Chapter 3 — The Silent Bride
The wedding was quiet.
Too quiet for something that was supposed to be grand.
No music.
No laughter.
No vows exchanged between two people.
Only signatures… and silence.
Millar stood beside the hospital bed.
Dressed in formal clothes that felt more like chains than fabric.
In front of him—
Chloe lay still.
Unmoving.
Unaware… at least to everyone else.
"…This counts as a marriage," the lawyer said softly.
Papers were signed.
Witnesses nodded.
And just like that—
It was over.
Millar exhaled slowly.
"So this is it…"
In the original story, this moment never belonged to him.
This place—
This role—
Was supposed to be Andru's.
His gaze shifted slightly.
Andru stood near the window.
Quiet.
Distant.
Watching everything… as always.
For a brief moment, Millar felt something strange.
Not fear.
Not hatred.
But… discomfort.
"I took his place…"
The thought lingered longer than expected.
"Take good care of her."
Andru's voice broke the silence.
Calm.
Simple.
But carrying something deeper.
Millar glanced at him.
"…I will."
Their eyes met.
Just for a second.
And in that moment—
Something invisible passed between them.
Not conflict.
Not yet.
But not peace either.
Inside the still body—
Chloe heard everything.
The faint rustle of papers.
The low voices.
The quiet promise.
Marriage…
It felt unreal.
Like a dream she couldn't wake from.
Millar… married me…
Her heart beat faster.
Even though her body didn't move.
She remembered everything.
The past.
The feelings she once held.
The boy she liked.
The one she trusted.
And now…
He was hers.
Not because of a contract.
Not because of family pressure.
But because he chose her.
That thought alone—
Made something inside her twist.
Warm.
Soft.
And slowly…
Tightening.
You didn't leave me…
Time passed.
The hospital room became their world.
Day turned into night.
Night into day.
And Millar…
Stayed.
At first, it was out of caution.
He knew the story.
Knew this was the point where everything changed.
But days passed.
Then weeks.
And he never left.
He read beside her.
Worked beside her.
Slept in the chair next to her bed.
"…You're really not waking up, huh," he muttered one night.
His voice was quieter now.
Softer.
Less guarded.
"I already changed the story…"
"…so you should at least meet me halfway."
No response.
But inside—
Chloe heard every word.
I'm here…
She wanted to say it.
Scream it.
Reach out.
But her body refused.
Still…
Her feelings didn't stop.
They grew.
Every moment he stayed.
Every small action.
Every quiet word.
It all built up.
Don't go…
The thought came naturally now.
Without hesitation.
Stay with me…
And slowly—
That warmth inside her heart…
Turned into something heavier.
Something deeper.
Something that didn't want to share.
Outside—
Millar adjusted the blanket around her.
Careful.
Gentle.
"…You're colder today."
He hesitated for a moment…
Then lightly held her hand.
"…Just until you wake up," he murmured.
Inside the silence—
Chloe felt it.
That small touch.
And she held onto it.
Tightly.
As if she never wanted to let go.
Even if it meant—
Holding him forever.