"ONE HOUSE FOUR MEN MY CHOICE"

CHAPTER 1 The clock hit twelve, and I became four people’s wife in sixty seconds. The hall was white and cold and full of people who were paid to pretend they weren’t judging me. At 11:59 PM I was Veyla Cross, the girl who buried three husbands. By 12:00 AM I was Mrs. Knox Blackwell, Mrs. Zade King, Mrs. Riven Cole, and Mrs. Vale Ashford. It wasn’t love. It was a loophole. _If I marry four at once, maybe Death will get confused and leave me alone._ Knox stood beside me like he was signing a merger. Black suit, no smile, eyes that looked right through me. Zade was barefoot and grinning like this was a music video. Riven stood still, hands in his pockets, looking at me like I was a diagnosis he couldn’t fix. And Vale. Vale didn’t look at me at all. He was watching the exits. The priest said something about love and honor. I don’t remember. I just said “I do” four times and walked out. The mansion was huge and empty and smelled like money. Knox picked it. Of course he did. Maeve dumped my suitcase in the foyer and looked around. “Okay so. _This is the dumbest, hottest idea you’ve ever had._ And I’m 100% here for it.” Dex was already behind the bar. “Important question. Which wedding had the best cake? For research.” I threw a pillow at him. “You two are staying?” “30 days,” Maeve said. “Contract. _We’re your shield._” “More like my chaos,” I said. But my chest felt lighter. At least I wouldn’t be alone in this. Upstairs the house was quiet in four different ways. Knox’s study was silent except for a pen. Zade’s music room had a guitar playing something low and dark. Riven’s kitchen had running water. And Vale was standing by the stairs in the dark. He didn’t say anything when I passed. He just watched. I went to my room and locked the door. I told myself it was for safety. The truth was I was scared of my own thoughts. At midnight the room turned to ice. I woke up gasping and she was there. At the foot of my bed. Black dress. No shoes. Smiling. _“Veyla Cross,”_ she said. Her voice was winter. _“28 days. Choose the one you love. With your heart. Lie, and I take them all.”_ My throat closed. I couldn’t scream. _“Start falling,”_ she whispered. _“It’s going to be fun.”_ And then she was gone. I sat up, shaking, and before I could even process it, there was a soft click at my door. Vale. He had a spare key. _“For emergencies,”_ he said quietly when he saw me staring at it. He looked wrecked. Hair damp, shirt half unbuttoned, eyes dark as he scanned the room. “Bad dream?” he asked. I nodded. I couldn’t speak. He walked in and closed the door behind him. Poured me water from the glass on my nightstand. When he handed it to me, our fingers brushed. His were warm. Mine were freezing. “You’re cold,” he said. “It’s August.” “You’re still cold.” He was about to turn to leave when I did something stupid. I reached out and grabbed his wrist. He stopped. “I’m scared,” I whispered. The words came out before I could stop them. “_Please stay with me._” Vale looked at my hand on his wrist, then at my face. For a second he didn’t move. Then he nodded once. He didn’t get into my bed. He went to the sofa in the corner, pulled the throw blanket over himself, and lay down. “Sleep,” he said. “I’m here.” I got back into bed. But I couldn’t sleep. Every sound made me jump. Every shadow looked like her. After twenty minutes I gave up. _This is stupid,_ I told myself. _He’s your husband. On paper. You’re allowed._ I slipped out of bed and walked to the sofa. Vale was asleep, or pretending to be. The blanket was pulled up to his chest. I sat down on the edge of the sofa. Vale’s eyes opened instantly. Dark. Alert. “I’m not going to bite,” I whispered. “I didn’t think you would,” he said. Before I could overthink it, I lay down next to him. The sofa was small. Our shoulders touched. Vale didn’t say anything. He just shifted and then his arm came around me. Not tentative. Not asking. _He pulled me in and held me tight, like he was scared I’d fall off._ His hand was warm on my back. His breathing was steady. And for the first time in three years, I slept without dreaming of funerals. --- Morning came with sunlight and the smell of coffee. I woke up alone. The blanket was still there. Vale was gone. Downstairs the house was too quiet. Knox was in a suit, leaving. Zade was putting on sunglasses. Riven was checking his watch. Vale was by the door, holding his briefcase. They all looked up when I came down. Knox’s eyes did a quick scan of me. “You look better.” “Did I?” I asked. “You slept,” Vale said. It wasn’t a question. Zade grinned. “Rough night ? I heard it was very... supportive.” I threw a grape at him. “Shut up.” Maeve and Dex were at the table, eating. “Morning sunshine,” Dex said. “How’s married life? Anybody die yet?” “Not yet,” I said. “Give it 29 days.” Knox picked up his keys. “I’m going to the office. You’re coming with me.” “I—” “Don’t argue,” he cut in. “It’s safer there.” Zade opened his mouth. “I can take her—” “No,” Knox and Vale said at the same time. Zade threw his hands up. “Fine. But I’m calling dibs on dinner.” Ten minutes later I was in the back of Knox’s car. The city passed by in a blur. To be continued....