THE BRIDE NO ONE WANTED

CHAPTER ONE

Even before the sun climbed fully over St. Louis, Vivienne Cross felt the day leaning toward

something dangerous. A faint tremble lived in her hands as she fastened the small silver clasp

of her necklace. She stared at her reflection steady brown eyes, soft features, a quiet beauty no

one in her family ever remembered to notice and wondered if Maddox Lane would finally see

her today.

The celebration felt too large for a simple birthday gathering. Too decorated. Too formal. Too

sharpened at the edges. Yet she kept replaying the moment in her mind the one she had

imagined since she was nineteen. Maddox kneeling, his voice shaking just enough to prove he

meant every word, telling her she was his future. His wife. His choice.

She whispered the line she had rehearsed a hundred times, "Yes, of course I will." But the

words felt strange on her tongue today, almost foreign, almost frightened.

Something cold pressed between her ribs. Maddox's recent messages had lost their warmth. He

no longer called her "Vee." He no longer asked about her day. He no longer spoke like a man in

love. And each time she asked if everything was all right, he offered the same answer: "Busy.

Don't worry."

But Vivienne worried.

She smoothed her dress a soft champagne color that flattered her shape then carefully

arranged her hair behind her shoulder. She wanted to look like someone worth choosing.

Someone he could look at and remember why he loved her in the first place. Someone he

wouldn't replace.

A small, humorless breath escaped her. "It's supposed to be a happy day," she told her

reflection, but the mirror didn't agree.

A knock sounded on her door.

Vivienne startled, her heart tightening as if it expected Maddox himself. She stepped forward,

trying to gather the courage to face whatever waited on the other side.

She opened the door.

And the cold feeling dropped deeper.

Tessa Holloway breezed in as if she owned the air in the room. Her smile was wide enough to

strain her perfectly glossed lips. She wore an emerald gown that hugged her figure, its shimmer

catching every bit of morning light. Tessa always sparkled she made sure of it.

"You look... lovely, Vivienne," she said, the compliment sounding sweet for the first time in her

life, and therefore completely wrong.

Vivienne blinked. Tessa had never complimented anyone without an agenda. "Thank you. You

look "

"Stunning? I know," Tessa finished for her, twirling lightly so her dress whispered against the

carpet.

Vivienne stepped aside as Tessa walked in, trailing expensive perfume and the unmistakable

energy of someone hiding excitement behind a mask of politeness.

Tessa glanced around the room before settling her gaze on Vivienne again. "You're nervous,"

she said, as if she could read Vivienne's pulse. "Relax. Today is important, and you don't want

to look tense."

The words were simple, but they clung to Vivienne like thorns. Tessa never cared how she

looked, never cared if Vivienne embarrassed herself. Why the sudden interest?

"I'm fine," Vivienne said softly.

Tessa continued smiling, but her eyes sharpened. "Good. Because this event is big for the

family. Very big. You need to be ready for anything."

Vivienne frowned. "What does that mean?"

"Oh, nothing. Just... surprises." Tessa shrugged, her voice airy, her posture proud. "There's

something exciting planned today. You'll see."

Vivienne's stomach twisted. Tessa's voice was too filled, too glittery, too pleased. Tessa

behaved like someone holding a delicious secret one she couldn't wait to watch explode.

Vivienne studied her stepsister's face. The perfect lashes, the flawless skin, the smile that never

reached her eyes. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

"Tessa," Vivienne started, trying to catch her breath, "did Maddox tell you something? Did

someone say something about today?"

Tessa's smile stretched just a little wider. "You'll find out soon enough. But don't worry. Whatever

happens, try to look surprised. It suits you."

Vivienne froze, her pulse stumbling. There was a sharpness in Tessa's tone, hidden behind silk

but sharp enough to cut.

Tessa reached out and adjusted a curl of Vivienne's hair, a gesture too gentle to be real.

"There," she whispered. "Perfect. Wouldn't want you to look unprepared."

Vivienne swallowed hard. She still couldn't place it, but Tessa's mood didn't feel like kindness. It

felt like a curtain about to drop.

Tessa walked to the door.

"See you downstairs," she said, and then she left with a small, satisfied click of her heels leaving

Vivienne alone with a cold that had nothing to do with the room.

Vivienne descended the staircase slowly, trying to steady her breathing. Voices drifted from the

grand sitting room guests laughing, glasses clinking, the hum of wealthy conversation filling

every corner of the Cross estate. Her family always hosted events that felt more like

performances than gatherings.

Her parents stood near the entrance of the sitting room, greeting guests with practiced smiles.

Her mother, elegant in a navy dress, lifted her brows when she saw Vivienne approaching.

"You took your time," her mother said, smoothing the edge of her shawl as though Vivienne's

lateness might wrinkle the air. "We don't want you drawing attention."

Vivienne managed a small nod. "I'm here now."

Her father stepped closer, offering a rare smile. "Good. Stay near the front today. People will be

watching."

Vivienne blinked. "Watching for what?"

Her parents exchanged a quick look. It lasted half a second but said more than any sentence

they could have spoken. Something was planned. Something involving her. And none of it felt

good.

Her mother placed a hand on her arm, a gesture so out of character that Vivienne stiffened.

"Just follow our lead. Today is important for the family."

Important. The word echoed. Important in a way that had nothing to do with Vivienne's

happiness.

ienne looked between them. "Did Maddox tell you something? Is that why everyone is acting

strange?"

Her father adjusted his cufflink. "This is a day of opportunity. That's all you need to know for

now."

Again, he avoided the question. Vivienne's pulse hammered. Maddox avoiding her. Tessa

glowing with a secret. Her parents unusually polite.

She felt as if she were standing on a frozen lake, listening for the first crack beneath her feet.

"Tessa said something big is happening today," Vivienne whispered, searching their faces.

"What does she mean?"

Her parents didn't answer. Her father simply gestured toward the sitting room. "Go inside. The

guests are waiting."

Vivienne looked into the room filled with expensive laughter, crystal chandeliers, polished floors,

and people who valued her family's status more than they valued truth. A faint dizziness swept

through her, the heavy sense that she was stepping into something she could not undo.

As she crossed the threshold, a hush fell over part of the room soft, but undeniable. Vivienne

followed the shifting eyes, the sudden hush in conversation, the way people stood a little

straighter.

Something was happening.

Something meant for her.

And she had no idea what waited at the center of it.