THE WIFE HE NEVER KNEW

Do you take Alexander Sterling to be your lawfully wedded husband? The question echoed through the grand cathedral. Serena Hayes stared at the man standing beside her. Alexander Sterling. The most powerful man in the city. The man who had never once told her he loved her. The man she was about to marry anyway. Her fingers tightened around the bouquet. For one brief second, she wondered if she could turn around and run. Then she remembered the agreement. The debt. Her mother's life. And the secret she had promised never to reveal. I do. Her voice was barely above a whisper. The priest turned toward Alexander. And do you take Serena Hayes to be your wife? Alexander's expression remained unreadable. He looked at her for several seconds. Serena couldn't tell what he was thinking. Then his deep voice filled the cathedral. I do. A murmur passed through the guests. Serena lowered her eyes. It was done. She was now Mrs. Alexander Sterling. But she didn't know that, three rows behind them, a woman was staring at her with tears in her eyes. Isabella Monroe. Alexander's former fiancée. And the woman who had expected to be standing beside him today. Isabella's hand slowly curled into a fist. You stole everything from me. But Serena didn't hear her. She was too busy trying to ignore the strange feeling in her chest. Because Alexander had just leaned closer. His lips almost touched her ear. From this moment forward, you are my wife in public. Serena's heart skipped. And in private? His eyes met hers. In private, we are strangers. Her smile disappeared. She had known this marriage was an arrangement. She had known he didn't love her. But hearing those words still hurt. She swallowed and nodded. Understood. Alexander straightened. The photographer raised his camera. Mr. and Mrs. Sterling, please smile. Alexander placed one hand around Serena's waist. His touch was firm. Possessive. Almost convincing. The camera flashed. Neither of them noticed the elderly man standing at the back of the cathedral. He was watching Serena. And unlike everyone else in the room, he wasn't looking at her as Alexander Sterling's new wife. He was looking at her as though he knew exactly who she was. The old man's face went pale. My God… He whispered the words no one else was supposed to hear. She survived. And with that, he turned and disappeared through the cathedral doors. Serena felt a sudden chill. She turned toward the entrance. But the man was already gone. What's wrong? Alexander asked. Nothing. She forced a smile. She didn't know who that man was. She didn't know why he had looked at her like that. And she certainly didn't know that before this marriage ended, the Sterling family would discover a secret that had been buried for twenty-four years. A secret that would change everything. Including Alexander's feelings for her. And by the time he discovered the truth… It would be too late. Because Serena would already hate him.