Flash Marriage: Becoming My Ex's Stepmother

“Clara Beaumont stood at the altar of St. Patrick's Cathedral in her couture wedding gown, waiting for her groom. But the space beside her remained empty. Aidan Carlisle, the heir to a Wall Street empire, had just eloped with his mistress, leaving Clara to face New York's elite all by herself. The priest awkwardly suggested a retreat. Her own family looked terrified of the impending social ruin, while the groom's powerful relatives sat in cold, humiliated silence. The press crashed the doors, cameras clicking frantically to capture the pathetic, jilted bride. She was about to become the biggest joke in the city, her reputation completely destroyed by a man who didn't even have the courage to show up. A surge of ice-hot fury burned away her panic. Why should she be publicly executed for Aidan's betrayal? She refused to let him ruin her life while he walked away unpunished. The debt of honor belonged to the Carlisle family, and she was going to collect it. Instead of collapsing in tears, Clara calmly lifted her veil and locked eyes with Aidan's ruthless, billionaire father, Julian Carlisle. "Since your son has chosen to publicly humiliate both our families," her voice echoed through the dead silent cathedral. "Is there a Carlisle man present willing to take his place?" When Julian coldly offered his younger nephews as a fix, Clara shook her head and looked directly at the untouchable patriarch. "No. I choose you."”