A Substitute Bride for Mr. Voss

st

rty went on. Organizing this engagement party for one of the bigges

pieces and spotless glassware. Each table had delicate arrangements of ivory ro

ould finally put my name on the map. I'd been on the grind, taking small gigs

bout. The compliments from the guests filled me with pride-this was exactly the kind of buzz

usually calm expression was twisted with worry, her brows furrowed as she wrung her hands. I had hired Nora

even as dread began to stir in my chest. I'd worked tirelessly

ake sure no one could hear. I stared at her, feeling a cold wave of sh

party," I hissed, keeping my voice low but sharp. Nora shook her

worried," she said, biting her lip. The thought of a panicked groom sent another shiver of anxiety through

by, offering polite nods and murmuring gre

I could walk faster, my mind racing through possible explanations. Ma

. She sped up to keep pace with me as we made our way through the main

The whole arrangement had b

he groom's secretary. She wanted a lavish engagement party for her bos

the groom was a high-profile executive for Zenith Crypt, on

g even harder, but the paycheck was go

unused hall, and Nora hesitated, f

d, a note of reluctance in her voice.

asn't about to walk away without getting some answers. She bit her lip again, her

pened, and I stepped inside. The room was dim, hazy, and smelled faintly of

per. Every instinct told me that I shouldn't be here, that I

on. I took another cautious step forward, my heels sinkin

me from my left, stop

was oddly familiar, sending a chill down my spine. I felt m

g. He continued, his ton

ctly what will happen to your company." There was a dark edg

ike that, especially on a night th

we had, Xavier, was a deal. Deals aren't supposed to be canceled at the last minute." Hi

ment nothing more than

on me. The guests, the decorations,

deal made under false pretenses. My stomach twisted at the thought, a

oy in organizing events like this and s

ntainer left on the floor. It toppled over with a l

voice sharp. Panic flooded throu

e, hoping he'd believe I hadn't heard anything important. My mind ra

in my body tense, as I looked up. An

as A

r a moment, I couldn't b

wed as he took me in, recognizing me

night arguments, the whispered promises, t

, barely able to beli

, the man I'd been planning this ent