The hall was loud.
Too loud.
Too bright.
Too fake.
Jay stood still.
Dressed like a bride.
Looking like one.
Feeling nothing like one.
"Smile."
Someone whispered near her.
She didn't.
"Jay."
Her mother's voice.
Low. Warning.
Jay's lips curved.
Just enough.
Not real.
Across the hall…
He stood there.
Keifer.
Black suit.
Calm face.
Unbothered eyes.
Like this meant nothing.
Like she meant nothing.
Jay's fingers tightened around her bouquet.
"He looks perfect."
A relative murmured.
Jay let out a quiet breath.
"Of course he does."
Keifer's gaze shifted.
Found her.
Held her.
No smile.
No warmth.
Just that same… unreadable look.
Jay looked away first.
"Ready?"
The priest asked.
"No."
Jay said under her breath.
"Too late."
Keifer replied.
She turned to him.
Eyes sharp.
"You always do this?"
"Do what?"
"Act like you don't care."
A pause.
"I don't act."
Her jaw tightened.
"Bride and groom, please come forward."
They stepped closer.
Side by side.
Strangers.
Enemies.
Bound.
Jay kept her eyes ahead.
"Don't touch me unnecessarily."
Keifer's voice stayed low.
"Then don't give them a reason to notice."
She let out a humorless laugh.
"You're worried about appearances?"
"I'm worried about control."
Her fingers brushed his accidentally.
Both stilled.
Just for a second.
Then she pulled away.
Fast.
"Disgusting."
She muttered.
"Liar."
He replied.
Her breath hitched.
Just slightly.
The priest continued speaking.
Words neither of them cared about.
"Do you, Keifer…"
"I do."
He didn't hesitate.
Jay turned sharply.
"That was fast."
"You expected resistance?"
"I expected honesty."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"You wouldn't recognize it."
Her lips parted.
Anger rising.
"Do you, Jay…"
Silence.
Everyone watched.
Keifer didn't.
He already knew.
Jay swallowed.
"I do."
The words felt wrong.
Heavy.
Permanent.
"Exchange the rings."
Keifer took her hand.
Firm.
Steady.
Jay's pulse spiked.
"Relax."
He murmured.
"Don't tell me what to do."
"Then stop shaking."
"I'm not."
"You are."
His thumb brushed her skin.
Barely.
Jay froze.
Then she snatched her hand slightly.
But didn't pull away completely.
The ring slid onto her finger.
Cold.
Unwanted.
Binding.
Her turn.
She grabbed his hand.
Less gentle.
More force.
"Careful."
He said quietly.
"Why?"
She shot back.
"Scared I'll hurt you?"
A faint smirk.
"You can try."
She pushed the ring onto his finger.
Hard.
"There."
"Happy?"
He asked.
Jay looked at him.
Straight into his eyes.
"No."
A pause.
"Good."
The priest smiled.
Oblivious.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Silence between them.
Loud.
Heavy.
"You may—"
"Don't."
Jay snapped softly.
Keifer didn't even look at the priest.
"I wasn't going to."
A breath passed between them.
Hot.
Sharp.
"Thank God."
She muttered.
His voice dropped.
Only for her.
"Careful, Jay."
Her eyes flickered.
"What now?"
"You sound disappointed."
Her heart skipped.
Just once.
She stepped back.
Breaking it.
"In your dreams."
Keifer watched her.
Unmoving.
"Those are dangerous."
She turned away.
"I'm not afraid."
His reply came slow.
Certain.
"You should be."
The crowd clapped.
Smiled.
Celebrated.
But between them…
War had just begun.