Married to a Stranger

"How boring. When is the bride going to arrive? She's already late, isn't she?"

In the lavish ballroom, Mark Leon leaned against the window, glancing at his phone with a sigh.

He had finally taken a holiday, intending to hang out with friends, only for his parents to drag him to a relative's wedding. He thought he'd just make an appearance and leave, but after waiting endlessly, the bride still hadn't shown up. The groom, Alex Dupont, stood before the priest with a stony expression, having been there for over half an hour, looking increasingly menacing.

"Did she stand him up?"

Mark muttered, sipping a drink absentmindedly, not paying much attention.

Suddenly, the grand doors of the ballroom creaked open, and the murmuring guests turned to look, expecting the bride. Instead, her pale and distressed parents hurried in.

The elderly couple rushed to Alex, tears streaming down their faces and bodies trembling, as if apologizing profusely.

Alex's face grew even colder as he listened, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

The guests whispered among themselves, "What's going on? Did the bride run away?"

"If she did, this will be quite the scandal for the Dupont family."

"Alex, the business mogul, getting left at the altar. What a joke!"

The guests, mostly industry professionals and socialites, were gleeful at the prospect of Alex's humiliation, relishing the downfall of a competitor.

"Is she really not coming?"

Mark sighed, his gaze drifting towards Alex, only to meet the man's icy stare.

Startled, Mark nearly dropped his glass, feeling as though Alex's gaze could cut through him.

What's going on? Why is he staring at me?

Mark patted his chest to calm his racing heart, taking a quick sip to steady himself, unaware that Alex's eyes were still fixed on him.

"Is he the only one from your family present?" Alex asked the bride's parents, his voice devoid of emotion.

The bride's parents nodded fearfully, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Alex's frown deepened, but then a strange smile played on his lips. "If you want to see me humiliated, I'll give you a show."

Amid the bride's parents' bewilderment, Alex strode towards Mark.

The guests, curious, followed Alex's gaze, puzzled.

Mark, hearing the commotion, looked up, only to find Alex towering over him. He nearly cried out in surprise.

Oh my God, why is he standing in front of me?

Mark, only 19 and standing at 5'7", looked like a small rabbit next to the 28-year-old, 6'5" Alex. With his fair and adorable appearance, the contrast between them was stark.

"What… what do you want?" Mark instinctively hugged himself, stepping back nervously under Alex's intense scrutiny.

Alex remained silent, his face cold as he lifted Mark's chin, examining him from side to side.

"What's wrong with you!" Mark snapped, slapping Alex's hand away, his face flushed with anger.

What's the big idea? Coming over and grabbing my chin like that.

Mark fumed inwardly.

Without a word, Alex grabbed Mark and pulled him towards the priest.

"What are you doing? Let go of me!" Mark yelled, struggling in panic.

Alex, annoyed by the resistance, bent down and effortlessly lifted Mark, carrying him out of the ballroom under the astonished eyes of the guests.

Mark's eyes widened. Oh my God, why is this man carrying me?

-----------------

Not only was Mark bewildered, but the guests were equally perplexed. Alex's father, Henry Dupont, sitting in the place of honor, was trembling with rage.

"What is that brat doing?"

Henry clutched his chest, fuming, barely able to stand.

Beside him, Mrs. Dupont covered her mouth, equally astonished.

Meanwhile, Alex's uncle, André, and his sons watched with an amused and knowing smile.

"What are you all standing around for? Get him down here immediately! Are you trying to kill me?"

Henry roared at his family, his demeanor dictatorial.

No one moved. André, still smiling, said, "It's just a wedding. What does it matter who he marries? Calm down, brother, take care of your health."

Henry, unable to believe his ears, pointed furiously at Mark, now in front of the priest, being held by Alex. "Are you blind? That's a man!"

André intentionally spoke loudly, "So what if Alex likes men? It's the 21st century, let's not be so conservative. Take it easy."

Saying this, André pulled Henry back into his seat.

Henry was livid, struggling to breathe deeply, his face drenched in sweat.

"What do you think you're doing, Alex?" Mark shouted, enraged, as Alex suddenly grabbed his hand.

"Just keep quiet, you won't get hurt."

Alex coldly replied, slipping a ring onto Mark's finger.

"You're insane! Why are you putting a ring on me?"

Mark was on the verge of losing it, trying to remove the ring. But Alex, with brute strength, gripped his waist, preventing any movement.

Though Mark looked adorable, he was not someone to be trifled with. Furious, he shoved Alex, ready to slap him, but Alex caught his hand.

The priest, wide-eyed, watched in stunned silence.

"Let's skip the formalities."

Alex lifted Mark and quickly descended the steps, walking out of the ballroom amid the murmurs of the guests.

"Let me go, you bastard!"

Mark's furious voice echoed down the hallway.

The bride's parents, too afraid to stay, hurriedly left as if fleeing for their lives.

André, watching the entrance, sipped his wine with satisfaction. "Good wine."

Henry, seething, wanted nothing more than to punch him but could only leave in frustration.

Alex exited the ballroom, carrying Mark to a pre-booked room and pushed him inside.

Mark, landing painfully, grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him. "You jerk!"

Alex let the pillow hit his face, staring icily at Mark.

"You think I'm scared of your cold looks?"

Mark leaped from the bed, grabbing Alex's collar with fiery anger.

Alex's ears were ringing from the noise.

"I'll give you two choices: one, shut up. Two, I throw you out the window."

Mark couldn't believe his ears. This man was overstepping all boundaries.

He was seething, his fury unable to be contained.