Chapter 1 Married Someone Else

[Audrey, Guess what? Dominic is in my bed right now.]

When Audrey Rhodes received that text from Eliza Harper, she was standing in her wedding dress, getting ready for her big day. The message hit her like a punch to the gut.

Just moments away from saying "I do," and the man she was about to marry was wrapped up in another woman's sheets. And that woman was her best friend.

It felt like a vice gripping her heart, making it tough to catch her breath. But somehow, she managed to keep her cool and called Dominic Hayes.

The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before Dominia finally picked up. His voice was ice cold. "Eliza needs me right now, so we're going to have to delay the wedding. I'll make it up to you afterwards."

The words "make it up" landed like a heavy anchor on her heart. It was all real-while everyone was waiting for the ceremony to start, Dominic was actually with someone else.

Audrey couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. Her wedding was about to kick off in front of all their friends and family, and her future husband had left her to handle that chaos by herself.

Feeling utterly defeated, Audrey dialed another number. "Mom, where are you and Dad? Why aren't you here yet?"

"Audrey, I'm really sorry, but Eliza suddenly fell ill. We might not make it," said Fiona Rhodes.

Hearing that made Audrey's heart drop. Just three days ago, her parents had seen the birthmark on Eliza's back while Eliza was trying on bridesmaid dresses. That was when they realized Eliza was their real daughter. Audrey had hoped that after twenty years of bonding, her family wouldn't turn their backs on her. But it turned out she was wrong.

She thought her family would always have her back. But now, at the worst moment possible, they had completely abandoned her.

Audrey felt completely out of place, not even sure how she ended up at the wedding venue. Standing in front of the hall, surrounded by smiling guests and the lively atmosphere, she couldn't shake off the ache in her heart-it felt like it was tearing her apart. At that moment, she made a bold choice. She walked up to the stage and grabbed the microphone. "Hey everyone, I'm really sorry, but the groom has a bit of a situation and might not be able to make it.

"So, I'm wondering if anyone here would be willing to marry me right now. If so, let's do this!"

as she finished speaking, it was like someone dropped

just happened? Did

Otherwise, why would the bride be asking for a marriage proposal

really necessary to ask someone else to marry her right here? Everyone here is connected to the bride

out there, but there was no turning back now. Just when the tension in the room hit its peak, a tall guy stood up. "I'll marry you," he said,

No one expected anyone to

"Who's this guy?"

He doesn't look like

hitched today, all eyes were on the high-profile guests-celebrities and dignitaries from Riverdale. This

they had just never met, or perhaps he was just an outsider who accidentally

guest from the Hayes family?" For

up, she felt a bit taken aback. He had a face that stood out-sharp eyebrows, a straight nose, and an overall strong presence that seemed to make people around him a little intimidated. Standing at 5'5"

way more handsome than Dominic. He didn't look like someone on a hunt for a wife. Audrey couldn't help but wonder if he had some hidden secret

She was determined to get married today and use it as a chance to break away

she studied the man for a moment and then asked, her voice steady but assertive, "Are you really willing

the man met her gaze, his eyes intense and steady. "I never joke

"And what's your

his voice smooth and

raised an eyebrow. "Hayes? How are you

of like his little uncle,"

Audrey arched

a distant relative," Alistair clarified,

no future worries, but she still couldn't help but

vocabulary." Alistair's confidence was

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255