Chapter 1 : The Groom Who Never Came

When the crier didn't call the wedding bells, Elena Hart knew something was wrong.Since she came to St. Michael's Cathedral they had been playing every five minutes, filling the big hall with beautiful and hopeful music.There was nothing now.Only silence.Elena was leaning against the huge wood doors to the sanctuary, holding a bunch of white roses in her large hand, the stems of which were starting to sting her hand.By the second, her bridal gown was heavier.Chloe whispered, "He's coming.Elena swallowed."Of course he is."She was sure of herself and said it.Well, at least she attempted to.Through the narrow opening between the doors, she could see hundreds of guests waiting.New York's haves and the haves not.Business partners.Politicians.Socialites.Those who have been gossipers for years about the Hart family, and its shame.This day was supposed to change that.If it were today, Elena Hart would get married and become Mrs. Ethan Carter.And maybe lastly people would st

Last Updated : 2026-07-13

Chapter 2 : The Man Behind the Offer

Elena didn't move.She couldn't.She looked at the last sentence that was printed across the card of Damien Blackwood's.“But there was someone in your family who was.”Her fingers clenched on the sides.One of her relations.They were unable to comprehend what was being said.For twenty-five years her father had maintained that he had been set up. So much so, that even when the world was calling him a liar, she still believed him.But now Damien had decided that there was a traitor in her family.Who?Her stepmother?Sophia?Someone else?"Elena."Chloe broke out of the thought pattern with her voice.Elena looked up.There was a best friend standing by her and looking at the card.What did he put in the note?Elena hesitated.What was the reason she had, she suddenly did not want anybody else to read those words.She put the card in her purse."Nothing."Chloe's eyebrows rose."Nothing?"“Three hundred people witnessed Damien Blackwood proposing to me in front of me. I think it's to

Last Updated : 2026-07-13

chapter 3 :The Warning

Elena had not realized that she could not breathe.She just glared at Damien for several seconds.Somebody was aware of their marriage.Someone had found her father.He was left behind in Blackwood Cemetery with a warning.Don't let your daughter marry the Blackwood heir.Her stomach twisted."Take me to him."Damien's face had no expression."Elena—""Now."He stopped and listened to her because there was something in her voice.My father has gone missing since yesterday and someone got him before I did, and now you're standing here telling me that whoever it is knows about us.She took out her purse."I'm going."Damien approached the elevator.When he says, “Then stay by me.”It's not like I need a babysitter.It takes knowledge on what you are getting yourself into.The elevator doors opened up.Damien stepped inside.Elena followed.The doors closed.Damien was truly enraged for the first time since he met her.Not at her.Whatever was going on.They were wondering how they got m

Last Updated : 2026-07-14

Chapter 4: The Contract Wife

Elena looked at Damien's fingers clutched tightly around her hand.After that, she set her eyes upon him.“Our fake marriage became real?”Damien's face was still very serious.I wasn't referring to that."Then explain it."Once he had taken his thumb across the back of her hand, he had let her go.The threat alters things: If someone knows you're a part of my life, then they know that you're protected by Blackwood security; if they think you're going to be my wife, then you are.Elena's hand went into the lap.To say that with the same tone you voice the phrase.To say that with the tone you say the word.Damien's jaw tightened.“As soon as someone came into your bedroom, it became your problem.”She had no answer.The image of that white rose sitting on her pillow wouldn't leave her mind.There was someone that had been in her house.Her bags and belongings had been touched by someone.There has been someone close to harming her.And that she didn't even know.Elena swallowed.“Where

Last Updated : 2026-07-14

Chapter 5: The Woman They Buried Twice

Elena read the sentence once again.INTERVIEW ELENA, ASK ELENA WHY HER MOTHER REALLY DIED.Her fingers became icy cold and hard.She gazed at Damien.Why this one says my mommy?He didn't answer."Damien."His eyes were glued to the picture."I don't know."“There's more to this than that.”"I know."Elena turned over the picture.Her mother's face was staring at her.Young.Beautiful.Alive.Elena was almost completely without memory of her mother.Only fragments.She was combing Elena's hair with a gentle touch, talking to the girl in a soft tone.The fragrance of jasmine.Though she feared thunderstorms, warm hands were wrapped around her.Then nothing.Elena's mom died when she was 6 years old.Her father says that a car accident caused her injuries.Her father said he believes she was hurt in an auto accident.That's what they told her to do.A simple accident.A tragic accident.Unintentionally caused accidents for which there was no information for the Blackwoods.However, someo

Last Updated : 2026-07-31

Chapter 6: The Secret Sister

Elena couldn't move.The photo quivered in the middle of her palms.Her mother.A hospital.A baby.And the words that had broken down everything she believed in.SHE GIVEN HER LIFE FOR YOUR SISTER."Sophia?"The name barely escaped Elena's lips.Damien took the picture from her.Remember to not guess."How can I not?"“Since we don't know who this baby is.”So why did they write Sophia's name?"They didn't."Elena stared at him."Exactly."She took the photo away from him.The message is from my sister."Your stepsister."Elena's eyes narrowed."What difference does that make?""Everything."Damien gestured to the picture.If Sophia's not Lucia's real daughter, then the person who left her behind wants you to think she has something to do with your mother's death.Elena's stomach twisted.You're telling me Sophia isn't my sister?I'm telling you, we don't know.My father was her foster father."That doesn't make her your mother's daughter."Elena went silent.It never occurred to her