I had just returned from a classified field research mission when my mom dropped the bomb-
She’d arranged a marriage for me.
“He’s handsome,” she said. “Comes from a great family. And most importantly–he’s never dated anyone before.
Completely clean emotionally.”
That last part was all I needed to hear. I cared about it more than anything.
So I agreed.
Word got out fast. Within days, my research institute had just granted me long–term housing near the city center–a
reward for years of fieldwork. The timing happened to line up with the wedding.
My fiancé’s side said they’d help decorate the place in advance–so all I’d have to do was show up and move in after the
ceremony.
The night before the wedding, I dropped by the house the night before the wedding to double–check the decorations and
grab a box of research samples I’d stored there earlier that week.
As soon as I opened the door, I froze.
The whole living room was draped in black satin. White lilies were everywhere, and in the center stood an enormous
framed photo of me–printed in grayscale, like an obituary headshot.
The mantel was covered in votive candles, flickering like it was a goddamn memorial service.
It didn’t look like a wedding setup.
It looked like a damn funeral.
I thought someone was trying to sabotage the ceremony, so I immediately told the workers to stop.
That’s when Delilah Monroe walked in–my fiancé’s childhood friend.
She stormed up to me, furious, “Who gave you the right to mess with my design?”
I held back my anger and asked, “You seriously think it’s okay to turn my wedding venue into a funeral home the night
before I get married?”
She scoffed. “So what? Cassian said I could decorate it however I wanted. If you’ve got a problem, take it up with him.
Let’s see who he sides with.”
“And if you so much as touch it again, don’t blame me when your precious wedding goes down the drain.”
I let out a cold laugh and pulled out my phone.
“Cassian,” I said flatly into the call, “I don’t have a kink for getting married in a funeral parlor. Come get your little minion out of my house.”
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AD
Tame him, conquer him, but try not to get too attached.
>
The wedding was tomorrow.
A few big names from my research institute were planning to attend.
If they showed up and saw this place turned into a funeral scene, the scandal wouldn’t just be personal–it would blow
back on my entire unit.
Cassian’s voice came through the phone, calm and icy.
“I don’t have time for your delusions.”
I gritted my teeth, trying to keep things civil.
“Cassian, I appreciate that you sent someone to help decorate, but she’s turned the space into something completely
inappropriate.”
“I don’t need any more of her help. Please ask her and her workers to leave immediately.”
Before I could finish, he hung up on me.
I stood there, stunned.
This was the same man my mother swore was gentle and well–mannered?
Delilah let out a smug laugh beside me.
“You heard him. Even tattling won’t help–Cass doesn’t give a damn about you.”
“If it weren’t for you manipulating his grandfather into forcing the marriage, a nobody like you–dragged out of god knows where–would never be worthy of marrying into the Sterlings.”
She gave me a slow, mocking once–over. I was still in my field gear–mud–splattered, tired, and worn from weeks in the
wilderness.
The disgust in her eyes practically spilled over.
“Let’s be honest–Cassian’s always loved me. Always will. He only let me decorate this place so I could blow off some
steam.”
“So unless you want tomorrow’s ceremony canceled altogether, you better step aside and let me finish.”
I took a breath, voice turning cold.
“I don’t care what kind of relationship you think you have with Cassian. This is my house. I don’t need your help decorating it.”
“Now get out. Take your crew and leave. Or I’ll call security.”
Delilah tossed her hair, chin lifted. “Ignore her! Keep working!”
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et to get too attached
>
“You really think she owns this place? Please. Cassian paid for it top to bottom–she’s just squatting in a house he threw
her like a bone.”
“And I’m turning this whole damn wedding into a funeral. Let’s see who dares stop me.”
I was shaking with rage.
I’d spent years risking my life on classified fieldwork–earned the respect of commanders and directors across the
agency.
And now this spoiled brat thought she could treat me like trash?
I didn’t waste another word. Pulled out my phone and called building security.
“Send someone up. We’ve got a problem.”
Delilah’s eyes widened in fury. She yanked the leash she’d been holding.
“You bitch–let’s see you act tough now!”
Before I could react, a huge dog lunged at me.
It slammed me to the ground and sank its teeth into my arm.
The pain was excruciating. Blood poured down my side as I thrashed, trying to escape.
Delilah clapped her hands and laughed like she was watching a damn comedy show.
I barely managed to crawl away.
But just as I staggered to my feet, security burst through the door–and grabbed me.
“Hey! What the hell are you doing?” I cried out. “I live here! She broke in and set her dog on me!”
The guard didn’t flinch. “Apologies, ma’am. We’ve been instructed by Ms. Monroe. Please step aside.”
The hallway was already crowded with neighbors peeking through half–open doors.
Someone muttered under their breath, “Is she really going against Delilah Monroe?”
Another voice followed, dry and amused. “Does she not know who she’s messing with? That girl’s practically royalty in the Sterling circle.”
A soft laugh. “Marrying Cassian doesn’t make you untouchable. Especially not when his favorite girl’s still around.”
“Honestly… if she had any sense, she’d just let Delilah blow off some steam and stay quiet. Picking a fight? She’s asking
for it.”
“At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole wedding gets called off.”
Delilah folded her arms, lips curled in triumph.
“Did you hear that?” she taunted. “I’ll give you one last chance. Get on your knees. Apologize. Say you were wrong, and
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maybe–maybe- let you keep your wedding.”
I almost laughed.
“Delilah, you’re the one who crossed the line, not me. Last time I’m saying this–leave. Now. Or I’ll escalate.”
Before I could finish, she slapped me.
Hard
Over and over.
“You arrogant bitch! Still mouthing off?”
I ducked, doing everything I could not to retaliate.
It wasn’t because I couldn’t hit her back-
It was because our agency had a strict protocol no public confrontations.
No matter what
This was personal. I couldn’t let it become political.
I finally broke free from the guards, just as Delilah lunged again.
I raised my arm to block-
Then, out of nowhere, a powerful force shoved me aside.
I slammed into the cabinet by the door, pain exploding through my back and ribs.
And then a deep, furious voice roared behind me. “Touch her again—and I’ll end you.”
Chapter 1
