JASMINE'S POV
I should have expected the fallout.
I barely had time to sip my coffee before my bedroom door swung open with a dramatic BANG, shaking the walls as a whirlwind of blonde hair and fury stormed in.
"EXCUSE ME?! YOU GOT MARRIED WITHOUT ME?!"
I nearly choked.
Sophia's voice hit a decibel that probably shattered glass somewhere in the building. I winced, the steaming liquid sloshing dangerously to the rim of the cup as I hurriedly set it down before she made me spill it.
"Good morning to you, too," I muttered.
"Don't you 'good morning' me, Jasmine Heart!" she snapped, stomping across the room and planting herself in front of me, hands on her hips.
"Soph-"
"No!" She threw a hand up, cutting me off before I could even attempt an explanation. "No, no, no, you don't get to 'Soph' me either. I leave you alone for one night—ONE NIGHT—and you go and get married to a billionaire STRANGER?!"
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "It's… complicated."
Sophia's dark brown eyes narrowed. "Complicated?" she repeated, like I'd just confessed to a murder instead of an impulsive marriage.
"Complicated? No, girl, complicated is a bad haircut before an important event. Complicated is an ex showing up at your birthday party uninvited. Complicated is dealing with your ex at a company function. This—" she gestured wildly at me, "—this is full-blown lunacy!"
I sank onto the edge of the bed, exhaling. "I know, okay? But—"
"But what?" She folded her arms, giving me a pointed look. "You accidentally signed a marriage contract? He accidentally put a ring on your finger? Oh, wait—let me guess—you accidentally said 'I do'?"
I shot her a glare. "You done?"
"Not even close."
Of course not.
I dragged a hand down my face, exhaustion creeping in. "Look, I didn't plan for this to happen, okay?"
"Oh, I can tell," she shot back, crossing her arms. "Because if you had, I would have been there. With a wedding dress. And champagne. And probably a team of lawyers!"
Despite myself, a small laugh slipped out. "Thanks for the support."
Sophia ignored my sarcasm, tilting her head. I watched her dark brown eyes soften as she studied me. "How are you feeling, Jas?"
I had no answer, so I simply shrugged.
"Are you sure about this? About him?"
I hesitated.
Because I wasn't.
I wasn't sure about Aiden Stark, about his offer, about any of it.
Sophia must have caught the flicker of doubt in my eyes because her expression softened. "Jas…" she started, her voice quieter now. "If you're in trouble, you know you can tell me, right?"
I exhaled. "It's not that simple."
Sophia waited, giving me the space to explain. So I did.
I told her about the marriage certificate, Aiden's ultimatum, and the choice I made because I couldn't see any other way out.
When I finished, she just stared at me.
And then she groaned, rubbing her temples. "Oh my god. This is either the dumbest or the most brilliant thing you've ever done."
"Gee, thanks."
Sophia groaned and flopped onto the bed beside me, tossing an arm over her face. "God, you love making my life difficult."
I scoffed. "Your life?"
"Yes, my life. Do you know how hard it is to keep up with you?" She lifted her arm to squint at me. "Seriously, Jas, you can't keep doing this. Running headfirst into disaster just because you're scared to face things."
I stiffened at that, but she wasn't wrong.
Sophia sat up suddenly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Okay, fine. Let's get to the real question here." She wiggled her brows. "Does he at least kiss well?"
I blinked. "What?"
"You heard me." She smirked, leaning forward eagerly. "He's Aiden Stark. Billionaire. Alpha Male. Probably dangerous. Definitely broody. And you married him. So, did you get a taste test before signing your life away?"
I rolled my eyes. "We didn't—" I paused, the memory of last night flashing in my mind. The way Aiden had leaned in. The way his breath had fanned across my lips before I pulled away.
Sophia caught the hesitation instantly. "Oh my god. YOU DID."
I groaned. "Barely! It was nothing."
Sophia waggled her brows. "Aiden Stark doesn't look like a man who kisses like it's 'nothing.'"
"I hate you."
"No, you don't." She grinned. "Spill. Right now."
Before I could even attempt to lie, my phone buzzed loudly on the nightstand. My stomach twisted when I saw the name flashing across the screen.
Dad.
Of course.
Sophia saw the look on my face and sighed. "I take it the fun part is over?"
I took a steadying breath before answering. "Hi, Dad."
"I just got off the phone with Alexander's father," his deep, measured voice came through. No 'hello.' No 'how are you?' Just straight to business. "They're expecting an official confirmation about the engagement by the end of the week."
My throat tightened. "Dad—"
"We need this, Jasmine," he cut me off. "Heart Enterprises needs this. You know that."
Sophia watched me closely as I clenched my fingers around my phone.
"I… I can't, Dad." My voice was quieter now.
Silence. Then—
"What do you mean, you can't?"
"I—I already…" I swallowed hard. "I already got married."
The silence that followed was deafening.
And then, in a voice colder than I'd ever heard before, my father said, "What the hell did you just say?"
I flinched. "I got married," I repeated, quieter this time.
His voice turned sharp. "To whom?"
I hesitated. "Aiden Stark."
A heavy pause. Then the sound of something slamming against a desk. "You're joking."
"I'm not."
A sharp breath. "Fix this, Jasmine."
"I—"
"Fix this." His tone was final. No room for argument. Then the line went dead.
I let out a slow breath, staring at the screen as the call ended.
Sophia gave me a sympathetic look. "He's never going to change, is he?"
I shook my head. "Nope."
"Jerk."
I huffed out a laugh. "Yeah."
Just then, a knock at the door made us both freeze.
Sophia raised a brow. "You expecting someone?"
I frowned. "No…"
I moved cautiously toward the door, heart pounding slightly as I pulled it open.
A delivery guy stood there, holding a sleek black box. "Mrs. Frost?"
"Uh, yeah?"
He handed the box to me with a polite nod. "This is yours."
I hesitated, took it and signed for it. "Thanks…"
As soon as I shut the door, Sophia was immediately at my side. "Ooooh, what is it?"
I set the box on the bed and carefully lifted the lid.
Inside was the most beautiful gown I had ever seen. It was made of deep crimson silk, perfectly flowing yet structured, with detailed silver embroidery that sparkled in the light. On top of the gown, there was a small envelope.
Sophia snatched it before I could react. "There's a card!"
She cleared her throat dramatically before reading it aloud.
For the woman who will make the world remember her name. I'll see you at the ball, wifey. - Aiden."
Sophia whistled. "Damn. If this is a bribe, it's working."
I stared at the note, my stomach twisting with something I couldn't quite name. And then I saw what was underneath it—
An invitation.
To a ball.
My breath hitched.
Sophia snatched the invitation before I could react, reading it aloud. "Aiden Stark Frost cordially invites you to an exclusive gala celebrating his recent marriage to Jasmine Heart Frost."
Silence.
Then—
Sophia grinned, shaking her head. "Oh, honey… He is SO into you."
I swallowed hard, fingers tightening around the edge of the gown.
Because as much as I wanted to deny it, part of me was starting to wonder; was this really just a deal to him?
I groaned, flopping back onto the bed. What the hell had I gotten myself into?