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Chapter One

KYLA’s POV

“Screech!” The sound of tires on the pavement echoed in the hall as the car came to a stop on the church premises.

Two imposing bodyguards approached, their presence commanding as they opened the door for me. As I stepped out, the world seemed to hold its breath. Dressed in an elegant white wedding gown, a stunning blend of opulence and simplicity, I surveyed the scene. The church buzzed with curious onlookers, their eyes filled with anticipation—everyone was here to catch a glimpse of the groom, but little did they know, he wouldn’t be showing up.

With each step on the luxurious red carpet, I felt a rush of adrenaline. I glided towards the grand hall, my head held high, immune to the whispers darting around me.

“Hmph!” I inhaled deeply as I approached the altar, pushing the gossip aside and embracing the moment.

In the front row, my mom beamed with pride, sitting beside my siblings, while my dad watched solemnly from his chair. The atmosphere was electric as I strode confidently to the altar.

Then, it happened—I declared my wedding vows, a moment that should have been shared with a partner but instead echoed solo in the cavernous space. The groom, the man meant to stand beside me, had sent someone in his place. “He couldn’t attend,” they said, delivering the message on his behalf, while a lavish limousine awaited to whisk me away to his home.

No, this wasn’t the “we” moment most couples lived for. It was a whirlwind of joy intertwined with embarrassment—how could I be marrying a man who chose to send a substitute? Yet, there I was, filled with a mix of exhilaration and confusion. What an unforgettable day!

Well, my name is Kyla, I'm in my early 20s and getting married to a stranger today. Rumors have it that my husband is so ugly he couldn't attend his wedding.

Yes! I knew I was all done for, but I needed to get married as the benefits on the contract were eye-catching, and it was going to change my family forever.

I knew I was in over my head, but I needed to go through with this marriage because the benefits outlined in the contract were too enticing to ignore. This would change my family's life forever.

No one has ever seen my husband's face. Some say he is a spirit, while others claim he is the devil.

The whispers among the guests continued.

After we exchanged our wedding vows, I took pictures with my parents and siblings, as no one else would join us. They criticized my family for marrying solely for money.

As I stepped into the limousine that would take me to my new home, I noticed my mom forcing tears, and I couldn't help but feel disgusted.

I waved goodbye to my dad and my troublesome siblings as the car pulled away, and I could see the pity according to the onlookers as I left.

I sat in the car, the warm sun filtering through the leaves, lost in thought about how I unexpectedly became a bride to a man I hardly knew.

The soft sound of water splashing drew me back to reality as I perched on a sun-warmed rock, scrubbing the damp cloth that clung to my skin, its dampness betraying a scent of sweat from a long day. Nearby, two women gathered by the riverbank, their voices rising above the gentle lapping of the water as they exchanged the latest village gossip.

“I heard a wealthy man is searching for a bride,” one of them said, her tone a mix of intrigue and disbelief.

“I also heard he’s ugly,” the other woman replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she finished the thought.

“Who would ever want to marry their daughter to such an ugly devil?” the first woman added, her voice laced with derision as they both laughed, the sound echoing in the tranquil surroundings.

I finished washing my clothes and left the scene, a swirl of thoughts occupying my mind as I ambled home. When I arrived, I eagerly shared the latest gossip with my twin brothers, unaware that our mother had been standing nearby, her ears catching every word we exchanged.

Two days later, my mom called out to me from the kitchen, “Kyla, your wedding is in just five days.”

At first, I chuckled, but as I turned to her, I saw the seriousness in her eyes. She held up a document that looked too official to be a joke, and my heart sank a little.

“I just overheard your conversation, and I wanted to talk to you about it. There are so many advantages to marrying him, Kyla,” she explained, her tone warm yet insistent.

I felt a mix of confusion and frustration. “How could you do this, Mom?” I asked, sifting through the papers as my emotions swirled.

I snapped back to reality, shaking off the memories of the past as I left behind the familiar and stepped into the unknown. Perhaps it was fate, but I couldn’t help but feel that it wasn’t meant for someone like me—an ugly man. I had planned to either plead for my freedom or escape to a place where no one would recognize me or dig into my past.

The ride felt endless, the sun sinking lower in the sky as shadows crept across the landscape. Anxiety gnawed at me, a relentless companion. As I gazed out the window, the world outside transformed; thick, towering trees loomed like ancient sentinels, their gnarled branches intertwining overhead. I felt a chill run through me, wondering just where I was headed and what kind of lives unfolded in the secluded corners of this narrow, winding road.

The woods grew denser, the shadows deeper, consuming the fading light as my eyes began to droop. I fought hard to keep them open, but the exhaustion was overwhelming, a heavy fog that threatened to pull me into its depths as I battled to remain awake and aware of my surroundings.

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