Chapter 002 Marry a Stranger

Leaving the hotel, I walked on the bustling street with heavy steps.

Vehicles flowed ceaselessly, and the sunlight felt scorching and harsh.

My makeup was smeared, and my face appeared as if it had melted, all while I dragged my trailing white gown.

Passersby gawked at

the woman in the pristine wedding gown, her expression resembling that of a crazed lunatic. They must have thought I'd gone completely mad.

Where should I go?

I had believed that today would be my escape from the oppressive Green family, a chance to lead a truly happy life with Damon. However, out of the blue, he dropped the bombshell that he had always loved Katherine and couldn't bear to be without her.

Suddenly, everyone labeled ME as the third wheel, and my phone was inundated with messages insulting me as a shameless bitch.

They accused me of using my status as the daughter of the Green family to pressure Katherine into breaking up with Damon.

Yet Katherine was just an adopted daughter of the Green family, and she certainly didn't dare to oppose ME, the real daughter.

The ironic twist was that I had always been the disliked daughter, not her. However, people simply didn't know, and they didn't seem to care.

My tears had run dry, leaving behind an empty ache that weighed heavily in my chest. No one knew that my life was like that of an adopted daughter living under someone else's roof. But Damon reached out to me with his warm hand. On the day of my return, his smile was the only genuine welcome I received.

However, when I discovered Damon's close relationship with Katherine, I distanced myself from them. I avoided riding in the same car with them, and I even woke up early to catch the school bus. But Damon found me and told me he couldn't bear not seeing me. I confronted him about his relationship with Katherine, and he assured me he had always seen her as a sister.

Katherine also assured me, smiling as if convinced I had gone mad, that I had misunderstood her relationship with Damon. They had never dated. She truly acted like an innocent angel, even joining our hands together.

From that point on, my life took a different turn. I gave up the opportunity to go to Russia for a ballet competition, despite it being my dream since childhood.

Damon's jewelry company went bankrupt, and he needed someone by his side to help him get back on his feet. So, I switched gears and started learning jewelry design.

It was then that I discovered an untapped talent for design within me. I created numerous popular jewelry pieces, and Damon's company swiftly regained its top position.

On that day, he knelt before me, with an enormous diamond ring and made a promise. I happily accepted the ring, and we sealed the moment with a passionate kiss.

But when did it all change?

When did he fall for Katherine again?

Was it during the countless nights I tirelessly designed those remarkable jewelry pieces? As I pondered this, a suffocating emptiness gripped my stomach, making it feel as though the air had been cruelly sucked out of my very being. I collapsed to the ground, my body trembling with the weight of my realization.

I, Fiona, was nothing but a pitiable laughingstock!

No way! There's no way I'll swallow this betrayal in silent, letting them have the satisfaction of seeing me broken!

I will not crumble just because of a man. On the contrary, I will show Damon that I could thrive without him.

In an instant, a wild idea sparked in my mind.

Today, I, Fiona Isabella Green had to have a remarkable wedding, but who said the groom has to be Damon?

Once this bold and unprecedented thought emerged, I felt my blood boiling, my limbs warming.

I immediately went to City Hall, a solemn white building, the doors open to welcome the happiness and smiles of every couple.

Today, I should have been just like them, and I intended to become just like them.

I made a decision. The third car I encountered, I would definitely stop it. As long as the driver was single, I would propose to him.

The first car, the second car... then, finally, the third car!

Looking at the brand-new, sleek black Lincoln right in front of me, I threw caution to the wind and hurled myself at it without a moment's hesitation.

I spread my arms and stood in the middle of the road, blocking the way!

"Damn it, are you crazy?" a furious voice yelled from behind the wheel.

The sleek car screeched to an abrupt halt, mere inches away from me.

The door of the driver's seat swung open, revealing a well-dressed man

who was absolutely livid.

"Excuse me, sir," I began, flashing a polite smile while lifting my gown slightly, "may I inquire about your marital status?"

The man's fury deepened. "What on earth are you talking about? Did you bump your head or something? Move out of the way!"

I grabbed his arm, determined. "If you're not married, would you do me the honor of marrying me?"

My sincere attitude combined with my exaggerated and bizarre actions left him utterly bewildered and more than a little frightened.

"Let go! You crazy woman. I'm already married. Who on earth would want to marry you—"

He yanked his hand away and pushed me aside, causing me to tumble to the ground.

"Percy, be more gentlemanly towards the lady."

A voice floated out from the car window, a standard upper-class accent.

The back door opened, and I saw a man stepping out from inside.

He was around six-four, and had an imposing figure. His shoulders were broad, and his hips were narrow and tight.

Appearing to be in his early thirties, he possessed a commanding presence. His dark eyebrows formed decisive lines above his deep-set, sapphire-like eyes. Every aspect of his facial features exuded a sense of masculinity and a finely balanced symmetry, as if they had been meticulously chiseled by a master sculptor.

His short, deep chestnut hair seamlessly matched the color of

both his pocket square and his high-end suit.

It fitted his frame just perfectly. Paired with the elegant and noble patterned shirt collar, he seemed ready to attend a upscale business event, or to be on the cover of GQ magazine.

He walked toward me like a

deity descending from the heavens, bending down with sapphire eyes that mirrored my bewilderment, panic, and perhaps even a glimmer of anticipation and excitement.

"Madam, what did you just say?"

I should have realized it; such a luxurious car wouldn't be on an empty run. Sure enough, there was another man in the back seat!

Clutching my dress in disarray, I pushed myself up to look at him.

"I said, sir, would you be willing to marry me?"

The man took a deep breath and extended a hand towards me.

At the same time, he turned his head to look at the stunned driver.

"Percy, who did you say was a 'crazy woman' just now?"

The driver exaggeratedly grimaced and quickly lowered his head, apologizing, "I'm sorry, Mr. Capel."

"Apologize to whom?"

Mr. Capel raised an eyebrow, his eagle-like eyes sweeping over and then retracting.

The driver cast an uneasy glance at me. "I'm sorry, sir, for this... lady whose name I don't know."

"Are you certain?"

Mr. Capel's displeasure was evident on his face.

"Call her Mrs. Capel."

I had to confirm multiple times that I wasn't hearing things.

"Sir, what did you say?"

I could hardly believe that such an absurd request was being taken seriously by the man before me.

Mr. Capel scrutinized me, "Don't tell me you're just toying with me?"

I gasped, "No, I, I haven't, I just... I hope that Mr. Capel, you could consider it more seriously. I want to get married because I can't bear to have my special day that should belong to me go by like this... in such a disheveled and ridiculous... ah!"

I wasn't prepared for it. He grabbed my wrist and strode toward the City Hall!

As I filled out the registration form, I saw his full name—Bradyn David Capel.