All Chapters of A Substitute Bride For Mr. Voss: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

~Astrid~I moved around the room as the guests chatted and the engagement party went on. Organizing this engagement party for one of the biggest names in the tech industry was my proudest achievement this year. The lights were dimmed just right, casting a warm glow over the elegant centerpieces and spotless glassware. Each table had delicate arrangements of ivory roses, just as the bride had requested in her very specific notes. It was flawless.After working as an event planner for the last two years, I knew this party could finally put my name on the map. I’d been on the grind, taking small gigs, dealing with difficult clients, and working late nights just to prove myself. And now, here I was, overseeing an engagement party that every guest seemed to be talking about. The compliments from the guests filled me with pride—this was exactly the kind of buzz I needed. I glanced around, making sure everything was in place. Everything looked perfect.“Ash,” a voice snapped me out of my t

AdrianI stared at her retreating back as she shut the door behind her.“Fuck!” I kicked the empty can next to my foot. The day was already ruined.I had been the one who specifically asked Martha to book her as the event planner for the party. I wanted to see her again, to prove to her—and maybe to myself—that I’d moved on.But seeing her again, looking just as beautiful as she had five years ago, with her blue eyes still as mesmerizing and her lips still as tempting… it hit me like a brick. I hadn’t moved on. Not even close.It took every ounce of self-control not to push her against the wall and kiss her senseless. But I couldn’t. Not after what she had done. Not after what I’d seen with my own eyes.And now Nova had bailed on me, knowing full well her dad’s company was on the line.I had helped Xavier a few years ago, never planning to call in the favor. But Aaron, God help him, had twisted my hand.Aaron, with his perfect fiancée and his annoying insistence that all of us needed

AstridI stared at myself in the floor-length mirror, admiring the white dress I’d bought at the last minute.The dress was beautiful, ending at my knees with a silver lining at the neckline and delicate pearls hanging from it.It felt ironic how a dress so pretty could be for an occasion so… fake. I wasn’t just the event planner anymore. Now, I was the bride.I had pinned my hair into a bun and done my makeup myself. This wasn’t a grand affair. Adrian had decided we’d go to a small chapel to get married, and I couldn’t have been happier.If I was lucky, I’d walk away from this sham of a marriage with a clean slate and someday marry someone who deserved me.I turned away, grabbed the bouquet, and slipped my shoes on. Adrian would arrive any second.Two days ago, at the engagement party, we had exchanged contact information.I opened the door just in time to see an SUV pull up. The chauffeur, who I assumed worked for Adrian, rolled the window down and nodded at me. I quickly crossed th

~Astrid~“Okay. I saw the news, and it’s ridiculous,” Freya chuckled awkwardly as I dried my hair. I already knew what she was about to say but kept quiet, letting her speak.“Your doppelganger got announced as Adrian’s fiancée. It’s sickening that he’s actually getting married to someone who looks like you. Screw that, I think they’re already married,” she continued as I dressed quickly, my thoughts racing.“Are you listening to me, Ash?” she asked, her voice curious. I nodded, knowing fully well she couldn’t see me.“I can hear you,” I said, glancing around my room. I’d spent most of the night arranging everything while waiting for my things to arrive, so everything was already in place.“I knew he never got over you. I always knew it,” Freya giggled, oblivious to the tension building inside me. I let out a steady breath. It was now or never.“I’m his wife, Fre. I got married to Adrian,” I said, my voice calm but firm. She chuckled at first, thinking it was some kind of joke. Then s

~Astrid~It was warm everywhere. I wondered why their pillows felt this good, I could literally stay in bed all day.Except this pillow was breathing. I peeled my eyes open, staring at nothing for the first few seconds.And then it dawned on me. I'd shared a bed with Adrian and that explained why I could feel warmth everywhere.Because he was right behind me with his erection nestled in the crack of my ass. I shut my eyes tightly.If it was back then, I'd have been happy to cuddle with him and when we woke up to situations like this, we just well.. you know.But now? It was goddamn mortifying making me wonder why the hell he wasn't out of bed yet. Adrian wasn't a deep sleeper neither was he a rough sleeper.Making me wonder how he crossed the pillow I'd sacrificed and left in the middle to keep our distance.“God, you crossed the boundaries we set, fucker.” I hissed, shoving him lightly. He groaned and then tensed for a second, pulling back a bit.That was what I thought.“Can you eve