Chapter 1: WEDDING EVE
The rain began just before midnight.
It fell heavily over the Reed Estate, washing the gardens in silver and turning the windows into dark mirrors. Inside the mansion, however, there was no warmth.
No celebration.
No excitement for the wedding that would take place in the morning.
Only hatred.
Ethan Reed sat alone in his bedroom, staring at the white suit hanging beside his wardrobe.
Tomorrow, he would marry Adam Blackwood.
The thought alone made his heart beat faster.
Their marriage had been arranged for business. Ethan knew that. Everyone knew that.
But his feelings had never been part of the agreement.
He loved Adam.
Perhaps that was foolish. Perhaps it was pathetic to love a man who had never promised to love him back.
But Ethan still hoped.
Maybe tomorrow would be different.
Maybe leaving the Reed family would finally give him a chance to become someone other than the son everyone hated.
His phone vibrated.
Noah Calling...
Ethan immediately answered.
"You're still awake?" Noah asked.
Ethan smiled faintly. "I could ask you the same thing."
"I'm your best friend. I'm allowed to be nervous for you."
Ethan laughed softly.
"I'm getting married, Noah. Not going to war."
There was a pause.
"Are you happy?"
Ethan looked toward his wedding suit.
"I think I am."
"You think?"
Ethan's smile faded.
"I just want tomorrow to be over."
Noah understood what he meant.
"One more night, Ethan."
"One more night."
After they ended the call, Ethan stared at his phone for a moment.
Then he opened another contact.
Adam Blackwood.
His thumb hovered over the call button.
Finally, he pressed it.
The phone rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
No answer.
Ethan swallowed and tried again.
Still nothing.
He sent a message instead.
I can't believe we're getting married tomorrow.
Then another.
Goodnight, Adam.
He placed the phone down.
A sudden knock came at the door.
Before Ethan could answer, it opened.
His father stood there.
Richard Reed.
Behind him were Margaret, Olivia, and Sophia.
Ethan's heart sank.
"What do you want?"
Richard stepped into the room.
"Enjoying your final night?"
Ethan said nothing.
Olivia folded her arms.
"Don't look so happy. You're not being married because anyone wants you."
Sophia laughed.
"He's probably imagining that Adam actually loves him."
Margaret's expression hardened.
"Don't embarrass this family tomorrow."
Ethan slowly stood.
"You don't have to worry. I'll do exactly what you want."
Richard stared at him.
"That's the problem."
"You've always been too obedient."
Ethan frowned.
Richard walked closer.
"Do you know what this marriage means to us?"
"An alliance."
"Exactly."
His father grabbed Ethan by the collar.
"You're not a son tonight."
"You're an investment."
The first punch came without warning.
Ethan stumbled backward.
Another hit followed.
Then another.
He fell against the edge of the bed.
"Stop..."
His voice was barely audible.
Nobody stopped.
His mother watched with cold eyes.
Olivia looked away only when blood appeared on Ethan's lip.
Sophia smiled.
"Tomorrow he'll be someone else's problem."
The words hurt more than the beating.
When they were finished, Ethan remained on the floor, trembling.
Richard looked down at him.
"Remember this tonight."
"Whatever happens tomorrow, don't forget who you belong to."
The door slammed shut.
Ethan tried to stand.
His legs barely held him.
Then the bedroom door opened again.
Two servants entered.
Before he could ask what was happening, they grabbed him.
"Wait—"
They dragged him downstairs.
Through the entrance hall.
Past the portraits of generations of Reeds.
And straight toward the front doors.
The doors opened.
Cold rain struck his face.
Then he was pushed outside.
The gates closed behind him.
Locked.
Ethan stared at the mansion.
For the first time, he understood.
They really wanted him gone.
He reached for his phone with shaking fingers.
Adam.
He called again.
Nothing.
Again.
Nothing.
His eyes burned.
"Please, Adam..."
His voice broke.
"Just answer me."
The call ended.
Ethan sank to his knees in the rain.
He had imagined this night differently.
He had imagined himself smiling.
Excited.
Loved.
Instead, he was alone in the darkness, wearing nothing but a thin shirt while rain soaked through him.
His fingers moved to Noah's number.
The call connected almost immediately.
"Ethan?"
"Noah..."
Something in his voice changed Noah's expression instantly.
"What's wrong?"
"They locked me outside."
"What?"
"I'm at the gate."
"I'm coming."
"Noah—"
"I'm coming, Ethan."
The line went dead.
Twenty minutes later, headlights appeared through the rain.
Noah jumped out of his car and ran toward the enormous iron gates.
"Ethan!"
Ethan lifted his head.
"Noah..."
Noah grabbed the bars.
"Open the gate!"
The gatekeeper remained inside.
"I'm his friend. He's hurt!"
"I'm sorry. I have orders."
"Open the damn gate!"
The gatekeeper refused.
Noah looked helplessly at Ethan.
Ethan stood several feet away, soaked and shaking.
Their eyes met through the iron bars.
Noah's voice broke.
"I'll get you out."
Ethan gave him a weak smile.
"I know."
But neither of them could break the gate.
Neither could change what the Reed family had decided.
Eventually, the rain began to weaken.
Noah stayed until Ethan was taken back inside.
Neither of them knew that the following morning would change everything.
Morning came.
The storm had disappeared.
The city awakened beneath a pale golden sky.
At St. Michael's Cathedral, white roses lined the entrance.
Black luxury cars arrived one after another.
The Blackwood family had arrived.
The Reed family had arrived.
And soon, Ethan Reed would walk down the aisle toward the man he believed he loved.
He didn't know what waited behind the Blackwood name.
He didn't know what secrets lived beneath their holy façade.
He only knew one thing.
Today, he was getting married.
And there would be no turning back.
