His Trial Bride, My Exit Plan

Flora was practically buzzing, dying to stir the pot. She fake-gasped. "Wow, jealous much? You even dragged a guy here just to mess with Warren.""Jealous? What right does she have to be jealous?" Warren didn't even look at me. He pulled out a ring box, strutted up to Flora, and grabbed her hand. "Babe, put this on me."Flora lit up. "I could... but this ring? Ew. Looks like it came out of a gumball machine."She popped open her box—bam, glittery ring blinding everyone."Wear the one I had custom-made."That sparkle? Definitely not a last-minute move. She'd planned the whole thing."Perfect. Love it. Thanks, babe." Warren tossed the ring I gave him and stuck out his hand.Once it was on, he wiggled his fingers in my face. "Way more me, right?""Totally. Rings are like people—wrong fit's still wrong."They cracked up.And people? Actually clapped. Like it was their big day."Flora's got taste. That ring's fire.""No lie. That old one looked ancient. This one slaps."Every w

I holed up in the hotel for a few days. Nobody bothered to check in—except Austin.I thought maybe my dad would remember I was still his daughter, maybe show up, say something. He didn't. Not a call, not a word. Like I didn't even exist.Fine. If he didn't care, I wasn't clinging to that title either. From now on, I was done depending on anyone but me.Come wedding day, I grabbed my dress and headed downstairs—only to find a whole lineup of luxury cars outside, turning heads left and right.Austin stood next to a limousine, sharp in a tailored suit, practically glowing. He looked right at me and held out his hand."Mia, I'm here to take you home."The way he smiled made my heart skip.After we got in the car, we rolled up to the church. I slipped backstage to change while Austin went to handle the guests.Just as I finished getting dressed and waved off the staff, that voice I hated rang out."Mia, why are you here all alone?"Flora, of course—leading a pack like she was the

Gasps broke out across the crowd."That's AUSTIN Anderson?!""Why would he go for HER?""She must've tricked him!"Warren looked like he wanted to disappear. "Uncle Austin, don't listen to her! She dumped me at the party!"Flora jumped in, all fake sweet. "Mia picked up bad habits while she was away. She probably used every trick in the book to get close to you. But it's not her fault—no one ever taught her better."Translation: I was raised without a mom. Cute.I shot her a look. "You're right, I'm nothing like you. You've got lying down to an art—say what people wanna hear, fake some tears, call it a day."Her eyes went glossy, tears ready to spill. "Mia, I'm just trying to help."Warren pulled her into a hug like he was in some soap opera. "Don't cry."Then he snapped at security. "Get her out of here! A snake like her will NEVER be part of this family!"The guards moved toward me.Austin let out a cold laugh. "Warren, since when do YOU run the family?"Silence hit hard

Kimberly looked twitchy. She'd known about Flora and Warren all along.But since her precious son wasn't the victim? She stayed out of it.She took a fake-sip of her tea, like that could wash away the guilt. "Warren loves you. He'd never cheat. Flora said you dumped him 'cause you were sleeping with Austin!"Still spinning lies. I didn't bother arguing—I just hit play on the backup video Austin gave me.Flora's face drained. She hadn't expected I'd still have the receipts.She tried to sneak out."Flora," I said, voice flat, "where you going?"She froze. No escape.Graham and Kimberly turned beet red as the video played. Every second hit like a punch.Kimberly shot up and slapped Flora—loud and brutal. "It was you! You manipulative little tramp! You tricked Warren, got him locked up, and trashed our family name!"Flora clutched her cheek, fake-sobbing. "You watched me grow up! I'd never—"Kimberly shoved her back. "Save it. You're not even a real Montclair! We let you near W

He licked his lips, trying to play soft. "Mia... you doing okay?"I stepped back."Yeah. Austin's got me covered."He flinched at the shade in my voice. "Flora messed with my head. I just wanted to make you jealous. I swear, jail gave me time to think. If she hadn't interfered, we'd still be good."He grabbed my hand, all teary-eyed. "Remember when I caught butterflies for you? You hugged me and said you'd marry me if I did it forever. I still can. Just... forgive me."I ripped my hand away, laughing dry. "Seriously? We've been done. I'm your aunt now. And the past? Don't remember it—so don't bring it up."I walked off.He dropped to his knees behind me, sobbing, begging.I didn't even glance back.Halfway down the path, someone called my name.Before I could turn, hands clamped over my mouth.Sharp chemical stench hit my nose.I kicked, twisted—Too late.Everything went dark.When I came to, someone was screaming."All your fault, you worthless tramp! You weren't even