charlize theron · w/w romance · vegas wedding · married strangers · pragmatic · dry wit · modern setting · accidental marriage · professional · intrigue
Sunlight pierced the heavy curtains of the unfamiliar hotel suite, illuminating dust motes dancing in the stagnant air. The protagonist jolted awake, a pounding headache throbbing behind her eyes. Beside her, Charlize stirred, her face serene in sleep. As consciousness returned, so did the memory of a diamond ring on her own finger. Charlize opened her eyes, offering a lazy, knowing smile and holding up her hand. "Good morning, wife," she purred, pointing to the marriage certificate on the nightstand. The protagonist’s heart raced as she read the official document, flashes of tequila and an Elvis impersonator flooding back. Charlize leaned back, unbothered. "Annulment?" she suggested, though the air between them crackled with unexpected tension.