Chapter 1
Chapter 1
It was supposed to be Mandy Jones’s big day. But instead of a church or a garden, she was headed to a cemetery–the groom, Tobias Lambert, had died overseas.
It seemed like the wedding should have been called off. But the Jones family was determined to push through–even if it meant Mandy would become a widow before she was ever a wife.
The wedding procession was something out of a nightmare: 28 Rolls–Royces, all decked out in flowers–roses on one side, white lilies on the other. The lead car had a simple yet elegant arrangement of white ribbons at the front. It looked more like a funeral than a wedding.
Inside the car, Mandy sat, draped in black veils. Her face was pale, like she’d seen a ghost. She looked like a lifeless doll, just going through the motions.
“Ms. Jones, we’re almost there,” the driver said softly.
Mandy took a deep breath, her eyes squeezing shut for a moment, as if trying to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.
Then she glanced out the window. It had started to rain, the drops tapping gently against the glass. It felt like the sky was crying for her.
A hundred meters ahead, Peace Cemetery loomed through the mist, looking eerie and lifeless. It made Mandy’s heart race with fear.
As the car pulled up to the entrance, a cold wind rushed in when the door opened, making Mandy shiver. It snapped her out of her daze, and for a second, she looked like she might actually fight back.
She pulled out her phone and quickly typed out a message: [I’ll go through with this, but if you don’t keep your word and let my mom go, I’m telling the Lambert family everything. It’s do or die.]
Mandy was being forced into this wedding. If she had any other choice, she’d never marry a stranger who was already gone.
She had a boyfriend, Howard Shawn. They’d been together since high school, all the way through college–five years of memories. She always dreamed of marrying him, but fate had other plans.
Just thinking about Howard made tears well up in her eyes. They’d been through so much together, and she’d just broken up with him yesterday. It felt like her whole world was crashing down.
As she was lost in her thoughts, her phone buzzed with a reply. It
get married, and I’ll keep my promise.]
Caleb, her father: [Don’t get cute. Do what you’re told,
Mandy’s fingers tightened around her phone as she wiped away the tears streaming down her face. She stepped out of the car, clutching the hem of her dress, and made her way into the cemetery.
The chapel loomed ahead, and she could already feel the weight of the moment pressing down on her. As she stepped inside, the sight of the white casket stopped her cold. It was like staring into a void.
The room felt cold and heavy, and she could barely catch her breath. She wanted to turn around and run, but her dad, Caleb, was right behind her, his eyes warning her to stay put. She forced herself to take another step forward.
Above the altar was a photo of Tobias. His sharp eyes seemed to bore into hers, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. It was like he was staring right through her, even in a picture.
The officiant cleared his throat, breaking the heavy silence. “Do you, Penny Jones, take Tobias Lambert to be your husband, to love him, honor him, and cherish him, through all the joys and challenges of life, and to stand by his side, till death do you part?”
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Chapter 1
She wanted to laugh and thought bitterly, ‘It’s absurd. Tobias’s gone, lost to the sea in a tragic accident just days ago, How could I promise to be with him forever when he’s already dead?
A wave of sadness and helplessness washed over her. She wanted to say no, but she couldn’t. But she had no choice. She forced the words out, her voice barely above a whisper. “I… do.”
The officiant didn’t miss a beat. “Now, will the couple exchange rings?” He gestured for Mandy to put a ring on her own finger first, and then on Tobias in the casket.
Mandy’s hands were trembling so hard she could barely hold the ring. She didn’t want to go near the casket, but she had no choice. She forced herself to walk over, eyes fixed on the floor. Her long eyelashes fluttered uncontrollably.
She tried to avoid looking at the casket, but her gaze caught a glimpse of Tobias’s face. She quickly turned her head away, feeling a wave of nausea hit her like a brick.
Three days ago, Tobias had been on a speedboat that exploded at sea. He’d been missing for days, and the Lambert family had searched tirelessly.
When they finally found his body three days later, the damage was done. Heat and time had taken their toll, and even though they’d tried to cover it up, his face in the casket was barely recognizable.
Mandy’s fingers curled around the ring, knuckles pale. She was shaking all over, and a wave of nausea hit her hard.
Her dad Caleb’s impatient voice cut through her thoughts. “What are you waiting for? Hurry up and put the ring on Mr. Lambert!”
But before she could move, Tobias’s father, Richard, stepped in. His c
Let’s get ready for the burial.”
was calm but firm. “Enough. The wedding is over.
Then the staff moved quickly, closing the casket. They started heading toward the gravesite, but halfway there, Richard’s face suddenly darkened. He’d just remembered that Tobias’s portrait was still in the chapel. Without missing a beat, he told Mandy to go get it.
Mandy nodded and hurried back. As she approached the chapel, she saw Howard striding in the same direction. ‘What the hell is he doing here?‘ At this thought, she followed him, her heart pounding with confusion.
Peering through the slightly ajar door, Mandy saw Penny, her stepsister, practically lunging at Howard. And then they were kissing, like they’d been waiting for this moment forever.
“Hitting on me here? You’ve got some nerve,” Howard said, smirking.
Penny giggled, her voice dripping with sweetness. “Your uncle’s gone, and my dear sister married him for me. Now we can finally be together. Don’t you think we deserve a little celebration?”
Mandy’s mind was reeling–Tobias was Howard’s uncle? She was still trying to wrap her head around it when Howard lunged at Penny, his hands finding Penny’s in a way that made Mandy’s skin crawl.
Mandy stood there, her heart pounding, feeling like she’d just stumbled into a disaster movie.
Penny laughed, cold and cruel, “Have Mandy marry that guy to cover up the losses for our broken family? What a brilliant idea, honey. Just think about how Mandy would do if she found out it’s your idea… Ha!”
Mandy felt like she’d been hit by a truck, completely dazed. Her legs felt like they were turning to jelly, and she had to clutch the wall to keep herself from collapsing.
She’d always thought it was her stepmom, Demi, who’d set up the whole sham marriage–Demi had framed her mom, forcing her into this nightmare.
But now, the truth was even more brutal: it was Howard, the guy she’d been with for five years, the one she’d been ready to
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Chapter 1
spend her life with, who’d cooked up this whole scheme.
Mandy felt a wave of nausea wash over her. Everything she thought she kriew was crumbling, Warum wh ger waych through her, making her hands tremble. She clenched them into fists, her nails digging into her game.
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, and then pushed the door open with a loud vong,
Their passion was shattered by this sudden noise, and Howard’s heart leaped into his throat Caught in the act, he was will fumbling with his pants. “Mandy? he whispered, his voice trembling
Mandy stormed in like a hurricane, her face twisted with rage. She didn’t say a word, just swung her hand and dapped Howard three times, each slap echoing in the room.
Howard’s face turned red, and he stared at her, stunned. He touched his cheek, his eyes narrowing, “Mandy, me you crazy?
“Yes, I’m crazy,” Mandy said, her voice shaking with anger. “If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have ever graten involved with someone is messed up as you.”
She raised her hand again, but Howard was quicker this time. He grabbed her wrist and pushed her back. Mandy suurkled and fell to the floor, her head spinning.
She got back up, wiping her bleeding mouth, her eyes cold and furious. “You think this is just a game? the spa. “What do you think will happen if the Lambert family finds out what you’re doing here?”
Howard’s face twisted, and he glanced at Penny, who looked just as scared. Then Howard grabbed a vase from the table, ready to shoot at Mandy.
Startled, Mandy slammed the door shut and sprinted outside, her heart pounding. She just ran, trying to put as much distance between them as possible.
When she finally lost them, she realized she was lost herself. The forest was thick and dark, and she had no idea which way to go. She didn’t have her phone, so she couldn’t call for help.
Mandy’s heart raced as she scanned the surroundings, her eyes landing on a motionless figure a few meters away.
The man was barely recognizable, his face obscured by some kind of disguise. But the tattered remains of his clothes revealed a lean, muscular build, marred by scars that hinted at a violent past. Fresh blood seeped through the rips, painting a picture of a brutal ordeal.
As a medical student, Mandy’s instincts kicked in. She sprinted over and rolled the man onto his back. “Hey, are you okay? You hear me?” she called out urgently.
Forgetting her own fear, she reached for his pulse and checked his breathing. But the moment her fingers touched him, his eyes snapped open. They were dark and piercing, like a stormy abyss, sending a chill down her spine.
Mandy’s mind went blank for a second. Before she could react, the man lunged at her, knocking her to the ground. His lips crashed down on hers in a forceful kiss.
She couldn’t figure out what was going on and just gasped, her voice muffled with anger. “Get off me!”
But he didn’t let up. She struggled to catch her breath, overwhelmed by the intensity of his actions.
This was the first time Mandy had ever been this close to another man, and her heart pounded with panic. She writhed beneath him, managing to gasp out, “Get off me! I’m a widow. My dead husband would haunt you!”
She hoped her words would scare him away, but instead, there was a sudden tearing sound. In an instant, her clothes were shredded, leaving her vulnerable and exposed.
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