The Devil’s unwilling bride

Facing her reality

The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Maple’s room, gently stirring her awake. She opened her eyes slowly, only to be reminded of the conversation she had with her father the previous day. A dull ache settled in her chest as the reality sank in again.

She was getting married.

Maple stared at the ceiling, unable to believe how quickly her life had changed. Just yesterday, she had been celebrating her graduation and dreaming about finding a job, becoming independent, and finally starting the life she had always wanted. Now, she was being forced into a marriage with a man she had never even met.

She face palmed, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. She couldn’t stay in this house another minute. She needed to clear her head.

She quickly got out of bed and headed into the bathroom. After freshening up, she stood in front of the mirror and stared at her reflection. Her eyes were swollen, dark circles sat beneath them, and her hair was a complete mess. She looked nothing like the happy graduate who had smiled for pictures the day before.

Maple sighed, quickly got dressed, and headed downstairs. She didn’t want to give her father another reason to start an argument.

She wore a simple sundress covered in delicate flower patterns, her hair pulled into a messy bun. When she reached the dining room, she sat stiffly beside her father.

“Devon will be here to take you to the Civil Affairs Bureau,” her father said calmly. “You two will get registered today.”

Maple’s mouth fell open.

“Dad, you didn’t even give me time to think. Are you that eager to send me away?”

The room immediately fell silent. Her father’s expression hardened.

“Maple, I am not asking you. I am telling you.”

Before she could respond, a car horn sounded outside.

Her father and Julia exchanged a brief glance. A few seconds later, the iron gates opened, and the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the hallway.

Maple turned around, and everything inside her went still.

A man stepped into the house.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his expression was cold and unreadable.

He didn’t need an introduction. Maple knew exactly who he was.

Devon Kingston.

The ruthless billionaire.

The man she had been told she was going to marry.

His eyes moved across the room before settling directly on her. For several seconds, neither of them spoke. He studied her with a calm intensity that made her feel strangely uncomfortable.

Then he glanced at his watch.

“We need to leave.”

Maple’s hair stood on end. She stared at him in disbelief before shaking her head.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Devon paused. His gaze shifted from Maple to Mr. Jacobs, and the atmosphere in the room instantly became tense.

“Sorry, Mr. Kingston,” her father said quickly. “She didn’t mean it. She’s just surprised.”

Maple’s father turned to her, his voice stern. “You are going with Mr. Kingston. Or else.”

Maple swallowed hard.

She didn’t have a choice. If she wanted her mother’s belongings, she had to do this.

Without another word, she took a slow breath and stepped forward, walking toward the door.

Devon followed closely behind her, a faint look of amusement crossing his face before his usual cold expression returned.

Maple had no idea that the man she was being forced to marry was about to become the biggest complication of her life yet.