Chapter 1 — I Thought I Was the Happiest Bride in the World
I thought I was going to be the happiest bride in the world.
Until the day I heard those words.
"The papers are signed. Her family's money is mine."
I froze.
Just a few hours earlier, I had been smiling at my reflection in the mirror, still wearing the wedding dress I'd refused to take off. The ceremony had been perfect. The guests had called us the perfect couple. My husband had kissed my forehead and promised we'd leave for our honeymoon the next morning.
I believed every word.
I had one last surprise planned before we left.
Hidden inside a velvet box was the deed to a lake house I'd secretly bought with my inheritance. It was supposed to be my wedding gift to him—a place where we'd build our future together.
I quietly slipped into our bedroom to decorate it with candles and rose petals before he returned from taking a phone call downstairs.
Then I heard footsteps.
Heavy.
Coming back much earlier than I expected.
Panicking, I grabbed the gift box and slid underneath the enormous dark wooden bed.
I smiled to myself.
Just thirty seconds.
He would walk in...
Pretend not to notice...
And I'd crawl out laughing.
Instead...
The bedroom door opened.
His expensive leather shoes stopped inches from my face.
He sat heavily on the mattress.
The bed shook above me.
Then his phone vibrated.
He answered immediately.
"The papers are signed," he said calmly.
"My wife's family's fortune belongs to me now."
Every drop of blood drained from my body.
May you like
Surely...
I had misunderstood.
