NINE_ THE REPLACEMENT
Aiden stared at his reflection in the mirror.
The black suit fit him perfectly, but it felt like it didn't belong to him.
This wasn't supposed to be his wedding.
Just a few hours ago, he had been in his room, reading quietly, trying to stay out of everyone's way like he always did.
That was how life had always been for him in this house.
Invisible.
Unwanted.
His stepmother's sharp voice echoed in his mind.
"You should be grateful," she had said earlier, her eyes cold. "Your sister ran away and embarrassed this family. The least you can do is fix the mess."
Aiden clenched his fists.
Grateful?
His stepsister had been the one meant to marry Alexander Deluca.
But she had run away with her boyfriend that morning, leaving chaos behind.
And now Aiden was paying the price.
His stepmother had looked at him with a cruel smile.
"You will marry him instead."
Aiden had tried to refuse.
But she wasn't someone who accepted refusal.
"You live in this house because of my husband," she reminded him. "The least you can do is be useful."
Useful.
That was all he had ever been to her.
A problem.
A mistake.
Someone she tolerated because she had to.
Aiden looked away from the mirror.
For years he had endured the insults, the cold looks, the way his stepsister treated him like he didn't belong.
But today...
Today was different.
Because today he was about to marry the most dangerous man in the city.
Alexander Deluca.
A knock came from the door.
Before Aiden could respond, it opened.
His stepmother walked in.
Her eyes scanned him critically.
"You clean up well," she said.
Aiden said nothing.
She stepped closer.
"Listen carefully," she continued in a low voice. "You will go out there, stand beside Alexander, and you will not embarrass this family."
Aiden laughed quietly.
"Embarrass the family?" he said bitterly. "That's funny coming from you."
Her eyes narrowed.
"If you think Alexander Deluca will tolerate your attitude, you're mistaken."
Aiden finally looked at her.
"I didn't ask for this marriage."
"No," she replied coldly. "But you're the only one available."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then she turned toward the door.
"The ceremony starts in five minutes."
When she left, the room felt strangely quiet.
Aiden took a deep breath.
Five minutes.
Five minutes before his life changed forever.
Across the hall, Alexander stood calmly near the altar.
The guests had begun whispering.
Everyone had heard the rumors.
The bride had disappeared.
And now something unexpected was about to happen.
Alexander adjusted the cuff of his sleeve, completely unbothered by the whispers.
His mind was elsewhere.
On Aiden.
He remembered the stubborn look in the younger man's eyes earlier.
Most people were terrified of him.
But Aiden hadn't looked afraid.
That alone made him curious.
The doors at the end of the hall slowly opened.
The room fell silent.
All eyes turned.
Aiden stepped inside.
Dressed in black.
Walking toward the altar.
Toward Alexander.
Toward a future he had never imagined.
Alexander watched him approach.
His expression calm, but his sharp eyes studying every detail.
When Aiden finally stopped beside him, he leaned slightly closer.
His voice was quiet enough that only Aiden could hear.
"You still have time to run."
Aiden glanced at him.
Then he sighed.
"If I run," he muttered, "my stepmother might actually hunt me down."
For the second time that day, Alexander almost smiled.
This marriage might turn out to be far more interesting than he expected.