"Congratulations on your wedding!"

"I hope you two will become a happy couple for the rest of your lives."

"You two are really a match made in heaven!"

"What a beautiful bride and handsome groom."

"They will surely have a great life in the future."

"The bride is truly blessed by the heavens!"

"Finally! Cleo has found her perfect match!"

"Congratulations!"

-//-//-

Today is her wedding day.

She should be happy, right? After all, this is what she wanted to happen for a long time.

It was Cleo's dream to become the lawfully wedded wife of Chandler Zedd, the man she pursued for a very long time. She dreamed a long time ago to walk on an aisle where her soon-to-be husband is waiting for her at the altar. And today, Cleo has finally made that dream come true.

But Cleo feels dull, detached, and lifeless as she watches the wedding—Her own wedding—happen right in front of her eyes. The smiling faces of their guests make her feel nauseous and dizzy. She feels like running away from this luxurious yet suffocating wedding but the arm wrapped around her waist is like a chain that prevents her from doing all of it.

"Cleo."

Turning her head, Cleo saw the face of the man she married today. He is wearing a white suit that matches his angelic face. His handsome face carried a happy smile that shows their guest how happy he is to marry her.

But is it really a smile of happiness because of their wedding?

He is faking it.

It took Cleo several years to understand and see it. But the gentle smiles on Chandler's lips are all but pretense and acting. Cleo thought if Chandler will marry her, she can put a real happy smile on his lips.

But she is completely wrong.

"We should greet our guests, Cleo."

Cleo had looked at him a lot of times. She can no longer count how many times she dreamed of seeing his handsome face every morning once she wakes up. But this is the first time that Cleo has to look at him with observing eyes.

When Chandler saw Cleo looking at him, he gave her a sweet smile. But instead of her usual gazes filled with adoration and love, Cleo gave him a disgusted look. The sweet smile on Chandler's face stiffened but he quickly fix it before anyone can see it. Like a considerate husband, Chandler helps Cleo to walk in her heavy wedding dress.

They walk towards their guests and Chandler greeted them with a smile that can be translated as a smile of a happy man who finally married his beloved woman. Every guest who is invited to the wedding is raising their champagne glass to toast for them. Chandler even listens to the requests of the elders to kiss his bride.

One guest noticed that Cleo's smile is a bit strained. She just made an excuse saying the heels she is wearing today are already killing her feet. That statement made a few guests laugh before they told the groom to let his wife have a rest first. Chandler excused themselves for a bit before bringing Cleo to the resting room.

"Do you want me to call mom to accompany you?" Chandler asked with a soft smile on his face.

"...No need. Just lock the door once you leave. I will go out after I change my shoes."

Chandler stares at his wife. He let out a soft sigh before reaching for her hand. Chandler holds it gently as if she is a fragile glass. He is also looking at her with overflowing gentleness in his eyes. If it was before, she will be swept off her feet in an instant.

But Cleo is no longer willing to be deceived by him.

So why did she say yes and promised to stay on this man's aide in front of the altar earlier?

Because Cleo thinks she has no one on her side anymore.

"Cleo, we are now husband and wife. You can always ask me if there is something that troubles you." Chandler said in a doting voice.

"...I know. You should go back now. Our guests are all from important and rich families. They must be bored since no one is entertaining them." Cleo said while pulling her hand away from him.

Chandler's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. But he quickly put himself under control. He returns the affectionate look on his face while facing his newly wedded wife.

"Don't speak nonsense now, Cleo. You are still more important than our guests today."

Cleo no longer opens her mouth to speak. She also lowered her head so Chandler cannot see the expression on his face. She heard him let out a soft sigh before he walked toward the door.

"You should go back to the reception area after you get a little rest and change your shoes. I will be waiting for you, okay?"

Chandler did not wait for her response and left her alone inside the resting room. The sounds of footsteps are slowly fading into the background until the silence quickly enveloped the room."