce you husband and wife." Justice Foster smiled at them. "You may kiss the bride."
Sarah's eyes went wide. She hadn't thought about this part either. She looked at Mason, panic rising in her chest.
Mason stepped closer to her. For a moment, his cold mask slipped just a little. "It's just part of the ceremony," he said quietly, so only she could hear.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead gently. It was brief and almost brotherly. Not romantic, but not completely cold either. He was still left speechless by the fact that he never reacted to her.
"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Liu," Justice Foster said, handing them their marriage certificate.
Mrs. Liu. Sarah stared at the paper in her hands. Her name was now Sarah Liu. It felt strange and foreign.
"Thank you," Mason said to Justice Foster. She reached out a hand to shake him, but he smiled and ignored her.
Derek took her hand instead. Even Sarah was shocked by the rudeness. He was really full of himself.
They walked out of the courthouse together. The whole thing had taken less than fifteen minutes. Sarah was now married to one of the most powerful men in the city, and it had happened faster than ordering coffee.
"The car is waiting," Derek said.
Mason stopped and turned to Sarah. "I have meetings this afternoon. Derek will take you home."
"That's it?" Sarah asked. "We're just… done?"
Mason looked at her with those unreadable dark eyes. "What did you expect? A honeymoon?"
The words stung, even though Sarah knew he was right. This wasn't a real marriage. It was business.
"No," she said, lifting her chin. "I didn't expect anything."
Mason nodded. "Good. Derek will be in touch about the media statement. We'll need to appear together at a few events over the next few weeks."
He walked away without another word. Sarah watched him get into a different car and drive away. Her husband of fifteen minutes was already gone.
Derek cleared his throat. "Mrs. Liu? The car?"
Mrs. Liu. It was going to take some time getting used to.
Sarah got into the car and stared out the window as they drove through the city. She was married now. She was Mrs. Mason Liu. But she felt more alone than ever.
The car pulled up outside the mansion. Tomorrow, when the media found out about the marriage, she would be Sarah Liu everywhere else.