LOGINShare
Chapter 8
Latest chapter
The Perfect Replacement Groom Chapter 9
I turned. Cole approached, Olivia on his arm. They wore ill-fitting wedding attire—store-bought, clearly last-minute. Olivia's expression mingled triumph and something darker. Marrying Cole had always been her ultimate goal. But the wedding she'd imagined wasn't trailing behind mine like an afterthought.As she passed, she pressed closer to Cole, staking her claim. "We're family now. You can call me sister-in-law."I smiled smoothly. "Sister-in-law. Brother. May you live happily ever after."Olivia preened. Cole's hands clenched at "brother."I didn't care what churned in his head. I turned, took Julian's hand, and exchanged rings as the officiant blessed us. Beneath that burning stare, I spoke my "I do" with conviction.After the reception, Julian lingered outside our bridal chamber. Minutes passed. Finally, my patience thinning, he entered—arms full of documents.He gathered himself, then confessed. "I built my own portfolio before joining Harrington Group. Small at first—I k
The Perfect Replacement Groom Chapter 8
Henry's face cycled through a range of emotions before he tugged me into a side room. "Avery, I know this wasn't our arrangement. But Cole—he's my grandson, raised under my eye for years. Handing the reins to an illegitimate child? I couldn't live with myself." He paused, searching for justification. "Besides, Julian gets half the shares. That's hardly nothing."Half the shares versus full control—I knew the difference. "You're breaking our agreement."His expression wavered between shame and resolve. "Fifty percent is generous."I read his evasive eyes clearly. Age made people sentimental. Weak.The door crashed open. Cole stormed in, spotted me, and unleashed. "So this is your game? I postpone the wedding, and you poison my grandfather against me, hand my inheritance to a bastard? Vicious. That's what you are."He railed at me, then at his grandfather for supposed favoritism.If only he knew this was favoritism—for him.I stared at the thin sheaf of papers in my hand—the t
The Perfect Replacement Groom Chapter 7
Cole stood frozen, the words not quite registering.Olivia's eyes darted around before landing on Julian's attire like a hawk spotting prey. "Cole, look—why is Julian wearing a groom's suit?"Cole's gaze crawled slowly over the formalwear. "Avery, you'd actually marry him?" Rage made him reckless, his words tumbling out unchecked. "A bastard. Some mistress's by-blow. Are you that desperate?"His eyes bored holes into Julian while sparing a sliver of venom for me. "How long have you two been sneaking around? When I was abroad on business? Or when you were staying at the Harrington estate?"He spoke like a cuckold hunting proof of betrayal. He conveniently forgot his "business trip" abroad had been an aurora-viewing expedition with Olivia. That during my recovery at the Harrington estate after my car accident, he'd been touring viral restaurants with her, never once visiting.The more he raged, the more unhinged he became. He lunged at Julian.His fist never landed. Julian flipped
The Perfect Replacement Groom Chapter 6
Before my words faded, Julian appeared at my side. He extended his hand. "Let's go. The elders are waiting."As I naturally placed my hand in his, fire blazed in Cole's eyes. "Avery, have you no shame? Flirting with someone else right in front of me?"He lunged to pull me away, but strong hands restrained him.Before Cole could unleash another outburst, Olivia burst in from nowhere, her face plastered with comically oversized bandages, tears streaming. "Cole, those men were terrifying! They said I'd offended Avery and needed to be taught a lesson. I barely escaped!"I watched her performance with cold detachment. Those men worked for the Harrington family—they'd never utter such words. This was simply Olivia's latest fabrication.But Cole had always fallen for her act. His gaze bore into me. "Avery, you've got some nerve, harassing Liv right under my nose. Do you really want to provoke a rift between our families?"Before his aggression could land, Julian smoothly positioned hims
The Perfect Replacement Groom Chapter 5
Cole blinked, confusion flickering across his face before comprehension dawned. "Your wife?" His voice climbed. "Have you lost your mind, Julian? You dare touch my woman?"He wheeled on the Harrington family guards flooding through the doorway, his expression hardening to iron. "Break this bastard's legs. I'll handle Grandpa."The guards didn't move.Rage darkened his features. "Are you all deaf? So Grandpa froze my cards—I'm still his only legitimate heir. You answer to me!"Julian didn't spare him a glance. He carried me toward the door. "I've called a doctor. Let's get you bandaged."Cole's hand shot out, gripping my arm. His jaw tightened as he glared at Julian. "Stop right there." His voice dropped, lethal and low. "Avery. If you walk out with him, we're through."I tasted blood on my lips. "Fine."I wrapped my arms around Julian's neck, pressing close. "Let's go," I murmured.Cole's roar faded behind us, his words dissolving into meaningless noise.In the adjacent room,
The Perfect Replacement Groom Chapter 4
The woman in the portrait gazed at me with gentle eyes, like a silent comfort. My nose stung, and I nearly burst into tears.My mother had died young, leaving behind only this painting—one she'd commissioned before her passing. She said she wanted to watch over me through those painted eyes, hoping I'd find a good man and live a happy life.This was my most precious possession, and Cole knew it well.He hesitated for a moment, then pointed toward the hallway. "Set that painting aside for now."Olivia's eyes flickered. She darted forward and snatched the portrait from the worker. "Cole's right—such a valuable item deserves careful handling."She spoke of care, yet as she passed by, she deliberately dropped a lit lighter.Flames leaped hungrily at the delicate paper. My mother's image crumbled into ash before my eyes.I lunged forward, vision blurring with rage, but my hands closed on nothing but cinders."Oh, Avery, I'm so sorry! The frame was too heavy—I couldn't hold on."At
You may also like
The Wife You Never Wanted
Bitter Egg23.5K viewsRevenge of the Secret Heiress
Summer Sway26.3K viewsFake Love
Dawn Moonlight19.9K viewsTurning My Life Around
Boat18.6K viewsThe Way She Sparkled
North Tree6.2K viewsThe One Thing I Never Expected
Rowan Ashcroft1.1K viewsHis Bias, My Leap
Bright Lights4.1K viewsWife, Wine, War
Longine215 views
