Redemption's Echo

ltures. A sleek black car picked me up from the hospital, giving me no time to even process the trap t

sly expensive dresses, chattering about what would be "appropriate for the Maxwell bride."

t my body. "This says elegance, not desperation." She looked me up and down, a fli

itect. I was just a commodity, bought and paid for, a substitute bride being prepped

s thick, full of clauses and sub-clauses that basically signed away my life. I was to be Mrs. Maxwell in name only, con

the last page. His tone was bored, as

lightly. Chloe Davis. It felt like I

ne they'd provided me and my stomach clenched. I let it ring. He called

to your satisfaction," he said

n't r

ortable night. The doctors are preparing him for the initial procedure tomorrow morning, right after your wedding. But schedu

oked out, the words

contact anyone. My people are watching you. They are watching the hospital. Just be the b

ll to the thick carpet. I sank onto the floor, wrapping my arms around myself. The city

Was he scared? Did he know how much I loved him? My sacrifice felt both monumental and meaningless. I was saving h

e a shroud. They did my hair and makeup, painting a serene m

ocked. It was Sarah. She was dressed in a simple, e

voice soft. "I just w

the conversation I'd overheard. The swee

Sarah," I said, my

. I feel so guilty. I should be the one doing this, but I'

d me. The movement was sharp and sudden. I stumbled backward, my heel

me. He grabbed my upper arm, his fingers digging in like steel clamps, and hauled me upright. The gr

voice a low rumble. "We wouldn't wan

lmost imperceptible smile touching her lips before she replaced it with a look of conce

by enemies, controlled at every turn, my every move monitored. I was completely and utterly alone