Bound by vows torn by secrets

t exactly identify him. He was no more the lad she had adored. No longer the man pledging her a future. Still, these were here; they were a transaction. Her hand hung over the paper

ith twisted gratification. He intended not to let this pass. This went beyond only

on the notepad, Scar felt as though each one was weight bearing down on her chest. The marriage is the policies, the fines for transgression of them. One year of her life, liv

te you can obey me."Getting Ready for a Wedding White and airy, the bridal dress hung in the room's corner like it were taunting her. Under the strong room lighting, the fabric shimmered, each inch of which represented her imprisonment. Her stomach turned over

this. Not now. "You don't seem thrilled," a voice cut through her thoughts. Scarlet turned to find Bernard standing in the doorway, his expression sweet but troubled. He had been a constant in her life

you should. You are battling for your house. And you will get through this. You possess strength. She tried to smile, but it fell short of her eyes. "I don't feel strong," she said. Then

The dinner table was set in the extravagant dining room, where the finest china and crystal gleamed under the soft candlelight. It all felt so... artificial. It felt like a world she could neve

im, the space between them suddenly feeling vast, like an ocean of years and regret that they could never cross. The conversation flowed easily ar

, Wyatt Beaumont, who didn't waste an

n after all these years. Her stomach twisted at his words, but she kept her face neutral. She wouldn't let him see how much it hurt. Sh

ou always had choices, but you made the wrong one, didn't you?" Scarlet's hand

cks forming beneath her surface. The evening dragged on, the food tasting like ash in her mouth, each word from Wyatt and Gabrielle a sharp reminder of what she had signed up for. And then, just as the dinner began to wind down, Wyatt leaned forward, his cold eyes locking onto hers. "You'll never belong here,