Chapter 1

Riley was putting on her white lace ball wedding gown with a corset in the shape of a heart and was looking at herself in the mirror. She looked beautiful. While she was thinking about her perfect dress, the wedding of her dreams, the decorations, and her good-looking fiancé, her phone beeped. She received a message from her fiancé, Erick. Erick Marshall was her fiancé, the man she loved. They had been in a relationship for 3 years and were planning to spend their life together. She read the message. 

"Baby, I cannot wait to see you in that gown of yours. Please come downstairs."

Riley knew that it is believed that it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride wearing the wedding dress before the wedding, but she decided to go against her instinct and went downstairs. She could not find Erick anywhere and asked the store clerk.

Excuse me, have you seen my fiancé? He wrote me a message saying that he was there, but I can't find him.

Yes, miss, he was here with your sister, but they went outside a few minutes ago. The store clerk answered.

When she heard that her stepsister was there, she was surprised but did not pay any attention to it.

Thank you. She told the clerk.

Miss, you cannot go out dressed like that. It is bad luck for the groom to see the bride. The clerk said

Oh, please, I just want him to see me; it is not a big deal, and we do not believe in those superstitions. Riley said

She opened the door, saw Erick's car, and was devastated by the view. Erick and her sister Lisa were sitting in the back seat of the car, and they were kissing. Lisa could see Riley's face, and a smirk appeared. Lisa knew this was the final blow that she had dealt, so now Erick was all hers. Tears started falling on Riley’s face. Riley could not stop crying, and she wanted to get out of there. 

Miss, are you okay? Please return inside. The clerk said

She could not talk; she only nodded her head and went inside, undressed slowly with the help of the shop assistant, and went outside. There she saw Erick and Lisa; they were talking as if nothing had happened. She did not know what to do, but at that moment, she decided not to tell them or show them that she knew the truth. She was going to act as if nothing happened, and she decided that she would get revenge on them. 

Hey, baby," Erick said.

He kissed her on the cheek.

Hey baby, sorry that I did not come downstairs, but you know it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride in a wedding dress before the wedding. - Riley said

No need to say sorry; I understand, but that will not happen to us; we will be very happy. Erick said

Riley turned towards her stepsister.

Lisa, what are you doing here? Riley asked.

Oh, I just wanted to see the dress, so when Erick told me he was coming here, I had to come to see you," Lisa said.

Oh, you have never before wanted to come with me; it is strange. Why did you change your mind? She asked her.

Curiosity, I guess. Lisa answered with a smirk on her face.

Riley turned towards Erick and asked him, Baby, can you take me home?

Of course, baby. He looked at her and continued asking, Are you okay?

Yes, baby, I am fine, but I am a little bit tired. She answered him.

Alright then, let’s take you home. He told her.

They entered the car.

***

On the other side of New York, a letter arrived at Cates's residence. It is said that the Knight family is asking one of their daughters to marry their only son. The Cates family had already heard about Bruce Knight. They knew he was an ugly, crippled, and bad man. He had a temper as well. 

When Tabitha read the letter, she had a plan in mind. She knew what she would do. She will marry her ugly stepdaughter Riley to Knight's only son and make a path for them to a better life and maybe a suitable husband for her real daughter. She had already advised Lisa to try and catch Erick Marshall, her stepdaughter's boyfriend, but this opportunity was even better.

They arrived in front of the house.

Erik, do you want to come in? Lisa asked with a seductive voice.

No, he will not come in. Riley answered quickly, then she turned towards him and continued: "Baby you must be tired; you do not have to come. I will talk to you tonight.

I am not tired, baby. If you want, I can come. Erick said

I understand, but baby, I am tired. Let’s talk tonight, please. Riley answered.

Of course, baby, go and rest, and I will call you later. Erick said

- Bye. Riley said

- Bye. I love you. He blew her a kiss and left.

Riley and Lisa entered the house, and they could see Tabitha sitting in the living room and talking about something with Manuel, her husband, and Riley's father. 

Hello! Riley greeted them.

"Hello honey," Tabitha said.

At the moment, Tabitha was nice to her, and because of that, Riley knew that something was going on. 

Lisa, can you please leave us alone with your sister? Tabitha said.

What is going on? Riley asked

- Riley, we received a letter today in which it says that the Knight family wants to marry their son with you. We were discussing this with your father. We know that you have a boyfriend and you are planning to get married, but there is something you should know. Erick is courting your... Tabitha was interrupted.

At that moment, Riley spoke.

I will do it; I will get married. When is the wedding? I want it to be as soon as possible. 

Riley, honey, are you sure? Why would you do that? You are already engaged. Is everything okay?

- Father I do not know how to tell you this: I do not love Erick anymore; he has been terrible with me; he has cheated on me and broken my heart. I have seen Bruce; he is not bad, and I would like to marry him. Riley lied.

Baby, I understand, and I will give a piece of my mind to Erick, but you do not have to do this. Manuel said

I know, father, but I want to do it.

She thought that this would be a great opportunity to get revenge on the man she had devoted her life to. Bruce Knight and his family are one of the richest people in America, and she hoped that he would do everything he could to make his wife happy. At least she hoped for that. 

Manuel looked at his daughter and asked, Honey, are you sure?

At that moment, his phone rang, and he did not even pay any more attention to his daughter.

Yes, father, I would like to do it. she said, but he was so deep into the phone conversation that he did not even hear her.

Then it is settled. The wedding will be held in seven days in the Royal Garden in downtown New York. You have already picked a wedding dress, and there is no need to invite a lot of people. Tabitha said

I will marry him, but only under one condition. 

Tabitha frowned.

What do you want? Tabitha asked.

I do not want anyone to know, especially not ERICK, and after this wedding, I do not want to hear from you or your daughter ever again; you will not be part of my family anymore, and when there will be celebrations or parties, you and your daughter will not come.

Tabitha had a smirk on her face.

Why would you say that? What have we done to you? She asked

Please, Tabitha, I know what your daughter did, and I am sure that you knew all along about it, so don't play innocent with me. 

What are you talking about? She pretended she did not know with an innocent look on her face.

I am done talking; do we have a deal or not? Riley asked

Of course, we have a deal.

They shook hands. Tabitha was satisfied, and Riley was glad that after this wedding she would not have to deal with her family. She was only sorry about her father, but she knew she would do everything in her power to protect him and save him from the grasp of Tabitha and Lisa.

***

7 days passed quickly. Riley sat in front of the vanity mirror dreamily, waiting for the makeup artist to finish her makeup. Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and Tabitha walked in anxiously.

Everything is ready. Can you please hurry up and get out? The Knight family will be here any minute. Tabitha said.

"Yes stepmother. She answered her with a smirk.

There was a knock on the door.

Riley's father came in and said, The Knight family has arrived; are you ready, honey? He looked at his beautiful and gentle daughter and continued, Riley, are you sure you want to get married to Bruce Knight?

Riley looked at her father.

Yes, father, I want to.

The Knight family is the wealthiest and most valued family in New York. The only direct heir, Bruce, was disfigured and made crippled when he was kidnapped 15 years ago. Since then, Bruce has not appeared in front of others. He was rumored to be cruel, ugly, and terrible, and every woman sent into his house did not come out alive.

At the altar, she saw a man in a wheelchair, but she could not see his face. He wore a curtain in front of his face. She assumed that he had to have some scars on his face, and because of that, he did not want to show his face in public. She was reconciled with that; there was no other way out. She wanted to hurt both Lisa and Erick, and she knew that this was the only way.

She thought, "Grief is greater than death; even if Bruce is the devil, I do not care."

And so the ceremony began. The priest asked them the most important questions: if they were here by their own free will, and do they accept being married to one another? After saying yes, their fate was sealed, and they were married.