TIED BY CONTRACT

KATE'S POV: I could barely feel my legs as I walked down the aisle with my father by my side, holding my left arm and my right arm clutching my wedding bouquet. Or rather my sister's wedding bouquet. Each step felt like betrayal sinking deeper into my bones. The weight of the satin gown clung to my body like a chain. Her gown. The one Nikolai had picked out for Rhea. Every stitch, every bead on this dress was meant for her. Everything today was meant for her, but it was me instead. And here I was, Kate Valdez, the half sister nobody wanted, cloaked in her half sister's identity, her secrets, her scent, about to marry the most dangerous man I have ever laid eyes on. The church was bathed in golden light, sunlight streaming through stained glass windows, painting patches of crimson and sapphire onto the red carpet ahead of me. And again, this wasn't my wedding. This wasn't my dress. This wasn't my life. But I was walking into it anyways. My father's arm ti

NIKOLAI'S POV: The morning sun filtered through the tall glass window of the dining room, casting golden streaks across the long mahogany table. I sat at the head, as always, a cup of black coffee in front of me, steam curling up in thin tendrils. Across from me, she sat. Katie. I don't know why I kept calling her Katie. Her name is Kate. My jaw tenses the moment my eyes flickered in her direction. She wore a cream colored satin robe, that looked exactly like mine, or maybe it is mine. I don't know. Her hair tucked behind her ears, eyes lowered respectfully. She hadn't spoken a word since we woke up. Not that I expected her to. I kind of enjoyed the silence. Anytime she opens her mouth, I am reminded of how I was played a fool by the Valdez family. I'm still surprised on how I didn't see that coming. I mean Rhea had a sketchy personality right from the beginning. And the family were up to no good. But I didn't think they could actually pull something like this off. Ka

KATE POV:I stepped out of the steaming bathroom, toweling my damp hair as I moved toward the vanity. The early morning sunlight filtered in through the French windows, warm and golden against the cold marbled floors of the mansion. It was my second day as Mrs. Voss, and still, I hadn’t managed to feel like I belonged here.After slipping into a simple white blouse and a pair of jeans, I walked out of the room and headed downstairs. My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten that much food last night, more out of nerves than hunger.The dining room was bathed in golden light. And there he was Nikolai Voss already seated at the long table, a half-eaten plate of eggs and toast in front of him. He didn’t glance up as I walked in, and I didn’t offer him the courtesy either. Our silent war was intact.We were still going around with the silent malice, and I don't plan on breaking it anytime soon. As long as he doesn't give me a hard time. Then I don't care if he ignores me. As long as

KATE'S POV: The moment I stepped into the quiet sanctuary of my bedroom, I felt the tension begin to slip off my shoulders like a worn coat. The space smelled faintly of lavender and crisp linen, the curtains gently fluttering in the late afternoon breeze. My heels clicked softly against the polished wooden floors as I made my way to the bed, where the shopping bags were stacked like trophies from a well-earned victory.The shop manager had managed to convince me into getting a lot of things. Things I never thought I would have bought. I dropped my purse on the edge of the bed and turned to the full-length mirror, surveying myself. My makeup was still intact, the dress unwrinkled, the confidence I had worn all day like a second skin still clinging to my posture. But now, in the solitude of my room, I could finally let out the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. Ignoring the slight ache in my feet, I knelt beside the bed and began the process of unpacking. One by one, I lif

NIKOLAI'S POV: The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the Voss estate, casting a soft golden hue over the marble floors. I stood by the grand window in my study, a mug of black coffee in one hand and a tablet in the other, scrolling through the morning headlines. Most had been scrubbed clean, just like I ordered. Any trace of Kate's photo from the mall was gone, erased like chalk off a slate. I had made good on my promise not for her, but for my name. The Voss name had weight, and it was my duty to ensure it remained untarnished. I took a long sip of the bitter coffee and exhaled. She hadn’t acknowledged me again. Not yesterday. Not this morning. It was unsettling. Kate had walked right past me last night without even a glance. No hesitation. No pause. As if I were the maid polishing the chandelier or the statue in the hallway. It shouldn’t have bothered me. But it did. It bothered me to my very core. The intercom buzzed. "Sir?" It was Della. I press