Prologue
Twenty-two-year-old, Alyssa Van Every scowled angrily at her older brother, Alex, determined to fight him and his high-handed attitude. Six years older than her, Alex Van Every was a billionaire restaurateur and considered it his sole mission in life to protect his sister from all the men in the entire universe! So, Alyssa always protested his ways and whenever he was around, the atmosphere was very tense.“You won’t attend the wedding, Alyssa and that’s final.” Alyssa glared at him, her eyes flashing and rebellious. This time it was her close friend, Sienna’s wedding and she refused to bow down to her brother’s wishes. A plan to escape without his permission started forming in her mind. It was no use fighting him as he would never listen. It was different when she was younger but now at twenty-two, she didn’t need his help or permission.“What’s the big deal, Alex? I don’t stop you from doing anything and neither do mom and dad. So why is it always me? What problems could you have if I attend Sienna’s wedding?” Alex punched the nearest wall with anger, causing the paint to chip off but it didn’t scare her at all. She was used to his temper, being as short-tempered as he was.“I don’t want you around the Donnelly brothers, Alyssa. They are our sworn enemies!” he gritted out, his eyes daring her to disobey. Anger bubbled inside her and she glared back at her brother refusing to be intimidated by him.“They may be your sworn enemies, Alex, not mine. I will do what my heart desires.” She tossed her waist-long golden hair and walked out of her brother’s apartment, leaving him fuming after her. With her apartment located on the fourth floor of the same building, she took the elevator from her brother’s penthouse to her three-bedroomed home that belonged to her dad, Daniel Van Every.Although Alyssa’s friends, Eva, Sienna, Hayley, and Skylar were all career-oriented and working at reputable places, she was the only one who had no career goals. However, it didn’t bother her at all. After somehow graduating in finance, she continued enjoying her life with no rush to look for a job. Being born with a golden spoon, Alyssa didn’t need to earn a living. Her dad wanted to pass the reins of his Finance company to her since her brother refused but she wasn’t at all interested, splurging his money on a luxurious lifestyle instead. Everyone was tired of her ways, yet for Alyssa, parties, friends, clubs, and weddings, were everything. She didn’t have time to ponder over anything else other than her own enjoyment.She rang the doorbell of her apartment and her friend Eva opened the door with an inquisitive look on her face. “What happened? What did he have to say?” Alyssa groaned and slumped onto a couch knowing that now there was only one way out for them. To sneak out when Alex went to work!“You know what he can possibly say! He doesn’t want me to go and I’m sure he won’t let you either.” Alyssa rolled her eyes knowing how whipped her brother was with Eva although he would rather die than acknowledge it.“Why should he care about me? I’ll definitely go." Eva walked towards her room to pack while Alyssa followed her to discuss their plans of escaping.“I don’t know what enmity Alex has with Lucas Donnelly and his brothers but I definitely will attend Sienna’s wedding. So let’s sneak out tomorrow in his absence, without informing him. What do you say?” Eva gaped at her friend and her eyes widened realizing what they were about to do.“What if Alex follows us there and creates trouble for Sienna?”“We'll deal with it when it happens.”Eva didn’t say a word further knowing fully well what enraging Alexander Van Every meant but Alyssa was no less stubborn and she sighed as she continued to pack up. Alyssa too packed and the two friends made dinner afterward, waiting for Alex to storm into their apartment anytime soon to continue the fight where they had left off.Alyssa knew Alex would complain to her dad when he fails to convince her. It had been the norm since she had been born. Her parents always supported him, favored him, and compared her to him. It inflamed Alyssa further and she strove to be exactly the opposite of what Alex was. He was her dad’s favorite and only when he declined to take over the reins of the business did her dad consider her as his last choice. It angered her and she went out of her way to prove how worthless she was, annoying her dad more.The doorbell rang and Eva went to get it while Alyssa continued with her packing, unperturbed, knowing fully well that it would either be her dad or her brother. Just as she had expected, her dad walked into the apartment and looked around for her. It angered Alyssa more that Alex could stoop so low and complain to him about such a minor issue.“Alyssa, I expect you to listen to your older brother. After all, he’s looking out for you. If he thinks that the Donnelly’s are dangerous, you should refrain from attending the wedding.” Alyssa stood up, her teeth clenched with fury but she took deep breaths to calm herself down.“They aren’t dangerous, dad. They’re just businessmen but I won’t interact with them at all. I’m just going as Sienna’s bridesmaid. You know how close we all are. I can’t miss this wedding, just because they happen to be Alex’s enemies.” Daniel Van Every massaged his temples completely at a loss now, witnessing the rebellious streak in his daughter which increased with every passing second.“What if they harm you?” Her dad seemed to be at his wit’s end. Eva walked quietly into the room and stood in one corner, knowing that Daniel Van Every didn’t approve of her much. She wasn’t a billionaire’s daughter and neither did she belong to their status. Just as always, Alyssa’s dad ignored her very existence and glared at his rebellious daughter instead.“They aren’t criminals, dad. The wedding will have their family members and children and I’ll just stick with my group of friends. How can they harm me?” Her dad snorted angrily and just gave up.“Do what you want. I don’t have the time to waste with you.” He strode angrily out of the apartment, banging the door shut after him, making Eva release the breath she was holding. Alyssa was unaffected by it all and continued with her packing.The next day, Alex left for Paris early in the morning before sunrise on a business trip and Alyssa jumped with joy. After he left, they locked up their apartment and sneaked out with their luggage to go to Preston Island where the wedding would be held.“Finally, we’re free!” exclaimed Alyssa as she drove her Ferrari all the way towards Alexandria Bay from where they would take a boat to Preston Island. It was ten o’clock in the morning when Alyssa and Eva arrived on a speedboat and gasped seeing the beautiful, secluded Island with a dreamy house with picturesque views of the St Lawrence River from Alexandria Bay. The Island had a fully-powered deep-water dock for ships and the house was equipped with it’s own boat.“I wish I could live on an island like this far away from Alex!” exclaimed Alyssa while Eva looked away since she had thoughts opposite to hers. She wanted to in fact live with Alexander Van Every on such a secluded Island and seduce him to submission!Soon the door opened and they squealed with delight on seeing Sienna who welcomed them with open arms.“Hey, girl! Oh my gosh! You’re glowing! By the way, who marries at such short notice?” complained Alyssa. Sienna told them the reason for her sudden wedding. Her ex-fiancé was creating problems in her life and she had no other option left.“So, where’s the hot Donnelly? Won’t you introduce us?” asked Alyssa.“He’s gone to talk to the caretaker about the wedding preparations. Let him come, I’ll introduce him to you,” said Sienna. “I’ll show you to your room. You both have to share since there’ll be more guests arriving soon,” said Sienna.“Sure, don’t worry about that,” said Eva.“So, did you guys sneak out? How did Alex allow you to come here?” asked Sienna curiously.“We fought with him to come here. He’s mad at me. He might drop in anytime, he said,” said Alyssa with an eye roll.“I just hope he doesn’t. I can’t take in any more drama in my life. I want a peaceful wedding!” said Sienna. She led them to their room and sat down with them on the bed. They showed her the dresses that they bought for her as well as for themselves. After a while, Lucas walked into the room to summon Sienna downstairs since his family had arrived. She introduced Lucas to Alyssa since Eva had already met him before.“I hope Alexander and Ashton aren’t coming to fight with us!” asked Lucas with a grin. Alyssa rolled her eyes at the mention of her brother and his best friend.“I hope not! We escaped without informing him, actually,” she informed him. Lucas looked at her with dread.“Knowing Alexander all my life, I’m hundred percent sure that he’ll come here hunting for you two,” said Lucas. All of them groaned with dread.“What made you and Alex sworn enemies? You don’t seem to hate my brother with a vengeance as he does?” she asked curiously while Lucas grinned.“Hasn’t your brother told you why we fought?” Alyssa shook her head slowly.“He was a good friend of mine actually. My younger brothers, Marcus and Nicholas, and Alexander share an enmity, not me! You’ll meet them soon.”The whole day Alyssa dreaded meeting the other two Donnelly brothers but when they didn’t arrive, she relaxed. She didn’t feel any awkwardness in the enemy territory as her brother had predicted but there were two more enemies whom she hadn’t met yet. Wasn’t it too early to predict?The rest of the group went towards the aisle to give them some privacy and sort matters out, while Alyssa’s mom and Sienna stayed back. “Bring her inside. She has a right to be here with me on my special day,” said Alyssa, surprised to find her best friend waiting outside. “I think it’s better you meet her once, Lisa,” insisted Alexander, hesitating a little, his eyes darting towards the main gates. Her dad scowled and fisted his hands with anger, glaring at the two of them. “Tell her to come inside the house and not create an unnecessary scene here today,” he said, his face flushed with hatred. This was always the scene at the mention of Eva’s name.“Please calm down, Daniel. I’m sure she’ll go away.” Alexander paled and turned to go away as well. If there was no place here for his wife, then he had no business staying at such a place. “I can see that my wife and I aren’t wanted here. Have a happy life, Lisa,” he said over his shoulders. “Wait, Alex. I want you to walk me down t
Alyssa swirled in front of the mirror, the sequins on her beautiful, sky blue, sleeveless dress catching the lights around the room. Nicholas bought it for her to wear to dinner at his granny’s house. “Beautiful! It looks as if it’s made for you,” said Nicholas, standing behind her and appreciating her through the glass. “Who else will be there tonight?” “No one. Only you and I with mom and granny. I specifically asked them not to go overboard.” “Yes, I need a quiet moment with them.” After a few minutes, they drove over to his house and, as always, aunt Claudia welcomed her in with open arms. “It’s been so long since you’ve been here, my dear,” she said, hugging her close. Alyssa too hugged her back, feeling guilty for not visiting them often as she had promised. Granny too came forward to give her a hug. “Sorry, aunt Claudia. I was so busy job hunting that it escaped my mind,” said Alyssa apologetically. “So, have you found your dream job yet?” asked his granny. “No, she’s t
“Tomorrow is the last day you'll be single. After that we’ll be bound to one another forever,” said Nicholas as he drove them home. “Who wants to be single?” she winked at him, making his heart skip a beat. “Is that so?” “Yes. As if you didn’t know.” “I do but do you know we have only a day to pack up for our honeymoon?” said Nicholas and Alyssa turned to him with surprise. “Are we going on a honeymoon?” she asked with disbelief, and he nodded with a silly grin on his face. “And you’re telling me now? So where are we going?”“The Bahamas for four days.”“Oh, my gosh! There’s so much to pack,” she gushed excitedly. The whole evening, they spent packing up for their upcoming trip. It was exciting, and Nicholas showed her where they were staying and planned a four-day itinerary together. There had been no contact with Alexander after that phone call, and they didn’t mention him either. They made dinner together and afterward sat on the enormous deck to sip wine and gaze at the sta
The next day was extremely hectic. They took her dad to the doctor for a second opinion and found out that the treatment going on was indeed the very best available so far. They returned home quite satisfied that he would get better after completing the treatment. After the visit, her dad gained more confidence and also actively took part in her wedding preparations. “I can also train you, Lisa, after Nicholas does." Alyssa hugged him at seeing his enthusiasm. “Yes, dad. I would love that,” she said eagerly. They were about to leave when her dad’s phone buzzed with an incoming call from Alexander. He looked alarmed and glanced at Alyssa. “Alex is calling me.” Alyssa and Nicholas stopped in their tracks and stood, waiting to hear what Alexander had to say. Her dad glanced at his wife and accepted the call with a sigh, putting it on speaker mode. “Yes, son. Have you returned?” asked her dad warily into the phone. “No, but how could you accept Nicholas into our family, dad?” demand
“I’ll pick you up at 4 o’clock,” said Nicholas, driving away after dropping her off at the hospital. They would first go to her parent's house and then off on a date. Alyssa was excited, as Nicholas still hadn’t told her what he had planned for them. Nicholas reached his office and wrapped up his work as fast as he could, looking forward to spending the evening with her. He tried calling Alexander to talk to him, but he still wasn’t available. Reluctantly, he left a message for him. He knew how upset Alexander would be if they married without informing him. Alexander,I tried to reach out to you many times, but I guess you are busy. I have an important announcement to make. Alyssa and I are getting married this Saturday at your parents' house. They have happily given their permission and I would be at peace if you too accepted our relationship. Your acceptance means the world to Alyssa, and she means the world to me. That’s the reason I’m trying to reach out to you.I have always l
Alyssa and Nicholas exchanged rings amidst cheers and congratulatory wishes. Aunt Claudia and granny blessed them abundantly as it was their dream to welcome her into the family. “Why are you rushing the wedding? I have a PTM at Alex's school tomorrow and a conference coming up on Friday,” protested Sienna. “Come over in your work clothes but I can’t postpone, Sien,” said Nicholas, making her roll her eyes at him. “No, it’s better we attend it at one go and then return home,” said Skylar, and even Hayley agreed. “Will Eva be able to attend my wedding?” asked Alyssa hopefully, but they were skeptical and couldn’t give any proper reply to that question.“No one knows where she is. I haven’t been able to contact them since yesterday,” said her mom while the others giggled, imagining what they would be up to. “I’m dying of curiosity. Where could Alexander have taken her?” asked Hayley, and they all discussed all possibilities, but Alyssa knew that none of those probabilities were tru