Chapter one

Dear Ms Vanessa J,

Your presence is requested at the Hood Creek Estate, Vermont.

A business proposition that will change your life.

— K Sterling

The notification appeared on my MacBook screen just as my eyes landed on the headline below it.

GIRLFRIEND BURNS DOWN FIANCÉ’S WEDDING HALL.

My lips curved into a faint, humourless smile. They never tell the story right.

Because two hours earlier, I was sitting in the third row of a beautifully decorated church, dressed in a soft lilac gown, watching my best friend look radiant in her white gown, her smile bright enough to fool anyone who didn’t know her closely.

Today, I was supposed to be happy for her, but how can I be when she took what was mine? Just two days ago, we were at the beach together, laughing as the waves brushed against our feet. I had confided in her, told her everything just as best friends do.

“Harris has been distant lately,” I had said, staring out at the water. “He barely calls anymore. I don’t know what I did wrong.”

Vanessa had slipped her arm around mine, her voice soft and calming.

“Maybe it’s time you let him go, Ness. You deserve better than someone who makes you feel this way.”

God, I had trusted her.

“Bride and groom, please step forward,” the priest's voice echoed, snapping me back to reality.

My hands shook as Harris and Vanessa moved forward with their fingers intertwined. He was the man who had stood with me on that same beach months ago, his arms wrapped around my waist, pressing a ring into my palm as the sun went down

“I choose you,” he had whispered.

Now he stood there, choosing her.

My fingers curled around my purse, gripping it tightly. Inside, cold metal pressed against my palm. Before I could stop myself, I pulled out my gun as I stood up.

“Don’t you dare!” I screamed. Everyone tensed up, the music stopped, and Vanessa turned back to face me, shocked. Of course, she had never expected me to be there.

“Please, don’t do this,” Harris said, shielding Gina from me.

I fired into the air, pulled out a lighter from my pocket, a small bottle of diesel and set the venue ablaze as I walked outside while everyone scrambled for safety.

With a faint smile, the driver took my bag and opened the car door. We drove home.

A soft knock came at the door before it creaked open.

“Vanessa?”

I quickly wiped my face, I didn’t even realise when the tears started falling.

My mother stepped in, her eyes filled with worry as she took in the sight of me sitting stiffly on the bed, laptop open, phone clutched tightly in my hand.

“I saw the news,” she said gently, then closed the door behind her. “They’re talking about it everywhere.”

‘I know. I had to do what had to be done,” I said. Just then, a soft knock came at the door.

“Miss ?” Mrs Gwen peeked inside. “There’s someone here to see you.”

“Did they say who?” I asked.

“No, ma’am,” the maid replied. “But… he said it’s important.”

My heart began to pound. My fingers tightened around my phone as I looked at the message on my screen.

Hood Creek Estate, Vermont.

“I’m not expecting anyone,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “Then you’re not going,” my mother said firmly. “Whoever it is can leave.”

“I’ll just see who it is,” I said, already standing.

“He’s outside,” she said, lowering her voice slightly.

Outside, a tall man stood beside the grey car.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Adrian. I’m here on behalf of K. Sterling. You need to come with me,” he replied.

“The police will be here anytime soon. Get in the car,” he said as he opened the door for me to hop in and turned to me. Still in my pyjamas, I hesitantly entered the car hearing the siren come closer.

“Use the left,” I directed to use the private entrance, and slowly, the sirens faded.

Suddenly, the car rolled to a stop in front of the estate.

The gates closed behind us.

“This way,” Adrian said, stepping out first.

“Here,” he directed as I followed him inside the big mansion.

Inside stood K Sterling.

“Welcome, Vanessa,” K Sterling said, pushing forward a document for me.

“Have a seat and go through it carefully,” his eyes pierced through my soul as he spoke.

Hesitatingly, I flipped it open.

“CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT: LEGALLY BINDING MARITAL UNION”

“Marriage?” I laughed in disbelief.

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

“Keep reading,” K. Sterling said calmly.

I pushed the document back across the table.

“I’m not doing it.”

“Alright,” he said, leaning back slightly, studying me like I was a decision already made, just not yet aware of it.

“You’ve had a long day,” he said. “I don’t expect you to think clearly right now.”

“I’m thinking perfectly fine.” Pushing the chair aside, I rolled my eyes, proceeding to leave the room.

As I got to the entrance, I was blocked from passing. “I am sorry, you cannot leave. The boss has not given the order .”

A voice came from behind, “You should stay. The police are looking for you out there, and I can’t let you into their hands.”

“Take her to her part of the house,” his deep hoarse voice resounded in my ear as the guards bowed slightly, softly leading me to my room.

We stopped in front of a large door.

One of the guards opened it.

“Your room, ma’am.”

A few minutes later, in bed, I pulled out my phone to call my mom but her number was not reachable.

My mom always picked up my call on the first ring. Called again, no response.

Just then my door creaked open, revealing K Sterling. His hair neatly styled, dark against his skin and his blue eyes piercing mine. In his hands, he held the document.

“This is yours, take your time to go through it over again,” he said, dropping the document beside me, and his eyes locking into mine once again.”