LEAH

    Six dayster...

    "I hope you secure a good fortune after paying ten million for a ridiculous wedding

    dress!" Mum snaps as she adjusts the hem of my robe.

    "Can we see it?" she asks, her voice softer this time, almost curious.

    "No," I say, flipping my hair over my shoulder. "It''s not with me. I had to do makeup first."

    Dad grumbles something under his breath, still pale from the heart attack he nearly had when the bank called him.

    Apparently, when someone drops ten million on a dress, the financial world panics.

    They thought I''d lost my card. That some thief was out there ying dress-up with my future.

    But no. I signed the authorization myself and left a copy with the boutique, just in case I change my mind and want a refundter.

    Not that it matters.

    Ten million is nothingpared to how much I''ll be entitled to once the vows are said, and myst name is King.

    "In a few minutes," I remind them with a sparkling smile, "Alexander King will be your son-inw. Do you have any idea how people will be begging to do business with you?"

    Mum''s face softens slightly at that. Greed has always been her lovenguage.

    Dad puffs out his chest like he''s the one marrying Alex..

    "Of course!" He chuckles. "We need to toast when we get home! All those who shunned the Woods will be crawling on their knees."

    I turn back to the mirror with a smile, studying myself with a critical eye.

    I look like royalty.

    No... even better.

    I can already see the headlines sshing across every magazine, the posts going viral:

    "The Wedding of the Century."

    "Leah King! An aplished doctor and now wife to the most powerful man in the country!"

    Athena must be rotting wherever she is, I''m sure the bitch Sloane told her the news and is probably wallowing in self pity.

    I took back my man and added her son as a fucking bonus!

    I adjust the diamond hairpiece atop my head and nce around, frowning.

    Where the hell are the stylists?

    "Where''s my makeup artist?" I demand, my voice barely controlled from the rage I''m feeling. "And my hairstylist? I needst-minute touch-ups before I walk out there looking like perfection."

    How dare they dismiss themselves without my permission?

    A trembling assistant, some girl whose name I never bothered to learn, steps forward, wringing her hands.

    "They... they''re not here,” she stammers, avoiding my gaze like I''m a bomb about to detonate.

    I stare at her for one stunned second.

    Then rage bubbles up in my chest so hot I almost choke on it.

    "Not here?" I repeat, my voice dangerously sweet.

    The girl visibly swallows, shrinking back.

    "You think this is some fucking birthday party at a Chuck E. Cheese?" I hiss. "This

    is my wedding to Alexander King! If anyone is ying with me today, I swear I''ll

    have their tongues served on a silver tray!"

    I snap my fingers at the security standing stiffly by the door.

    "Kick her out," Imand, pointing at the useless assistant. "And send in the backup artists. Now."

    The team moves instantly, grabbing the girl by the arm as she whimpers and pleads.

    I don''t even blink as they drag her out.

    I snatch my phone from the table and call Henry, it''s like he''s the only semi-

    He picks up on the first ring.

    "Are the media houses here?" I snap.

    "Yes, Miss," he answers. "All the major ones. They''re setting up now. Livestreams,

    cameras, the whole package."

    A slow, satisfied smile tugs at my lips.

    Perfect.

    I lower the phone and turn to my parents, who are as angry as I Am.

    "Wait outside a bit" I tell them, my voice dripping with a cold tone. "I''ll call you when it''s time."

    Dad looks like he wants to argue, but Mum tugs on his arm,

    "If you need anything we''re just outside. Don''t let these idiots ruin your day. Remember what we''ve had to-"

    "Mum!"

    Gosh! Does she want to start spewing nonsense right now?

    She ignores my outburst and kisses me then walks out.

    The second the door shuts behind my parents, the new make up team arrives.

    Fifteen minutester, I whip around to the security team not bothering to look at the reflection knowing I look beautiful as always!

    "Get my dress," I bark. "Now. I should''ve been in it twenty minutes ago!"

    One of the guards shifts awkwardly.

    "It''s... already been picked up, Miss."

    I blink, notprehending.

    "What?"

    He clears his throat. "They said someone already collected it. Signed for it and

    everything so we assumed you have it."

    A cold, ugly silence falls over the room.

    I slowly straighten, my hands curling into fists at my sides.

    "There''s a mistake," I say tightly,

    feeling the pressure in my skull start to pound. "I can''t have mistakes today! No one has my authorization to touch it."

    "I''m sorry, Miss," the man mumbles, staring at the floor like it''s personally offended him. "Theundry team confirmed it. They said you sent "

    "I didn''t send anyone you idiot!" I seethe as a cold wave rushes over me.

    "Fools who can''t do anything right," I vibrate in anger, grabbing my phone again. I dial theundry team number so fast my fingers blur.

    It rings once before the manager picks up.

    "Leah Woods here, where the fuck is my dress?" I snap, not even giving her a chance to breathe.

    "Miss Woods," the woman says coolly, "it''s already been collected. We have the paperwork right here."

    "I didn''t send anyone!" I shriek. "Bring it back now or I''ll sue your entire bloodline!" There''s a short pause.

    Then

    "click."

    Oh no she fucking didn''t!

    The bitch hung up on me.

    I stand there, frozen, the dial tone screeching in my ear.

    For a moment, all I can do is stare at the phone, too stunned to even scream.

    Then, very slowly, I lower it and turn back to the mirror, trying to calm my nerves.

    But when I catch my reflection, I freeze.

    Gone is the wless, elegant makeup that cost more than most people''s rent.

    In its ce is... a horror show.

    Thick, uneven foundation. Crooked lipstick. Blush pped on like war paint. Mascara clumped so badly myshes look like fucking legs.

    swider

    I look like a clown that got into a fistfight with a paintball gun and lost.

    Rage surges so violently through me that for a second, I genuinely think I might

    ck out.

    My hands tremble at my sides. My vision tunnels. I''m two seconds away from

    burning this entire fucking building down.

    "Who did this!" I scream as tears of frustration roll down my cheeks.

    I''m about to blow up when the door creaks open.

    "Trouble in paradise?"

    I whirl around so fast my robe res out behind me.

    Athena stands just inside the room, dressed in an elegant, ck gown that hugs

    her curves perfectly.

    Her hair is pinned up like a queen''s, her makeup wless, and the sight makes

    me want to gage her eyes out!

    "You bitch! Did you steal my dress and mess my makeup? I''m going to kill you!"

    She tilts her head slightly, watching me with the detached amusement of someone observing a rabid dog through ss.

    "Oh don''t be so mad. You look..." She pauses, pretending to search for the word, her smile widening. "...memorable