of old money and lemon polish. It had been a month since they found me, Ethan Miller, the aspiring musician from a foster hom

golden child, now looked at me like I was something he' d scraped off his shoe. He stood in

ondescension. "Enjoying the good life? It must b

n the velvet sofa. They wanted a happy family, a perfect picture, bu

ce even. I just wanted a family, a real one

t you haven' t earned any of it. You just showed up. I'

a predator. "I have a proposal. To prove you actually belong here, th

r husband put a hand on her arm, silencing her. He

. If you win, I' ll accept you. I' ll even call you my brother. But if you lose..." He leaned in close, his breath hot on my ear. "You d

ld intervene, but they just stared back, their expressions unreadable. They weren't going to help me. In their eyes, I was a problem

ard myself say

tches. I lost one after another, and with each loss, the family' s disappointment grew thicker. My only comfort was Chloe Davis, my gi

ided to make it personal. He cornered us in the university' s music wing, where

an can' t give you the platform you deserve. I can. I' m offering you a lucrative recordin

timate humiliation. I felt a surge of rage, but before I coul

ffer, Liam, but my integrity isn' t for sale. And my heart certainly isn' t. I' m w

pletely trashed his home recording studio in a fit of rage. Then came the shocking news: he had impulsively agreed to an arranged marriage with Sofia Rossi

n his new life, I could finally find my place. I had spent my last dollars on a simple,

ing heavy in my pocket. As I neared her door, I heard

reston is cornered. His impulsive marriage to Sofia Rossi is the final nail in his coffin. Once he' s marrie

ran cold.

. Make sure the wedding goes ahead without any issues. And one more thing. Ethan Miller. He' s served his purpose as a paw

art s

is?" the assista

But the Rossi family needs a groom to bring their dying heiress good fortune. Ethan will do. His presence will temper Liam, keep him off balance.

hloe-her smiles, her hugs, her words of encouragement-was a lie. She hadn't been supporting me, she had been using me. I was a tool to manipulate Lia

one, my fingers numb. I didn' t call Chloe. I didn' t call the Prestons.

I didn' t have the str

with Sofia Rossi. I' m takin