All Chapters of THE RENTED BRIDE: Chapter 1 - Chapter 6

I woke up that morning with butterflies fluttering in my stomach, a mix of nerves and excitement coursing through my veins. I dressed carefully, choosing a vibrant red dress that hugged my figure perfectly, the fabric soft and flowing, making me feel both confident and comfortable. I paired it with my favorite black ankle boots, giving me a little extra height and a dash of attitude.As I looked in the mirror, my eyes sparkled with anticipation, and a wide grin spread across my face. My hair was styled in loose waves, framing my face beautifully, and I added a touch of makeup to highlight my features. With each passing minute, my excitement grew, and I could hardly contain my energy. Hannah arrived at my door, dressed in a cool, chic outfit, a mischievous grin on her face. "Ready to rock this audition, girl?" she asked, her voice full of energy. I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'm so nervous," I admitted, "but also so excited." Hannah squeezed my shoulder, her eyes full of

The rain was coming down in sheets that day. I remember the drive felt endless, the wipers on full blast, struggling to keep the windshield clear. I'd been away for a while, with Michael tormenting me throughout the day , I was finally heading home. I was expecting a warm welcome, maybe a home-cooked meal, a sense of normalcy. But when I turned the corner onto our street, my heart just stopped. There they were, my family, standing in the downpour. Everything we owned was piled on the curb – furniture, clothes, all soaked and ruined. The eviction notice was still taped to the front door. My dad was huddled under a flimsy umbrella, his face etched with a mix of exhaustion and despair. My younger siblings were clinging to each other, shivering and silent. I highlighted from the Uber and just ran. I didn't even care about the rain soaking through my clothes. I ran to them, and the moment I reached them, Dad just looked at me, his eyes red-rimmed. "We lost the house, Leah," he choked

I stood in the doorway, my arms crossed as I glared at Michael. "I'm sleeping in the bed," I firmly, trying not to let him get under my skin. Michael smirked, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "No way, I'm the groom," he replied, his voice dripping with amusement. I raised an eyebrow. "This is ridiculous. We're adults. We can share a bed," I suggested, trying to reason with him. But Michael just shook his head. "You think I'm sharing a bed with you? We're pretending to be married, not actually married." I tried to sneak up on Michael, pillow in hand, and gently push him out of the room. But as I made contact, he spun around, his eyes flashing with annoyance. "What's your problem?" he asked, his voice low and irritated. “You can’t sleep here,” I added, ignoring his already agitated face. “You work for me, you know, and you must act like a worker!” he snapped. Before I could react, he grabbed the pillow and pushed me back into the room. I stumbled, my anger rising, as he stro