His Runaway Bride's Revenge

e shackles. Every pearl and embroidery thread seemed to weave a cage around her, tightening with each breath. The grand ballroom of the Donovan estate gleamed in opu

s, Claire felt the first prickle of unease. It slithered along

ing wa

of attention. Her father, Richard Donovan, a man known for his iron-clad control and ruthless busi

nd, Liam Carter," he declared, his deep voice

at her side, his palm resting lightly against the small of her back. To the outside world, the

stant. Detached. A small, almost imperceptible shiver travelled through her. He was there, standing right besi

e world

sliced throu

me, ev

faltered into silence. Claire turned toward the entrance just as two uniformed

pounded in

cers announced with grave authority. "

heart p

hundred stares pressed against her, suffocating. The sc

er shimmering emerald gown. She clutched her pearl necklace, eyes wide

to Liam, her only lifeline in the chaos. But instead of step

ith a flick of his fingers, he flipped it open to reveal a s

found inside Miss Donovan's belongings," the

's impossible! I-I've never ev

nough to be believable. "Claire, how could

s she turned desperately to Liam.

le

ng, deafeni

unreadable, h

measured breath. "I don't k

ed through her

of condemnation ro

hief

ing. Why would s

ace to the Do

disbelief. The officer reached for her wrist, pulling it behind her back. Cold met

ion lacing every syllable. "Please,

epped

stranger. As if s

with judgment, disgust, and curiosit

elf into Liam's side. "I just... I just do

slight twitch of Ava's lips, the

med into her lik

planne

ayal was

xit, her world crumbling around her, Cla

turne

deeper than any

Year

they slid open, the sound ra

reminder of all she had lost. The air smelled different out here-of gasoline, cigarettes,

there to

No stepsist

nded by whispers of guilt for a crime she hadn't committed. Three years of lea

ow calloused. Her soft he

lost eve

also gaine

urp

asn't jus

s a p

ly had taken eve

d take everyt

with th

r-to-ceiling windows stretched across the wall, reveal

traight, her gaze unwavering. Across from he

n Bla

ame that held weight in ev

s dark eyes sharp wit

rled against the ar

ry me, and I'll give you what you want-re

her lips. "And what d

"Let's just say o

effortless command in his every move. This was

arriage. A d

ss. Su

saying the words that wou

do we