Replacement Bride

roses made he

icate lace gloves someone else had chosen for her. Everything about the room screamed of luxury-exp

the

the

en the

A woman draped in ivory, eyes wide with the kind

her. It was her stepmother, eyes glistening w

e's place. It had been three days ago-three endless days since Celeste disappeared in the dead of n

own exactly wh

it in her ste

was never h

s sharp as broken glass. "After everything we'

for

was always second-best? Given her meals, yes-cold ones. A roof, yes-but never warmth.

n Eve

nt, untouchable. Everyone in the city knew his name. Everyone feared him or wanted him. Aurelia

e would be

ia's heart pounded harder with every step the bridesmaids took down the aisle. She had never

for

or Da

fused to be a cowa

ed. Aurelia focused on breathing. On stayin

gray eyes. He was taller than she remembered. Sharper. His tailored suit

if he was disappoi

dn't

either

e couldn't escape. But she didn't flinch. She met his s

d him, he didn'

't expec

wake up from. Words were spoken. Vows were repeated

kiss th

her cheek. "Let's make this look real," he mur

s lips brushed against hers-

as no a

pas

action seale

, the applause c

Aurelia f

t drink. Everyone wanted to speak to the new Mrs. Everhart, but no one re

e estate that would now be her

ide had b

art manor-cold marble floors, towering windows, the kind

ont of a door an

ll be yo

ed. "Not.

es. "Let's not pretend, Aurelia. W

of si

," she said, her voice

arms. "And yet

er shoulders. "Because

"Then maybe you should'

Aurelia snapped, anger flaring

something flicker in his eyes-curiosity, maybe e

"Play the role. Be quiet. And in a year, when

peated bitterly. "Th

hout hesitation. "

on't expect me to smile for the

hen don't expect kind

lked

that stole the air from her lungs. She stood there for

sn't a

a sen

Monroe had s

hart thought she w

dea who he