Chapter 17

The realization hit Alice like a lightning strike.

This had all been Margaret's doing.

Just days ago, Margaret had whispered about planning a special surprise. Now Alice understood. A warmth spread through her chest despite the chill in the air.

In this icy world, Margaret remained Alice's sole source of comfort.

With only two months left, Alice would play her part perfectly for Margaret's sake. Even if it meant pretending with Alexander.

"Thank you, mom. I love this surprise." Alice lifted the hem of her gown. "Alexander chose this dress. What do you think?"

Margaret's eyes glistened as she studied the intricate lace.

"My dear, I never realized how breathtaking you'd look in bridal makeup. You and Alexander were destined to be." Margaret's smile could've lit up the entire restaurant.

She wasn't alone in this sentiment. Every staff member present agreed - the couple looked like something out of a fairy tale.

"Alice," Margaret's voice grew tender, "I never had my own wedding. No dress, no ceremony. I wanted yours to be magnificent, but Alexander insisted on keeping it simple because of my condition. Just us here today. Is that alright?"

Alice knew the real reason for Alexander's modesty - their marriage was merely contractual.

But she simply smiled. "Your blessing is all I need, mom. Why would I want strangers at my wedding when I'll be building a life with Alexander?"

Margaret's joy overflowed. She clasped Alice's wrist, sliding an emerald bracelet onto it. "Such wisdom in one so young. You've set my heart at peace."

"Mom!" Alice feigned outrage. "No talk like that on our happy day."

"Of course, darling. Let's proceed."

Alexander remained silent throughout, observing Alice's transformation. The woman who showed such coldness to others became radiant warmth around his mother.

The trio entered the rooftop hall - Alice and Alexander hand-in-hand, Margaret in her wheelchair.

Candles flickered as a priest waited at the altar. For a fleeting moment, Alice forgot this was pretend. The sacred atmosphere felt painfully real.

Then reality crashed back.

Would she ever have a true wedding? Who would want an ex-convict, homeless, jobless, carrying another man's child?

This might be her only bridal moment.

"...Do you, Alice Carter, take Alexander Knight... in sickness and health... till death do you part?"

"I do." The words tasted like ashes.

Little one, are you watching? Mommy may never marry for real, but today I found you a father.

"Exchange the rings."

The band Alexander slid onto her finger sparked déjà vu. His touch resurrected that forgotten night's sensations.

"You may kiss the bride."

Alice froze.

Kiss Alexander? After that mysterious stranger mere weeks ago? The thought sickened her.

She turned away instinctively. Margaret mistook it for shyness, smiling fondly.

Alexander wasn't having it. He captured her lips with possessive precision. The kiss burned - not with passion, but humiliation. His dominating grip felt eerily familiar.

When they parted, both were flushed for different reasons. Alexander frowned, plagued by nagging recognition.

"My wish for you - a lifetime together," Margaret whispered.

The private ceremony concluded. Unseen in the shadows below, three figures seethed.

Benjamin, Olivia, and Victoria Sullivan. Humiliation demanded retaliation.

Victoria's jealousy had curdled into something darker. "Why would Alexander marry that nobody when he promised me?"

Their answer came unexpectedly. A passing caregiver paused when Olivia struck up conversation.

"The poor dear," the woman confided, "The groom's mother is dying. She wanted this match, though the son seems indifferent. This wedding's just to humor her."

Victoria's lips curled. She dialed a number with manicured nails.

"Damian? I have a job for you. Name your price."

The line went dead as Victoria's smile turned vicious. Alice Carter's fairytale moment was about to become a nightmare.