My “Paralyzed” Husband Owns the City

“Your sister is gone.” My father said it as if Vanessa had missed a family dinner, not disappeared two hours before her wedding. I stared at him. Behind him, three stylists hurried around the room with makeup cases and boxes of white roses. Vanessa’s wedding dress lay across the sofa, its crystal-covered skirt spilling onto the carpet. “What do you mean, gone?” “She left this morning. Her phone is off.” Of course she had run away. For weeks, Vanessa had complained about marrying Julian Vale—the disgraced heir who had lost the use of his legs in a car accident. Before the accident, Julian had been the golden heir of the Vale empire. After it, his family removed him from the company and sent him to live alone outside the city. According to the newspapers, he had lost his position, his inheritance, and his future. Now he had lost his bride too. “I’m sure Vanessa will come back,” I said. “This has nothing to do with me.” My father’s expression hardened. “You will take her place.” I looked at him, certain I had misunderstood. “You want me to marry a stranger?” “The Vale family expects a Hart daughter at the altar. If Vanessa refuses to honor the agreement, you will marry Julian instead.” “No.” “Avery—” “I’ve never even met him.” “That makes no difference.” “It makes a difference to me.” My father stepped closer. “Hart Industries owes the Vales thirty million dollars. This marriage is the only reason they agreed to delay collecting the debt. Without a wedding, the company will be bankrupt by Monday.” “That is your problem.” “Your mother’s treatment is also my problem.” The words stopped me. My mother had been in a private rehabilitation center for six months. After her second heart operation, she needed constant medical care. The bills were more than I could ever pay on my salary. My father knew that. He also knew I would never risk her life. “You wouldn’t stop paying for her treatment.” “If this deal collapses, I won’t have the money to continue.” “You have money.” “Not for long.” “You’re using her to force me into this marriage.” “I’m asking you to protect your family.” “This family?” I glanced at the dress made for another bride. “You mean Vanessa.” He did not deny it. Vanessa was the daughter he introduced proudly at parties. I was the daughter he remembered only when he needed something. My father placed a folder on the table. Inside was a marriage agreement. The name Vanessa Hart had been crossed out. Beneath it, someone had typed Avery Hart. They had prepared everything before speaking to me. “How long?” I asked. “One year. Stay married to Julian Vale for one year. After that, you can ask for a divorce. Your mother’s expenses will be covered, and the company’s debt will be canceled.” “And if I refuse?” “Your mother will be transferred out of the rehabilitation center tomorrow.” I wanted to tear the agreement apart. Instead, I pictured my mother lying in her hospital bed, smiling weakly as she told me not to worry. My hand shook as I picked up the pen. “I will never forgive you.” My father watched me sign. “I can live with that.” Ninety minutes later, I stood outside the ballroom of the Vale Hotel wearing my sister’s wedding dress. It was tight across my ribs and too long at the hem. A heavy veil concealed my face so no one would discover the truth before the ceremony. Hundreds of guests waited inside. None of them knew the bride had changed. The doors opened, and music filled the ballroom. At the end of the aisle sat Julian Vale. I had seen photographs of him before the accident. Back then, he had always appeared confident and perfectly polished. The man waiting for me looked different. He sat in a black wheelchair, wearing a tailored suit that emphasized his broad shoulders. A faint scar ran from his left temple toward his cheekbone. His expression was calm, but his gray eyes watched everything. He did not look helpless. He looked dangerous. My father led me down the aisle. Whispers followed us. “Poor Vanessa.” “Imagine being married to a man who can’t even stand beside you.” “The Hart family must be desperate.” When we reached the altar, my father placed my hand in Julian’s. His fingers closed around mine. His grip was unexpectedly strong. The officiant began speaking, but I barely heard him. My pulse was too loud. Julian leaned closer. “You’re trembling,” he murmured. “It’s been a difficult morning.” “Cold feet?” “You could say that.” His thumb moved once across my knuckles. The officiant turned to him. “Do you, Julian Alexander Vale, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Julian stared at the veil hiding my face. “I do.” Then the officiant looked at me. “Do you, Vanessa Rose Hart, take Julian Alexander Vale to be your lawfully wedded husband?” Julian’s fingers tightened around mine. My mouth went dry. “I do.” Applause filled the ballroom. “You may kiss the bride.” Julian reached for my veil. I leaned closer and whispered, “Please don’t make a scene. I’ll explain after the ceremony.” He paused. For one terrifying second, I thought he would expose me in front of everyone. Then he lifted the veil. His eyes met mine, moving over every feature that did not belong to Vanessa. Surprise flashed across his face and quickly disappeared. Julian placed a hand behind my neck and drew me closer. His lips brushed the corner of my mouth. To the guests, it looked like a restrained wedding kiss. To me, it felt like a warning. “You are not Vanessa Hart,” he whispered. “No.” “Then who did I just marry?” “My name is Avery.” Before he could respond, our families surrounded us. My father welcomed Julian into the family as though he had not just tricked him. Vanessa’s mother kissed my cheek, careful not to ruin her lipstick. Then a silver-haired man approached. Richard Vale—Julian’s uncle and the acting chairman of the Vale Group. “Congratulations, nephew.” His smile held no warmth. “I wasn’t sure the bride would go through with it.” His gaze dropped to Julian’s wheelchair. Julian showed no reaction. “I’m touched by your concern,” he said. Richard looked at me. “Marriage requires sacrifice, my dear. I hope your family prepared you for what your new life will involve.” Several guests laughed quietly. Julian stared ahead, as if he had heard such insults too often to care. Without thinking, I placed my hand on his shoulder. “My father prepared me to marry a Vale,” I said. “He didn’t mention I would also have to tolerate their poor manners.” The laughter stopped. Richard’s smile vanished. Julian looked up at me. For the first time, amusement appeared in his eyes. “Be careful, Mrs. Vale,” Richard said. “You have entered a complicated family.” “I’m beginning to notice.” Richard walked away. Julian waited until he was out of hearing range. “That was either brave or foolish.” “I’ve had a difficult day. My judgment may be impaired.” His mouth almost curved into a smile. That evening, a driver took us to Julian’s estate. The house stood behind iron gates at the edge of the city. It was beautiful, isolated, and far too quiet. A housekeeper led me to an upstairs bedroom. “Mr. Vale asked that you stay in the east wing,” she said. “His room is in the west wing.” Separate bedrooms. At least one part of this marriage might be merciful. After changing out of the wedding dress, I returned downstairs. Light showed beneath the study door. I knocked. “Come in.” Julian sat behind a large desk. My marriage agreement lay open in front of him. He tapped my name on the first page. “Avery Hart. The daughter Robert Hart never mentions.” “I can explain.” “I hope so. I dislike being deceived.” “Vanessa ran away this morning. My father threatened to stop paying for my mother’s treatment unless I replaced her.” His expression remained cold, but his eyes sharpened. “So you sold yourself to save her.” “I made a choice.” “Did you?” The question hurt because I didn’t know the answer. Julian closed the folder. “This marriage will remain in place for now. In public, you will behave as my wife. In private, you will stay out of my business.” “And after one year?” “If you keep your word, you’ll have your freedom.” I turned toward the door. “Avery.” I looked back. “Your family lied to both of us today,” he said. “Do not lie to me again.” “I won’t—as long as you give me the same honesty.” A strange silence passed between us. Then Julian smiled. It was not a warm smile. It was the smile of a man with far more secrets than I could imagine. “Be careful what you ask for, Mrs. Vale.” I left the study and closed the door. As I walked down the hall, I heard the lock click behind me. Then came another sound. Not wheels moving across the wooden floor. Footsteps. Slow, steady footsteps from a man who was supposed to be unable to walk.