Chapter 3

3

The wedding day arrived faster than I expected.

I was dressed in a bright red bridal gown, but my jewelry was pathetic―just a few plain pieces I'd bought myself.

My mother walked in, pretending to care as she took my hand. "Aria, be a good wife to the Prince. Don't embarrass the Thorne family."

I pulled my hand back coldly. "Mother, do you remember what you promised me?"

"The day I marry him, Isabella has to admit to everyone that she ruined my face."

My mother's face went pale. Panic flared in her eyes.

"Oh, darling, why bring that up on your big day?"

She tried to reach for me again, her smile fake and shaky. "Isabella is young. She didn't know better…"

The last tiny piece of love I had for my parents died right then.

I pushed her away. "If she doesn't confess, I'm not getting into that carriage!"

Suddenly, the sound of firecrackers erupted at the front gate.

It was Isabella, arriving for her post-wedding visit, leaning heavily on Nathaniel's arm.

Nathaniel saw me in my wedding dress and his brow furrowed in annoyance.

"Aria Thorne, what are you doing now?"

"Today is Isabella's homecoming. Are you wearing that just to make her feel bad?"

I let out a cold laugh. "Nathaniel, you really think the world revolves around you, don't you?"

His face darkened. He grabbed my wrist, squeezing so hard I thought the bone would snap.

"Aria, stop being a spoiled brat!"

He leaned in close, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous edge. "You got lucky with those beggars. I'm giving you one last chance…"

Isabella sauntered over, pulling that familiar glass vial from her sleeve. Her lips curled into a poisonous smile.

"Cousin, just drink this and beg Nathaniel for forgiveness…"

She shook the bottle. "Nathaniel is a softie. He might still take you in as a servant girl if you play your cards right."

I looked at the two of them―the most disgusting couple I'd ever seen―and my face went cold.

"I told you. I'm not drinking it. And I will never be your mistress!"

Nathaniel's face turned a bruised purple. He shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Guards! Since she won't listen, strip her out of that dress and throw her to the dogs in the slums!"

Several servants rushed forward to grab my shoulders. I fought with everything I had, but I was pinned.

Just as they were about to tear my dress, a squad of black-armored knights stormed the room. They leveled the servants in seconds.

A man in a rich, dark cloak and a silver mask stepped through the door. His eyes on Nathaniel were like shards of ice.

"You're trying to touch my bride?" he asked, his voice low and terrifying.

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