CHAPTER 1: CHAPTER 1: ONE-NIGHT BRIDE, SUBSTITUTE MARRIAGE

"Ivy Kensington, listen to me! You’re just a bride for one night, after tonight, don’t think about things that don’t belong to you!"

The sharp and harsh words of her stepmother, Anne Linden, rang in Ivy’s ears as she tightly clutched the red veil in her hand.

Tonight was originally her half-sister Dahlia Kensington’s wedding night, but Dahlia overindulged at a bar last night, resulting in alcohol poisoning, and is still in the hospital.

The Kensington Family didn’t want to lose the hard-won marriage alliance with the Blackwood family, so they schemed to have Ivy temporarily take Dahlia’s place for this wedding night.

After all, they were sisters, with similar looks, and since it was a traditional wedding, it could still be covered up with some effort.

Anne saw Ivy staying silent and reached out to poke her forehead: "Who are you putting on a sour face for? Being able to replace Dahlia and marry Master Blackwood is your luck!"

Anne was furious inside, all because of her useless daughter! Otherwise, why would it fall to a wench like Ivy!

Ivy lowered her eyelids, letting out a cold laugh: "If it’s such a good thing, why don’t you do it?"

A one-night bride, who would be willing to do such a thing.

"You!" Anne took a deep breath, then threatened: "Don’t forget, your daughter is still in the hospital!"

As soon as she said this, Ivy’s face immediately changed. She gritted her teeth, finally clenching her fist and gave in.

Anne became complacent, "In any case, if anyone from the Blackwood family recognizes you, you’re dead!"

Just then, the welcoming party from the Blackwood family arrived.

Ivy covered her head with the red veil and was escorted out.

She could only see a little bit of the path in front of her, when Anne’s surprised voice rang out: "Master Blackwood actually came himself?"

Given the prestige of the Blackwood family, even if Sebastian Blackwood only showed his face at the end, no one would dare to say anything, yet he came personally!

Anne was even angrier, discreetly pinching Ivy.

Ivy felt the pain, but the next moment, she saw a pair of long, straight legs stop in front of her, followed by a man’s clearly-defined large hand entering her view.

She heard Sebastian Blackwood’s deep voice: "My little bride, come with me."

Inexplicably, Ivy’s heart skipped a beat.

She pursed her lips, placing her hand over, and the man’s large hand instantly gripped hers tightly.

Soon, the car arrived at the Blackwood household.

After a whole set of complicated procedures, Ivy was physically and mentally exhausted, sitting quietly in the crimson bridal chamber, waiting.

It wasn’t long before the man’s steady footsteps sounded, and Sebastian Blackwood entered.

Ivy clutched the hem of her dress, feeling somewhat nervous.

Would she... be discovered?

Sebastian crouched down in front of Ivy, then extended his long fingers, lifting a corner of the veil, as if to reveal her face.

"Don’t..."

Ivy quickly spoke up, grabbing his arm, whispering: "Can you turn off the lights?"

There were still differences between her and Dahlia’s appearance. Even though she was now wearing makeup, she was still afraid of being recognized.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised, but still complied with her request.

When the man’s warm body pressed against hers, Ivy shivered lightly.

Four years ago, on a night just like this, she was schemed by the Kensington family and sent to a man’s room. Later, she got pregnant, and due to her physical condition, she couldn’t have an abortion, so she gave birth to the child.

Thinking of the past, Ivy’s eyes turned slightly red, her body somewhat resistant, which Sebastian seemed to notice, pausing his actions.

"Is it my fault for not finding you sooner?"

His words were baffling, Ivy couldn’t understand at all, only managing a couple of vague responses.

Sebastian hugged her tightly: "I will make it up to you."

The scent on the girl was just like four years ago.

Sebastian leaned down to capture Ivy’s lips.

Ivy’s face flushed red as she stumbled through the night.

The next day, she didn’t dare wait for Sebastian to wake up.

Fortunately, there weren’t many rules at the Blackwood household, so she packed her things and hurried off to school.

She had taken a year-long break from school due to her pregnancy, and was now still in her junior year.

As she reached the entrance, her best friend, Tiffany Leighton, called her: "Ivy, I’m craving bubble tea. Can you bring me a cup?"

Ivy had no choice but to detour to the bubble tea shop outside the school to get Tiffany her favorite mango pomelo sago.

Because of this detour, Ivy was running late, so she hurriedly lowered her head and ran.

But after just a few steps, she bumped into someone, spilling the tea everywhere.

"Sorry..."

Ivy quickly apologized, fumbling in her bag for tissues, but when she looked up, she was stunned.

Sebastian Blackwood?!

How could it be him?

Sebastian looked down and saw the girl’s delicate features, furrowing his sharp brows, grabbing Ivy’s wrist: "Who are you?"

She gave him a sense of familiarity, even her faint scent was so similar...

Ivy’s heart skipped a beat, could it be that he recognized her?