Chapter 6

　　She looked at her mother, "what?"

　　"We can't." She told her remorsefully.

　　Tessa pulled away. "What do you mean by we can't."

　　"This marriage will save us." Blake, her father said from behind where he was standing.

　　"Save us?" she laughed brokenly. "By selling me?"

　　Her father's jaw tightened. "Watch your tone. This is all because of your mistake, you were the one who claimed to already be best friend with the groom."

　　Her tears fell faster now.

　　"Blake." Laura called cautiously but he ignored her.

　　"If you call off this wedding, the Beaumont deal collapses. We are on the verge of bankruptcy, Tessa. Do you understand that?"

　　She stared at him.

　　"We will lose everything."

　　Her chest rose and fell rapidly.

　　"So I'm collateral?"

　　"It's not like that." Laura tried to convince.

　　"It is exactly like that!" she cried.

　　Her mother's softened voice said desperately."If this deal doesn't go through today, we're finished. The houses. The company. Everything."

　　Her mind spun.

　　Her whole life the comfort, the status, the stability — balancing on her answer.

　　"But how can I marry someone I know nothing about when my heart beat for someone else."

　　"You have no choice," her father said finally, coldly.

　　That was it.

　　No choice.

　　Twelve years of loving her best friend all for nothing, the day he finally confessed his feelings for her was the same day she had no marry his brother. Not for love, but for money.

　　She turned away from everyone and wept bitterly.

　　"I do."

　　Tessa didn't recognize her own voice. It sounded distant, mechanical, like it belonged to someone else standing at the altar in her white dress.

　　The church was filled. Cameras flashed. Guests smiled. Applause echoed softly. But she felt nothing but ache in her chest, a pain that refuse to die.

　　Her hands were cold in his.

　　Grayson Beaumont. Her husband.

　　Even the word felt foreign and heavy. Her eyes still burns but she had not cried since she agreed, nor scream, or fight. She just trembled slightly as if internally wanting to disappear.

　　The priest waited for the applause to die down before reciting the husband vows, but Grayson's eyes was fixed on her.

　　None of her sniffled escaped him. Not her slight tremble. Not her brimming eyes.

　　She didn't want this wedding, he could tell, but then he remembered something.

　　***(Flashback)

　　"You talk like you actually care about me." Grayson smirked as he glared at his parents in disbelief.

　　"We do, Grayson, and this is us doing you a favor." Ciara flared.

　　Favor. That's what his mother called it.

　　"A wife will stabilize your image. You need a family man reputation. We're thinking of you."

　　He almost laughed. "Or you just need something to help you feel less guilty."

　　"Grayson." Blake called.

　　"Does anyone even know I'm your son?"

　　"Everyone knows. Everyone in the company knows that .."

　　"They know only recently after I helped with the stocks. I bet they were all shocked to the bones to see that the Beaumonts has two sons. Not one. And now, you're giving me a marriage proposal.. as compensation."

　　He smiled bitterly, coldly at his whole life. He had built the cooperation from the inside, while they paraded Tyler as the charming heir.

　　Tyler, who never attended meetings. Tyler, who partied.

　　And him?

　　He was used. When the company began slipping, falling into critical situation, that's when they make him the CEO.

　　They called it his responsibility, and the compensation was marriage.

　　"You never choose me," he told them coldly. "You assign me."

　　His father's response?

　　"You don't have anyone else anyway."

　　That one had landed. Because it was true.

　　No one. No woman. No fiancée. No emotional attachment. Just work. So they packaged the proposal like charity.

　　"We're securing your future. Call it a compensation but we're not making up for anything, nor do we feel guilty. We're just doing what's best for you, so you'll be marrying Tessa Monroe."

　　That name. A name he would never forget.

　　Tessa Monroe.

　　He never forgets about her, not for a day. But her? She didn't remember him.

　　Just like everyone else, she had forgotten about him like he never existed. Even though everything about her was unforgettable for him, but her? She'd rather choose someone else.

　　That one act of her had burned deeper than it should have.

　　"Sure. I'll marry her."

　　His parents were shocked to the bone when he accepted. Just like that.

　　***** ( End of flashback)****

　　It was his turn. "I do." He said, his voice steady, with no hesitation, but she stood still before him, silent, detached, clearly shattered, not because she was forced to marry him, but bcause she wasn't marrying his brother. Something unpleasant stirred inside him.

　　Resentment.

　　His jaw ticked.

　　The priest smiled warmly. "By the power vested in me.."

　　Grayson didn't wait. He stepped forward, one hand sliding firmly to her waist, pulling her closer before the priest could finish.

　　A quiet gasp spread through the church as his mouth claimed hers. Not soft, not tender, not cruel either.

　　It was deep. Claiming. A statement that caused an uproar.

　　Tessa's eyes widened for a split second before she froze. She didn't respond, resist, or kiss back. She just stood there, cheeks flushed, pulse racing beyond control.

　　When he pulled away, his gaze held hers. Dark. Unreadable. Possessive.

　　Shivers ran down her spine, her breath trembled as her lashes fluttered.

　　Grayson could feel his brother's gaze from the front row, burning, possessive, as if Grayson had stolen something that belonged to him.

　　But no, he hadn't stolen anything. He had handed it, and this one? he's never giving it back.

　　His lips curved into a smirk, then he leaned slightly closer towards her.

　　"You should smile," he murmured for only her to hear. "People are watching."

　　Her fingers clenched so hard as if fought the urge to wipe her lips, the lingering feeling of his mouth.

　　Her jaw tightened, but she forced a small, empty smile.

　　"Good." He mumbled and leaned back.

　　Everyone applauded and cheered but the moment she thought no one was watching, she slipped away through the back door.

　　Away from the noise, away from the moment that snatched everything brutally from her.

　　That kiss, she was supposed to be sharing it with the man she love, with Tyler. Not with his brother, not with her boss she despised.

　　Her breath quivered, panting as her heels clicked hastily across the marble, heading for the restroom.

　　"Tessy."

　　She heard Tyler's voice called after her, only then did she stop, breathing heavily. Her ankle hurts from running with heels, but the pain was nothing compared to the one in her chest.

　　The moment he got to her side, he grabbed her arms and pulled her to himself, hugging her so tight like she was a treasure he's scared would slipped away.

　　His warmth. His presence. His scent only made her burst into tears.

　　"It's okay. It's okay, Tessy." He pulled away, held her cheeks in his palms. "I'm here, you still have me. You'll always have me."

　　Tessa sobbed. "No." Her lips quivered. "This.. this is wrong."

　　"I know, but Tessy, this would never change how I feel about you. You may be married to my brother but you'd always be mine."

　　She sniffled. "That kiss.. I thought it'd be with you." She said, feeling her heart ripping apart in her throat.

　　Tyler smiled, tilted her face closer to his and locked eyes with her.

　　"We can still have it." He said. "Our kiss."

　　And his gaze dropped to her lips.