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Serena Dawson ran from her own wedding and crashed into Matthew Quinn's. To outsiders, they were the perfect couple. In truth, it was a marriage of convenience between a runaway bride and a ruthless CEO. She thought it was just a deal. But Matthew claimed her with a kiss and a warning: once she became his wife, she would be his forever. Serena tried everything to escape his control. But Matthew never lets go of what's his. Five years later, she returns with a child he never knew about and another man by her side. Fueled by jealousy and obsession, Matthew is ready to take back what's his. She ran once. This time, he won't let her leave again.
It was a long holiday weekend, and the entire city was in celebration mode.
At The Grand Court Hotel, Westbridge's most extravagant venue, a dozen weddings were happening simultaneously, each one unfolding with seamless precision.
On the sixtieth floor, in a dark little utility room, Serena Dawson was nodding off from exhaustion.
Earlier that morning, while getting her makeup done downstairs, she overheard some gossip - apparently, a super exclusive wedding was taking place on the sixtieth floor. Both the bride and groom came from elite families. Especially the groom - a real legend in Westbridge.
To keep the whole thing private, the elevators were locked down past the 60th floor. No VIP badge, no entry.
That overheard gossip basically saved her. While the lobby was packed with people, she had quietly slipped off, climbed the stairs, and ducked into this room to hide.
Her parents were trying to force her to marry a man old enough to be her dad, just to cover a gambling debt of 600,000 bucks.
She never imagined there'd be a price tag on her one day, let alone a six-hundred-thousand-dollar one. How flattering.
She was in such a rush to bail she didn't even get to change. The wedding dress she was stuck in was suffocating.
She didn't know how long she'd been in there, half-asleep, before music started playing.
She flinched awake, curiosity kicking in.
Weddings like this are a first for her.
She nudged the door open just a crack, and peeked out. From her angle, she could only see the groom on stage.
And boy - he was something else. Sharp eyes, sculpted features, brows like blades, and thin lips. Tall, lean, and in that tailored suit? The man looked like he walked off a magazine cover. He practically oozed power and wealth.
That was money talking, no doubt.
But wait - why did he look so... bored? Shouldn't grooms at least pretend to smile?
"Mr. Quinn, do you take this beautiful woman, Miss Chloe Garland, as your lawfully wedded wife? To honor her, cherish her, respect and protect her, in wealth or poverty, in sickness and in health, remaining faithful and loving till death do you part?" The host was going full-on dramatic, voice echoing through the ballroom.
Then the man, Matthew Quinn, gave a crooked smile and said, "Sorry, didn't catch that. Mind repeating?"
The host was using a loud mic. No way he didn't hear. The playful look on Matthew's face made the whole place tense up. Awkward silence spread like wildfire.
The host glanced down, clearly panicking, sweat starting to bead.
He stammered, voice shaky this time: "Mr. Quinn, do you...?"
Suddenly, soft footsteps sounded from the entrance.
Serena slapped a hand over her mouth to keep quiet and scrambled up, trying to sneak off again. But the dress, that stupid long gown, tangled up underneath her.
Before she could steady herself, she tripped.
And tumbled right out onto the stage.
Everything stopped.
Eyes wide, mouth agape, the host stared at the girl now sitting on the floor in a wedding gown. Every single head in the room turned toward Serena.
Dead silence.
And then it hit her - she'd seriously messed up.
She tried to stand, but pain shot through her ankle. Damn, she must've twisted it.
All she could do was sit there awkwardly and laugh. "Haha... whoops, wrong venue."
The host jumped in fast, trying to save the moment. "Ah yes, so many weddings today! A little mix-up, folks. Let's carry on. Mr. Quinn, do you-"
"I don't." A cold voice rang out behind Serena. The same man who'd been smirking before was now all frost, no emotion in sight.
The crowd gasped.
"Matthew..." the bride called out, sounding desperate and helpless.
Serena was desperately trying to get back up and sneak away. Her heart was pounding - crap, crap, crap. She really stepped in it now.
"I want to marry her."
Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Runaway Bride
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Chapter 2 Chapter 2 The CEO Who Called It Off
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Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Bringing a Wife Home
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Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Not a Dream
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Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Scheming CEO
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Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Escape
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Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Just Walking the Wrong Way
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Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Power Games of the Rich
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Chapter 9 Chapter 9 My Stomach Aches
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Chapter 10 Chapter 10 A Relaxing Bath
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Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Serious Business
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Chapter 12 Chapter 12 I Need a Marriage Certificate
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Chapter 13 Chapter 13 CEO's Contract
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Chapter 14 Chapter 14 I'm a Businessman
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Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Not Biologically Related
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Chapter 16 Chapter 16 Dylan's Girlfriend
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Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Let's Get Married
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Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Our Home
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Chapter 19 Chapter 19 CEO's Tactics
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Chapter 20 Chapter 20 The Role of Mrs. Quinn
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Chapter 21 Chapter 21 You Started It
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Chapter 22 Chapter 22 You're Back
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Chapter 23 Chapter 23 At Least You're Alive
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Chapter 24 Chapter 24 You've Gone Too Far
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Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Loving Me Is Your Only Way Out
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Chapter 26 Chapter 26 Sealed with a Kiss
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Chapter 27 Chapter 27 My Husband Is Not Someone to Mess With
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Chapter 28 Chapter 28 Matthew Is Really My Husband
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Chapter 29 Chapter 29 How Much Is Peanut Butter Today
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Chapter 30 Chapter 30 The Mastermind
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Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Visitor
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Chapter 32 Chapter 32 Will You Miss Me
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Chapter 33 Chapter 33 Pure Method Acting
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Chapter 34 Chapter 34 Mr. Quinn
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Chapter 35 Chapter 35 Where's the Cool CEO
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Chapter 36 Chapter 36 Are You a Sugar Baby
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Chapter 37 Chapter 37 Interested in You
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Chapter 38 Chapter 38 There's So Much You Don't Know
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Chapter 39 Chapter 39 Running Into His Arms
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Chapter 40 Chapter 40 Found Her Match
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