Chapter 283
Imelda’s POV
Harmon Mansion—the next day
I spent the entire morning in preparations for the wedding.
I was filled with ecstasy as I was finally going to be legally Mrs. Rollings.
My wedding dress and Jonathan’s suit had arrived.
I had already chosen the jewelry to wear along with it, and my makeup kit was ready as well.
After all the chaos and humiliation I endured over the years.
After losing to Veronica every time.
Finally, I won and that too with her consent.
Jonathan himself agreed to marry me, and now no one will come in the way of our happiness.
I was feeling both victorious and convinced; I had finally found a way to have a legal, safe home and a surname.
One no one could ever take away from me.
“In a few hours, I’ll be Mrs. Rollings p>
My heart beat raced as I heard a car stop outside.
Jonathan had arrived to take me to the church.
As he walked inside, I saw he looked composed, but he said very little.
I was nervous at first, but then I presumed his silence must be because he’s nervous.
“You still haven’t gotten ready p>
“Just give me ten minutes; I’ll be ready p>
I quickly got ready.
Wore my dress and put on my makeup and my jewelry.
“How do I look?” I asked as I walked down the stairs.
“As always.” His reply was frank, but then we never had much open conversation.
I smiled as I knew that would change from today onwards.
“Let’s go or we’ll be late for the wedding p>
I smiled as I happily got into the car with him.
I kept on imagining the church and the guests.
I even wondered who all would come for our wedding.
I expected some sort of conversation along the way.
But he was quiet all the way.
I exhaled.
I was nervous, but I still felt secure, as he didn’t give me any reason to question his silence.
I suddenly sat upright as I saw he passed by three churches.
“Jonathan,” I questioned him.
“I didn’t ask you before p>
“But which church are we getting married at p>
“You’ll know soon p>
“I changed the location, as it would be better for us p>
It didn’t take me long to realize he was driving off to the city office.
“Are we going to have a court marriage p>
“But this isn’t what I dreamed of p>
He remained calm and didn’t answer as if it wasn’t important where we got married.
And after a few minutes, I also didn’t think it was much of a concern.
As long as we get married legally.
I was confused as to why the sudden change, but I assured myself as long as it’s marrying him.
He stopped the car outside the city office and walked around to open the door for me.
He led me inside.
City Office
I expected someone holding a bouquet, guests who would be mutual, and Adrian and Veronica waiting for us.
Instead, all I got was a quiet legal office.
“Since it’s my second marriage and I am the CEO of Rollings Designs, it’s best to have a quiet second marriage p>
“I don’t want everyone saying, ’You had a grand wedding after forcing Veronica to sign the papers for consent p>
“But I didn’t p>
“I know that,” Jonathan said. “But the others don’t p>
I was hesitating at first but then smiled.
Getting legally married was all I needed to shut every mouth that opened against me.
As we entered, the official placed the documents before us.
I looked around and noticed, let alone Veronica, even Adrian hadn’t arrived.
Jonathan’s assistant was the only one to witness the wedding.
“Why didn’t Veronica and Adrian arrive yet p>
“Oh come on,” Jonathan said. “Having them over would cause havoc on social media p>
“And I wanted a private wedding p>
“I didn’t want our competitors to use it against us p>
The official looked up.
“Allow me to explain the documents to you both p>
“The first is the official marriage certificate that legally binds you both in marriage p>
“The second document is for the confidentiality of this marriage p>
“Ms. Imelda, please read it first p>
I picked the document up and read it.
“The document states you agree to not reveal your marriage in public without Mr. Rollings’ consent p>
“Mrs. Veronica will remain Mr. Rollings’ legal wife in public p>
I immediately looked up at him in shock.
This wasn’t just a privacy agreement.
He didn’t want me to let anyone know we got married, and Veronica would continue to be his publicly recognized wife.
“Jonathan, why should I keep my marriage a secret?” I asked, with a confused look.
“I see no reason to do so p>
“We are marrying with consent from Veronica p>
“You know the business world is surrounded by people waiting to find a reason to throw dirt on us p>
“Alex is one of them p>
“He only needs one reason to show I’m not worthy of being the River admin p>
“I don’t want anyone to question my inheritance or my duties as the admin p>
“I assure you, once this matter is settled p>
“I will officially announce you as my legal wife p>
I knew I didn’t have any option, as disagreeing would mean he could back out of the marriage.
And I fought hard for this day.
I exhaled as I picked the pen up.
I was about to sign the marriage certificate first, but the official stopped me.
“The confidential document first,” he said firmly.
I signed the confidential document first and then the marriage certificate.
My hand trembled as I signed my name.
I was actually legally signing myself with Jonathan.
Then Jonathan signed, and the official did as well.
Then I looked up at Jonathan and waited for the official to announce.
“Now you both are husband and wife p>
“Congrats p>
I looked at the official.
He didn’t say ’legally,’ and he didn’t say, ’You can kiss our bride p>
I still looked up at Jonathan, thinking he would take the initiative himself.
But all I could see was calmness on his face.
I did feel proud, now that I had married him, but a small warning was also appearing in my head.
Again, he was quiet along the way.
So, I took the chance to ask him.
“Jonathan, why can’t we tell anyone about our marriage p>
“And don’t give me competitors and enemy thing p>
“I told you when the right time comes, I will officially announce our wedding to everyone p>
I tried to study his face.
I couldn’t make out.
Was he still confused because of the accident?
Or was he recalling a memory?
For the first time since I talked to him about the marriage, I was doubting the marriage.
“Why does he sound like he’s hiding something from me?” I said in my mind.
On the way back, he gave me limited answers to everything I asked.
He didn’t take me to dinner to celebrate our wedding. He didn’t kiss me. He didn’t even look happy.
I wanted to believe he was overwhelmed by all this.
But the secrecy document kept flashing before my eyes.
The marriage I dreamed of was a fact.
But I was not allowed to let anyone know about it.
Finally we reached home.
He drove off as soon as I got off.
Harmon Mansion
I quickly walked inside and quickly called one of my trusted men.
“I want all the information on Jonathan’s movements over the last few days p>
“Every detail surrounding my marriage to him p>
“I want to know when and who assisted him with the marriage paperwork p>
“Why did he chose the city office instead of the church, like we agreed on p>
“Why only his assistant came and why Adrian and Veronica didn’t attend as they agreed to p>
“I want it all, understand p>
I no longer felt victorious. I didn’t feel like I won against Veronica.
“Find out what Jonathan is up to p>
I walked up to my room.
I had decorated it before I left and hoped to surprise him as he would walk me in.
Yet…Here I was walking in all alone.
I glanced at the marriage certificate.
I saw Rollings beside my name.
That was what I wanted.
Yet…I still didn’t.
My confidence began to crack as I realized he never wanted to marry me in public.
But I was not going to be his hidden lover as well.
That I was determined at.