Kimani thought she was walking into her happily ever after, marrying her boyfriend of three years and fiancé of one. But at the altar, her dream shatters when proof of his infidelity is revealed. Instead of remorse, he humiliates her, blaming her and abandoning her before everyone.

Whispers fill the church, pitying the bride left behind until a powerful man steps forward.

Alaric Walker. Billionaire. Elusive head of the Walker empire. A man feared and respected in equal measure, who suddenly claims her as his wife right there at the altar.

The city is thrown into shock. A marriage born out of scandal, doomed before it even begins or so everyone thinks.

But when Alaric starts treating Kimani with kindness, protecting her, and proving to be the husband she never expected.

And the marriage that everyone thought would be a joke turned out to become one of true love and protection.

KIMANI

I sat in the room waiting, already dressed in my wedding gown, a princess-style dress that my friend designed and made for me. Today was my wedding day-after four years of love, three as Jason’s girlfriend, and one as his fiancée. I was finally getting married to the man I thought was my forever.

The door opened and my dad walked in, his eyes already teary. I forced myself to look away, if I cried, my makeup would be ruined, and there was no extra time to fix it.

“My princess,” he said softly, stretching out his hand for me to take, “your mum would be so proud of you.”

I carefully stood and placed my hand in his. “Thank you, Papa. I’m so happy.”

“I’m happy for you too.” His voice cracked, and he blinked quickly, trying to hide the emotion welling in his eyes. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.” I inhaled deeply, then let it out slowly. “I am.”

“Before you step out, your friends want to see you. I’ll give you a moment.” He kissed my forehead and walked out, his hand lingering on the doorknob as if he didn’t want to leave me just yet.

The moment the door shut, it opened again and my three best friends literally danced in, Zendaya, Malik, and Denise.

“I am so proud of myself,” Malik declared, eyes shining as he spun around me dramatically, taking in the gown.

“Thank you so much, Mal,” I said, smiling warmly.

“Oh hush,” he scoffed with mock arrogance. “Didn’t I always say I’d design each one of your wedding dresses? Look at you, you’re glowing. This masterpiece,” he gestured to the gown, “was made for you.”

Zendaya clasped her hands together, her eyes shimmering. “I swear you look like a real princess, Kimani. Jason is going to faint when he sees you walking down that aisle.”

“Or cry,” Denise added, smirking. “Men love to act tough, but weddings always crack them.”

We all laughed, the sound easing some of the nerves that had begun to build in my stomach.

“I’m just glad today is finally here,” I admitted. “I’ve dreamed about this since Jason proposed. Everything feels… perfect.”

Malik adjusted my veil carefully, making sure it fell just right over my shoulders. “It is perfect. And if anyone dares to say otherwise, they’ll have to deal with me.”

We all chuckled again, but deep inside, I couldn’t shake off the tiny flutter in my chest. Nerves, excitement, and maybe… something else. I brushed it away. This was my wedding day, nothing could go wrong.

After they left me. Papa came back in to get me. "It's time." he said. I nodded, taking a deep breath again. We walked out of the room and made our way to the garden where the wedding is holding.

Papa’s arm was steady as he walked me down the aisle, but my legs trembled beneath my gown. The garden was breathtaking, flowers bloomed in full color, sunlight filtered through draped white fabric, and every seat was filled with family, friends, and guests. My heart raced as I caught sight of Jason at the altar, standing tall in his navy-blue tuxedo, flashing the smile that had once melted every wall I’d built.

This was it. My forever.

The music swelled, people stood, and I could hear little gasps and whispers-everyone’s eyes glued to me as though I were a fairy tale bride come to life.

When Papa placed my hand in Jason’s, I felt a rush of relief. Jason squeezed lightly, but his eyes seemed… distracted. Almost restless. I brushed it off, convincing myself it was just nerves.

The officiant began speaking, his voice warm and steady. “We are gathered here today to witness the union of Jason and Kimani…”

I barely heard the rest. My mind was already writing the story of our happily-ever-after. I imagined our first dance, our honeymoon, our future.

But then..

A voice rang out, cutting through the ceremony like a blade.

“Stop this wedding!”

A woman pushed forward from the crowd, her heels clicking furiously against the aisle runner. She was tall, confident, and familiar. My chest constricted when I realized who she was—Vanessa. Jason’s co-worker. The one he’d sworn was just a friend.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, gasps echoing as she pointed a manicured finger straight at Jason. “You’re really going to stand here and marry her after what we’ve been doing behind her back?”

My heart lurched violently. “What?” I whispered, my voice cracking.

Jason stiffened, his jaw tightening. “Vanessa, not here—”

But before he could finish, the massive screen behind us flickered to life. Guests turned, expecting the video montage of Jason and me. Instead…

The screen filled with footage.

Jason. Kissing Vanessa. Jason. Walking into a hotel with her. Jason. Lying tangled with her in bed, his voice caught on audio saying things I couldn’t unhear. “You’re the only one who makes me feel alive… she’s just comfortable.”

A collective gasp filled the air, louder this time, sharp and cutting. My stomach turned violently as my veil felt heavier against my skin.

“Jason?” My voice broke. “Tell me this isn’t true.”

He didn’t look ashamed. Not one bit. Instead, he turned to me with a scowl, as if I were the one humiliating him.

“This is your fault, Kimani,” he spat, his voice venomous. “You’re clingy. You never trust me. You push me into corners until I can’t breathe. Did you think I wouldn’t find happiness elsewhere?”

The ground beneath me felt like it split in two. My chest caved as tears blurred my vision. “My fault? You cheated on me, Jason!”

The officiant tried to intervene, but Jason yanked his hand free from mine, stepping back. “I can’t do this,” he announced loudly, his words carrying across the stunned guests. “I won’t marry you.”

Then, in front of everyone—my father, my friends, my entire world—he turned his back on me and walked away.

The whispers grew into a deafening roar.

“She’s been left at the altar.”

“How humiliating…”

“I can’t believe Jason did that—”

“Poor girl…”

I stood frozen, the weight of every stare crushing me. My throat burned with unshed tears, but I couldn’t even move, couldn’t even breathe.

I felt few hands holding me up and I was grateful for that because I couldn't even feel my legs.

"Take a deep breath darling." I heard Malik's voice. He was speaking right into my ears but I could still hear all the guests passing comments.

And then, a voice cut through the quiet. Deep. Commanding. Calm, yet carrying an authority that demanded attention.

“I’ll marry her.”

Gasps echoed across the garden, sharper than the last. Heads whipped toward the back, where a man stood, tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit. His presence alone silenced the whispers.

Alaric Walker.

Even I knew who he was. Everyone did. The reclusive billionaire, the untouchable head of the Walker family. The man who lived above gossip, above society itself—because who dared speak against him?

My breath hitched as he walked forward, unhurried, as though this entire scandal had been orchestrated for him to step in. His dark eyes were unreadable, his jaw set with determination that brooked no argument.

“Miss Kimani will not be humiliated today,” he said, his gaze sweeping across the crowd before settling on me. “If Jason is too much of a fool to see her worth, then I will claim her.”

A murmur rippled through the guests. Some mouths hung open in shock, others covered in disbelief.

I stood frozen, trembling, my heart racing so fast I thought it might burst. My lips parted, but no words came out. This couldn’t be real. This wasn’t happening.

But then Alaric reached me, steady and sure, his hand extended toward mine. His voice softened, for me alone.

“Do you trust me, Kimani?”

I didn’t know him. I didn’t know why he was doing this. And yet… in that moment, with the world collapsing around me, he felt like the only solid ground left.

I placed my shaking hand in his.

And the whispers exploded.

Even I was shocked. What the heck am I doing?

KIMANI

The garden erupted into a low hum of disbelief, like bees disturbed from their hive.

“I will claim her.”

Those four words seemed to echo endlessly, leaving me stunned, rooted to the spot. I blinked, convinced I had imagined them, but when I turned, there he was, Alaric Walker.

The Alaric Walker.

Even through the blur of my tears, I recognized him instantly. He was taller in person, his presence overwhelming. Power clung to him like a second skin, making the air around him feel charged. He wasn’t just a man-he was a storm, walking straight toward me with deliberate steps.

“Do you trust me, Kimani?” His deep voice reached me again, softer this time, coaxing, as if it were just us two in the garden.

I couldn’t answer. My mouth opened and closed uselessly. My chest tightened, my pulse thundering in my ears.

“Kimani…” My father’s voice broke through, shaky and uncertain. I turned to see him staring at Alaric, eyes wide with shock. “Do you… know him?”

I shook my head quickly. “No, Papa. I’ve never even spoken to him before today.”

Zendaya stepped closer, clutching my arm. “Wait, wait, you’ve never met him? And he’s asking to marry you here? Just like that?” Her voice trembled.

Malik’s eyes darted between me and Alaric, his usual flamboyance gone. “Babe, this is crazy. You don’t even know him. Are you sure you want this?”

Denise whispered harshly, “Everyone’s watching. If you say yes, your whole life changes. If you say no…” Her eyes flickered toward the guests still whispering cruel things about me. “They’ll keep laughing.”

I swallowed hard, my throat raw. My chest heaved as I stared at Alaric’s hand, still extended, steady, patient. He didn’t look nervous. He didn’t look like a man making an impulsive decision. He looked… certain.

“Kimani.” My father’s voice cracked again. His eyes were full of pain and helplessness. “I just want you to be safe. If this is too much, we can walk away.”

But walking away meant leaving here humiliated, broken, and pitied forever. Jason’s betrayal would follow me. My name would be dragged through the mud before the night was over.

Alaric’s eyes locked onto mine, unreadable, but strangely… grounding. For the first time since the scandal erupted, I felt like I wasn’t drowning.

I took a shaky breath. My voice trembled as I whispered, “Yes.”

Gasps exploded all around us.

Alaric’s lips curved-not into a smile, but into something firm, assured. He clasped my hand, warm and solid, and turned to the officiant. “Continue the ceremony.”

The officiant sputtered, glancing nervously between us, then at my father. Papa’s shoulders sagged, but when his gaze landed on me—pleading, trembling—I nodded slightly. His jaw tightened, and he gave a small, reluctant nod.

And just like that… the ceremony went on.

“Do you, Alaric Walker, take Kimani—”

“I do,” Alaric answered without hesitation, his voice ringing clear.

The officiant turned to me. My legs wobbled, but Alaric’s hand squeezed mine, steadying me.

“Do you, Kimani, take Alaric Walker…”

My breath shuddered, but I managed to say, “I do.”

The crowd erupted again, some in disbelief, others whispering furiously. I don't blame them, this is probably the most intriguing wedding of the decade.

“You may now kiss the bride,” the officiant said, almost nervously.

Alaric stepped closer, towering over me. His dark gaze never wavered as he lowered his head. My lips parted in shock when his mouth brushed mine—brief, firm, but sealing a vow that had changed everything.

In one day, I lost my groom. And gained a husband I had never met.

The wedding ceremony was over. Now, I was actually glad I hadn’t planned a huge reception, because there was no way I could sit in a room full of people, smiling, while they whispered about the bride abandoned and reclaimed in the same hour.

Papa insisted on walking me back down the aisle, though this time my arm was linked not with Jason’s… but with Alaric’s. The contrast was startling. Jason had always held me like I might slip away at any second, as if commitment weighed him down. But Alaric’s grip was firm, grounding, commanding without being suffocating.

Every step felt like walking through fire. Heads craned. Phones clicked. Whispers followed us like shadows.

“She married him?”

“Of all people… Alaric Walker?”

“Do you think it’s a publicity stunt?”

I wanted to disappear, but Alaric walked tall beside me, completely unfazed, his expression carved in stone. He didn’t flinch at the gossip. Didn’t look around. Didn’t even blink. For a second, I wondered if he had staged this, if this entire thing was part of some secret plan.

When we reached the end of the aisle, Papa pulled me into a tight hug. His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “Be careful, my princess. You don’t know him.”

I swallowed hard. “I know, Papa.”

He stepped back reluctantly, his face etched with worry, then turned his sharp gaze to Alaric. “Take care of her,” he said firmly, almost like a warning.

Alaric inclined his head once. “Always.”

And just like that, my father let me go.

The ride away from the ceremony was silent at first. The limo door closed, shutting out the crowd, and suddenly it was just the two of us. Me in my wedding gown, veil slipping, mascara smudged from tears. Him, flawless in his suit, watching me with unreadable eyes.

I fiddled with my hands in my lap, the silence pressing down on me. “Why… why did you do it?” I finally blurted, my voice cracking.

Alaric leaned back, his gaze steady. “Because you didn’t deserve what he did to you. And because you needed saving.”

My chest tightened. “You don’t even know me.”

“True.” His lips curved slightly, it was not a smile, but something close. “But I know weakness when I see it. Jason showed the world he was weak. I won’t let them think the same of you.”

I blinked at him, speechless. Saving my dignity? Protecting me from humiliation? Who did that in this world especially someone like him?

The car rolled to a stop. I glanced out the window, expecting a huge mansion, it was actually bigger than I expected that I held my breath.

The Walker estate loomed ahead. Massive. Secluded. Gilded gates opened slowly, and the limo drove inside.

Panic spiked through me. “Wait, are we… going there?”

Alaric turned his gaze back to me, calm, final. “You’re my wife now, Kimani. This is your home.”

My stomach dropped. My mind spun. Just hours ago, I was planning a honeymoon with Jason. Now, I was being driven into the fortress of a man I had never met until today.

And for the first time since the wedding, the weight of what I had done crashed into me.

I was Mrs. Alaric Walker.

The car came to a stop and Alaric stepped out first. I expected him to keep on walking but he turned around and bent, carrying me out of the car. "You don't have to carry me." I told him.

"I know of a tradition where you have to carry your newly-wedded wife over the threshold of the house." he replied and kept on walking.

He carried me as though I weighed nothing, his stride confident, unhurried. My arms instinctively clutched his shoulders, the solid strength of him both unsettling and strangely reassuring.

The Walker estate was even more imposing up close, arched windows, marble pillars, and carved iron doors that looked like they belonged in a palace rather than a home. The staff lined the entrance, silent and composed, though their eyes widened ever so slightly as their employer strode past them with a bride in his arms.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. They all knew this wasn’t planned. They all knew I was not supposed to be here.

When Alaric finally crossed the threshold, he paused briefly, his voice calm but commanding as he addressed the butler who had hurried forward.

“Prepare the east wing for Mrs. Walker.”

The title jolted me like a slap. Mrs. Walker. That was me now.

The butler bowed quickly. “At once, sir.”

Alaric continued walking, his expression unreadable as he carried me through grand hallways lined with chandeliers and oil paintings of ancestors whose eyes seemed to follow me. My nerves spiked.

“You can put me down now,” I whispered, my voice small in the cavernous silence.

He glanced down at me briefly, and for the first time, I thought I saw the faintest flicker of amusement in his dark eyes. “You’re not a burden, Kimani. You’ll learn that I don’t do things halfway.”

I bit my lip, unsure how to respond. Every word from him felt deliberate, weighted. He didn’t just say things—he declared them.

At last, we reached a set of double doors. He pushed them open with one hand, still holding me effortlessly, and stepped inside a room so vast it could have been a hotel suite.

He finally set me down on my feet. My legs wobbled a little, and I steadied myself by gripping the edge of a velvet armchair.

“This will be your room,” he said simply, his tone final, as though no argument could exist. “If you need anything, the staff will attend to you. You’ll have privacy here.”

I stared at him, confused. “So… we’re not…?” My cheeks burned as I stumbled over the words.

His gaze sharpened, reading me too easily. “You’re my wife, Kimani. But I’m not Jason.” His voice lowered, cool and certain. “I won’t take what isn’t freely given.”

Relief rushed through me so strongly I almost sagged into the chair. At least he wasn’t expecting me to… to perform as his wife tonight.

Still, questions clawed at me, too many to hold in. “Why me? Out of everyone—you don’t even know me. Why would a man like you do something like this?”

He studied me for a long moment, his silence heavier than words. Finally, he said, “Because sometimes, one choice defines everything. I made mine today.”

And with that, he turned toward the door.

Panic fluttered in my chest. He was just going to leave me here? In this castle of strangers?

“Alaric!” I called impulsively.

He paused at the doorway, his tall frame framed by the golden light of the hall.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

For a heartbeat, something softened in his expression, almost imperceptible. Then he inclined his head once, firmly, before disappearing into the hallway.

The doors shut with a quiet click, and I was left alone in a world that wasn’t mine, wearing a gown that no longer felt like it belonged to me.

In less than a day, I had gone from bride-to-be to abandoned… to wife of the most powerful man in the city.

And I had no idea what tomorrow would bring.

KIMANI

After Alaric left, I sat frozen, staring at the door he had disappeared through. My mind spun like a broken record, replaying his words, his eyes, the finality of what had just happened. Married. To him. My wedding day turned into… this.

I pressed my palms against the silky fabric of my dress, grounding myself, though my heart still raced. I didn’t know what to do, what to think, or even how to feel. A mix of betrayal, confusion, and disbelief settled in my chest like a heavy stone.

A soft knock came at the door, polite, careful, almost as if whoever was outside knew I was standing at the edge of breaking.

“Come in,” I said, my voice steadier than I expected.

The door creaked open and a maid slipped inside. She carried a familiar travel bag, one I had used countless times when visiting my father. She set it gently on the couch and gave a slight bow before leaving without a word.

I blinked at the bag. Did Alaric ask someone to collect it from my dad? That is quite thoughtful of him.

I unzipped the bag. Inside were neatly folded clothes, toiletries, and at the very top, my cell phone. I grabbed it like a lifeline, holding it to my chest for a moment before powering it on.

My group chat with Malik, Zendaya and Denise was blowing up. Even though it was just the three of them sending messages, it was so much.

I opened the message box with my dad first.

K - Hi, dad.

P(Papa) - Princess, how are you?

K - I'm breathing.

P - Sweetheart, I'm sorry about Jason.

K - Me too. I'm glad the truth came out before I went all the way.

P - How are you doing right now? With Mr Walker

K - Okay. He just showed me to my room and left me alone.

P - Princess, are you sure you haven't spoken to him before today?

K - No, papa. I'm just as shocked as you are.

P - Let me leave you to freshen up and relax. Talk later.

K - Okay, papa.

After my dad, I finally opened the group chat. My screen lit up with what felt like a hundred messages, each one typed with the urgency only my best friends could bring.

Malik: Babyyy, what the actual hell just happened?!

Zendaya: Kimani, don’t play with us. Did you KNOW Alaric Walker before today?

Denise: Girl, blink twice if you’re being held against your will. I’ll bring my cousins.

I snorted despite myself. My heart was still a mess, but leave it to them to pull out the drama.

K: No, I swear. Today was literally the first time I’ve spoken to him.

Malik: You expect us to believe you got snatched up at the altar like some N*****x special and you didn’t know him before?

Zendaya: Exactly. Why would the billionaire bachelor suddenly decide marriage was the move, today of all days?

Denise: Hold up. Is this a marriage or like… a temporary hostage arrangement?

I laughed out loud, the sound startling in the quiet room. A little weight lifted off my chest, even if it was only for a moment.

K: Guys, relax. I’m okay. Shocked, confused, borderline dizzy, but okay.

Malik: “Okay”? Kimani, you literally just married a man you met THIS MORNING.

Zendaya: Bestie, no offense but… what if he’s a vampire? This has romance novel energy.

Denise: No, vampire would be cute. This has more… mafia vibes. Like, “marry me or else.”

I pressed a hand to my mouth to muffle the giggle that escaped. “You guys are insane,” I whispered.

K: I promise, he didn’t force me. He was calm, polite even. He showed me to this huge fancy room and left me alone.

Malik: Polite kidnappers exist, babe.

Zendaya: We just want to know the WHY. Why you? Why now?

Denise: Also, he’s hot. I think our suffering is worth it.

I hesitated, cheeks warming as my mind flashed to Alaric’s dark eyes, the sharp line of his jaw, the effortless command in the way he spoke. He was… a lot.

K: He’s… decent.

Malik: Girl. DECENT?! That man is on magazine covers. He looks like trouble dipped in chocolate.

Zendaya: Agreed.

Denise: Great. Then the only problem left is you not knowing why your brand-new husband picked you out of billions of women.

I sighed, typing slowly.

K: I don’t know why, but I’ll figure it out. Right now, I just need to breathe.

Malik: Fine. But keep us updated every five minutes.

Zendaya: We love you, pookie.

Denise: And if he breaks your heart, I’m keying his car. Or you can get his credit card and we will max it out.

Their banter drew another laugh from me, a real one this time. My world had turned upside down in the span of a day, but at least some things like my friends’ madness remained the same.

I dropped my phone on the bed and leaned back against the headboard. For the first time since Alaric had walked out, I felt like maybe I could actually breathe.

I stood up and began to take off the wedding dress. Then

I slipped into one of the soft silk robes I found neatly folded at the edge of the bed, definitely not mine. The fabric glided over my skin, cool and impossibly smooth, like something out of a boutique I couldn’t even afford to step into. The robe smelled faintly of lavender and something crisp, expensive.

Freshening up helped, but when I caught sight of myself in the mirror, I almost laughed. My hair was pinned half in, half out, mascara shadows smudged under my eyes, my lips bare. This wasn’t the picture of a newlywed bride. It was the picture of a girl who’d been tossed into a storm she never asked for. I walked into the shower and cleaned up, finally clean I walked back to the room.

A soft knock pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could respond, the door opened, and two maids wheeled in a gleaming silver trolley. My eyes widened. There were trays upon trays of food - grilled salmon, roasted chicken, bowls of pasta, a fresh salad bursting with color, little plates of delicate desserts. My stomach, which had been too knotted all day to even think of food, growled loudly at the sight.

One of the maids gave a small smile and handed me a folded card. “From Mr. Walker, ma’am,” she said softly before they both curtsied and left as quickly as they had come.

I blinked, staring down at the card. My fingers fumbled with the neat fold before opening it.

The handwriting was sharp, precise, and somehow matched him perfectly:

Tell the staff your preferences and any allergies. You won’t need to eat what doesn’t suit you. – A.

I sat heavily on the bed, the card trembling between my fingers. He had thought of this? Thought about what I would eat, what I wouldn’t, what could hurt me? The man who’d barely spoken ten sentences to me had already considered more than Jason had in years.

Jason.

The thought of him made my chest tighten again. He hadn’t even cared if I’d eaten on our dates. Half the time, I had been the one making sure he was comfortable, fed, satisfied. Yet here was Alaric Walker, cold, unreadable, stranger, sending me a literal buffet and making sure I wouldn’t have to explain myself.

I pressed my lips together, pushing the thought away, but a strange warmth unfurled in my chest.

Pulling the trolley closer, I reached for a fork. I wasn’t sure what I wanted, but I knew one thing: I was starving.

I sampled a little of everything, the flavors rich and comforting. By the time I set the fork down, I realized how much calmer I felt, understandable, I love eating anyway.

Leaning back against the pillows, I let out a slow breath.

Married. To Alaric Walker.

Stills feels like a funny dream but I know that it's not.