Lost and confused, Finn frantically searched for his missing bride, Avery. He spared no expense in using all of his resources to locate her, determined to uncover the truth behind her sudden disappearance. After three long, grueling days of searching, he finally received word that Avery had been spotted in South Africa.
His mind raced with possibilities-was she being held captive? Was she trying to escape their arranged marriage? As he journeyed to South Africa, Finn couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. Little did he know, this was all a cunning ploy orchestrated by Avery and her mother, Dora. They had been playing a dangerous game, and now Finn was caught in the middle as he desperately searched for his elusive bride.
The African landscape stretched out before him, unfamiliar and wild, adding to his sense of unease and urgency. Will he find Avery and unravel the truth behind her disappearance before it's too late?
Sandton City Hotel,
In the courtyard of the Sandton City Hotel, a burst of vibrantly colored flowers had reached their peak of blooming. The sweet, heady scent of lilies mingled with the crisp fragrance of roses and wafted on the gentle breeze, saturating the air with an intoxicating aroma. Avery sat on a plush cushion in the city garden, lazily sipping a glass of deep red wine as she basked in the warm sun. With a satisfied smile, she switched off her phone, relishing the temporary escape from reality. As she gazed out at the bustling city skyline, thoughts of ditching Finn and his mundane life made her grin widen.
She had bigger plans for herself when she returned to New York City-to become the coveted wife of the owner of Knight Group International. The thought of owning a stake in the multi-trillion-dollar company and being married to the mastermind behind the towering one-thousand-seven-foot Knight Building sent shivers of excitement down her spine. Taking another sip of her wine, she couldn't help but imagine all the luxuries and riches that would come with being tied to such a powerful man.
"Hey, baby!" Avery froze. How did this lapdog find me? She thought to herself as she turned her gaze to meet Finn's. She felt as if she had seen a ghost.
"What are you doing here?" Avery's slender fingers delicately clutched the stem of the wine glass, raising it to her glossy, dark red-lips. Her posture was regal, and her expression was serene like a queen gracefully taking a sip from her chalice.
"Well, my bride had cold feet and ran away a day before our wedding, so as a good husband-to-be, I had to look for her." Avery choked on her drink. Avery's eyes widened in shock, and her hand flew to her mouth to try and stifle the coughing fit that was overtaking her. Her face turned a bright red as tears streamed down her cheeks from the force of her coughs.
"You are not married." With her eyes wide and full of emotion, she asked the question. Gently lifting a tissue to her face, she wiped away the tears that had sprung from her choking. The salty droplets fell onto the soft fabric, leaving small, damp patches in their wake. Her voice was cracked and shaky as she struggled to compose herself.
"Should I be married?" Finn couldn't believe what he was hearing. His bride, the love of his life, wanted him to marry someone else.
"Yes, you were supposed to marry Cathleen." Avery slowly lifted the glass of Merlot to her lips, the amber liquid swishing gently inside. Despite her earlier choking episode, she took a small, careful sip and savored the sweet notes of the wine before setting the glass back down on the table with a soft clink.
"What do you mean, Avery? You and I love each other. How can I marry someone who isn't you?"
"What? Love? What is love? Is there such a thing as love? Wait, is Love a Wi-Fi password? What are you talking about? Are you speaking Hindi, Finn?" Avery asked, wickedly smiling as she watched the man's face fall from its excitement.
"What are you talking about? You ran away, and I came to find you." Finn spoke with so much concern.
"Well, I didn't want to be found. You know what, Finn? Maybe I should tell you what I think of you. You are annoying. You have nothing. I thought you were the owner of Knight Group International. Never in my wildest dream have I thought of the possibility of you being a lapdog."
"What?! What are you on about?" Surprised, Finn asked.
"Listen, Finn, I seduced you because I thought you were the owner of Knight Group International, and I couldn't let my good-for-nothing stepsister marry the richest man alive. Yes, I admit everything. I never loved you. I just wanted to date the richest man. I ran away because I couldn't marry you. You can go back and marry your first fiancée."
"You don't know what you are saying, Avery. You love me, remember? It's me, Finn, your forever love."
"Stop it, Finn; you are nothing to me." Finn's heart felt heavy as if the weight of the world had collapsed upon him. His mind could not comprehend the words that were being spoken to him; disbelief and shock were coursing through every fiber of his being. It was as if everything he knew and believed in had shattered into a million pieces, leaving him lost and alone in a desolate wasteland.
'She seduced me because she thought I was the owner of the Knight Group. She made me lose the woman who loved me unconditionally. Cathy, I betrayed her with this piece of trash. I should have waited for Cathy. I lost a diamond while I was busy picking up stones. Avery is a wicked woman. Why did I get involved with such a person? So the rumors about her are true, after all. The whore of New York City, who is always looking for wealthy men,'
Finn's mind was in turmoil as he wrestled with his options. Should he have stayed and married Cathy, even if it meant living a lie? Or was it better to pursue Cathleen and ask for her forgiveness, risking her rejection and potentially losing her forever? He didn't know what to think anymore, but one thing was certain: he had to make a decision soon.
'I have to go back to New York. I have to win Cathleen's heart again.' Finn thought to himself. He turned his head and looked at the trash in front of him.
"I guess I'm such a loser, after all. Cathleen was and will always be the best. As for my uncle, trust me, honey, you are not his type. Even if you passed next to him, his head wouldn't turn."
"Who is your uncle? Is he married?" As Finn spoke about his uncle, Avery's face transformed from its usual cold, hardened expression to one of excitement. Her eyes widened, sparkling with delight, and a small smile played at her lips. She leaned toward Finn, leaning in eagerly for more information.
"He's not married; you are just not his type. You don't even come close to the woman who stands beside my uncle. Maybe if you stop thinking so highly of yourself, you will find the right man, but not my uncle. You don't stand a chance." Finn's words hung in the air like a heavy fog before he turned and left. As Avery watched him go, her mind wandered to the encounter she had at the airport with a strikingly beautiful young woman. Her porcelain skin glowed in the bright lights of the bustling terminal, and her tall, slender figure gave off an air of grace and elegance. Avery couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy as she recalled the girl's flawless features as if they were carved by a skilled sculptor.
Maybe that girl can help me with my skin routine so I can be favored by Finn's uncle. She thought to herself. There was no need for her to remain in South Africa, so he packed her things and thought of a story to tell her dad.
Meanwhile, Finn boarded the next available plane and headed back to New York City. Upon arriving, he went straight to his grandfather's study. After knocking a couple of times, the old man ordered him to come in. He stood tall while the old man sat comfortably in his chair.
"How can I help you, young man?" The old man asked.
"Grandpa, I was wrong about cheating on Cathleen, and I was also wrong about fleeing. I am back now, and I want to marry Cathleen. I want to make things right with her." Finn Announced.
"I'm glad that you finally saw through Avery." Finn's face lit up as he heard his grandfather's praises. The old man continued, "However, you are too late. Cathleen is already married."
"What! Grandpa, Cathleen is mine, and I will fight for her. I don't care, but I'm going to fight for her."
"Well, if you can fight Xavier, go ahead." Finn froze.