The black Rolls-Royce glided through the bustling streets of Madrid with silent authority.
Jasmine sat rigidly in the passenger seat, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She had asked herself a hundred questions since leaving the airport, but the biggest one remained unanswered.
Where exactly was Leonardo taking her?
She glanced sideways.
The man beside her remained as composed as ever. His expression revealed nothing.
The silence inside the car felt suffocating.
Unable to endure it any longer, she finally spoke. “Where are we going?”
Leonardo didn’t even spare her a glance.
“The Civil Affairs Bureau.”
She blinked. “The... what?”
“The Civil Affairs Bureau.” His calm tone made it sound as though he had merely announced they were going out for lunch. “We’re registering our marriage today.”
Jasmine froze, her heart skipped violently.
This soon?
They had only just met today.
“What?”
Only then did Leonardo look at her, his dark eyes were unreadable.
“The marriage arrangement between our families was settled years ago. It was supposed to be formalized today. Nothing has changed.”
Jasmine stared at him but tried to remain composed, reminding herself that she had already agreed to this. Though, things were moving so fast, she didn’t have much choice to begin with anyway.
“I dislike wasting time.” Leon continued. “So I’ll make everything clear before we arrive. This is strictly a contractual marriage, my grandmother’s health is deteriorating.”
His voice remained steady, but something softened for the briefest second when he mentioned the elderly woman.
“Her greatest wish is to see me married and I intend to fulfill that wish.” He paused. “There will be no emotional obligations. The contract lasts one year. At the end of one year, we’ll divorce peacefully.”
Jasmine remained silent.
Leonardo continued listing the terms as though negotiating a business acquisition.
“During the marriage, you’ll receive five hundred thousand dollars every month as personal spending money.”
She nearly choked.
“Five... five hundred thousand?”
“I don’t repeat myself.” He continued. “When the contract expires, a villa in Shallow Bay will be transferred into your name.”
Her breathing stopped.
A villa...
In Shallow Bay?
One of Madrid’s most expensive districts?
Was he serious?
“As for the Gallo family’s problems, I’ll resolve them.”
Those simple words carried astonishing confidence.
Jasmine looked at him as though seeing him for the first time.
Does he really need to offer so much to a wife of one year?
“Why are you offering so much?”
“You’ll be playing the role of Mrs. Madrigal and I need you to play it very well. That is why you’d be compensated accordingly.”
Again.
Everything was measured.
Calculated.
Professional.
She lowered her gaze.
One year.
Five hundred thousand every month.
A villa afterward.
Her family’s survival.
She would be lying if she said she wasn’t tempted.
But one question still lingered, she looked directly into his eyes.
“What about marital obligations?”
The air inside the car became strangely quiet. For the first time since they’d met, Leonardo’s lips curved into the faintest smile.
Not warm.
Not gentle.
Dangerous.
His deep voice became lower.
“I’m no saint.”
Her heartbeat accelerated as his gaze lingered on her face.
“But I don’t force women. If you don’t wish to. I won’t touch you. But if your sexual needs must be met during the period of our marriage, you must only do it with me.”
Jasmine understood. This man respected consent. Yet he also made no attempt to pretend he had no desires. Oddly enough, his honesty reassured her.
After several long moments, she slowly nodded. “I agree.”
No hesitation remained.
She had already lost everything.
Perhaps this strange marriage would become the beginning of something new. Or perhaps it would simply be another transaction in her unfortunate life.
Either way, she had nothing left to lose.
***********
Half an hour later, the Bentley rolled into the parking lot of the Civil Affairs Bureau.
The modern government building bustled with newly engaged couples.
Young brides held bouquets.Excited grooms wrapped arms around their fiancées.
Laughter echoed throughout the lobby.
In contrast, Leonardo and Jasmine walked inside with expressions so calm they looked as though they were attending a board meeting instead of registering a marriage.
The staff immediately recognized Leonardo.
Someone hurried over respectfully. “Mr. Madrigal. The paperwork has already been prepared.”
Leon gave a brief nod.
Without another word, they were escorted into a private registration office. Everything had indeed been arranged beforehand.
Documents.
Application forms.
Identity verification.
Even the witnesses were already waiting. The efficiency was astonishing.
Soon, the registrar smiled politely.
“Miss Gallo. Please sign here.”
A pen was placed before her, Jasmine stared at the blank line.
Her fingers slowly tightened. Then with slightly trembling fingertips, she carefully wrote a name that wasn’t hers.
Maliyah Gallo.
The moment she finished signing, guilt flooded her chest, she wasn’t merely borrowing someone else’s identity anymore.
She was legally becoming someone else.
The registrar accepted the documents and began checking the identification card.
Everything seemed normal until the registrar frowned. His eyes shifted repeatedly between the identification card and Jasmine herself.
The smile gradually disappeared.
“Miss Gallo...” His voice carried uncertainty. “This photograph...”
Jasmine’s heart instantly sank. The photo belonged to Maliyah.
She and Maliyah didn’t look alike at all. At one glance, one could tell something was off.
Cold sweat formed behind her neck.
How did her mother ever think this was a good idea?
Why didn’t she herself think this through?!
Now she would have to face Leonardo’s wrath?
Her palms became damp. She instinctively looked toward Leon.
He remained astonishingly calm. Not a trace of concern appeared on his handsome face.
The registrar hesitated. “I’m sorry...The photograph seems slightly...” Before he could finish speaking, two light knocks echoed across the desk.
Leonardo had merely lifted one finger and tapped the polished wooden surface twice.
The sound wasn’t loud, yet the atmosphere instantly changed.
The registrar looked up and their eyes met. No threats were spoken. No warnings were given.
But something in Leonardo’s gaze caused the registrar’s expression to stiffen.
The office fell into complete silence.
The registrar quietly lowered his head again. “Eve...Everything appears to be in order.” Without another question, he picked up the official seal.
The stamp landed firmly on the application, another stamp followed, then another.
“Congratulations. You are now legally married.”
Jasmine stared blankly at the documents in front of her.
She had really and officially become the substitute bride of Mr Madrigal.