Chapter 1: A Marriage to a Stranger

The cold words echoed inside Sabrina Scott's mind.

"I'm taking you to get a marriage certificate."

She stared at the man sitting beside her, unable to believe what she had just heard.

"Marriage?" she whispered.

"Didn't you say... you're Sebastian Ford?"

He didn't even glance at her.

"That's right."

"Why me?"

"Because my grandfather chose you."

"You don't need to know anything else."

The luxury sedan sped through the city while Sabrina sat frozen.

Only a few hours ago, she had been released from prison after serving two years for a crime she never committed.

She had lost her mother.

Lost her freedom.

Lost every place she once called home.

And now a complete stranger wanted to marry her.

Nothing in her life made sense anymore.

"If you don't want this marriage," Sebastian finally spoke, "you can get out now."

"But don't expect another chance."

Sabrina lowered her head.

She had nowhere to go.

No family.

No money.

No future.

"I'll marry you," she answered quietly.

"Good."

That was all he said.

An hour later, the car stopped outside the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Several assistants were already waiting.

Everything had been prepared.

No reporters.

No ceremony.

No celebration.

Just paperwork.

Sebastian signed the documents without hesitation.

Sabrina held the pen with trembling fingers.

Marriage was supposed to be the happiest moment of a woman's life.

Yet tears quietly rolled down her cheeks as she signed her name.

The clerk smiled politely.

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Ford."

Neither of them smiled back.

The marriage certificate felt strangely heavy in Sabrina's hands.

Before she could even look at it properly, Sebastian's assistant took it away for safekeeping.

"Young Master Ford never carries important documents himself," he explained.

Sabrina simply nodded.

She no longer had the energy to ask questions.

The car soon arrived at the Ford family mansion.

It was far larger than anything Sabrina had ever imagined.

Tall iron gates slowly opened.

Beautiful gardens stretched across the property.

Luxury cars were parked in perfect rows.

Servants lined both sides of the entrance.

"Welcome home, Young Master."

Dozens of voices greeted him together.

No one looked at Sabrina.

To them, she was invisible.

Sebastian walked inside without waiting for her.

Sabrina quietly followed.

The enormous living room looked more like a palace than a house.

Crystal chandeliers illuminated every corner.

Rare paintings decorated the walls.

Everything looked expensive.

Everything except her.

She still wore the same old clothes she had left prison in.

"You're finally here!"

An elderly voice interrupted the silence.

An old man sitting in a wheelchair smiled warmly at Sabrina.

"Come here, child."

Sabrina hesitated.

Sebastian remained expressionless.

"Grandfather," he said coldly.

"You kept your promise," the old man smiled.

"Good."

He reached out and held Sabrina's hand gently.

"I'm Arthur Ford."

"Thank you for agreeing to marry my grandson."

Sabrina quickly shook her head.

"No... I should be thanking you."

"Without this marriage..."

She couldn't finish the sentence.

Arthur sighed softly.

"From today onward, you're part of this family."

"No one is allowed to bully you."

Sebastian looked away.

Arthur noticed immediately.

"Sebastian."

"Remember what you promised me."

"I know."

"Treat her with respect."

"I'll fulfill my responsibility."

Responsibility.

Not love.

Sabrina understood the difference instantly.

Dinner was served shortly afterward.

The huge dining table could seat more than twenty people.

Yet only the three of them were present.

Arthur continuously placed food onto Sabrina's plate.

"You're too thin."

"Eat more."

"Thank you, Grandpa," Sabrina answered softly.

It was the first kindness she had received in years.

Her eyes became red again.

Sebastian silently watched everything.

After dinner, Arthur suddenly coughed violently.

"Grandpa!"

Doctors immediately rushed into the room.

Sabrina instinctively stood aside.

She noticed Sebastian's usually cold face finally reveal concern.

"How long has he been sick?" she quietly asked an assistant.

"Several years."

"The chairman's greatest wish was seeing Young Master Sebastian get married."

"That's why..."

The assistant stopped speaking.

Sabrina finally understood.

She wasn't chosen because Sebastian wanted her.

She was simply medicine for an old man's dying wish.

Late that night, Sebastian opened the bedroom door.

The room was enormous.

One king-sized bed stood in the middle.

He placed a pillow and blanket onto the sofa.

"You'll sleep there."

Sabrina nodded.

"I understand."

"Don't misunderstand this marriage."

"You're Mrs. Ford only in front of my grandfather."

"Outside this room... we're strangers."

His voice was colder than winter.

"I won't interfere with your life."

"You stay out of mine."

"When my grandfather recovers, we'll divorce."

Every word pierced Sabrina's heart.

But she forced herself to smile.

"Okay."

Sebastian switched off the lights.

Silence filled the room.

Sabrina lay awake on the sofa for hours.

She touched the marriage certificate copy hidden inside her bag.

She had dreamed about marriage countless times.

Never like this.

Around midnight, she suddenly heard Sebastian groan painfully.

"Ugh..."

She immediately sat up.

"Mr. Ford?"

There was no answer.

His breathing became heavier.

She quickly walked toward the bed.

Moonlight revealed sweat covering his forehead.

"You're burning up..."

She reached out to check his temperature.

Suddenly, Sebastian grabbed her wrist.

His sharp eyes slowly opened.

"Who allowed you to touch me?"

Sabrina froze.

Before she could explain, Sebastian suddenly lost consciousness again.

His body collapsed back onto the bed.

Sabrina looked at his pale face.

She realized something was terribly wrong.

"Someone!" she shouted.

"Help! Mr. Ford has collapsed!"

Outside the bedroom, hurried footsteps echoed through the mansion.