Chapter 1
My family’s business failed. Creditors pushed my parents to suicide.
And I was forced to ship overseas for an arranged marriage.
For whole three years, I lived in HELL with a stranger.
During my 99th forced apology-kneeling on the floor-Aiden Sinclair appeared.
He rewrote contracts and gave up billions to free me.
When my divorce finalized, he proposed under the Eiffel Tower.
“Your past doesn’t matter,” he said. “I only wish I’d found you sooner.”
For two years, he gave me everything. Stars. The moon. Whatever I wanted.
But never a wedding.
On our third Valentine’s Day, I brought our papers to schedule our marriage as a surprise.
The clerk’s face fell as she checked her screen.
‘Miss Parker, are you sure these are correct? Mr. Sinclair has been married for five years already.”
What. The. HELL?!
The noise around me faded. My heartbeat seemed to stop.
All I could hear was my own painful breathing.
‘What… did you say?”
‘Maybe you’re mistaken? Could you check again? Aiden isn’t married. That’s impossible!”
My emotions exploded, words tumbling out incoherently.
The clerk wiped sweat from her brow and hesitantly turned the screen toward me.
She pointed at the “married” status.
‘Miss, see for yourself. Mr. Sinclair is indeed married, exactly five years today. The spouse’s name is Raven Collins. Do you know her?”
Everything shattered around me. The world spun.
I couldn’t process what was happening.
After a long moment, I forced a bitter smile.
“Yes… I know her. Sorry, my mistake.”
How could I not know her?
Raven was the sister Aiden adopted from an orphanage-at least that’s what he told me.
I couldn’t understand how his supposed sister suddenly became his wife.
Doubts crushed my chest until I could barely breathe.
I don’t remember walking out. When I came to, I was standing outside.
Couples who’d just registered their marriages glanced my way, their pity obvious.
Just as I was about to call Aiden for answers, his message came through.
[Zoey, it’s been eight hours since I saw you. I’m suffocating from missing you! You’ll have to make it up to me tonight!]
I used to think this was his way of showing love.
Now it just felt like mockery.
My nails dug into my palm as I trembled, then typed a reply:
[Sure. I need to ask you something tonight. Come home early and I’ll wait for you.]
After leaving in a daze, I took a taxi to my favorite bar from before I went abroad to drown my sorrows.
ust before I pushed open the private room door, familiar voices drifted out from inside.
Aiden’s friend was speaking teasingly, swirling his whiskey as he talked.
So what made you sneak away today? The wife all settled in at home?”
Told her I’m stuck at the office,” Aiden replied. “Zoey’s sweet and doesn’t ask too many questions.”
He glanced at his friend and added, “Anyway, you know what day it is, right? Everything set up?”
lis friend thumped his chest confidently.
Your five-year anniversary with Raven, duh! I’ve helped you plan it every single year, so how could I forget?”
But seriously,” he continued, “you’ve been married five years now. When will this honeymoon phase finally end?
You do something different every year, and I don’t even go this all-out for my girlfriend. I’m totally running out of ideas!”
Aiden sighed heavily, his face grim.
I can’t give Raven official status, so I make it up with these gestures. She loves the ceremony of it all.”
Did Zoey’s Valentine’s gift arrive yet? Throw it in my car. I’ll give it to her tonight.”
lis friend looked exasperated.
Dude, spoil your wife all you want, but managing two women? That’s insane. If you love Raven, why bring Zoey back to the States? You’re still hiding your marriage. She’ll find out eventually. What then? Dump Raven?”
Aiden’s face hardened.
Raven is my legal wife. She stays.”
‘I promised Zoey’s parents before they died that I’d look after her. If I’d made it back in time, she wouldn’t have ended up in that nightmare marriage overseas. Those three years destroyed her…”
‘I owe her everything except marriage.”
His friend groaned dramatically.
“Don’t tell me you still have feelings for Zoey? If it’s just pity, why not rescue her, give her money, and be done with it?”
“Partly that,” Aiden admitted. “I really did love her once. And now… I still care for her.”
Just then, the click of heels echoed from around the corner.
Chapter 1
Raven appeared, looking playful as she recorded a voice message on her phone.
Aiden, what gift are you getting me? It better be special or I won’t forgive you.”
The room instantly erupted into panic.
“Remember,” Aiden whispered urgently, “don’t mention Zoey in front of Raven.”
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.