The wedding took place under the dim light of the setting sun, tucked away in a secluded corner of the Ashbourne estate's sprawling garden. Only family members and a few select friends attended, their presence as cold and formal as the occasion itself. The air was thick with unspoken tension, the perfumed scent of roses failing to mask the unease that settled over the gathering.

Axel stood tall and composed, wearing a suit so flawlessly tailored it seemed as though he had stepped out of a portrait. His dark eyes betrayed nothing, his role as the stoic groom played to perfection. Across from him, Thea looked ethereal in her wedding gown, the soft fabric flowing like liquid moonlight around her. Her bare shoulders gleamed under the soft glow of the lanterns, her loose curls framing a face that was a picture of quiet sorrow.

No love was exchanged, no glances held longer than necessary. They recited the vows without a hint of emotion, their words rehearsed and empty, echoing hollowly through the garden. The families, both Ashbourne and Blackwood, observed from their seats, distant and indifferent. Neither side showed warmth toward Thea, and the chill of their disapproval clung to her like a second skin. She was here because she was needed, nothing more.

The ceremony ended quickly, as if everyone present wanted it over with. There was no laughter, no celebratory toasts, no heartfelt congratulations. Axel's mother and father left without so much as a glance in Thea's direction. Her own family followed shortly after, their curt goodbyes stinging more than outright rejection.

Photos were taken for the public—a curated image of elegance and poise. Axel and Thea stood side by side, their smiles strained, their eyes void of anything resembling joy. When the last flash went off, the façade crumbled, and everyone retreated, leaving the newlyweds alone. There was no honeymoon, no gifts, no shared moments to soften the edges of the day.

As the night deepened, Thea found herself alone in the garden, the lingering scent of flowers blending with the crisp evening air. She tilted her head back, her gaze fixed on the stars scattered across the velvet sky. Her shoulders sagged, the weight of the day pressing down on her.

From the staircase leading to the estate, Axel watched her. She was breathtaking under the moonlight, her dress catching the faint silver glow. Her beauty was a quiet kind, the kind that sneaked up on him when he least expected it. His chest tightened as he realized that she was dragging him toward her without even trying.

He clenched his fists. "I'm losing," he thought bitterly. "One year of this will be hell. She'll leave, and I'll be left wanting something I never thought I'd need."

Determined to reclaim control of himself, Axel descended the steps. His approach was deliberate, his voice measured when he finally spoke.

"Everything is done," he said, stopping just behind her. "You're no longer needed here. You can retrieve yourself. A maid will come to help you with your dress. There's no need for us to share meals or moments in the future. You don't owe me anything, and I don't expect anything from you."

Thea didn't respond. Her head remained lowered, her delicate profile illuminated by the faint glow of the lanterns. For a moment, he thought she might say something, but instead, she rose quietly and began to walk toward the house.

Alone in her room, Thea stood before the full-length mirror, her reflection a stranger to her. Without calling for assistance, she slipped out of the gown, folding it carefully and laying it on the sofa. Her movements were slow, as though weighed down by an unseen force.

She crawled into bed, pulling the covers tightly around her as if they could shield her from the emptiness of the day. Tears spilled silently onto the pillow, her body trembling with a sadness she didn't try to suppress.

She closed her eyes, praying for the darkness to take her, wishing she didn't have to wake to another day.