Chapter 1 The Stolen Wedding

Clara Evans had always imagined her wedding day would be a quiet, elegant affair. A soft lace gown. A simple ceremony. The kind of love that warmed her from the inside out.

Instead, she was standing under a crystal chandelier in the grandest hotel ballroom in the city, wearing a dress she hadn't even picked herself, preparing to marry a man she didn't love, because her family needed saving.

Her hands trembled as she clutched the bouquet. Around her, hundreds of guests whispered excitedly, snapping photos and throwing curious glances at the bride who was marrying the son of a powerful real estate magnate.

This isn't love, Clara reminded herself as she forced a smile. This is survival.

Across the room, her groom, Daniel Whitmore, tall, polished, and unbearably smug - adjusted his cufflinks, barely looking at her. His family had agreed to pay off the debt her father owed in exchange for this marriage, and Daniel had made it clear in private that she should feel grateful.

"Relax," Daniel said under his breath as he approached her at the altar. His smile was too sharp to be reassuring. "You're about to become Mrs. Whitmore. Try to look happy."

Clara's stomach twisted, but she nodded faintly, lifting her chin. She had promised her father she would go through with this, no matter how humiliating it felt.

The officiant began speaking, and the crowd hushed.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join these two people"

The doors to the ballroom slammed open with a force that made everyone jump.

A man strode in, tall and commanding, dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit that looked like it cost more than Clara's entire wedding. His presence was magnetic, sucking the air from the room as he walked forward without hesitation, his dark eyes locked on her.

Clara's heart stuttered. She knew that face, everyone in the city did.

Adrian Wolfe.

The billionaire heir to Wolfe Holdings. A man known for ruthless business deals and a reputation for never losing, no matter what it cost.

What was he doing here?

Gasps rippled through the guests as Adrian walked straight up to the altar.

Daniel bristled, stepping in front of Clara. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Wolfe?"

Adrian didn't even look at him. His eyes stayed on Clara, intense and unreadable.

"You can't marry him," Adrian said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

Clara blinked, confused and frozen. "Excuse me?"

Adrian's jaw tightened. "You're coming with me."

The entire room erupted into murmurs. Daniel's face turned crimson.

"Leave," Daniel snapped. "Now. Before I call security."

Adrian finally turned his head, his cold gaze sweeping over Daniel with contempt. "Do you really think you can afford a fight with me, Whitmore? You're already drowning in debt. One word from me, and every investor you have will pull out tomorrow."

Daniel's bravado faltered.

Clara's pulse pounded in her ears. She wanted to scream that this wasn't happening, that it was some kind of nightmare, but Adrian Wolfe's presence felt far too real.

"Why are you here?" she asked, finally finding her voice.

Adrian's eyes softened for the briefest second, but his words were firm. "Because you're going to be my wife instead."

The room went dead silent again.

Clara's breath caught. "What?"

Adrian stepped closer, lowering his voice, but it was still firm enough for the nearest guests to hear. "Your father's debt? I bought it this morning. Whitmore can't save your family anymore, Clara. Only I can."

Clara felt as if the floor had been ripped out from beneath her.

"You... you bought my father's debt?" she whispered.

Adrian nodded. "And the only condition I have is that you marry me. Right now."

The weight of his words crashed over her like a tidal wave.

Daniel exploded. "This is insane! You can't just waltz in here and steal my bride like she's property!"

Adrian turned to him, expression deadly calm. "She was never yours to begin with. And unlike you, I can actually keep her family's home from being sold to the banks."

Clara's fingers tightened on the bouquet until the flowers bent. Her mind spun. This couldn't be happening.

"You can't do this," she whispered, more to herself than to Adrian.

Adrian's gaze softened for a fraction of a second. "I can. And I am."

He held out his hand to her, palm steady, eyes dark with determination.

"Clara," he said quietly, for her alone. "Choose me. Or watch your father lose everything."

Her heart twisted painfully.

She looked at Daniel, who was red-faced and sputtering threats. She looked at the horrified faces of the guests. Then she looked at Adrian, unreadable, unyielding, and terrifyingly calm.

If I walk away, my father will lose the house, the business, everything...

Clara felt the tears burn behind her eyes. She didn't want this. She didn't even know Adrian Wolfe beyond the ruthless headlines. But she couldn't let her father suffer for her pride.

Her fingers trembled as she slowly placed her hand in Adrian's.

The crowd gasped.

Adrian's grip tightened, strong and warm, pulling her toward him.

Daniel cursed loudly, but Adrian didn't spare him another glance.

"Good choice," Adrian murmured to her, his voice low.

Clara wanted to yank her hand back, scream at him, anything, but her body moved like it no longer belonged to her as Adrian turned to the officiant.

"Continue," Adrian ordered coolly.

The officiant looked as if he might faint. "Uh... Mr. Wolfe, this isn't legal0"

"Make it legal," Adrian cut in sharply. "Now."

The officiant swallowed hard, glancing at Clara, who stood frozen.

Adrian's thumb brushed over her knuckles, the only sign of anything resembling comfort. "It's just words," he murmured under his breath. "Say them, and your family is safe."

Clara bit her lip so hard she tasted blood.

"Fine," she whispered.

The officiant cleared his throat nervously and began again.

"Do you, Adrian Wolfe, take Clara Evans to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Adrian's answer was immediate. "I do."

Clara's voice shook when her turn came. "I... I do."

And just like that, with a few trembling words and a stolen choice, Clara Evans became Mrs. Adrian Wolfe.

The guests erupted into chaos as Adrian led her out of the ballroom. Cameras flashed, guests shouted questions, Daniel yelled behind them, but Adrian didn't stop.

He didn't even look back as he guided Clara into a sleek black car waiting outside.

The door slammed shut, cutting off the noise.

For a long moment, the only sound in the car was Clara's ragged breathing.

She finally turned to him, fury sparking through her shock. "What have you done?"

Adrian leaned back, calm as ever, his dark eyes studying her.

"What I had to," he replied simply. "You're my wife now."

Clara stared at him, heart pounding. "This isn't a marriage. This is blackmail!"

He didn't deny it.

"Call it whatever you want," Adrian said smoothly. "But you're mine now, Clara. And until I decide otherwise, you'll stay by my side."

Clara's hands clenched in her lap.

She wanted to scream, to cry, to claw at him, but all she could do was sit there as the city blurred past the window.

Her wedding day, the day that was supposed to change her life, had just been stolen from her.

And the thief sitting beside her didn't look the slightest bit sorry.