The Bride Who Said No

The Bride Who Said No

Gavin

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Elara Hayes had spent nearly twenty-five years as Governor Carter's wife, a life of dutiful performance, a lie for her husband's political ambitions, all while he pined for her stepsister, Brittany. As Ethan lay dying, his frail whisper asked her to place Brittany's portrait by his grave, a final, cruel reminder of her lifelong second-place status. But a blinding headache striking at his deathbed plunged her back in time, opening her eyes to sunlight streaming through stained-glass windows, wearing a wedding dress and standing at the altar for her first wedding to Ethan. Then, just as before, his phone buzzed, and he ran out of the church, leaving her humiliated for Brittany. This time, though, there were no tears, no despair, only a wild, giddy sense of freedom as she realized: "This was it. My second chance." With her family's wrath looming and society's judgment heavy on her, Elara lifted her chin, walked down that aisle, and, to the collective gasp of the church, proposed to the notorious media scion, Declan Monroe – the man who, in her past life, had been her silent, unwavering protector.

Introduction

Elara Hayes had spent nearly twenty-five years as Governor Carter's wife, a life of dutiful performance, a lie for her husband's political ambitions, all while he pined for her stepsister, Brittany.

As Ethan lay dying, his frail whisper asked her to place Brittany's portrait by his grave, a final, cruel reminder of her lifelong second-place status.

But a blinding headache striking at his deathbed plunged her back in time, opening her eyes to sunlight streaming through stained-glass windows, wearing a wedding dress and standing at the altar for her first wedding to Ethan.

Then, just as before, his phone buzzed, and he ran out of the church, leaving her humiliated for Brittany.

This time, though, there were no tears, no despair, only a wild, giddy sense of freedom as she realized: "This was it. My second chance."

With her family's wrath looming and society's judgment heavy on her, Elara lifted her chin, walked down that aisle, and, to the collective gasp of the church, proposed to the notorious media scion, Declan Monroe – the man who, in her past life, had been her silent, unwavering protector.

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His Secret Son, Her Stolen Fortune

His Secret Son, Her Stolen Fortune

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I found the document by accident. Aiden was away, and I was looking for my mother' s old earrings in the safe when my fingers brushed against a thick, unfamiliar file folder. It wasn't mine. It was the "Herrera Family Trust," and the primary beneficiary of Aiden' s massive fortune wasn't me, his wife of seven years. It was a five-year-old boy named Leo Herrera, and his legal guardian, listed as the secondary beneficiary, was Haven Herrera-my adopted sister-in-law. My family lawyer confirmed it an hour later. It was real. Ironclad. Established five years ago. The phone slipped from my hand. A cold numbness spread through me. Seven years. I had spent seven years justifying Aiden's madness, his rages, his possessiveness, believing it was a twisted part of his love. I stumbled through the cold, silent mansion to the east wing, drawn by the sound of laughter. Through the glass doors, I saw them: Aiden, bouncing Leo on his knee, Haven beside him, her head resting on his shoulder. And with them, smiling and cooing at the child, were Aiden's parents. My in-laws. They were a perfect family. "Aiden, the final transfer of the Knox assets into Leo' s trust is complete," his father said, raising a glass of champagne. "It's all airtight now." "Good," Aiden replied, his voice calm. "Charlotte's family money should have always belonged to a true Herrera heir." My inheritance. My family's legacy. Transferred to his secret son. My own money, used to secure the future of his betrayal. They had all known. They had all conspired. His rage, his paranoia, his sickness-it wasn't for everyone. It was a special hell he had reserved just for me. I backed away from the door, my body cold as ice. I ran back to our bedroom, the one we had shared for seven years, and locked the door. I looked at my reflection, at the ghost of the woman I used to be. A quiet vow formed on my lips, silent but absolute. "Aiden Herrera," I whispered to the empty room. "I will never see you again."

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