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Chapter 1: A Schemed Marriage

 

 

**POV AURORA**

 

Relentless. Hard to deal with. Impossible to please. And... in a wheelchair.

 

That was all I could retain about the man who, in less than a week, had become the one I was supposed to marry — even against my will.

 

"I was working as a maid in my sister's mansion when everything started to go wrong. Then again… it had already been going wrong from the moment I set foot in that place."

 

"To begin with, I only went to that house because I needed to find my father. I needed help. But I barely saw him… and he hardly spoke to me, as if I were an imminent problem. And maybe I was. I came bringing problems — and looking for solutions."

 

"I tried to talk to my older sister. The one I’d never had any kind of relationship with before."

 

"She swore she would help me. Convinced me to take the job at the mansion, promising it would pay well. Said it was temporary, that I could save up some money. And I believed her."

 

"But from the first day, I realized all she really wanted was to humiliate me."

 

"Despite everything, despite being in a tough spot, I felt relieved not to be inside that house anymore. So many absurd rules, so many restrictions… I could barely lift my head with dignity without being punished. I never thought I’d spend a whole month living like that."

 

"And in the end? She simply didn’t pay me. No explanation. Nothing."

 

"She just left me there, trapped in a dirty game I didn’t even know I was part of."

 

"Suddenly, I was involved in an agreement that wasn’t mine. A marriage I hadn’t chosen. With a man I had never seen before in my life."

 

"I know very little about him… but from the photos, he seems like an extremely complicated person. It’s like he’s a hidden danger behind a tailored suit and an impeccable appearance — even sitting in a wheelchair."

 

"Andrews Westwood."

 

"The most powerful man in the city. The kind of man everyone fears… but no one dares to challenge."

 

"And now… he’s the one I’m supposed to marry."

 

"Not for love. Not by choice. But out of desperation."

 

"Because, after everything… what else did I have left?"

 

"I wanted the money this marriage could bring me. And I’ll go after it. At any cost."

 

Andrews Westwood — my future husband. If he doesn’t back out when he sees me, I’ll be tied to him forever.

 

I was sitting in the car when the tears began to fall. But I wiped them away quickly. I couldn’t look weak. Not now.

 

My life had never been easy. And honestly, being humiliated in that mansion wasn’t the worst part. The worst was the constant feeling of being used… discarded.

 

But this time, something inside me shifted.

 

I was angry. Angry at my sister. Angry at the system. Angry at myself for still being there.

 

And scared. Scared of him. Of Andrews Westwood.

 

I had read everything I could about him. The headlines portrayed him as a ruthless billionaire. A man who built an empire even after losing the use of his legs. A cruel genius. A strategist who doesn’t forgive mistakes.

 

And now, he would be my husband.

 

When I arrived in the dressing room, I was treated like a doll. Fancy clothes, jewelry, makeup… Everything that had always felt so far out of reach for me.

 

I looked in the mirror and barely recognized myself. I was beautiful, but hollow. A soulless bride, ready to walk down the aisle with a stranger.

 

I stepped out of the room for a moment, heard he was in the room next door, and I wanted to see him for just a second. The door was slightly ajar.

 

Andrews Westwood.

 

They say he rarely smiles, and when he does, it’s only to intimidate. Tall, imposing even while seated, dark hair always slicked back, gray eyes that freeze anyone in their tracks.

 

Beside him, his right-hand man. Loyal, experienced, but clearly uncomfortable with what was about to happen.

 

"It was a surprise she agreed to the wedding," Donovan said, crossing his arms.

 

Andrews only smiled. Cold. Cruel.

 

"She had no choice. She was cornered. I’m the only respectable option she has left."

 

"And you really think she won’t try to run?"

 

"She tried to run from me once," Andrews said, voice low and bitter. "And look where it brought her. Back. Only this time… as my wife."

 

Donovan hesitated.

 

"Don’t you find it odd that she insisted on only being seen at the altar?"

 

"On the contrary," Andrews replied, a wicked glint in his eyes. "It’ll be even more interesting. The whole world will see her holding hands with a man she despises. She’ll smile for the cameras, pretend she’s happy. But I’ll know the truth. I always do."

 

And turning toward the window, he added with chilling calm:

 

"When it’s all over… she’ll already be mine."

 

I listened for just a moment before running back to my room. In less than five minutes, he was going to get a very unpleasant surprise.

 

The music began.

 

The whole hall stood. Cameras flashed. The anticipation was immense.

 

And then… I entered.

 

I walked down the aisle as if I were floating. On the outside, flawless. On the inside, shattered and terrified.

 

Andrews lifted his gaze, expecting to see my sister, but there I was…

 

And I saw the surprise in his eyes the moment he realized it wasn’t her.