Prologue

Mika

My heart thundered loudly in my chest as the maids behind me carefully fixed my hair. I had already taken several deep breaths, swallowing hard again and again, trying to calm myself, but nothing seemed to work. My hands were trembling. My breathing uneven. It felt like my chest might burst at any moment.

I lowered my gaze when I felt a warm hand gently wrap around mine. When I looked up, I saw my cousin. “Loti…” I whispered her name, my voice shaking as if I was about to cry. She smiled softly and squeezed my hand. “You can do this. We’re here for you,” she said reassuringly before letting go and stepping away.

One by one, the people behind me left as the ceremony was about to begin. The moment the church doors slowly opened, I instinctively lowered my gaze to the floor. My throat went dry. Swallowing once more, I forced my feet to move, taking slow, careful steps down the aisle.

The people around me became nothing but a blur. I couldn’t hear anything clearly. The only person my eyes could focus on was the man standing at the altar, waiting for me.

Ashton Hernandez.

I felt tears well up in my eyes, and I quickly wiped them away. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. I was getting married. But instead of happiness, all I felt was fear… and emptiness. The only reason I was here was to take my sister’s place. She was the one who was supposed to marry him, but she refused. And so, my father chose me instead—forcing me to marry a man I didn’t know, a man I had never even spoken to.

As I walked closer, his features became clearer… and I realized something.

My sister was wrong.

Ashton Hernandez was not ugly. He wasn’t old. He wasn’t overweight. Standing in front of me was a man so handsome it almost felt unreal, like I was staring at an angel. If I had to describe him, I would say he was dangerously attractive.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t even notice that I had already reached his side.

“What are you thinking?” he suddenly asked, his voice deep and intimidating, snapping me back to reality.

“N-nothing,” I quickly replied, my voice trembling slightly.

I placed my hand on his arm, and together, we walked toward the priest. The ceremony began, but my mind wandered far away. I tried to glance behind me, searching for my father and my sister, but they weren’t there. A bitter smile formed on my lips. The only people present were my cousins and a few relatives.

I let out a quiet sigh and closed my eyes, trying to steady myself.

“You may now kiss the bride.”

The priest’s words startled me. My heart began pounding even faster as Ashton and I faced each other. I couldn’t see his face clearly because of the veil covering mine, but I could feel his intense gaze on me.

My hands trembled as he slowly lifted my veil. I immediately lowered my eyes, afraid that he might see the fear in them.

“You’re shaking,” he whispered softly as he leaned closer.

I could feel his warm breath brushing against my skin, sending an unfamiliar shiver down my spine. I swallowed and gently shook my head, keeping my gaze down. My heart was beating so fast it felt like it might explode.

“N-no…” I stuttered, silently cursing myself for sounding so weak.

I didn’t even understand where this fear was coming from.

My eyes widened when he suddenly held my chin and lifted my face. Our eyes met and for a moment, everything stopped. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think.

“You’re scared of me?” he asked, his voice now softer… almost gentle.

I couldn’t answer.

Before I could even find my voice, he leaned in and pressed his lips against mine.

I gasped softly, instinctively gripping his hand, completely caught off guard by the sudden kiss.