CHAPTER 1

Clara Montgomery POV

The silk of my wedding dress felt heavy, suffocating even, as I stood in front of the full-length mirror. Today was supposed to be the best day of my life. I was marrying Julian. We had been together for three years, and everyone in our social circle called us the perfect match.

I looked at my reflection, trying to force a smile. I should be ecstatic. But my stomach had been turning in knots since this morning. I told myself it was just cold feet. Every bride gets nervous, right?

"You look beautiful, Clara," my father’s voice echoed from the doorway.

I turned around, holding up the heavy layers of my skirt. "Thanks, Dad. Is everything ready outside?"

"The guests are seated, the media is waiting, and Julian is already at the altar," he said, checking his watch. "The Montgomery and Vance families are finally merging. This is a big day for the company."

*For the company.* Right. That was always my father’s priority. The Montgomery inheritance—the massive shares left to me by my late mother—was the real prize here. Julian’s family needed the merger to save their failing shipping business, and my father wanted to expand his empire. But I didn't care about the business. I loved Julian. Or at least, I thought I did.

"I'll give you a few minutes to touch up your makeup. Don't be late," my father said before walking away, closing the heavy wooden door behind him.

I sighed, staring at the vanity table. My phone buzzed. It was a text from Sienna, my stepsister and maid of honor.

*Hey, can you bring the extra hairpins from your room? I’m in the VIP lounge downstairs.*

Sienna. She had been strangely helpful during the wedding planning, which wasn't like her at all. Usually, she hated sharing the spotlight with me. But lately, she was always around, helping with the catering, the seating arrangements, and even Julian’s tuxedo fittings. I felt a pang of guilt for ever doubting her intentions. She was trying to be a good sister.

I grabbed the small box of hairpins from my bag and left my bridal suite. The hallway of the grand hotel was quiet, the sound of my heels muffled by the thick carpet. As I neared the VIP lounge at the end of the hall, I noticed the door was slightly ajar.

I was about to push it open when I heard a familiar laugh.

"Stop it, Julian. Someone might see us." It was Sienna’s voice, muffled but distinct. It sounded giggly, playful.

"Everyone is downstairs, babe. Relax," Julian replied.

My heart skipped a beat. I froze, my hand hovering over the doorknob. My brain couldn't process why Julian was in the VIP lounge with Sienna when my father just told me he was at the altar.

"Are you really going through with this?" Sienna asked, her tone shifting to a pout. "You’re actually going to put a ring on her finger?"

"It's just a piece of paper, Sienna. You know the plan," Julian said, his voice cold and calculated. "The moment she signs the marriage certificate, fifty percent of her mother's trust fund automatically transfers to my name. Her dad already agreed to the terms in the pre-nup. Once the money is in my account, I’ll file for a divorce. It won't even take a year."

The box of hairpins slipped from my fingers, hitting the carpeted floor with a dull thud.

Inside the room, the whispering stopped.

I couldn't move. My feet felt like they were glued to the floor. My chest tightened so hard I could barely breathe. *The money. The trust fund. A year.* Every word felt like a physical blow to my chest.

I pushed the door open.

The sight inside made me want to throw up. Julian had his jacket off, his shirt untucked, and Sienna was sitting on the edge of the table, her hands wrapped around his neck. Her lipstick was smeared. His lips were stained with the exact shade of red she was wearing.

They both snapped their heads toward the door. Julian’s face drained of color instantly. Sienna looked shocked for a second, but then her expression smoothed into something smug.

"Clara," Julian stammered, stepping away from Sienna. "It's not what it looks like. We were just... she was helping me fix my collar."

"Fixing your collar with her mouth?" My voice didn't even sound like mine. It was empty, hollow. I looked at Sienna. "You’re my sister."

Sienna let out a sharp, mocking laugh and slid off the table. "Stepsister, Clara. Let's not get sentimental. And honestly, Julian is tired of playing the doting boyfriend to a girl who won't even let him touch her properly. You're boring. He's only marrying you for the Montgomery name."

"Sienna, shut up," Julian hissed, turning back to me with a desperate look. "Clara, listen to me. We can still do the ceremony. The guests are waiting. Your dad is waiting. We can talk about this later."

He reached out to grab my arm, but I stepped back, avoiding his touch as if he were covered in poison. I looked at the man I thought I loved, then at the girl I grew up with. They weren't even sorry. They were just annoyed that they got caught before the papers were signed.

"The wedding is off," I whispered.

"You can't do that," Julian’s voice hardened, the fake warmth completely disappearing. "Your father will ruin you if you ruin this merger. Think about the press. Think about the money."

"I don't care about the money," I said, tears finally burning my eyes.

I turned around and ran down the hallway, lifting the heavy train of my wedding dress, leaving them behind in the room.