CHAPTER 1 – The Perfect Wedding Was Built on a Perfect Lie
Everyone said Ethan Carter was the luckiest man in New York.
Successful.
Handsome.
Owner of one of the fastest-growing investment firms in Manhattan.
And standing beside him at the altar was Amelia Brooks—the woman every magazine called "America's Sweetheart."
The ballroom looked like something out of a royal fairy tale.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled above hundreds of guests.
Thousands of white roses covered every corner.
People cried before the ceremony even began because the couple looked so perfect together.
When Amelia slowly walked toward Ethan in her breathtaking white gown, the entire room stood in applause.
Ethan smiled confidently.
Everything had gone exactly according to his plan.
Nobody knew the truth.
Nobody knew Amelia wasn't the woman he truly loved.
Three years earlier, Ethan had secretly fallen in love with another woman—Vanessa, his ambitious assistant.
They had been having an affair for nearly two years.
But Vanessa had one problem.
She was broke.
Amelia, however, was the only daughter of billionaire businessman Richard Brooks.
Marrying Amelia meant inheriting an empire worth billions.
So Ethan promised Vanessa something shocking.
"Just wait."
"Once Amelia signs everything after the wedding... I'll divorce her."
"Then all of it will belong to us."
Vanessa believed every word.
Together they secretly planned the biggest con of Amelia's life.
Every romantic dinner...
Every proposal...
Every kiss...
Every promise...
It was all an investment.
Not love.
As the priest asked the famous question...
"Do you, Ethan Carter, take Amelia Brooks..."
Ethan answered instantly.
"I do."
Thunderous applause filled the ballroom.
The guests smiled.
The cameras flashed.
Everything was perfect.
Until Amelia slowly looked into Ethan's eyes...
And smiled.
Not the smile of a woman in love.
The smile of someone who already knew every secret.
She quietly leaned closer.
Only Ethan could hear her.
Then she whispered six words that made the color disappear from his face.
"Vanessa says hello... my husband."
For the first time in years...
Ethan forgot how to breathe.
The guests thought he was simply emotional.
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But Amelia had just declared war.
And nobody in that ballroom had any idea what was about to happen.
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