Married In My Step Sister’s Place 의 모든 챕터: 챕터 1 - 챕터 10

Zara Alaric moved quietly through the rooms, adjusting ribbons on the flower arrangements and straightening Selene’s bridesmaid's gown hem. Today was supposed to be Selene’s big day, the moment every detail had been planned for months, the day she would become Adrian Boss's bride.Zara had spent hours making sure everything was perfect. After all, Selene deserved it. She had always deserved everything. Zara, in contrast, had grown accustomed to the quiet, overlooked corners of the world. She was the “good girl,” the stepdaughter who never spoke up, who always stayed in the background while Selene soaked up praise, attention, and affection.Her stepsister had been pampered since the day Margot had married her father after the death of Zara’s mother. Selene’s whims were the law. Her desires were fulfilled without question, while Zara learned early to remain invisible, to bend and endure. Her father, Richard Alaric, loved her in his quiet, timid way, but he was powerless in the face o

She heard a soft knock on her door gentle this time, not commanding. When she opened it, a young woman stood there with a bright little smile. Zara recognized her instantly from the wedding: Adrian’s younger sister.“Come in,” Zara said softly. “How are you? I hope he isn’t being hard on you already.”Isabella asked Zara tilted her head. “What do you think? Of course, he’s not nice or understanding. To him, I am just a replacement.”But Isabella reached out and placed her hands over Zara’s. “Listen to me. I wasn’t happy either when I saw you walk down the aisle in Selene’s gown. But when I looked at your sad eyes, I realized you must not have had a choice. Maybe you’re doing this for your family. So don’t worry. Even if Adrian and Mother despise you, I’m here to support you.”Zara blinked, stunned by those words. Relief washed over her at least someone didn’t see her as nothing more than a stand-in.“And about Adrian,” Isabella added with a small laugh, “whether he loves someone or no

Later, the music swelled. Couples filled the dance floor, swirling under golden lights.“Dance with me,” Adrian said, his hand extended.Zara’s stomach dropped. “I’ll just embarrass you. And myself.”He exhaled sharply, irritation clouding his features. “You already embarrassed me the day you agreed to take your sister’s place. What’s one more mistake?”Her chest burned. She swallowed hard, slipped her hand into his, and stepped onto the floor.The moment his hand settled at her waist, the world shrank to the steady rhythm of his movements. Zara kept her gaze locked on his shoulder, refusing to meet his piercing stare.But then Rip.The sound was soft, but in the echoing hall, it may as well have been thunder. Gasps rippled across the floor. Zara froze, horror flooding her as she felt the zipper at her back give way.Adrian reacted instantly. With one swift motion, he shrugged off his black coat and wrapped it around her shoulders, shielding her from hungry eyes and whispers.His gri

The sudden sharpness in Adria’s voice sliced through the heavy silence like a knife.“What are you doing with her? And why didn’t you tell me you were coming…!”Zara froze. Her chest tightened at those words so full of judgment, so void of defense. Disappointment pooled in her heart because it was painfully clear Adrian hadn’t seen the fight between them. He hadn’t noticed her tears, her trembling. And worse, he wouldn't have even considered taking her side.After all, why would he? He hated her just as much as his mother did.“Uhmm… I came because of the news,” Clare muttered nervously, breaking the tension.“Oh, that…” Adrian sighed heavily, rubbing the back of his neck as though the weight of the world pressed against him. His eyes flicked toward Zara, sharp and cold.“Are you happy now? That my name is being dragged through the mud because of you? Tarnished like that? Go to your room. The sight of your face disgusts me.”The words struck harder than any slap. Zara’s throat burne

The faint, mocking echo of Adrian’s laughter faded, leaving the office colder than before. Zara stood still, her hand pressed to the place on her dress where she had wiped away his touch. That small flicker of defiance inside her hardened into something stronger, tougher like steel forged in fire.Adrian signed the contract with a sharp, dramatic stroke, as though he was stamping his claim on her life. He didn’t even bother to look at her when he spoke, his tone flat and commanding.“You’ve made your little declaration, Zara Alaric. Now, you’ll live by mine.”He slid a sleek silver card case across the desk. Its polished surface caught the dim light, almost blinding.“Your first lesson in obedience,” he said. “Inside are two things: the emergency number for my estate manager, Mr. Hayes, and the account details for your allowance. Every coin you spend will be tracked. Any large purchase, any step outside the rules, any contact with creditors I will know immediately. Do you understand?”