Chapter 1 Revenge

"Miss Edwards, I'll need your signature here," the lawyer requested, extending the consent form for the insemination surgery to Ariana Edwards.

Ariana perched on the sofa, gripping the pen in her hand without realizing it.

The surgery was set for tomorrow, and today was supposed to be her wedding day.

The donor? None other than Theodore Anderson, the eldest son of the Anderson family head, who was also meant to be the groom at this grand wedding.

But fate had thrown a wrench into the works. Theodore had been reduced to a vegetable three months back, courtesy of a car wreck, leaving him unable to attend his own wedding ceremony.

Word on the street was that Theodore's days were numbered.

The Anderson family, with their focus on wealth and lineage, persisted in having offspring so that their family fortune could be inherited. Therefore, Darian Anderson, Theodore's father, eagerly wanted him to have a baby before he died, intending to use Theodore's stored sperm from previous years to impregnate Ariana.

Ariana gazed at the agreement before her, her face tense, and a flicker of subtle anxiety danced in her clear eyes.

"I'm sorry. I need a moment to go through this carefully. Could you give me a moment alone?" she requested, her voice trembling ever so slightly.

The lawyer hesitated briefly before nodding and exiting the room, leaving Ariana to grapple with her thoughts.

Alone, Ariana set the contract aside and reached for her phone, dialing her boyfriend's number.

Yes, she had a boyfriend, a fact known only to a select few!

And coincidentally, her boyfriend happened to be Jasper Anderson, Theodore's half-brother from another mother.

This wedding was not what it seemed but a scheme devised by Jasper.

A month ago, Ariana's father passed away, leaving her at the mercy of her stepmother, Glenda Edwards, who seized the family property and cast Ariana out, even confiscating her late mother's belongings.

In her darkest hour, Jasper extended a helping hand, proposing that Ariana enter into a sham marriage with Theodore and try to sabotage the surgery later. With Theodore's demise, Jasper would ascend as the sole heir of the Anderson empire.

He promised to marry Ariana once their plan bore fruit and aid her in reclaiming her mother's possessions.

Reluctantly, Ariana acquiesced to Jasper's plan. But as the pivotal moment drew near, regret gnawed at her conscience. There was no way she could go through such a thing.

With Jasper unreachable by phone, Ariana's anxiety escalated. She paced the room frantically before sneaking searching for him.

Fearful of being discovered, she forewent the elevator, opting instead to descend the stairs barefoot.

As she neared the lounge at the end of the corridor, her steps faltered.

The slightly ajar door to this room emanated flirtatious laughter.

"Jasper, stay a while longer with me. Ariana won't come looking for you anytime soon," a voice cooed seductively.

Ariana's heart skipped a beat. Peering through the crack in the door, she beheld a sight that shattered her world.

Her stepsister, Brielle Edwards, was entwined in a scandalous embrace with none other than Jasper, her beloved boyfriend!

"I fear Ariana might have second thoughts and bolt from the wedding. I can't rest easy without keeping an eye on her," Jasper remarked impatiently, attempting to disentangle himself from Brielle's grasp.

But Brielle persisted, capturing Jasper's lips in a fervent kiss. "Worry not, my love. Ariana is putty in your hands. Besides, we still hold her mother's heirlooms hostage. She wouldn't dare defy us."

"You have a point there." Rolling over, Jasper pinned Brielle under him and planted a quick kiss on her lips. "I thank you, sweetie. When I have this plan finished, I'll get rid of that worthless woman! I only want you..."

The scene grew uglier by the moment, with only soft moans and heavy breathing echoing in the room.

Ariana's legs gave out beneath her. She staggered back several steps.

So Jasper had played her all along! His declarations of love were just a facade, a mask for manipulation and deceit! Tears streamed down her cheeks as the bitter truth suffocated her.

She gripped her skirt tightly, teeth grinding in fury as she listened to the sounds in the room.

She swore she wouldn't dance to Brielle and Jasper's tune! If they aimed to seize control of the Anderson family, she'd have none of it!

Ariana wiped her tears, slipped on her heels, and made her way back to her room, her decision clear as she signed the consent form.

She'd be Theodore's wife, and she'd watch those schemers burn in hell!

-

In the softly lit Anderson Mansion that night.

As the wedding concluded, Ariana was escorted to Theodore's room by the butler.

It was the first time she'd laid eyes on Theodore, her new husband.

According to Jasper, Theodore was a man with a nasty temper, an odd personality, and was ruthless even to his own kin. All the worst descriptors were used, including "ugly."

Ariana had prepared herself for the worst, but she was taken aback by Theodore's exceptional handsomeness. Even in his illness, he couldn't hide the noble air about him, his refined features speaking of aristocracy.

She stood by the bed, observing Theodore's exquisite face, filled with doubt.

Were all of Jasper's words just rubbish?

Just then, the door swung open forcefully. Jasper stumbled in, drunk, a bottle of alcohol in hand, his voice booming without an ounce of respect for Theodore.

"Aria, I'm sorry. I was swamped today and missed your call, neglecting you."

It wasn't the time to reveal everything yet, so Ariana had to stomach the nausea and Jasper's insincere kindness, pretending to be placated. "It's fine, Jasper. I'm not blaming you."

Jasper took a swig of his drink, his smile oozing confidence. "I knew it. You love me so much that you won't hold it against me."

Ariana clenched her fists, frustration pulsing through her. "It's late now. Can't we talk about this tomorrow..."

But before she could finish, she watched Jasper lock the door and plunge the room into darkness, advancing towards her slowly.

Ariana backed away cautiously. "Jasper, what are you doing?"

"This moment is too precious to waste," Jasper said with a sinister grin, the stench of alcohol thick around him as he moved closer. "Think about it, Aria. If you bear my child, they can inherit the family property as well!"

He was utterly disregarding Theodore. How dare he try to assault her, who now was already Theodore's wife, in Theodore's room!

"Let go of me!" Ariana struggled, but just as she thought Jasper was going to get his way, she saw Jasper freeze in place.

Confused, she raised her head, only to see Jasper staring behind her, his face contorted in terror.

"Theodore..."