Page 1 of Bride Unwanted

1

CALLIE

Staring at my reflection in the full-length mirror, I can’t believe what I’m seeing. The white lace dress is hugging my curves like it was custom made for me, the sheer veil hiding parts of my long blonde curled up hair, pinned back with some rhinestone barrettes. My lips are painted a soft pink, and my lashes are coal black, making my light blue eyes appear almost gray.

I look like I imagined I would on my wedding day, but my attire is the only thing I saw coming. I’ve never thought I would do it for money, and definitely not to a man I’d never even met. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and I’ve never been backed into a corner like I am now.

My mom’s medical bills have been piling up since my dad passed away a few years ago, but lately it’s becoming unmanageable, especially with the new treatment my mom’s insurance won’t cover.

I don’t know what kind of man pays one hundred thousand dollars to get married, but I can only imagine it’s someone who is either very old or very unpleasant looking. Either way, I’m prepared for the worse. I’ll do whatever it takes to help my mom.

I wish she could be here right now, instead of being stuck in the hospital for the second week in a row. I wish she could see me walk down the aisle—no matter how fucked up this whole wedding actually is, it’s still my wedding day. I didn’t even tell her I was doing this, and I have no idea how to explain, but that’s something I’ll worry about tomorrow. Today, I’m worrying about walking down the aisle in these heels.

Grabbing my phone from the coffee table, I decide to make one final call to Miss May before it’s time to go. I pull the Wife for Hire Agency up on my Zoom app and hit the green button. A few moments later, Miss May appears on the screen, prim and proper as always.

“Well, hello, darling, don’t you look lovely today,” she greets in her usual over the top fashion. Her perfectly straight cut bangs move slightly as she nods up and down like she is proud of herself for choosing me.

“Hi, I just wanted to check in on the money,” I tell her, feeling terrible that I even have to ask. I never want people to think I’m all about the money, that I’m a gold digger, even though, technically, that’s exactly what this is. A pit grows in my stomach. I hate thinking about it, but it’s true. I’m marrying for money, which makes me a bona fide gold digger.

“Of course, darling. I received the money this morning from the Ricci family. It is in holdings until the deed is done and then we will transfer it into your account,” she tells me with a huge smile on her face. “Minus the small agency fee, of course.”

Of course.

“Thank you, Miss May, I’m sorry to have bothered you?—”

“No bother at all,” she says, but her fake smile tells me the opposite. “I hope you have a great wedding day. Please give the Ricci family my best regards. Bye-bye now.” And with that, the screen goes blank.

I guess I was done, anyway. I lock my phone and set it back on the coffee table next to my purse as the pit in my stomach keeps growing. What have I gotten myself into? Can I really go through this? I can marry a guy who is less attractive or older, but what if it’s worse? What if I’m marrying an abusive man? What if he expects things from me I can’t handle, especially in bed? I’m not a virgin, but I’m not very experienced either. What if this guy is into some weird stuff and that’s why he’s marrying a random person? There are so many unknowns, and all of those are crashing into me at this moment. My breathing comes erratically, and I feel like I can’t get enough air into my lungs.

Calm down, Callie. I tell myself over and over until my breathing becomes more even again. You can do this. You have to do this. For Mom.

A knock at my door drags me from the rampant thoughts in my head. Since the makeup and hair people left, no one has come to the room they put me in, which means it’s probably time to get married.

“Come in,” I call, trying to keep my voice even as much as I can.

The door opens and a beautiful young woman appears. Her dark brown hair falls in waves down one side of her shoulder, with white flowers pinned inside the waves. Her dress is a light pink, matching her perfectly painted lips.

“Hi, I’m Wren,” she introduces herself with a grin. “I’m the groom’s sister… your future sister-in-law.”

“Oh.” I gasp, surprised in more than one way. She seems so young, which means my groom can’t be as old as I worried. Someone more my age then, I assume, gratefully.

“Nice to meet you.” I take a step toward her, holding out my hand awkwardly. She shakes her head at my hand and comes in for a hug instead.

“Don’t be silly, we’re about to be family,” she tells me while giving me a bear hug.

Relief washes over me as I realize how genuinely friendly she is. If she is this nice, how bad could her brother be? On the other hand, if he was so perfect, why does he need to buy a wife? There are still so many unanswered questions, some I’m guessing I’ll find out sooner rather than later.

“Ready?” Wren asks when she releases me from the hug.

“Ready…” I repeat, sounding almost like a question, like I’m not sure myself yet.

“You’ll be fine,” Wren assures me. “You look stunning, by the way. My brother is going to be very pleased.”

“Thank you.” I smile nervously before I let her usher me downstairs to get married to a stranger.

2

TALON

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