Chapter 1 - The Wedding He Never Wanted
Three hours earlier, Nora Montgomery had stood in front of a mirror and tried to convince herself that she was not afraid.
The woman looking back at her appeared calm.
Elegant.
Perfectly composed.
Her ivory wedding dress had been chosen by her mother six weeks earlier. The lace sleeves were delicate, the waist fitted neatly, and the long train fell across the chapel floor like a ribbon of snow.
Everyone who saw her would think she was happy.
That was the strange thing about weddings.
Sometimes the bride was the only person in the room who knew how much effort it took to smile.
Nora touched the small silver pendant around her neck.
It had belonged to her grandmother.
Her grandmother had been the only person in the Montgomery family who had ever made Nora feel that she was enough.
Before she died, she had told Nora something Nora had never forgotten.
Never let wealth decide what you deserve.
Nora had been seventeen then.
She had not understood the warning.
Now she did.
A knock came at the dressing-room door.
Nora?
Her mother.
Come in.
Evelyn Montgomery entered slowly.
She looked beautiful in a pale blue dress, but her expression was distant.
For several seconds, she simply looked at her daughter.
Then she said quietly, You look beautiful.
Thank you.
Evelyn approached.
She adjusted the edge of Nora's veil.
Your father is downstairs.
I know.
He is asking why you have not come out yet.
Nora smiled faintly.
He has been asking that all morning.
Evelyn lowered her eyes.
He is angry.
He is always angry.
Not like this.
Nora studied her mother's face.
What happened?
Nothing.
Mom.
Evelyn sighed.
Your father thinks you are throwing your life away.
Because I am marrying Julian?
Because Julian does not come from money.
Nora almost laughed.
That is the polite version.
Evelyn looked toward the door.
He believes Julian is hiding something.
Nora's smile disappeared.
What does that mean?
I don't know.
You do know.
Evelyn hesitated.
Then she whispered, Your father has been receiving letters.
What kind of letters?
I don't know.
Why didn't you tell me?
Because I was afraid.
Afraid of Dad?
Evelyn looked at her daughter.
Afraid of what your father might do if he thought I had chosen your side.
Nora stared at her.
For the first time that morning, the wedding felt less like a celebration and more like a trap.
Before she could ask another question, the door opened.
Charles Montgomery stood outside.
He wore an expensive dark suit and a watch worth more than most cars.
His expression was cold.
Five minutes.
Nora turned.
Dad.
Five minutes.
I heard you.
He looked at her dress.
Then at Evelyn.
You still have time to stop this.
Nora's jaw tightened.
I am marrying Julian.
You are making a mistake.
That is my decision.
Charles stepped into the room.
You have no idea what kind of man you are marrying.
Nora held his gaze.
And you do?
Charles smiled.
Better than you ever will.
Then he walked away.
Evelyn whispered, Nora...
But Nora shook her head.
I am not changing my mind.
Outside the chapel, guests were beginning to take their seats.
Julian stood at the altar.
His tuxedo was immaculate.
His face was calm.
Too calm.
David Bell stood among the guests.
Nobody knew why he was there.
Nobody knew that Julian had spoken to him only once that morning.
And nobody knew that Julian had given him one instruction.
Do not come inside unless something happens.
May you like
David had promised.
But promises changed when the truth was already knocking on the door.
