Chapter 1 A Wedding Without The Groom In Attendance

Sunlight drenched Cloudspire Castle, casting a golden sheen across the stone towers and polished windows.

No detail had been spared on the wedding grounds. A breathtaking scene unfolded along the crystal-clear aisle, where rare blooms lined each side, their fragrance sweetening the breeze. A towering arch built from ivory flowers glittered with embedded gems, stealing the spotlight at the end of the path.

On the sprawling green in front of the castle, an impressive crowd had gathered-every guest someone important, every conversation hushed and curious.

This was everything Melina Fowler had ever pictured for herself, only to watch it slip into the hands of Emilee Fowler, the backcountry woman and the real Fowler daughter she'd always looked down on.

Just three days ago, the Fowler family and Carter family had sealed a marriage agreement, circling today on the calendar.

However, there would be no groom at the altar today. Eric Carter, the man at the center of it all, lay unresponsive in bed, lost to the world after a horrible car accident.

Eric's reputation reached into every corner of the country. He was not just the Carter family's leader but also the driving force behind the powerful Horizon Group. His name also sent shivers through the underworld of the country. His influence ran so deep that even those at the highest levels of government chose their words carefully around him.

Fate had intervened, though. After a crash left Eric comatose, the doctors predicted he had half a year left at most.

Sylvia Carter, Eric's formidable grandmother, refused to let his story end quietly. Before her grandson slipped away for good, she made sure a bride would stand by his side-offering a billion-dollar compensation to whoever would say yes.

Despite the Carter family's standing, not a single lady wanted any part of such a doomed arrangement.

The Fowler family, on the other hand, saw an opportunity. They didn't hesitate to offer up Emilee, trading her future for a life-changing sum, all while shielding Melina, the girl not even related to them, from this misery.

The more Melina thought about it, the less envious she felt and the more triumphant she became. As far as she was concerned, no amount of wedding finery could change the truth. Emilee was nothing more than a means to an end-a way for the Fowlers to get their hands on that billion dollars.

Moreover, for weeks, Melina had been hatching a plan of her own. She'd made up her mind to make sure Emilee never went through with the ceremony, even if Eric was little more than a ghost. Melina was determined to prevent Emilee from taking a single step up the social ladder. She would keep Emilee in her place, no matter what.

Nothing about Emilee belonged in high society, at least in Melina's mind. She was sure that woman ought to remain buried in obscurity and want.

Minutes ticked by, and with each passing moment, the wedding's scheduled hour slipped closer. Strangely enough, Emilee was nowhere to be found. Murmurs swept through the elegant gathering, restless curiosity turning into suspicion.

"Did Emilee really disappear before the ceremony? Could she possibly have the nerve to run away from all this? Someone like her wouldn't dare cross the Carter family, would she?"

"I wouldn't be so sure. There's word she's barely literate, doesn't know her place, and probably sees the Carters as just another well-off family she can fool. If you ask me, who in their right mind would choose to wed a man lying at death's door, unable to even open his eyes?"

"The Carter family never let anyone off easy. The last person who tried ended up ruined. If Emilee truly bailed, she's either reckless or has no sense at all."

The gossip trickled into Melina's ears, every word fueling her delight. Her lips curled upward, satisfaction practically glowing on her face. All signs pointed to one thing-Emilee had vanished. Now was her chance to seize the spotlight.

Saving the Carter family from disgrace was all that mattered. If she played her cards right, her place at the top of Duifsas's social ladder would be untouchable.

With calm poise, Melina strode up to the front. Every head turned to watch her as she moved, her presence demanding attention.

A practiced smile lit up her face. She lowered herself into a graceful bow before addressing the onlookers, her voice ringing out, saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm afraid Emilee isn't feeling well..."

"Who decided that for me?" A sudden voice rang out, clear and unmistakable.

Everyone's gaze snapped toward the entrance. There, Emilee made her entrance, gliding forward in a gown fit for royalty.

Shimmering fabric hugged her frame, while her hair spilled over her shoulders, catching the breeze as she moved. The sweeping train behind her glittered across the crystal aisle like a comet tail, captivating every single guest.

Glittering gemstones crowned Emilee's head, giving her an unmistakable sense of royalty and drawing every eye her way.

The sight of Emilee shattered Melina's composure. Her lips stiffened, and disbelief registered in her wide, startled eyes.

In an instant, the chatter died down. Nobody uttered a word as all attention gravitated toward Emilee's radiant arrival.

Without giving the audience so much as a glance, Emilee strode directly to Melina. A hint of a smirk played on her lips as she regarded Melina and murmured, "Tell me, Melina, what's the story you're feeding everyone today? Or could it be something more?"

With barely a breath between them, Emilee moved in close and let her words fall like ice. "Were you expecting me to disappear before the vows?"