All Chapters of The Return Of The Betrayed Bride : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

BLACKWOOD INDUSTRIES – VIVIAN ASHCROFT’S OFFICEVivian stood from her desk the moment the door opened.“Mr. Harrington, Mr. Frederickton,” she said warmly, “what a pleasure to see you both. Please, come in.”They stepped inside, shaking her hand one after the other.“Thank you for having us,” Mr. Harrington said politely.Mr. Frederickton smiled as he looked around. “So, Ms. Ashcroft… the new Chief Operating Officer of Blackwood Industries.” He nodded in approval. “How are you enjoying your new office so far?”Vivian gave a smooth, confident smile.“Oh, I’m settling in very well,” she said. “The view helps. And the power doesn’t hurt either.”Both men chuckled.“Well,” Mr. Harrington said, taking a seat, “we’re here because we’d like to discuss a few changes happening in the company. And we thought it was best to come to you directly.”Vivian clasped her hands, leaning forward with a calm, sharp look.“Of course,” she said. “I’m listening.”Mr. Harrington crossed one leg over the othe

NEW YORK PENITENTIARY – VISITING ROOMThe metal door buzzed loudly and slid open. Amelia sat at the table, hands cuffed, her leg jittering nervously. The room smelled sharp disinfectant and cold steel.When Damien stepped in, her head shot up.“Oh, thank God,” Amelia whispered, voice trembling. “I thought the superintendent wouldn’t even get my message to you.”Damien pulled out the chair across from her, jaw tight. “He did. And I came as fast as I could.”He leaned forward, lowering his voice.“Though,” he added, a hint of bitterness creeping in, “Vivian tried to stop me on the way. We… argued.”Amelia blinked, rolling her eyes. “Of course you did.”Damien’s eyes narrowed, piercing into her. “Amelia… tell me. How did she get you to sign that return-of-shares agreement?”His tone was sharp, part accusation, part panic. “I know you. You wouldn’t sign that willingly. Someone must’ve had a knife at your throat. What does she have on you? What’s she using to blackmail you?”Amelia’s shoul

NEW YORK PENITENTIARY PRISON ~The warden left the room, and as soon as the door clicked shut, Amelia let out a long, shaky sigh. She looked at Damien with tired, overwhelmed eyes.“Damien, this doesn’t feel real,” she said quietly, glancing at the metal cuffs around her wrists. “I never… I never imagined I’d be getting married inside a prison. Of all places. This is the last situation I ever thought my life would end up in.”Damien pulled his chair closer and sat right in front of her, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.“Amelia, no one imagined this,” he said softly. “Not you. Not me. But I’m moving fast because I don’t want anyone to move you, isolate you, or block me from seeing you. After today, you’ll be my wife. And once that happens, they can’t keep you away from me.”Amelia nodded slowly, staring at the scratched table. “I know. I know you’re trying. I’m just… scared,” she admitted. “Vivian already blindsided me once. I can’t let her get another chance.”Damien shoo

FAVINO ESTATE, ITALY — ALEJANDRO’S VINEYARDThe sun climbed slowly over the green hills of Favino Estate, the biggest and most feared wine company in southern Italy. Workers moved between the vines, lifting crates, checking barrels, and trying not to draw attention to themselves.Alejandro crossed the stone courtyard with a slow, controlled walk. His face was unreadable, cold as always. He wore a dark shirt with the sleeves rolled up, tattoos on display, and his sunglasses reflected the whole vineyard like a warning.“Luca!” Alejandro’s voice cut through the morning air.His right-hand man rushed over. “Sí, boss?”Alejandro pointed at a group of workers loading crates onto a truck.“Tell them to be careful,” Alejandro said, his tone sharp. “If even one bottle breaks, they’ll spend the whole night counting grapes. One by one.”Luca stiffened. “Understood. I’ll fix it.”Alejandro didn’t wait. He moved to another worker nearby.“Paolo,” he said. “What’s in that shipment?”Paolo straighte

THE FAVINO FAMILY DINNERThe Favino family sat around the long dining table. Everyone was eating, except Alejandro, who barely touched his food, eyes fixed on his plate.His father finally set down his fork. “Alejandro, when are you bringing your late brother’s widow back home?”Alejandro lifted his eyes. “Soon. I’m working on it.”His father’s frown deepened. “You’ve been saying ‘soon’ for months. I need a date.”His mother clicked her tongue. “He’s right. This dragging it out is embarrassing. A woman can’t stay out there forever. Bring her home.”Serena sighed. “Honestly, Ale, what’s taking so long? You handle the vineyard, shipments, negotiations but you can’t manage one woman?”Elena chimed in, smirking. “Maybe he’s avoiding it because he knows she’ll be trouble.”Alejandro’s look froze her smile. “I’m not avoiding anything.”“Good,” his father said. “Because you have one week. If she’s not here by then if she hasn’t signed the marriage contract we start talking to another family.