Substitute Bride

ough. Rose had boarded Flight GH-217. Rose was gone. The funeral was for an empty coffin. Chloe stood at the edge of the cemetery, half-hidden behind a marble angel. The sky was the color of brui

he bowed her head. Respect. Surrender. "Mr. Liam, I am deeply sorry for what happened to Rose. You must hate me. I'll accept any punishment." "Really?" A paper fluttered onto her chest. She caught it on instinct. Her eyes scanned it. Her blood went cold. "This... this is a marriage contract?" Her voice cracked. "I know you love your boyfriend," he said, exhaling smoke toward her face. "But Rose died because of you. So you will atone. Every minute. As long as you're alive. You don't deserve happiness. Not after this." He flicked the cigarette out the door. It hissed in a puddle. Chloe turned to walk away. She'd apologize. She'd pay money. She'd do charity in Rose's name. But not this. Never this. "The wedding is tomorrow," he said, and her legs locked. "Time and venue will be sent. Don't bother with a gown. I'll have one delivered. Unless you prefer to come naked?" The smirk on his face was a blade. He didn't wait for an answer. The door shut. The Maybach pulled away, tires spitting gravel. Chloe stood there, alone, trembling. She hadn't signed up for this. She _didn't_ sign up for this. She didn't know how long she stood there. The sky opened. Cold rain soaked her hair, her dress, the contract in her hands. She didn't move. Didn't feel it. Not until warmth settled on her shoulders. "Chloe." Lily. Her assistant, her manager, her friend. She draped a jacket over Chloe and guided her toward the waiting van. "You'll catch a fever. Come on." Chloe let herself be led. She hated rain. Hated how it felt like the sky was crying for Rose. But the jacket helped. The warmth helped. The last thing she needed was a cold. Not when she had a wedding tomorrow. The thought made her nauseous. Marrying Rose's fiancé. Taking her place in every way that matter