Vows of Deception

Flash Marriage To My Best Friend's Father

Madel Cerda

I was once the heiress to the Solomon empire, but after it crumbled, I became the "charity case" ward of the wealthy Hyde family. For years, I lived in their shadows, clinging to the promise that Anson Hyde would always be my protector. That promise shattered when Anson walked into the ballroom with Claudine Chapman on his arm. Claudine was the girl who had spent years making my life a living hell, and now Anson was announcing their engagement to the world. The humiliation was instant. Guests sneered at my cheap dress, and a waiter intentionally sloshed champagne over me, knowing I was a nobody. Anson didn't even look my way; he was too busy whispering possessively to his new fiancée. I was a ghost in my own home, watching my protector celebrate with my tormentor. The betrayal burned. I realized I wasn't a ward; I was a pawn Anson had kept on a shelf until he found a better trade. I had no money, no allies, and a legal trust fund that Anson controlled with a flick of his wrist. Fleeing to the library, I stumbled into Dallas Koch—a titan of industry and my best friend’s father. He was a wall of cold, absolute power that even the Hydes feared. "Marry me," I blurted out, desperate to find a shield Anson couldn't climb. Dallas didn't laugh. He pulled out a marriage agreement and a heavy fountain pen. "Sign," he commanded, his voice a low rumble. "But if you walk out that door with me, you never go back." I signed my name, trading my life for the only man dangerous enough to keep me safe.

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Selena's POV

It was almost midnight and my feet were killing me.

It was a friday and Blue Lounge bar was packed, as usual. It was the same old crowd, city guys in suits, too drunk to stand but somehow still cocky enough to make my skin crawl.

"Selena!" my manager yelled from behind the bar. "Table nine's drunk and rich. Go charm 'em."

I rolled my eyes as I picked up the tray of drinks and summoned my best fake smile. "Yeah, because that always ends well." I muttered to myself. Most of the men in the bar were sleaze bags that thought they were entitled to getting in my pants.

As I walked over, I could already hear them. The loud, annoying laughter, the clink of glasses and a comment about my ass I pretended not to hear. I dropped their drinks on the table.

"Three bourbons, one gin and a martini. Anything else?"

One of them with a red tie and greasy hair grinned at me, licking his lips like I was dessert. "You, sweetheart."

I froze first, stopping myself from giving him a dirty look. Then I turned away.

Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist.

I jerked back. "Don't touch me."

"Aww, don't be like that, sweetheart," he slurred, standing up. "We're just having a good time. No need to be rude."

"I said don't touch me."

The other guys laughed like it was a show. I was just about to smack him in the head with my tray when a voice came from behind me.

"Let her go."

The guy blinked, looking up. "What?"

"I said let. Her. Go."

I turned and someone in a black hoodie with his face mostly covered. But his stance was firm and I got a very unsettling vibe from him.

Red tie scoffed. "Mind your own business, bro."

The man stepped closer. Just one step, but it was enough.

"I'm not your bro. And you've got three seconds before I make you regret touching her."

Everything went still. For a second, I thought Red tie might take a swing. But he didn't. Clearly intimidated, he backed off with a laugh that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Whatever, man. She's not worth it anyway."

I clenched my fists. I wanted to scream at him or punch him or maybe both. But I just turned back to the stranger.

"Thanks," I said, heart still racing.

He nodded once. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Just another night."

He looked at me a second longer. I expected him to say something more. But he just turned, disappearing into the crowd.

I sighed, walking back to the bar when I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I looked at the screen.

Dad

I answered immediately. "Dad?"

"Selena-" His voice was frantic and his breaths were coming out heavy and shaky. "I need you to come home. Now. Please. Something's happened."

My stomach dropped. "Dad, what's going on?"

"I-I don't know. They're saying things... just come quickly."