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THE WIFE HE NEVER CHOSE

Chapter 5 THE WEDDING CONTRACT

Word Count: 1472 | Released on: 06/11/2026

e lace on the bodice, the sort of fitted waist that makes you want to stand a little taller, and a skirt that floated when she carried it

rary marriage needs

to try it on,

er gaze in

t call me th

apology. "Of cou

back to t

Mercer. The thought still felt odd, a l

he dressing table. R

t nine tomorrow. The cerem

red a

felt. Not even a hint th

d out a

ning to

back just

ng. Be rea

led m

lieva

stant wa

thing

rfe

phone in

ribe marrying a man who treated weddi

, his car rolled

m dress, just a small purse in hand. Mrs. Benne

k lovely

nk y

ld my

have been happy to

. My throat

what I

ed, bitt

t to be happ

ick, then climb

inside

ark tie-the picture of cal

re re

ed oppo

rning to

ked his

aying on

urse w

r pull

he city slip past, trying to i

ly, I fa

you s

ou ner

ut w

nked

edding

asked about a sh

traight

. I fo

down at

rned

ign that today mattered-to either of

signed u

a quiet garden at one of Me

ywhere, soft music drifting under an ivory

est list read like a who's who: business p

the entrance. He greeted

r, you look

you,

cer is w

d him to

re stoo

ionaire. Tall, poised, controlled. His eyes found m

annoyingly

d him, he off

ted, the

y two minutes,

tar

re we

h almost

fician

ying a stranger. A man who'd offered terms, not a propo

ke his v

my lawful wife, promising to honour this union

ot a hint

oping my voice

s husband and wife. Applau

you may kis

didn'

nced

ast me to t

at nec

mach d

ant laughe

cust

lanced

y cheeks

whispered. "We

ded-to

otographer

have the traditional wedding kiss?

jaw f

d to di

ted the cerem

her shuffled

nouncement's ready. T

ooked

im a tig

rry. I'll

es nar

hand gently

me," he

his

d closer

he photo,"

ural

s brush

for a second, his hand gripped my waist, a

e pull

started

, trying to hide

urned toward

's o

was in a pri

for each congratulation. He handled the cr

how he could play wha

oman in blue

ongratul

you,

te Me

d eyes, warm and gentle, totally dif

a smile that

ust be

ce to me

eezed m

prettier than

mil

nk y

nced at

t said much

r," he

te la

tions, I

hope you'll be

know how

stepp

l be

him-searching-then

ope

move

ned t

other's

e i

ally differe

smi

eye

smi

nece

ok my

st be ex

all day, he actually la

help grin

ption wound down,

et up. They'd like a few mor

face ha

ton

ourse

slipp

d at my

crazy abou

attention that

omeone knowing th

t my

of the ar

odd

as. The ar

brushed of

ope you're ready fo

atch

ho asks q

ld my

noti

o the ball

top

ide the table, one

home w

y heart slamm

on-a shared house, a legal marri

lked

rig

nsion. I felt like I'd crosse

everywhere, a staircase fit for royalty.

s this way,

ed R

bedrooms

emem

at the ho

ing. Make sure everythi

him a

remem

e list to my

t you'd i

ignore

ul bedroom, elegant and cozy. Warm ivory col

eppe

nk y

ered in t

Busy day

ced

night,

and I w

f my finger and set i

ially Mrs.

about the way he pau

art wouldn't be pre

embering that I'm

Chapter End

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THE WIFE HE NEVER CHOSE

ABBYO Billionaires

“He married me to save my hotel. I fell in love with the man who would eventually break my heart. When Nessa Calder is on the verge of losing Bellamy House, the historic hotel her late mother left behind, she receives an unexpected offer from the last man she would ever consider marrying. Rafe Mercer is a billionaire who has everything money can buy, except the one thing he suddenly needs: a wife. Cold, intimidating and fiercely private, Rafe offers Nessa a twelve-month marriage contract. He will clear her hotel's debts, secure its future and give her the financial independence she desperately needs. In return, she will become his wife in public, share his home and never expect love from him. Desperate to save her mother's legacy, Nessa accepts. But living with Rafe Mercer is nothing like she imagined. Behind his cold expression is a man who remembers the smallest details about her. A man who becomes inexplicably jealous when another man gets too close. A man who begins breaking his own rules just to make her smile. Nessa knows she shouldn't fall for her husband. Their marriage has an expiration date, and Rafe has made it clear that love was never part of their agreement. But when the man who once insisted on separate bedrooms starts making her feel like the only woman in his world, keeping her heart out of the arrangement becomes impossible. Then Nessa discovers a devastating truth. Long before he offered her marriage, Rafe knew about the financial troubles threatening her mother's hotel. His company had been involved in the very transaction that put Bellamy House at risk. And he knew who she was when he chose her. Suddenly, every tender gesture, every promise and every moment of affection comes into question. Did Rafe marry her because he wanted her, or because she was part of a problem he needed to control? Now the billionaire who taught her how to fall in love must face the consequences of the secret that could cost him everything. Because Nessa may have entered his marriage for the sake of her mother's legacy, but she refuses to stay in a marriage where her heart is the price of a hidden truth. He never intended to choose her. But now that she is walking away, he will discover that the woman he never chose is the only woman he cannot bear to lose.”