Replacement Bride

room. Aurelia lay awake, the weight of last night pressing down on her chest like an iron chain. The world she had

the nightstand. A single mes

Remember, appearances are

No signature.

kened. Was this a th

se. Secrets breathed in every corner.

e was. His fingers drummed on the desk, eyes fixed on a photograph in his hand.

le

ken his world by vanishing without a trace, leaving him

was worse: the betray

oor c

didn't

part," Aurelia said soft

ze. "Good. Because I'

er. "Why agree to this marri

name means more than my wishes. Because this deal keeps the board fr

. "And what about me? Am

d. "You're a complica

tions are part of life, Dami

le of forced smiles, rehearsed

y friendly. Servants whispered behind gloved hands. Family members

or a place that felt like home. Instead, she found only echoes

her-bound volumes, she discovered a letter hidden

'm gone. Aurelia, you must know the

ed. The letter w

ach word cutting d

things they hide-secrets that could destroy us both. Tru

eath c

Lies. B

rriage was not

oe was ready to