h a nightmare. Each passing mile solidified the shame and fury churning in Ella's stomach. All

slip in unnoticed. The morning was quiet, the manicured lawns st

her stepsister, Chloe, were sitting on the pristine white sofas, cups of tea steaming

er gaze raked over Ella's wrinkled dress, the disheveled hair, and lingered for

voice dripping with false sweetness. "We were so

all night, sister. You two are supposed to be finalizing your enga

erfectly made-up faces and their predatory sm

sked, her voice flat and cold. "You

ct tear that traced a path through her foundation. "How can

amily is an elite, old-money dynasty that values purity above all else! If they find out you've been sleeping around right before the engagement

ed fingers dug into the neckline of Ella's gown and ripped i

he faint, angry red marks on her collarbon

flying to her mouth. "Oh my God, sis

r hands shaking with a rage so profound it ma

ho were frozen in the doorway, watching the spectacle. "You all see t

It was a setup.

ry Caleb now. The Vance family would never accept a tarnished bride. But... since the marriage contract with the Sinclair family was origi

ce investment. We will switch the arrangements. Chloe will marry Caleb, and since E

reputation, steal her fiancé, and throw her into a marriage that was rumored to be a fate worse

space, forcing her stepsister to shrink back. "You drugged me, robbed me of my virtue, all so you could steal Caleb and avoid the monster marriage you were destined for? Dream on, Chloe. Even if I were entirely ruined, Caleb would never genuinely look at

codile tears. "Mother, listen to how she talks

cious daughter. "You've made your bed, Ella.

, hysterical laugh bubbled up in her throat. "Y

who had already picked her clean. There was only one

fa

for the stairs, for the second-floor study. She had to believe

loe's mask of innocence dropped, r

ou worry, sweetie. I've already spoken to yo