Sera's POV
"I'm not signing anything until I read every word."
It's 9 AM, and Damien's lawyer just slid a thick contract across the table at me. We're in some fancy office downtown, and my head is still spinning from everything that happened last night.
"Smart," Damien says from across the table. "Take your time."
I flip through the pages. Legal words I barely understand fill every line. But some parts are crystal clear:
This marriage is a business deal only.
No romantic or physical relationship is expected or needed.
Both parties keep separate residences and finances.
Marriage dissolves automatically upon completion of agreed goals.
"Agreed objectives?" I look up. "You mean destroying the Thorntons?"
"Among other things." Damien nods to his lawyer, who pulls out another paper. "This explains the full plan. Phase one: marry today and announce your real name tomorrow. Phase two: freeze Thornton assets and file criminal charges. Phase three: take control of Ashford Empire."
"And phase four?" I ask.
"You divorce me and live happily ever after with your billions." Damien's tone is businesslike. Cold. "Or you keep the company and build your own kingdom. Your choice."
It sounds great. Too perfect.
"What do you get out of this?" I ask carefully.
"Justice for my father. Satisfaction watching them burn." Damien leans forward. "And a clear conscience knowing I did the right thing."
His lawyer coughs. "Also, Mr. Cross's company gains access to Ashford Empire's technology patents through the marriage merger clause—" "Which I'll return to you fully after the divorce," Damien interrupts smoothly. "It's just temporary access for legal protection purposes."
I study his face. He meets my eyes without flinching.
"You're doing all this for temporary patent access?"
"I'm doing this because you're family." Something flickers in Damien's face. "And because no one should have to watch their sister suffer."
The word "sister" still sounds strange. Yesterday I had no family. Today I have a brother who's offering me everything I need for payback.
"Okay." I pick up the pen. "I'll sign."
"Read it first," Damien says. "All forty-three pages. I'll wait."
So I do. It takes two hours, but I read every single line. The lawyer explains anything confusing. Damien sits calmly, drinking coffee and checking his phone.
Finally, I reach the last page.
My hand hovers over the signing line. Once I sign this, everything changes. No going back. No more being Sera Thornton, the thankful adoptee. I become Sera Ashford, the heiress wanting revenge.
I think about Adrian getting ready for his wedding right now. Putting on his tuxedo. The tuxedo he was going to wear for me.
I think about Vanessa zipping up my dress. My beautiful dress that cost me three months of pay.
I think about Margaret and Richard, probably happy that they finally got rid of me.
My hand steadies.
I sign my name. Sera Ashford.
Damien signs next to mine. Then the lawyer sees both signatures.
"Congratulations," the lawyer says. "The marriage license is already filed. You're officially married as of this moment."
That fast. One autograph and I'm Mrs. Cross.
"Now what?" I ask.
"Now we go shopping." Damien stands. "You need clothes, phone, laptop—everything. The Thorntons are tracking your old phone. We'll get you a new number."
"I don't have money—"
"You have eight hundred million dollars," Damien tells me. "You just need to take it. For now, everything goes on my card." He holds up a hand when I start to argue. "Business spending. I'm investing in your payback."
Three hours later, I have new clothes, a new phone, and a new laptop. Damien's credit card didn't even blink at the bills.
We're eating lunch at some expensive place when my new phone buzzes. A text from Maya, my best friend. Damien must have given her my new number.
Maya: OMG where are you?? Adrian's wedding is in 2 hours and you're not answering. Are you okay??
I look at the message. The wedding. It's really happening.
"You should go," Damien says, reading over my shoulder.
"What? No. Why would I—"
"Because you need to see it." His eyes are deliberate. "You need to see Adrian marry Vanessa so you stop hanging onto hope. Hope makes you weak. Anger makes you strong."
He's right. Part of me still hopes Adrian will stop the wedding. Will realize he loves me. Will choose me.
That hope is dangerous.
"Fine," I say. "But I'm not going alone."
"I'll be right beside you." Damien's smile is sharp. "Let's show them exactly what they threw away."
The church is packed when we arrive. I'm wearing one of my new dresses—elegant, expensive, nothing like the cheap clothes I wore as Sera Thornton.
Damien leads me to a seat in the back row. People stare. Whisper. They don't recognize me yet, but they recognize him. Damien Cross is famous.
The music starts. Everyone stands.
Vanessa emerges at the end of the aisle.
She's wearing my dress. My cover. Carrying my flowers.
Living my dream.
My hands clench into fists. Damien's hand covers mine, steadying me.
"Breathe," he whispers. "Let the anger build. You'll need it tomorrow."
Adrian stands at the altar. He looks unhappy. His face is pale, his eyes are red.
Good. He should be unhappy.
The ceremony starts. Words about love and loyalty. Words that should have been said to me.
"If anyone objects to this union," the priest says, "speak now or forever hold your peace."
The church goes dead.
Adrian's eyes scan the room. Searching. Looking for someone.
Looking for me.
Our eyes meet across the busy church.
His face breaks. He says one word: "Please."
I stand up.
Everyone gasps. Turns to stare.
Damien grabs my wrist. "Don't," he warns softly.
But I'm already going. Walking down the aisle toward Adrian. Toward Vanessa. Toward the family that destroyed me.
"Sera?" Margaret's voice rings out, shocked. "What are you doing here?"
I reach the altar. Look Adrian dead in the eyes.
"I object," I say clearly.
Vanessa looks angry. Margaret stands up, enraged. Richard's face goes purple.
"On what grounds?" the priest asks uncomfortably.
"On the grounds that this bride is a liar," I say to the entire church. "Her heart problem is fake. Her dying dream is fraud. And this wedding is built on six years of lies."
Chaos erupts. People shouting. Vanessa screaming. Adrian looking at me like I'm a ghost.
"You're crazy!" Vanessa shrieks. "Security! Get her out!"
"I have proof," I say quietly. I pull out my new phone and hold up the medical papers Damien gave me. "Real medical records showing Vanessa Thornton is fully healthy. No heart problem. No terminal disease. Just lies."
Richard leaps for me, but Damien appears at my side, blocking him.
"Touch her and I'll have you arrested," Damien says coldly.
"Who are you?" Richard wants.
Damien's smile is wicked. "I'm Damien Cross. CEO of Cross Global Holdings. And as of two hours ago, I'm Sera's husband."
The church goes dead silent.
Adrian's face drains of all color. "What?"
"We got married this morning," I repeat, holding up my left hand. The massive gem catches the light. "Turns out I'm worth eight hundred million dollars. Funny what you learn when you're not too busy being grateful."
I turn to leave, but Damien stops me.
"There's one more thing," he says loud enough for everyone to hear. He looks straight at me, his expression unreadable. "Don't fall in love with me, Sera. This marriage ends when the Thorntons are killed. Nothing more."
His words hit like ice water.
Then he leans close and whispers so only I can hear: "And whatever you do, don't trust anyone. Not Adrian. Not your friend Maya. Not even me."