The Vengeful Billionaire's Unwanted Innocent Bride

made silk of her wedding gown feeling less like a dream and more like a shroud. Her heart hammered agains

, slamming against the wall w

of honor and best friend, stood in the doorway, her fa

what's

strode across the room and sho

post, complete with grainy photos of her and her sister, Veronica, from years ago. The headline was a punch to the

But the post's tone was so certain, as if everyone had already decided she was the murderer. The photos had been malici

ueezed by an invisible hand, a suffo

as she scrolled. Thousands of comments, each one a drop of po

es meeting Kiara's in shared panic. Through the open doorway, she saw two men in sharp black suits,

aiting outside like vultures. He wanted her to be humiliated. He wanted to destroy her. The reason is simple: he believes she killed her sister. Damon convicted her, and from the very beginning, he never intend

" she said, her voice r

r arm. "Aria, no

oom, past the unmoving guards, and down the long, silent corridor lined with stained-glass windows. E

the main sanctuary were p

lashes exploded like gunfire, relentless and white-h

aces a blur of curiosity and contempt. The air was thick with whispers, a sibilan

e. She walked alone, her heels sinking into the plush red carp

here

m tuxedo fit him perfectly, but his face was a mask of revulsion. His eyes, the color of a

deliberate step back, avoiding her touch as if she were diseased. The

ortrait, two of his assistants emerged from the side of the altar. One carried a heavy, dark wooden spirit ta

her," he said. "You will hold her spirit tablet in your arms throughout the ce

hands - it was heavier than she expected, and colde

n pearls sneered loudly enough for all

to poor Veronica,"

face a mask of rage. "You

their hands down on her shoulders, forcing her ba

tablet. And say your vows to her. If you refuse - if you run, if you say a single word other than w

d with tears of fury. The threat was a blade twisting in her gut. He

arble floor, the spirit tablet clutched against her chest. The weight of a thousand hostile stares

ely, leaned toward Damon. "

day. This is not a marriage. This is a sentence." He turned his venomous gaze

lood filled her mouth, grounding her. She w

imself. Inside, nestled on the silk, was a diamon

of breath as he forced the ring onto her finger. It was too small. It caught at her knuckle, scraping the skin. He pushed

ike a swarm of insects, capturing the bride on her knees, clutc

kiss. Damon didn't even look at her. He pulled a silk handkerchief from

the handkerchief onto the spirit tablet in he

d like a prisoner, beside the ghost of the accuser. Thousands of hostile gazes pressed