Page 155 of Only On Paper

She looked back at the crowd. Her mother immediately wrapped her in a hug. “We’re so happy for you.”

“You were already happy for us,” Vani laughed.

“Now we’re happier.”

Vani shook her head in disbelief. “You’re all insane.”

Theo leaned toward me. “You’re welcome.”

I ignored him. Instead, I reached for Vani’s hand. She slipped her fingers into mine easily.

“You know,” she said softly, “this might be the most romantic thing you’ve ever done.”

“That’s good.”

“Because if you’d tried to negotiate this like a business contract, I would have said no.”

I smirked.

“Noted.”

She squeezed my hand.

And as our families surrounded us with laughter and congratulations, I realized something I hadn’t expected.

For the first time since this entire crazy arrangement began—

Nothing about our marriage had felt temporary.

But now it felt how it should have from the start.

Real, not only on paper.