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"Marry me, and I will help you take revenge," Zade said, his hot breath fanning her face, their proximity making Daisy feel more vulnerable than ever. Her large brown eyes widened in shock as she processed his words. Never in a million years had she expected this outcome. The idea that her cold and calculating boss would propose to her—of all people—left her speechless.
Marriage? Daisy hadn't entertained such thoughts in years. Not since her heart was shattered by her ex, the man she thought she'd spend her life with, only to find him tangled in sheets with her step-sister. The image was burned into her memory, the pain of betrayal still sharp. Back then, she'd dreamt of love, of marriage, and children. But after that betrayal, those dreams had died. She buried them deep, along with her hopes of ever having a family.
Zade's eyes narrowed, observing her inner turmoil. "You don't have to overthink it," he said, his voice cutting through her thoughts. "This marriage will be nothing but a contract." He paused, his tone cold, businesslike. "I need a marriage certificate to secure my hold on the Harnes Group and to be officially declared CEO. I've worked for years to reach this point, and I'll be damned if my incompetent cousin takes it from me. You need revenge against your stepfamily for what they did to you and your father. And we both know Balfour Industries is currently being mismanaged by Poppi Balfour—your father's mistress. You need strength, resources, and backing to fight them, and I can give you that. But you must marry me. We'll be wed no longer than a month—on paper. After that, we'll divorce. I'll still honor my promise. So, what do you say?"
Daisy stood there, his words echoing in her mind. She'd be a fool to reject an offer like this. Marrying one of the most powerful bachelors in the city—even if it was just on paper—was an opportunity she couldn't ignore. And the thought of finally taking back what her stepfamily had stolen from her and her late mother lit a fire inside her she hadn't felt in years.
"I agree," she whispered, exhaling deeply, realizing she had just made one of the most monumental decisions of her life.
"Good," Zade replied without missing a beat. "Get dressed. I'll be waiting outside."
With that, he turned and left the room, giving her space to change into the white gown originally meant for his absent bride.
Daisy looked at herself in the mirror, taking in the image staring back at her. The gown clung to her curves, especially tight in the chest area where the V-cut neckline pushed her breasts up, making them look more prominent than usual. The dress wasn't her size, but it fit well enough. Her red hair was pulled up into a neat bun, the strands pinned back to keep from looking too wild, while her pale neck was adorned with a delicate silver necklace—another item meant for the bride who never showed up. Thankfully, the shoes fit her perfectly, though they felt a little too big for comfort.
A knock on the door made her jump, followed by Zade's cold voice. "Hurry up."
Daisy rolled her eyes, muttering a curse under her breath. This wedding is bound to be a disaster, she thought, biting her lip as she applied a quick layer of makeup. The makeup artist she had hired for the original bride had never arrived, and only now did she realize how bare her face looked. Luckily, she always carried a small makeup kit in her purse. Five minutes later, her face looked decent—simple but elegant. It wasn't what she would have worn for her own dream wedding, but it would have to do.
Another knock came, followed by Zade's impatient cursing.
"I'm coming!" she called out, grabbing her bouquet before opening the door.
Zade's eyes widened for a brief second as he took her in, dressed in white. It was subtle, but Daisy noticed. He nodded slightly, his expression returning to its usual unreadable mask. Without a word, he extended his hand, and she hesitated for a moment before taking it.
They walked toward the entrance of the hall, and Daisy's nerves tightened with every step. She could already hear the whispers from the guests inside, the murmur of gossip spreading like wildfire. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she struggled to maintain her composure.
"Get ready," Zade whispered under his breath. "We're here."
Daisy nodded, inhaling deeply to steady herself as they stood hand-in-hand at the entrance. As the doors opened and the music for the bride's entrance began to play, they stepped onto the red carpet leading to the altar. It was surreal. This was nothing like a normal wedding. In what world did the groom walk the bride down the aisle? The thought made her stomach twist.
'This is nothing like a real wedding,' she reminded herself.
And yet, as her gaze drifted to the faces of the guests, judgment and curiosity reflected in their eyes, she couldn't help but think of her father—the man who had betrayed her and her late mother by choosing his mistress and stepdaughter over them. The man who had let them suffer while he lived in luxury.
'I'm coming back,' she vowed silently.
'And I'm coming back bigger and stronger, Father.
And I am come back to take what was rightfully mine, whether you give it to me or not.'
They reached the altar, and Zade cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence that had settled over the room. "I apologize for the delay," he announced smoothly, his voice calm and authoritative. "My bride had some complications with her dress, as you can see, it's all been resolved now, so we can begin with the wedding now."