Chapter 5 The next morning , as if concerned Anastasia might reconsider their hasty agreement , Cassian arrived at precisely eight - thirty to escort her to the marriage bureau . Being Cassian Rhodes meant never waiting in lines - they were immediately ushered through a private entrance , the staff practically tripping over themselves to accommodate them . As they signed the documents , the clerk couldn't help commenting , " You two are absolutely stunning together . Like something out of a magazine . " Anastasia felt heat creep up her neck . During their official photo , she caught something unexpected - the barest hint of a genuine smile on Cassian's usually impassive face . Thirty minutes later , they stepped into the crisp morning air with marriage certificate in hand , Anastasia still processing the surreal turn her life had taken . Mrs. Rhodes . She was actually Mrs. Rhodes now . Before she could fully absorb this new reality , Cassian took her left hand in his . His touch lingered as he slipped a silver ring from his pinky finger and placed it on her ring finger , his eyes never leaving hers . " Perfect fit , " he murmured , his thumb brushing across her knuckles . Anastasia studied the ring in fascination . The band featured an intricate , almost otherworldly pattern that seemed to shift in the light . As a jewelry designer , she prided herself on recognizing materials and craftsmanship at a glance , but this piece defied categorization . The metal was unlike anything she'd ever encountered - neither platinum nor white gold nor silver . It seemed more like a mark of possession than a mere accessory . " This looks … incredibly valuable , " she said , hesitantly meeting his gaze . " It's nothing , " Cassian replied , still holding her hand . " A placeholder . I'll have proper wedding bands designed specifically for us . " The way he said " us " carried unexpected weight . 15:58 Dumped Today , Married Tomorrow : My Overnight Wedding to a Tycoon 2.9 % Chapter 5 Anastasia opened her mouth to protest , then thought better of it . " Okay . " His possessiveness was unmistakable , and she sensed he wasn't a man accustomed to hearing " no . " Satisfaction flickered in his eyes as his hand moved to the small of her back . " Good . Let's go . Home or office? " Just then , her phone rang . She glanced at the screen and felt her body tense . After several rings , she finally answered . " Hello . " Her voice was flat . " Where the hell are you ? " Jasper's voice cut through the speaker , impatient and entitled . " Out , " she replied , surprised by how little his voice affected her now . " What do you mean ' out ' ? The A ' Design strategy meeting started fifteen minutes ago . Everyone's waiting . " His voice rose with irritation . Anastasia responded with deliberate formality , " Mr. Hale , I'm taking a personal day . " Christ , Ana . Is this still about last night ? They were drunk . It was nothing . You're being s . " Jasper showed zero remorse , his tone dismissive . " Joke or not , I couldn't care less anymore . " She paused , a spark of satisfaction warming her chest . " And for your information , I'm taking today off because I just got married . " " What kind of bullshit game are you playing now ? " Jasper's voice cracked with shock . " Who the fuck would you marry ? Is this some desperate ploy to force my hand ? " Anastasia nearly laughed out loud . Force his hand ? So that's how little he thought of her - just another woman trying to trap the eligible bachelor . The realization should have hurt , but she felt nothing . He'd become a stranger to her overnight . 15:58 Dumped Today . Married Tomorrow : My Overnight Wedding to a Tycoon Chapter 5 " Don't worry , you're not the groom . " Her voice was ice . " I'll be in at three to clear out my desk . " She hung up mid - protest . As she lowered the phone , her expression hardened . Cassian's eyes hadn't left her face during the entire exchange . " Hale ? " His voice had dropped an octave . Anastasia nodded once . Cassian's jaw tightened imperceptibly , his hand at her back pressing more firmly . " Starting today , that man exists to you only as a business associate , " he said , his voice deceptively casual . " Nothing more . " Anastasia met his penetrating gaze without flinching . " Trust me , he's nothing to me now . But since this happened so quickly , " she gestured between them , " I need a little time to sort things out . Can we keep our marriage private for a few days? " She needed to handle the professional separation cleanly . Cassian studied her for a long moment , his eyes unreadable . " You can have your time . " His fingers traced a pattern at the small of her back , sending unexpected heat through her body . " But remember , Anastasia , " he leaned closer , his breath warm against her ear , " when you chose to wear my ring, you accepted everything that comes with being my wife . " His lips nearly brushed her skin . " And I expect my wife in my bed , not just on paper . " Anastasia's breath caught as heat rushed to her face and pooled lower . Despite delivering such an intimate promise with the cool confidence of discussing business strategy , his words triggered a response she couldn't control . She bit her lower lip , noticing how his eyes tracked the movement . " I understand completely . Give me three days to talk to my grandmother and … prepare . " She wasn't naive about what marriage to Cassian would entail physically . She wasn't prudish or old - fashioned about these things . But they were practically strangers , despite now being legally bound . 15:58 Dumped Today . Married Tomorrow : My Overnight Wedding to a Tycoon 31 % Chapter 3 Cassian watched her blush spread , his eyes darkening with satisfaction . " Three days , " he agreed , his voice a silken promise . Thinking about her tense call with Jasper , he asked , " Do you need me to intervene with Hale ? " " No , " Anastasia said firmly . " I can handle him myself . He's not worth your attention . " She met Cassian's gaze directly . " I promise , by tonight there will be nothing connecting us beyond unavoidable business matters . " Cassian looked faintly surprised at her independence . Most women would use their new husband as a weapon against an ex . " Three days , then , " he confirmed . " My driver will collect you and your belongings on Saturday morning . And we'll arrange a proper meeting with Elisabeth . I look forward to meeting the woman who raised someone like you . " " Thank you , " Anastasia said softly , genuinely touched . They'd just met and married , yet he was already treating her grandmother with more respect than Jasper had shown in three years . She remembered how during their entire relationship , Jasper had visited Elisabeth exactly four times . Each visit had been filled with ostentatious gifts and thinly veiled impatience to leave . With newfound clarity , Anastasia saw how she'd ignored countless red flags , making excuses for Jasper's behavior . At least now she'd seen through the facade to the hollow man beneath . " Call me if you need anything , " Cassian said , his hand sliding to her waist as he guided her toward his waiting car . " Anything at all . " The double meaning wasn't lost on her . Anastasia tensed briefly at his possessive touch , then consciously relaxed . She was his wife now . This was her new normal . Life really was unpredictable . Twenty - four hours ago , she'd been planning her future with Jasper . Now she was married to one of 15:58 0 Dumped Today Married Tomorrow : My Quorniały Wedding to a Tucson 7.306 Chapter 3 the most powerful men in New York . But as she slid into the leather seat of Cassian's Bentley , Anastasia felt no regrets . In fact , for the first time in years , she felt like she might be exactly where she belonged . ( 21 ) ( 0 ) 15:58