Chapter 1

Right before our wedding, Austin's first love was forced into an arranged marriage with the most notorious playboy in Sanchester.

Unwilling to watch his first love sink into that misery, Austin crashed the ceremony, grabbed the bride, and eloped out of the country that very night.

All of Sanchester was holding its breath, waiting to laugh at me and the Pierce family.

But to everyone's surprise, Maxwell Pierce pulled up the very next day, drifting his supercar to a screeching halt right in front of me.

He said, "Since Austin stole my bride, it's only fair you take her place and become my wife. Makes perfect sense, right?"

I flashed him a radiant smile. "Makes perfect sense to me."

*****

Maxwell froze for a split second, clearly not expecting me to agree so fast. "Then it's a deal. I'll pick you up in five days."

Before I could say another word, he slammed on the gas and roared off, almost as if he was terrified I might change my mind. I stood there, finding the whole thing incredibly amusing.

Rumors really couldn't be trusted. Sanchester's infamous playboy was surprisingly eager.

I shook my head, got into my car, and drove home.

When I walked through the front door, I caught Austin standing in my parents' living room, desperately groveling.

"Mr. and Mrs. Parker, you don't understand. That Pierce guy is a total scumbag. You both know Zoe. How could I just stand by and watch her marry a man like that?" he pleaded. "I never intended to call off our wedding.

"I just needed to get Zoe out of that toxic situation first. I came today to apologize to Ava. Please, just let me see her."

My parents looked furious, barely holding their tongues out of basic decency.

My expression darkened instantly as I stepped into the room. "Well, if it isn't the golden boy. Back from overseas after just a few days? You didn't even finish your honeymoon. What's the rush?"

He whipped around to face me, a painfully awkward smile plastered on his face. "Ava, I was wrong. Please, just let me explain."

I cut him off sharply. "There's nothing to explain. I wish you a happy life. Now get out."

But he grabbed my sleeve and refused to let go. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my father reaching his absolute breaking point.

I quickly shot my dad a reassuring look and let Austin pull me into the side parlor.

As soon as we were out of my parents' sight, I yanked my arm away. "Spit it out."

Guilt was written all over his face. I knew instantly he was brewing some shameless scheme. "Ava, I didn't want to cancel our wedding. You're still the one I love the most."

He barely finished his sentence before I let out a dry, exasperated laugh. "Austin, you literally crashed a wedding and stole the bride. Why are you even here?

"Just go live happily ever after with Zoe. What do you mean you didn't cancel the wedding? Are you planning to be a bigamist?"

I only meant it as a sarcastic jab, but to my shock, I had actually hit the nail on the head.

"I-I just didn't want her to suffer," he stammered. "Everyone knows I took her away, but we haven't signed a marriage license.

"You and I can still get married. It's just that publicly, I have to tell people Zoe is my wife. Otherwise, she'd be completely ruined by the gossip."

I could hardly believe my ears. "Austin, what exactly are you saying? You want me to be your secret side piece?"

He gave a sheepish smile. "But you'll be the one legally married to me. When we have kids, they'll be legitimate. It's just in front of the press.

"But none of that matters. As long as we love each other, public reputation is just an illusion. You shouldn't care about that."

It took everything in me not to punch him in the jaw. "Who gave you the delusion that I would ever play the mistress for you?"

Me, the sole heiress to the Parker fortune, acting as a secret wife for love? I would die of shame before the tabloids even got a hold of the story.

"You are absolutely disgusting. Get out of my house," I said. "If I ever see your face again, I'm calling the cops and filing a restraining order."

Austin looked offended, but when he saw me actually dialing my phone, he scrambled toward the door.

Yet he couldn't resist throwing a petty tantrum on his way out. "Ava, everyone in Sanchester knows you've been obsessed with me since we were kids!

"Let's see who's willing to marry damaged goods like you now that I'm gone."