In a magnificent mansion, the morning atmosphere seemed calm. However, beneath that tranquility lay a sense of anxiety enveloping Hera's heart. She had just received news that her mother had suddenly collapsed on the way there. She continuously prayed for her parents, hoping they would reach the hospital quickly.
Yes, her parents did not make it to the mansion because her mother’s condition had weakened. Hera had been crying, her eyes swollen from worrying about her mother’s fate.
“Mom... hold on... I’ve sacrificed my life by marrying someone I don’t know for your treatment... please hold on...” she murmured to herself, hugging her knees and crying.
Max, the man, had not been seen since yesterday when his parents returned. She wanted to ask him to take her to see her parents, but he was not there.
Ring...
The phone in her room rang, indicating someone was calling. Hera quickly answered and found it was Max.
“Hera...? Are you there?” Max asked.
“Max? Yes, it’s me...” Hera replied, her voice trembling from crying.
“Stop crying. I’m at the hospital where your mom is being treated. You don’t need to worry; her condition is stable now,” Max said, trying to calm her.
“Please take good care of my mom... I beg you...” Hera pleaded through her tears.
“I will do my best for her,” Max replied before hanging up.
With the news that her mother was okay, Hera felt a bit more at ease. Now she needed to rest because their wedding would take place the next day. It would be embarrassing if her face and eyes looked like a tomato on that special day.
Skip to the next day,
The long-awaited day finally arrived. The sun shone brightly over the grand mansion, and the atmosphere was filled with the bustling sounds of the servants busy preparing everything for Max and Hera's wedding. However, in the bridal room, Hera stood in front of the mirror, feeling the nervousness coursing through her body.
The white gown she wore felt heavy, not just because of the beautiful silk material, but also due to the weight of hopes and expectations. She clenched her hands, trying to calm herself.
“Hera, everything will be alright,” her father’s gentle voice broke the silence. “You look very beautiful.”
Hera gave a weak smile, but her heart raced. She wasn’t just marrying Max; she was also embarking on a new life full of uncertainties.
Hera also felt sad because her mother couldn't attend due to her weakened condition. So, only her father would be there. Nevertheless, her mother would be able to watch the event live through a video call that Max had arranged.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the mansion, Max felt the same anxiety. Surrounded by family and friends, he tried to appear calm. However, thoughts about this arranged marriage haunted him.
“Max, are you ready?” his friend Ryan asked, giving him a pat on the back.
“I don’t know,” Max replied, staring out the window at the arriving guests.
“Don’t worry; everything will go smoothly. Hera is a good girl,” Ryan reassured him.
“Yes, I know. But...” Max trailed off. What could he do to make this marriage more than just an obligation?
As the ceremony began, Hera stepped out of the bridal room, her heart racing. She saw the guests smiling but was searching for Max. When she spotted him at the altar, looking uncertain, a strange feeling washed over her.
At the altar, Max looked at Hera with a mix of anxiety and hope. As Hera walked closer, there was beauty in the simplicity of the moment. A feeling of mutual attraction began to grow between them, even though they didn’t know each other fully.
The wedding commenced, and every word spoken felt full of meaning. When they both recited their vows, Max felt something shift in his heart. He promised to love and cherish Hera, and at that moment, he realized that he might find love in this marriage.
After exchanging sacred vows, they turned to face the applauding guests. The atmosphere was lively, but for the two of them, the world felt quiet. In that moment, Max held Hera’s hand, feeling warmth he had never experienced before.
As they walked out of the church, greeted by a shower of flowers, the smile on Hera's face warmed Max’s heart. He realized he was not just marrying a girl, but also gaining a friend and partner he could rely on. Could he learn to love the girl who was now legally his?
Upon arriving at the mansion, they went to their respective rooms. Yes, they were only married on paper. So, they would continue to sleep separately unless their families came to stay at the mansion, in which case they would sleep together.