I was getting married to the love of my life, billionaire mogul James Calloway, but it had been an hour since I was supposed to walk down the aisle to him, and he was nowhere to be found.

I tried calling him, thinking this was all a joke but all his calls weren't going through. The paparazzi were all flashing their cameras at me, ready to publish vicious gossip about the latest scandal in town.

I stood frozen at the centre of the church, my gown wrapping around my body too tight. My heart was pounding as the crowd got louder, with whispers and gasps.

Another couple of cameras flashed in my face again, blinding me for a moment. My head was hurting as my hands clutching the flowers trembled.

James wasn’t coming to the wedding.

My fiancé has abandoned me at the altar.

I could hear my best friend and chief bridesmaid calling him over and over on her phone with no response, leaving messages and begging him to show up.

But I already knew he was gone. I could barely look at my parents but I could hear my mother's murmurs as she blamed me for disgracing her in front of her friends and society.

This was going to be the largest scandal of the century.

‘Elle King, daughter and heir of business mogul Macmillan King, left at the altar by a billionaire fiancee, James Calloway .’

I tried my best to hold back my tears but I couldn't. It only got worse as the phones of the crowd all pinged and their eyes all landed on me with pity.

My best friend gasped and turned the phone towards me. I blinked, staring at the screen.

It was the picture of my fiance leaning into another woman; her face was hidden by the angle but it was obvious they were kissing.

The headline read:

‘James Calloway was spotted with a mystery woman kissing on the balcony of a hotel.’

I heard whispers from the crowd.

“James never loved her; all this while she forced herself on him,” a girl said.

“I knew a famous handsome playboy like James would never settle for a woman as ugly and plain as her.” Another snickered, their harsh laughter tore through the air and my knees felt weak under me.

I choked on air, a whimper leaving my lips. How could he do this to me?

I was trying to calm myself when the grand doors of the cathedral flung wide open, and all heads turned. My eyes landed on the huge man standing at the doorway.

My vision was blurry as the man strode into the church in a black tuxedo. I frowned as he came closer, his features familiar; he was no one else but Cain Blackwood, James’s biggest business rival.

He had the largest communications company in New York, just a little bigger than James' father's company. I was surprised to see him here; he was always away on business and his showing up at my wedding was a shock.

His deep, smooth voice cut through the chaos in the church as he got closer.

“Pathetic, isn’t it?”

He watched me with amusement and something else in his eyes.

The crowd watched us with interest. Cain was a businessman, ruthless, feared, and always two steps ahead of his enemies.

I clenched my fists, “What do you want?” I snapped.

He took a step forward, his lips curling into a smirk. “What I want is not important. What do you need, Elle?”

I took in a breath. I wanted James to suffer. But right now all I wanted to do was disappear from this humiliation.

“You want revenge,” he asked. “I can give it to you.”

My heart stuttered.

“I’m here to make an offer.” He stepped closer. “Marry me.”

I took in a sharp inhale. “What?”

He tilted his head. “James ruined you. But if you become my wife, you can change that.” His voice was slow. “Instead of the humiliated bride, you become the woman who married his biggest rival.”

“This is insane; I can't just marry you without thinking,” I whispered.

He shrugged. “Right now, they’re telling everyone you are the tragic victim. But if you walk out of here with me,. You become untouchable.”

Could I do this? Marry the man James hated more than anyone for revenge?

“Think carefully, Elle. Because if you say yes, I won’t let you back out.”

The words settled over me, and I knew Cain Blackwood didn’t do anything without reason. He had something to gain from this, but so did I.

James would never see it coming.

“Fine,” I whispered. “I’ll do it.”

His lips curled. “Good choice.”

Before I could think about it longer, he held out his arm. I slipped my hand into his elbow.

And then we walked up to the altar together.

I stared at the candlelight as I sat at the set dining table. My palms were sweaty and my heart was pounding in my chest.

Tonight was the first anniversary of our marriage. One year since I had walked out of that church on Cain Blackwood’s arm. One year since I immediately fell in love with him.

He saved me from embarrassment, like my knight in shiny armour.

And tonight, I had a surprise just for him.

My hand drifted to my stomach with a smile. I met the fertility doctor today and after so many months of trying, I was finally pregnant with Cain's baby.

He had no idea I was pregnant. But tonight I was going to tell him, I planned everything perfectly, cooking his favourite meal and buying a bottle of the expensive whiskey he loved.

I waited for hours for him to come home, my smile dropping as more time went on. But after three hours, I was disappointed and his food was already cold.

I reached for my phone, my hand trembling as I dialled his number but it went straight to voicemail. I tried two more times but still got no response.

Maybe he was stuck at work. Maybe he just forgot what today meant or he was late getting me a gift.

I waited for one more hour staring at the clock before I slipped onto the couch to wait for him, but I eventually fell asleep.

When I woke up, the voices on the television caught my attention. I turned to the screen, my vision blurry and barely listened until I heard his name and frozen.

‘Billionaire Cain Blackwood is seen with a mystery blonde woman at the Grand Royale Hotel. Do you think this is trouble in paradise for his one-year marriage to Elle King?’

I shot up on the couch, blinking hard at the image of Cain entering the hotel lobby holding a blonde woman in his arms.

‘No.’ I muttered under my breath.

Not Cain. It can't happen again. I love him.

My blood roared in my ears as I stared at the screen in shock. There was something familiar about the woman, but I couldn't see her face properly.

My hands clenched into fists. I wasn’t the naïve woman who was left at the altar a year ago by James Calloway. I can't let this happen to me all over again.

I quickly grabbed my coat and stormed out of the house. I drove like a woman to the hotel I had given Cain everything. And he still betrayed me.

I stood in front of the Grand Royale Hotel, taking a deep breath. I strode into the lobby, ignoring the whispers and glances.

When I reached the front desk, the receptionist stiffened when she saw me. “Mrs. Blackwood—”

“My husband is here,” I said. “Tell me his room number.” I snapped.

She hesitated for a moment. “I…I’m sorry, Ma but we can't.”

I raised my brow. “Do you want me to call the press and tell them my husband is cheating on me with his cheap mistress in your hotel?”

After a while, she sighed and murmured, “Penthouse suite, 112.”

I immediately turned and stepped into the elevator.

When the doors finally slid open, I rushed forward.

I swallowed hard before using the keycard and pushing open the door. I could hear Cain's voice inside the room and my chest ached.

Then I heard a woman’s voice. I froze in my steps. I knew that voice; it was familiar but I couldn't place who it belonged to.

Cain let out a loud laugh. “You thought I married Elle out of love?”

“She was a means to an end,” he continued. “Marrying her gave me access to her father’s inheritance. And once the will is rewritten in your favour and he's gone, my work will be done and I'll leave her.”

“Just a few weeks from now we will have everything we want.” The woman added with a smile.

My blood turned to ice. Aliya.

My stepsister.

The woman my father had always loved, even though I was his only daughter and the rightful heir to the

King's legacy.

But she had planned with Cain to marry me just for the King's inheritance. It was all a plan. Cain never loved me and he didn't want to save me on my wedding day; he wanted everything for her.

I let out a sharp gasp before I could think about it

The room fell silent.

And then the woman turned slowly.

My heart stopped. It was her.

And next to her, lying under the sheets was my husband, Cain. I stared at them in disbelief, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to hold back my tears.

How could they do this to me?

My hands were trembling as I watched them scramble out of the bed.

Their eyes were wide with shock as they watched me. For a moment, we all stood in silence

Then Cain’s lips curled into an arrogant smile. “Elle. What are you doing here?” He asked.

“Today is our anniversary Cain, You didn't come home early and I came looking for you.”

Aliya lifted her chin, holding back laughter. “Cain and I were just discussing some business with the company.”

My heart broke because I knew it was a lie but I couldn't say a word. I swallowed hard and forced a smile.

“You should know not to listen in on conversation Elle,” Cain warned sternly

My stomach twisted. “Sorry.” I managed to respond.

“Let's go home!” He said, leading me out of the room.

As I followed him, I caught Aliya's scowl as she looked at me, her face twisted with anger.

My stomach twisted as I realized the truth. Cain had never loved me; he came to save me in the church because he wanted my father's money.

He had used me, just like James.

But before I could say anything else, my phone vibrated in my bag.

I glanced down at the screen; it was the hospital.

“Hello?” I answered

“Mrs. Blackwood. Your father just got into the ICU. He had a heart attack. You need to come here right now.”

My heart stopped. “No,” I whispered in horror.

I didn’t care about Cain and Aliya anymore. My eyes were filled with tears as I turned around and ran out of the penthouse.

The hospital was bustling when I stormed in. I rushed toward the ICU, my face twisted with fear.

A nurse met me at the entrance.

“He doesn’t have much time,” she said in a hurry.

I pushed past her and entered the room.

My father lay on the hospital bed, surrounded by tubes and machines. He looked weak and pale.

“Dad,” I choked out.

His eyes fluttered open.“Elle,” he called out, reaching for me. I grabbed his hand and held it against my cheek.

“Don’t talk,” I whispered, tears running down my face. “Just rest. You’re going to be okay.”

“I’m… so sorry,” he whispered.

“For what?”

But before he could answer, I heard a loud beep from the monitor.

“No, no, no!” I screamed as the nurses rushed in. I shook him desperately, trying to get him to wake up.

But he was gone.

I stumbled out of his room, struggling to breathe. My world was crumbling all around me.

I walked down the corridor and leaned against the wall, trying to catch my breath when I heard his voice.

Aliya’s voice. I froze and moved closer to the door.

“She is suspecting us,” she hissed into the phone . “We need to handle her before she ruins our plan now that he's dead.”

"Relax; her father is finally dead. Our plan is already coming through.”

They were happy my father was gone. All they wanted was the money.

“We need to get rid of her,” she muttered. “Before she turns against us.”

I could hear Cain sigh through the line. “She’s not a threat.”

She grunted and ended the call in anger.

“He doesn't even know she's pregnant; I can't let her have his baby,” she muttered to herself with annoyance.

My breath caught in my throat in shock. How did she know?

“How did you find out about pregnancy?” I asked, slowly stepping into the room.

She looked up at me in surprise and then her eyes narrowed at me.

“I overheard the specialist talking. I know you have been trying for months, and you finally got her wish. But if you think that baby is going to save you, you're wrong. I won't let you give you Cain an heir.”

I took a step back to get away from here, but my foot hit the door.

I tried to run, but before I could get away, Aliya rushed forward, wrapped her hand around my wrist and dragged me back.

“Where do you think you’re going?” she snarled.

I struggled away from him, “Let go of me!”

She stepped forward with a cruel smile. “You should’ve stayed away, stepsister.”

I tilted myself away from the railings but Aliya held me down. I fought against her hold but she pushed me hard and then I toppled over.

I crashed down the stairs, tumbling too fast and then my head hit the floor hard.

A beeping sound pulled me away from the darkness.

I felt pain blooming in my stomach. I groaned as I slowly stirred awake. I could hardly remember anything, just Aliya pushing me over the railings.

I was barely alive. I tried to sit up, but I felt a sharp sting in my stomach that made me cry out. A nurse ran inside, her eyes filled with pity as she stared at me.

My hand flew to my belly. The baby.

“You’re lucky you are alive,” a nurse’s voice said gently, checking the machines. “We had to do emergency surgery, but we could only save you; the baby was already gone.”

My heart broke; my baby was gone. I held back my screams, my heart breaking all over again.