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The Proposal (2)
Last Updated:
2025-04-03 07:02:37
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The Substitute Bride's Revenge Reluctant Agreement (1)
ARIAVictoria's phone chimed with a message once they arrived at the parking garage.Her smile widened as she read it."Excellent news," she announced. "Xavier's grandmother has invited us to the Harrington Estate. She wants to meet her new granddaughter-in-law immediately she calls."Aria stared at her in horror. "But I have nothing to wear, I need to check on Dad—""Details," Victoria dismissed. "The boutique will deliver options whenever we want. Your father is stable. This meeting with Eleanor Harrington is crucial; she's the true power behind the Harrington fortune."Victoria paused when they reached the car, her expression becoming suddenly serious. "One more thing, Aria. When you meet Eleanor, remember she's old-fashioned. Very old-fashioned. She believes in the sanctity of marriage, regardless of how it came about. Don't mention the business aspects of this arrangement.""You want me to pretend this is a love match?" Aria asked incredulously."I want you to be smart," Victoria
Last Updated : 2025-04-06The Substitute Bride's Revenge Hospital Visit
ARIAThe soft beeping of monitors and rustling papers fill Dad's hospital room as I step in.He's propped up in bed reviewing architectural drawings on his lap tray, but his face brightens immediately when he sees me."There's my girl," he says, setting aside his work. "I was beginning to think Victoria had locked you in a tower somewhere.""Close enough," I reply, leaning down to kiss his cheek. His skin feels papery and too warm. "How are you feeling?""Better every day." He pats the edge of the bed. "Sit. Tell me what's happening. The nurses whisper when they think I'm asleep, something about an engagement announcement?"I sink onto the bed, exhaustion suddenly hitting me like a wave. "It's true. I'm engaged to Xavier Harrington."Dad's expression shifts from confusion to concern in an instant. "Xavier Harrington? But I thought Vivian—""Vivian eloped with someone else," I explain, trying to keep my voice neutral. "Victoria arranged for me to take her place.""Take her place?" Dad s
Last Updated : 2025-04-06The Substitute Bride's Revenge Wedding Preparations
ARIAThe Harrington Estate becomes my prison over the following two weeks.I'm moved into a guest suite in the east wing the day after signing the contract.“To begin your integration into the Harrington lifestyle," Michael had explained.My suite is packed up by strangers, my possessions sorted through and mostly discarded, deemed unsuitable for my new position.Each morning begins with a weigh-in, conducted by Claudia Reinhart, Xavier's personal nutritionist, who records each number with precision and disapproval.Claudia is a severe woman in her fifties, with the body of a marathon runner and the demeanor of a drill sergeant. Her hair is pulled back in a tight bun, her black clothing always impeccable and her clipboard a weapon she wields with merciless efficiency."Down half a pound," Claudia notes on the seventh day. "At this rate, you'll meet Mr. Harrington's requirements by next year."She circles me like a shark, pinching at my waist with cold fingers. "You're still holding sig
Last Updated : 2025-04-06The Substitute Bride's Revenge Wedding Preparations 2
ARIA~Later that same day~I'm sent to the east wing to approve floral arrangements for the wedding.Genevieve had continued working in silence for several minutes after Phill left, the only sound the soft click of pins being placed and removed.Finally, she had sighed before stepping back to assess her work."He's an ass," she had said matter-of-factly. "But he's not entirely wrong. The Harringtons have expectations. Standards. And you..." She had gestured at my reflection in the three-way mirror. "You are very far from meeting them."Her words still rings in my ears.I’m drowning in them when I hear Xavier's voice from a partially open door.I pause, knowing I should walk on but unable to move when his cold, clear tones reach me."It's just three years until the merger is complete," Xavier is saying with the clink of ice in a glass punctuating his words. "Then I can divorce her with minimal losses."I press myself against the wall beside the door, heart pounding. I shouldn't be list
Last Updated : 2025-04-08The Substitute Bride's Revenge The Ceremony (1)
ARIAThe morning of my wedding day dawns with perfect, manufactured precision: clear skies, seventy-two degrees, not a cloud in sight.The Harrington Estate has been transformed overnight into a fantasy landscape of white roses and crystal, five million dollars manifested in cascading floral arrangements, imported marble dance floors, and custom pavilions erected solely for this one-day spectacle.I stand motionless as four stylists work on me simultaneously; one on hair, one on makeup, one adjusting the complicated undergarments that squeeze my flesh into submission, and one making final adjustments to the Marchesa gown that has been altered seven times in the past week."Stop breathing so deeply!" snaps Genevieve, yanking at the corset laces with unnecessary force. "You're expanding the ribcage and ruining the line."I try to comply by reducing my breathing to shallow sips of air that leave me light-headed.The corset is a marvel of engineering, steel boning and industrial-strength
Last Updated : 2025-04-08The Substitute Bride's Revenge The Ceremony (2)
ARIAThe walk to the ceremony pavilion is a blur of white roses and curious stares.Five hundred faces turn once I appear linking arms with my father's.I feel their eyes cataloging every detail. The dress, the jewelry, the transformation of Robert Taylor's unremarkable daughter into Xavier Harrington's bride.The pavilion itself is a marvel of design. A crystalline structure is erected specifically for this day, its transparent walls offering views of the estate's manicured grounds while protecting the guests from any hint of natural disorder. White roses climb the supports, their scent almost overwhelming in the enclosed space.And at the end of the aisle, waiting beneath an arch of yet more white roses, stands Xavier Harrington.He is perfection incarnate in his custom tuxedo. His dark hair is immaculately styled and his posture military in its precision.He is everything a bride could want. Handsome, wealthy, powerful.And he isn't looking at me.I process down the aisle on my fat
Last Updated : 2025-04-08The Substitute Bride's Revenge Wedding Night
ARIAThe Harrington penthouse occupies the top three floors of a sleek glass tower in Manhattan, its floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the city that never sleeps.At one in the morning, those windows reflect my solitary figure as I stand in the master suite, still wearing my wedding gown, waiting for a husband who isn't here.Xavier has disappeared as soon as we'd arrived, muttering something about "checking messages" before vanishing into what I presume is his office.That has been two hours ago. The suite is silent except for the distant hum of the city below and the occasional ping of my phone as congratulatory messages arrive from people who have no idea what my marriage actually entails.The wedding coordinator had arranged for a maid to help me out of my complicated gown, but I've sent the woman away, preferring to be alone with my thoughts.Now I struggle with the dozens of tiny buttons running down my spine. My arms ache as I twist to reach them, my fingers c
Last Updated : 2025-04-08The Substitute Bride's Revenge Wedding Night (2)
ARIAI stand motionless for several minutes, shock and humiliation warring with a cold, growing anger.This is worse than I had imagined and more degrading than I had prepared myself for. Not just a loveless marriage, but a complete denial of my humanity, my worth, my very existence as anything other than a contract obligation.I move to the door Xavier had indicated when I can trust my legs to support me, opening it to find a beautifully appointed suite that is nonetheless clearly secondary to the master bedroom.It is smaller with fewer windows decorated in muted tones that wouldn't draw attention. A place designed for invisibility, for someone to be tucked away when not needed for public display.I close the door without entering and turn back to the master suite. If Xavier wants me invisible, I will become so. However, not before understanding exactly what I'm dealing with, what weapons might be available in this cold war he has declared.I didn’t take the time to thoroughly read t
Last Updated : 2025-04-10
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The Substitute Bride's Revenge Unwelcome News
ARIAAfter a week of being confined primarily to the blue suite, cabin fever sets in with a vengeance.The walls seem to close in despite the spacious rooms, and I find myself staring longingly out the windows at the expansive gardens below."I need fresh air," I announce when Xavier brings lunch, another task he's taken to performing personally despite the household staff's availability. "Just a short walk. I'm going stir-crazy in here."Xavier studies me carefully as I stand to emphasize my point. "Dr. Pia did say light activity would be beneficial at this stage," he concedes. "The gardens, maybe. But not alone.""I wasn't planning a solo expedition," I reply dryly. "I assumed you'd insist on accompanying me."Something that might be amusement flickers in his eyes. "You're learning."The Harrington gardens are spectacular even in early spring. Maintained pathways winding between geometric hedges and early blooms.Xavier matches his stride to my slower pace with his hand resting ligh
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Unexpected Concern
ARIAThe night passes in fragmented pieces of Xavier waking me every two hours as promised, asking me simple questions to check my awareness."What's your name? What day is it? Do you know where you are?"Each time, I drift back to sleep almost immediately after answering, vaguely aware of his watchful presence in the armchair near the bed.Morning arrives with pale sunlight filtering through the blinds and the dull throb of pain in my head and wrist.I blink awake to find Xavier standing at the window and his back to me as he speaks quietly on the phone."Cancel everything through Friday. Reschedule the Tokyo call for next week. Tell them I have a family emergency."Family emergency. The term catches me by surprise. Hearing him use that terminology when he doesn't know I'm listening feels significant."I'm awake," I announce softly, not wanting to eavesdrop further.Xavier turns immediately, ending his call with a brief "Handle it" before approaching the bed.He looks exhausted, with
The Substitute Bride's Revenge The Accident (2)
ARIAThe realization that he's here, that someone actually reached him, brings an unexpected wave of relief that makes my eyes sting with sudden tears.When he appears in the doorway, I barely recognize him.His usual immaculate appearance is completely disrupted: tie missing, shirt collar open, hair disheveled as though he's been repeatedly running his hands through it. However, it's his expression that truly shocks me. The emotion in his eyes."Aria," he breathes, crossing the room in three long strides to reach for me. Then hesitates with his hands hovering uncertainly as he takes in the monitoring equipment, the bandage being applied to my wrist, the bruise already forming at my temple."I'm okay," I manage. "Just a little banged up."Xavier's gaze sweeps over me, cataloging each visible injury with growing intensity. When he finally meets my eyes again, there's something raw and unguarded in his expression that I've never seen before."What happened?" his voice is rough.I try to
The Substitute Bride's Revenge The Accident
ARIAThe storm hits Midtown with unexpected ferocity, turning the afternoon sky an ominous slate gray.I should have rescheduled my meeting with Westlake Pharmaceuticals, but their CEO is flying to London tomorrow, and securing their distribution partnership for our Kazakhstan facilities is too important to delay."You could videoconference," Michael suggests when he sees me collecting my portfolio. "The weather warning's been upgraded to severe.""Westlake’s CEO is old-school," I explain, checking that I have all the necessary contracts. "Mr. Harrison won't sign anything without a handshake first."Michael frowns at the rain lashing against the office windows. "At least take the company car instead of yours. They have better traction.""Mine has all-wheel drive," I assure him, though I appreciate his concern. "And I grew up driving in harsh winters. This is nothing."My car glides smoothly through the downpour, and by the time I arrive at Westlake’s glass tower, the valet is already
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Family Interference
ARIAThe Harrington family estate has become more comfortable, less like a museum and more like a place I could actually call home. I’ve spent time exploring the vast property. However, there are still rooms that feel forbidden. Eleanor's private study is one of them—a sanctum I've never been invited to enter.I'm passing by its heavy oak door when I hear my name spoken in Eleanor's crisp, authoritative tone.I pause, not intending to eavesdrop yet unable to move away when I realize she's speaking to Xavier."You're becoming distracted by Aria," Eleanor says. "The board has noticed. I've noticed.""The board is pleased with our performance," Xavier responds with an edge I recognize as defensiveness. "Our stock is up seventeen percent since the Kazakhstan deal.""This isn't about business performance." Eleanor's voice sharpens. "It's about your performance. The way you look at her during meetings. The rooftop dinner for her birthday. These gestures go far beyond our arrangement."I sho
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Protection Instinct
ARIAThe weight of what I've uncovered changes everything.I wake with a jolt each morning, immediately checking for signs of intrusion. Each night, I lie awake cataloging potential threats and planning countermeasures.I've become hypervigilant, seeing danger in every unexpected phone call, every lingering glance from Eleanor or her people.I've installed my own security system in my private quarters: motion sensors, cameras, and alarms that alert only my burner phone.I've even started taking self-defense classes three times a week, telling Xavier it's for stress relief.But more than my own safety, I find myself increasingly concerned about Xavier. The emotional damage I once attributed to simple coldness or arrogance now reveals itself as the product of genuine trauma—a child who lost his parents and brother, who's been manipulated by the very person who may have orchestrated it all.His trust issues, his emotional detachment, his occasional bouts of unexplained melancholy… they a
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Dangerous Knowledge
ARIAI reach out to a man named Jasper Griffith who agrees to meet me with surprising ease when I mention James Harrington's name the next day. As Harrington Consolidated's former security chief, he potentially has information that could confirm or disprove Xavier's suspicions about his parents' deaths.We arrange to meet at Café Lucerne, a small establishment across town, away from any Harrington-affiliated locations.I spend the morning preparing, researching Griffith's background. His twenty-two years with Harrington security was abruptly terminated six months after the "accident" that killed James and Catherine. No public explanation was given, and he's been working as a private security consultant since then, though his client list is notably devoid of major corporations.My phone rings with a blocked number two hours before our meeting."Mrs. Harrington. I need to cancel our appointment," Griffith's voice sounds tight, almost strangled."Is everything alright, Mr. Griffith?" I pr
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Family Secrets
ARIAEleanor's warning echoes in my mind as I sit alone in the library three days after the charity gala.The gentle ticking of the antique clock, a Benson & Wilcox from the 1890s that Xavier's great-grandfather imported from London, is my only companion at 2:37 AM.I'm surrounded by newspaper clippings, financial reports, and archived articles I've been collecting since that night at the gala when Eleanor cornered me with her veiled threats.The smell of old paper and leather bindings mingles with the faint scent of the Earl Grey tea that's gone cold beside me.Xavier's revelations at the mausoleum last week still haunt me.I run my finger along the timeline I've created, starting with the accident that killed James and Catherine Harrington thirteen years ago. The official story seemed straightforward at first, but as I dig deeper, inconsistencies emerge like fractures in glass.The accident occurred exactly three days before James was scheduled to announce a major company restructuri
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Moment of Weakness
ARIAThe storm shows no sign of abating as midnight approaches.Rain hammers against the stone roof of the mausoleum, and wind howls through cracks in the ancient mortar.I've lost feeling in my legs hours ago, but I don't dare move and disturb Xavier's fitful sleep.His head remains heavy in my lap and his breathing occasionally catching on what sounds suspiciously like suppressed sobs.When he finally stirs, the disorientation in his eyes is immediate. He blinks rapidly, trying to place his surroundings, then freezes when he realizes his position.The vulnerability I witnessed earlier begins to shutter behind his usual visage of control."How long have I been out?" His voice is rough, throat raw from emotion and whiskey."A few hours," I answer softly. "The storm's trapped us here."He sits up abruptly, wincing at what must be a splitting headache. "You should have woken me." The words are accusatory yet lack their usual bite."You needed the rest."Xavier runs a hand through his dis
