Chapter 1
Tara’s POV
I stood frozen in the dressing room, staring at my reflection in the full-length mirror. In just a few minutes, I would marry a complete stranger—a man I knew nothing about. My fingers trembled as they brushed over the delicate lace of my wedding dress. The last time I had truly felt loved was before my parents died. I thought I’d found it again with Cody… until he destroyed me.
My phone screen still glowed with his final message. My chest squeezed painfully. After years of playing with my heart and stringing me along, he had ended everything with a single cold text—just days before Christmas.
I read the words again, my vision blurring with unshed tears. Anger surged through me. Before I could stop myself, I hurled the phone against the wall. The sharp sound of shattering glass echoed through the room.
“How could he be so heartless?” I cried, my voice cracking as hot tears spilled down my cheeks. “He found someone else abroad and threw me away like I meant nothing.”
I wiped furiously at my face, but the tears wouldn’t stop. My hands shook as I pressed them to my cheeks, trying to hold myself together. “I would have done anything to avoid marrying a stranger… but now—” My voice broke. “Now I have no reason left to fight this wedding.”
I drew in a shaky breath and wiped my eyes more forcefully, trying to pull myself together.
The door suddenly swung open.
“What on earth is going on in here?” Aunt Lucy demanded as she stepped inside, her sharp eyes immediately landing on the broken phone. “Look at this mess, Tara!”
I spun around quickly, brushing my fingers under my eyes. “It was an accident, Aunt—”
“I don’t care,” she snapped, cutting me off. “Fix your face. It’s time for the ceremony.”
Her tone was ice-cold. I kept my gaze lowered, unable to meet her eyes.
“You should be grateful for everything my husband and I have done for you,” she continued harshly. “Your parents left you with nothing, and we’ve carried the burden ever since. Don’t be ungrateful. Get ready.”
She turned on her heel and stormed out, leaving her cruel words lingering in the air like poison.
I swallowed the painful lump in my throat. Grateful. I was supposed to feel grateful.
This wedding might be my only escape from her suffocating control—the endless reminders of how much I owed them, the cutting words, the way they treated me like a servant. I was grateful… wasn’t I?
But some days I wondered if growing up in an orphanage would have been kinder. At least then I wouldn’t have been forced to wake at dawn to scrub floors while my cousin slept in. I wouldn’t have been stuffed into a tiny storage room while she lived like a princess.
A soft knock startled me. I braced myself for another scolding from my aunt.
But it wasn’t her.
The makeup artist peeked in, offering a gentle, hesitant smile. “It’s time for the ceremony,” she said softly.
I studied her face for a moment. She understood. Her eyes carried the same quiet sadness I felt. She knew I was miserable, but there was nothing either of us could do.
“I’ll be out soon,” I whispered.
She nodded and stepped aside. I took a deep, steadying breath and smoothed my hands over my simple white dress. It wasn’t the grand gown I had once dreamed of as a little girl. It was plain and modest—making me feel even more exposed and vulnerable.
Gathering what little courage I had left, I stepped out of the room and into the garden.
The moment I appeared, I felt the weight of dozens of curious eyes on me. My chest tightened. Were they pitying me? Judging me? I couldn’t tell.
I kept my gaze fixed on the ground, but when I glanced up briefly, I caught sight of my cousin Thea near the front. She wore an amused smirk, clearly entertained by my misery—like my entire life was one big joke.
I swallowed hard and continued walking down the aisle, forcing one foot in front of the other. My heart thundered wildly in my chest.
Halfway down, my ankle wobbled. For one terrifying second, I thought I would fall. I caught myself at the last moment, heat flooding my face as soft gasps rippled through the guests.
By the time I reached the altar, my legs felt like jelly. Then I saw my uncle waiting for me, and some of the tension in my chest eased.
He was the only person here who had ever shown me real kindness. The only one who made me feel safe.
He offered his hand with a warm, proud smile. I took it gratefully, and he gave my fingers a reassuring squeeze as we walked forward together.
I kept my eyes on the grass until the very last moment. When we finally reached the altar, I had no choice but to look up.
And there he was—my future husband.
For a heartbeat, the air left my lungs. He looked strangely familiar, though I couldn’t place where I’d seen him before. Maybe it was just the nerves playing tricks on me.
His expression was cold and unreadable, his sharp, handsome features giving nothing away. Was he disappointed? Annoyed? Indifferent?
I couldn’t tell.
My uncle released my hand and stepped back, leaving me standing alone before the stranger.
The priest began to speak, but I could barely focus. All I could see was the man in front of me—the one who would soon be my husband.
“We are gathered here today to witness the union of Tony Harrington and Tara Winslow in holy matrimony,” the priest announced.
So his name was Tony.
I clutched my bouquet tightly, my hands still trembling. The priest turned to him first.
“Tony Harrington, do you take Tara Winslow to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love, honor, and cherish her for as long as you both shall live?”
Tony’s gaze locked onto mine—steady and intense. “I do.”
Then the priest turned to me. “Tara Winslow, do you take Tony Harrington to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor, and cherish him for as long as you both shall live?”
My throat tightened painfully, but I forced the words out. “I do.”
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
I braced myself, hoping for even the smallest spark. Instead, Tony leaned in just enough to block the cameras and pretended to kiss me. My heart sank. Even in this moment, the marriage felt as cold and empty as everything else in my life.
The guests clapped as he pulled away. He smiled charmingly at the crowd as if the kiss had been real. I forced a smile too, holding it for the cameras, but my eyes kept searching his face for answers he refused to give.
After the ceremony, we were ushered into a waiting car. My uncle hugged me tightly. “Call me if you need anything,” he whispered warmly. My aunt and cousin had already disappeared without a word.
Tony took my hand, and my uncle looked relieved by the gesture. “Please take care of her,” he said.
Tony simply nodded before guiding me into the car.
The ride was completely silent. When we arrived at his mansion, rows of maids stood outside to greet us. I smiled weakly at them, but the moment the front door closed, Tony dropped my hand and turned to face me, his expression icy.
“You aren’t my wife,” he said coldly. “You’re my grandfather’s wife.”
My eyes widened in shock. The air around us suddenly felt suffocating.
What?
