All Chapters of The bride's stand-In: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Evelyn’s heart raced as Michael drove them toward the Morgan Mansion, her thoughts spiraling into chaos. The weight of what Michael had said hung heavily in the air, suffocating her with each passing minute. Diane’s return meant a return to her old life, the life she had desperately tried to escape. The mansion, her father, the expectations—it all felt like a prison. She had thought that after signing the contract, she would have some semblance of control over her life. But now it was clear that she was just another pawn in a game she didn’t understand. Her father, who had once promised her that she would be free, was now ready to replace her with Diane. It felt like all the walls she had built around herself were crumbling, and she was powerless to stop it. As the car pulled up to the mansion, Evelyn’s stomach twisted with anxiety. The grand estate loomed in front of her, its cold, imposing structure a constant reminder of everything she had tried to leave behind. She didn’t want

Evelyn’s head throbbed as she regained consciousness, her vision blurry. The cold leather seat beneath her and the hum of the car engine told her she was being transported somewhere. Panic surged through her veins as she tried to move, but her hands were tightly bound behind her back. The faint, metallic taste of blood lingered in her mouth, a cruel reminder of the hand that had grabbed and silenced her earlier.“Stay still,” a gruff voice ordered from the front seat, his tone menacing. “You don’t want to make this worse for yourself.”Evelyn clenched her fists, trying to suppress the rising fear. Her mind raced as she pieced together what had just happened. She had been dragged out of the Morgan mansion, shoved into this car, and now she was at the mercy of strangers with bad intentions. But why? What did they want from her?The car sped through the streets, its tires screeching as it turned sharply. Evelyn glanced out the window, but the tinted glass obscured her view. She could fee

The chaotic aftermath of Evelyn's rescue was palpable as Michael’s team worked quickly to secure the area. Evelyn was unconscious, her wrists bruised from the tight ropes that had bound her. Michael knelt beside her, his jaw clenched as he gently lifted her into his arms. "She’s breathing,” Adams said, his voice calm despite the tension in the air. “But she needs medical attention immediately.” Michael’s nod was curt. “We’re taking her home. Get the medic on standby.” The team moved with precision, clearing the scene and ensuring no trace of their involvement remained. Michael carried Evelyn to the waiting SUV, his grip protective as though shielding her from the world. The car ride back was tense, the silence broken only by the hum of the engine. Evelyn stirred slightly in his arms, her eyes fluttering open for a brief moment. “Michael…” she whispered, her voice faint. “I’m here,” he said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “You’re safe now.” Her lips move

Evelyn stirred awake, her eyelids fluttering as she adjusted to the dim lighting of the room. A dull, persistent throbbing radiated from the side of her head, a reminder of the chaos that had led her here. The memory of the accident and the kidnapping that followed was still vivid in her mind—the cold hands that had gripped her, the muffled cries for help. Everything had spiraled so fast. She hadn’t had time to process it all until now. With a soft groan, she pushed herself upright, her hands gripping the silky sheets beneath her. The bed was absurdly large and far more luxurious than anything she had ever imagined for herself. Her gaze flitted around the room, taking in the sheer opulence of her surroundings. High ceilings with ornate molding, plush furniture adorned with gold accents, and a chandelier that cast soft, warm light across the space—it was the kind of life she had only seen in magazines. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her bare feet brushing against the c

The first thing she registered was the faint, insistent tug at the edges of her sleep—like invisible hands pulling her back from the comforting void of dreams. A soft knock. Then the creak of a door opening. Voices murmured, too hushed for her groggy mind to decipher. And then, before she could fully grasp where she was, hands—cool, efficient—wrapped around her arms and pulled her upright.Evelyn blinked against the dim morning light, her lashes fluttering as the world swam into focus. She was sitting now, though she didn’t remember how she got there, her body still sluggish with exhaustion. A glance at the ornate clock on the far wall told her it was barely past six-thirty in the morning.Too early. Far too early.She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could utter a word, someone was already tipping her chin up, assessing her face as if she were nothing more than a blank canvas. And then, just like that, the transformation began.She was not given a choice.They worked on he