The sun is beating down on me as I sit on a sun lounger under an umbrella, sunglasses perched on my nose, while I watch my wife play like a child in the sea.

Wife.

The word still feels foreign, almost like it doesn’t belong in my vocabulary. If you’d told me two years ago that I’d be here—married, honeymooning in the Maldives—I would’ve laughed in your face. I’d probably have told you to shove that nonsense back up your arse.

But here I am. Legally hers, and she, legally mine. Funny how life works out, isn’t it?

At first, it had all been about cameras and PR. I was the player, the guy with a reputation for never sticking around, and she was the socialite everyone wanted a piece of. Our managers thought it’d be a great idea for us to date for the cameras, turn it into a media spectacle. I’m not gonna lie, I wasn’t thrilled, but I agreed. It wasn’t like I had a better offer.

She did too, but we both knew it was for the spotlight. At least, that’s what we told ourselves.

But now, sitting here, watching her laugh as the waves crash around her, I realize how much everything has changed. I used to be a guy who didn’t believe in this, in love or commitment. But then she came along, and slowly, without me realizing it, she became everything.

I remember her mentioning the Maldives once, in passing, when we were having one of those “in the future” talks—back when I didn’t take any of that stuff seriously. I didn’t even think twice about booking it straight after the wedding. I wanted her to have the best, because she deserved nothing less. She’s more than the cameras, more than the glitz and glamour. She’s the real deal. And now, she’s my wife.

Watching her splash around in the water, her laughter reaching me even from here, I can’t help but smile. I know we’ve come a long way since our first meeting. From the PR stunt to this… this is real.

“Oi, don’t get too far out there!” I call out, the words slipping out before I can stop them. She turns and flashes me that grin, the one that still makes my heart skip.

“I’m fine,” she yells back, giving me a teasing wink before she dives under the water.

I shake my head, but there’s no stopping the grin that pulls at my lips.

Yeah, I’m married to her. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.