The Billonaire Who Stole The Wrong Bride

Freya Walker stared at her reflection in the full length mirror, her fingers trembling slightly against the delicate lace of the wedding gown. The dress was beautiful, far too beautiful for her. Soft ivory fabric hugged her waist, flowing down into layers of silk that brushed the floor like whispers. Diamonds sparkled along the neckline, catching the light from the chandelier above. It was a dress designed for someone else, it was designed for Freda. Freya swallowed hard, her chest tightening as the reality of the moment pressed heavily against her lungs. “I can’t do this,” she whispered. Behind her, her father’s voice came sharp and impatient. “You can, and you will.” Freya slowly turned around. Thomas Walker stood near the door of the bridal suite, his expression cold and unforgiving. His perfectly tailored suit and rigid posture made him look more like a businessman closing a deal than a father preparing to give his daughter away. “This wedding starts in ten minutes,” he said flatly. “The guests are already seated and the Vance family is waiting.” Freya’s heart pounded painfully. “But I’m not the bride,” she said, her voice shaking. “Freda is.” A flash of irritation crossed Thomas Walker’s face. “Freda is no longer available.” As she heard, Freya clenched her hands. Her sister’s name felt bitter in her mouth. Just two hours ago, Freya had been quietly reading in her small apartment, completely unaware that the most powerful wedding of the year was about to collapse then her father had arrived and everything changed. “She ran away,” Freya said, the words still sounding unreal. Thomas’s jaw tightened. “Your sister made a reckless decision,” he said coldly. “But the Walker family will not be humiliated because of her foolishness.” Freya stared at him in disbelief. “So your solution is to force me to marry him?” “To save this family,” he corrected sharply. Freya let out a quiet, disbelieving laugh. “Save the family?” she repeated. “Or save your business?” Silence fell between them, that silence told her everything she needed to know. The Walker family had been drowning in debt for years. Ever since the disastrous business deal with Vance Corporation, their reputation in the business world had crumbled. This marriage had been their lifeline and now that Freda had abandoned it, Freya was the replacement. “You’re overreacting,” Thomas said dismissively. “This marriage benefits everyone.” “Everyone except me.” “You should be grateful.” Freya’s eyes widened. “Grateful?” “Yes,” he replied coolly. “You’re about to marry Jackson Vance.” The name alone sent a ripple through the air. Jackson Vance, one of the youngest billionaires in the country. CEO of the Vance Group, ruthless in business and powerful enough to make or destroy companies with a single decision and tonight, he was waiting at the altar for the wrong bride. “He’s going to find out,” Freya whispered. Thomas walked closer, his expression darkening. “Then you’d better make sure he doesn’t.” Freya felt a chill crawl down her spine. “You want me to lie to him?” “I want you to marry him,” Thomas said firmly. “Everything else will work itself out.” Freya stared at her father, searching his face for even the smallest trace of hesitation but she found none. To him, this was nothing more than a transaction, a business deal sealed with a wedding ring. A knock sounded on the door, making both of them turn. “The ceremony is about to begin,” a wedding coordinator called from outside. Freya’s stomach twisted, so this was really happening. Across the city’s most luxurious cathedral, hundreds of elite guests were waiting to witness the union of two powerful families. None of them knew the bride had vanished, none of them knew the woman about to walk down the aisle was never meant to be there. Freya turned back toward the mirror. The girl staring back at her looked calm but inside, everything felt like it was collapsing. “You don’t understand,” she murmured softly. Thomas frowned. “Understand what?” Freya slowly met his gaze. “You’re not just forcing me into a marriage,” she said quietly. “You’re sending me straight into the life of the man who destroyed ours.” Thomas’s expression flickered for the briefest moment. Years ago, a ruthless acquisition by Vance Group had crushed Walker Industries. Investors vanished overnight and contracts disappeared. Their family had never recovered and now Freya was being forced to marry the man behind it all. “Business is business,” Thomas said coldly. Freya looked away. Maybe he was right, maybe it was business, but as she picked up the bouquet resting on the table beside her, a strange calm settled over her racing thoughts. If she was going to walk into Jackson Vance’s world, then she wasn’t going in as a helpless victim. She would learn his secrets and his weaknesses and the truth behind the deal that destroyed her family. The doors of the cathedral slowly opened. Music swelled through the hall and Freya stepped forward, her heart pounding louder with every step. Rows of guests filled the massive room, their whispers rippling through the crowd as she appeared at the entrance. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, white roses lined the aisle and at the end of it, Jackson Vance stood waiting, tall, unmoving and powerful. Even from a distance, his presence was overwhelming. His sharp black suit fit him perfectly, and his dark gaze seemed to command the entire room. For a moment, Freya wondered if he could already sense something was wrong. Her grip tightened on the bouquet and the music continued. Step by step, she walked down the aisle. Every pair of eyes followed her, judging, watching and waiting. When she finally reached the altar, the air felt heavy with tension. Jackson Vance slowly looked down at her. His gaze was cold, observant and dangerously sharp. Freya forced herself not to look away. The priest began speaking, but the words barely registered in her ears because Jackson was staring at her like a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve, then suddenly he leaned closer, close enough that only she could hear him. His voice was low, calm and terrifying. “You’re not Freda.” Freya’s breath caught. Jackson’s dark eyes narrowed slightly and for the first time since she entered the cathedral, a dangerous smile appeared on his face. “Well,” he murmured quietly. “This just became interesting.” Freya’s heart dropped because the ceremony hadn’t even begun yet and Jackson Vance had already discovered the truth.