Destiny's Choice: Married The Man They Called Unlovable

Today was Sophie Barnes' cousin, Alice Barnes' wedding.

Sophie had been running around all morning, helping set up the venue, making sure everything was perfect.

Carrying the bouquet, she headed toward the bridal suite, ready to place it in the designated spot. But just outside the door, she froze. Her heart skipped a beat at the sound of moans coming through the crack.

"Oh, baby, who's better? Me or Sophie?" A woman's voice purred, playful and honeyed.

The man's voice followed, low and ragged with desire. "No one comes close to you. I can't believe you seduced me while marrying that ugly freak."

Sophie's stomach dropped. She knew those voices. With trembling hands, she pushed the door open.

On the dressing table lay Alice, completely exposed and wrapped up with a man. Her wedding dress was tossed on the floor.

And that man was David Lloyd. Sophie's boyfriend of three years.

Her mind raced back to his words from just days ago. "I want to check out your cousin's wedding. It'll help us plan ours."

Alice clung to David, moaning louder. "David, I love you! Let's run away together!"

Rage boiled over in Sophie. She threw the bouquet straight at them with every ounce of her strength.

The sudden attack made them both yelp in shock.

David scrambled to pull up his pants, his face blanching as he met Sophie's furious gaze. "Sophie, wait! You've got it all wrong! She made a move on me!" he stammered.

Sophie let out a bitter laugh. Then she slapped him hard across the cheek. "Oh really? Did she force you?"

David froze, completely paralyzed.

Alice threw on clothes and rushed to defend him. "Sophie, what do you think you're doing?"

Sophie's icy stare cut her down instantly. Another sharp slap landed squarely across Alice's cheek.

"You... how dare you hit me?" Alice hissed, her shock morphing into pure fury.

It was the first time Sophie had ever laid a hand on her cousin.

Sophie's childhood hadn't been easy. Her father had been absent, and her mother vanished without explanation when she was only five.

Kolton Barnes, her mother's brother, and his wife, Michelle Barnes, had taken her in, giving her a home.

Alice, their own daughter, had grown spoiled and entitled, convinced that everything, and everyone, was hers for the taking.

She had always viewed Sophie as an intruder, someone beneath her.

For years, Sophie had tolerated Alice's insults, her petty thefts, and constant provocation, all out of gratitude and respect for Kolton.

But seeing this betrayal, right in front of her eyes, Sophie refused to hold back.

Alice, clutching her face in outrage, tried to hit back, but Sophie caught her hand and delivered another firm slap.

"Isn't it my responsibility to teach a shameless, younger cousin a lesson?" Sophie snapped.

At that moment, hurried footsteps pounded outside the door.

"What's going on in here?"

Kolton and Michelle burst in.

One glance at Alice's half-tied robe and David's lipstick-stained neck was all it took. They understood instantly.

Kolton's face darkened with a furious flush. "This is unbelievable! On your wedding day, Alice? How do I explain this to the Knights?"

Seething, he swung his arm wide to slap Alice, but Michelle quickly pulled her close, shielding her from the upcoming slap.

Between sobs, Alice cried, "I don't want to marry Adrian Knight! He's scarred, he hides behind a mask, and everyone says he's a womanizer! You're forcing me into a nightmare!"

When Michelle heard this, tears rushed out from her eyes.

Kolton's jaw tightened. "When we arranged the engagement, he wasn't scarred. The Knights are the wealthiest family in the city. Crossing them isn't an option."

"Isn't Sophie a Barnes too?" Alice blurted, pointing directly at her cousin. "Let her marry him instead!"

Sophie, who had been watching Alice's meltdown with cold calm, was caught off guard by her words.

She smirked. "Why would I?"

Michelle, who had remained silent, let go of her daughter and grabbed Sophie's hand. Her eyes shimmered with tears as she pleaded, "Sophie, after everything we've done for you, after raising you... just do this. Marry him in Alice's stead."

Sophie felt the familiar weight of a guilt trip pressing down on her chest.

"After everything we've done for you..." Those words had haunted her all her life, used to keep her in line, to make her surrender her own desires again and again.

Everything she had sacrificed-her toys, her first crush, her hard-earned money-had always been expected.

And now they wanted her to trade her happiness too.

But not this time. Sophie straightened, her voice firm. "No. I won't marry him. I'll work hard to pay you back, sure, but I won't give up my life for Alice, and I won't marry someone I don't love."

Michelle's expression stiffened. She hadn't expected Sophie to defy her so openly.

But she still had one weapon left.

Leaning in close, she whispered, "I know where your mother is."

Sophie froze, mouth dry. She stared at Michelle, disbelief and a tiny flicker of hope battling inside her.

Michelle stepped back, letting the words hang in the air, and gave her a knowing look.

Sophie understood immediately. It was either marry Adrian or never see her mother. There was no middle ground.

Her gaze fell on David, looking awkward with Alice's lipstick smeared on his neck.

A bitter laugh escaped her. She had once dreamed of marrying for love, but due to David's betrayal, she could see what love really was-a joke, a lie.

Thoughts of her mother's gentle hands came to her, and she decided that if marriage was just a bargain, she would at least make it count for something real.

Bending down, she picked up the bouquet, now dusted with dirt and with crushed petals, and lifted her chin. "Alright," she said finally. "I'll marry Adrian Knight."

The wedding ceremony began.

At the far end of the aisle, Adrian waited, his tailored suit perfectly fitted to his powerful frame. Broad shoulders, lean waist-he looked every bit the man of the hour.

A sleek black mask obscured his face, revealing only a sculpted jawline. The guests found themselves thinking that, if not for the scars hidden beneath, Adrian must have been nothing short of stunning.

Among the guests, Alice slouched in her seat until her friend leaned over, eyes wide with excitement. "Why didn't you ask me to stand in for you at the altar? That man's got the body of a runway model! I'd give anything just for a night with him."

Alice shot a glance at Adrian, tall and athletic at the altar. Jealousy flared in her eyes, but she marked it with disdain. "What good is a perfect body if his face is ruined? Didn't you see that mask? He only wears it because the accident left him too disfigured to show his face. Imagine waking up next to someone like that-aren't you the least bit terrified?"

Her friend pouted, momentarily at a loss for words, but she couldn't resist another lingering look at Adrian.

Just then, the sweet notes of a violin filled the room. Sophie entered gracefully, arm in arm with Kolton, moving with quiet confidence down the aisle.

From the crowd, David watched Sophie, a wave of regret crashing over him as he caught sight of her brilliance. If only he hadn't been unfaithful, maybe he would be her groom someday.

Whatever had happened with Alice meant nothing now. Sophie was the one he truly wanted-beautiful, kind, the woman he should have claimed for himself.

Alice noticed the way David watched Sophie and felt jealousy twist inside her. She leaned close to her friend, voice dripping with venom. "She acted like she didn't want to marry Adrian, but in fact she was over the moon. After all, the Knights are fabulously wealthy."

Hidden behind her veil, Sophie studied the masked man waiting for her at the altar, her hand unconsciously clenching tighter.

Kolton squeezed her fingers softly. "You're doing great. I know this isn't easy."

Sophie said nothing, just shook her head.

The decision had already been made-there was no use looking back.

Optimism was in her nature; she wouldn't let sorrow take hold.

This was her way of repaying her uncle's family for everything.

After today, her life would finally be her own.

Kolton gently placed her hand in Adrian's.

A jolt of nerves ran through Sophie as she felt the surprising warmth of his touch.

The masked groom softly stroked the back of her hand with his thumb-a silent reassurance.

The tenderness of the gesture startled her.

Maybe, just maybe, the man everyone called a womanizer was nothing like the rumors.

His features remained hidden behind the mask, but there was a steady grace in the way he carried himself-a quiet confidence that seemed to settle her nerves without a word.

He leaned in, his breath soft against her ear. "Are you ready to begin our story, my bride?"

The sound of his voice, low and resonant, sent a shiver racing through Sophie.

She could suddenly understand how he might captivate so many hearts, scars or not.

Without a word, Sophie nodded, letting him gently guide her toward the waiting priest.

Vows were spoken, solemn and sure.

The ring bearer walked forward carrying a tray. When the officiant lifted the silk covering from the tray, an audible gasp swept through the chapel.

Eyes widened all around as the legendary gem was revealed. "Is that the Sunset Flame? The famed pink diamond-a perfect match for the one worn by the princess of Yharta!"

Alice's hands curled into fists as she watched the enormous ten-carat pink diamond being slipped onto Sophie's finger.

That ring should have been hers.

She had always dismissed Adrian as nothing-a forgotten son from Mike Knight's first marriage, disfigured and unloved, with little to his name.

Who could have imagined the Knight family would bestow such a treasure on the son they supposedly overlooked?

Alice tried to reassure herself that the Knight family's flashy gesture was nothing more than a way to make Adrian look good on his wedding day.

Her spirits lifted as she remembered David, who had both charm and money, and was a clear upgrade over some ugly man.

That thought put her at ease, even if only a little.

The priest's gentle voice carried across the room. "You may kiss your bride now."

Stiffening, Sophie braced herself. Sharing a kiss with a total stranger-especially one she had just met today-felt unreal.

Across from her, Adrian looked just as unsure.

Sophie couldn't help but stare.

Was the infamous heartbreaker, who supposedly swept women off their feet, actually nervous right now?

As the guests cheered playfully, Sophie felt Adrian's breath near her.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively closed her eyes. Her lashes trembled, betraying just how nervous she was.

A moment later, a warm, brief touch brushed her forehead.

She opened her eyes, caught off guard.

Before she could process it, the ceremony was over.

Later, at the wedding reception at the hotel, a man holding a wine glass approached the newlyweds.

"You're lucky to marry such a beauty, Adrian," he teased playfully.

He looked decent enough but had noticeable dark circles under his eyes.

Sophie instinctively recoiled, and Adrian moved quickly to place himself in front of her.

The man grinned. "No need to be nervous. I'm Rory Knight, your husband's half-brother. Feeling a bit sorry for you, actually. Did you know he got into a bad car accident as a kid? He won't even take off that mask for the wedding. I guess he's probably afraid you'd run away."

Sophie's brow furrowed at the jab.

She glanced at Adrian, expecting some reaction, but he stayed completely still, like it didn't even bother him.

No wonder people said Adrian was overlooked by his family. His own half-brother was openly mocking him on his wedding day.

But Adrian was her husband now. If he wasn't going to stand up for himself, she would.

Pushing past his protective arm, Sophie faced Rory with a stern look. "I don't pick a husband for his face. I pick him for his character. Looks don't matter if you can't even treat your own brother decently. That's the real ugliness."

Adrian's eyebrow lifted in surprise at his new wife's boldness.

Rory's face darkened for a second, but he quickly plastered on a fake smile. "Wow, you've got quite the tongue."

He lifted his wine glass. "Alright, fine. I apologize for my mistake earlier. Consider this an apology drink."

Sophie hesitated, unsure, then reached for it. But before she could touch the rim, Rory tilted the glass and sent red wine splashing across her chest.

The liquid soaked her dress, running in sticky streaks down her curves. He stared at her with that unapologetic, leering look.

"Ah!" Sophie gasped, pressing her hands to her drenched dress.

Rory clicked his tongue, slightly disappointed as she had covered herself so quickly.

"Whoops," he said, feigning innocence. "My hand slipped. Sorry about that."

He smirked toward Adrian, as if daring him to step in.

Adrian didn't waste a word. Calmly, he removed his jacket and draped it over Sophie's shoulders.

Rory scoffed and started to walk away, muttering, "Oops! How did my hand slip like that?"

However, a calm voice cut through the air behind him.

"If you can't even hold a glass, maybe you don't need that hand at all."

Before Rory could spin around, a sharp, bone-snapping crack rang out.

Pain shot up his arm as Adrian twisted his wrist with lethal precision. Cold sweat beaded on Rory's forehead, and his face went white.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he hissed.

But Adrian didn't pause for an answer.

In one smooth motion, he drove a kick into Rory's knee, and he collapsed with a groan, hitting the floor hard.

Adrian then snatched a nearby glass of wine and yanked Rory's head back by his hair.

"This one's from my wife," he said, tipping the wine over Rory's face. The red wine soaked his hair, ran down his clothes, and left him utterly humiliated.

The whole scene happened in an instant, leaving the banquet hall frozen in shocked silence.

Just at that moment, Mike, Adrian's father, stormed forward. "You idiot! What do you think you're doing to your brother?"

Adrian calmly adjusted his cuff, his movements unnervingly deliberate. "If he won't learn manners, then I'll teach him myself."

Before anyone could intervene, another swift kick landed on Rory's face. A tooth flew across the carpet, and Rory groaned, helpless.

"You've gone too far! Apologize right now, or I swear I'll kick you out of this family!" Mike bellowed, shaking with anger.

Adrian's eyes were icy, but a faint smirk curved his lips. "As you wish."

He grabbed Sophie's wrist and led her out, never once glancing back.

Mike's furious shouts echoed after them. "Cancel all his accounts! Reclaim every property in his name! When he hits rock bottom, he'll be crawling back begging!"

The hall fell silent again, and then murmurs spread among the shocked guests.

In the corner, Alice couldn't help but laugh.

Any jealousy she had felt toward Sophie evaporated instantly.

Adrian wasn't some untouchable figure after all. He was just a pampered rich kid who had lost it all and turned into a penniless, scarred wreck.

The idea of Sophie being tied to such a man thrilled Alice.

She took a slow sip of champagne and smirked. In her eyes, Sophie's suffering had only just begun.