HIS VENGEFUL CONTRACT BRIDE
Monroe Island did not expect to ever wear a wedding gown. She had known for a long time that dreams like white dresses and happy endings were not meant for girls like her since she was the illegitimate child—the family secret, the unwanted mistake. However, as she stood at the altar in her sister's hastily modified dress, about to wed a man who stared at her with unadulterated animosity, Isla understood that some nightmares masquerade as fairy tales.
Vivian, Isla's gorgeous, popular, and legitimate older sister, was meant to be Damian Blackwood's wife. The golden girl. The person who counted. For months, the wedding had been planned as the event of the season, bringing together two influential families and solidifying a commercial empire. Then Vivian ran. She eloped with Adrian Vaughn, Damian's main commercial competitor, 24 hours before the wedding, dealing a devastating blow by stealing corporate secrets and Damian's ego. High society was shaken by the scandal. The Blackwood empire's reputation was ruined. Additionally, the Monroe family business was on the verge of collapsing financially since Vivian had also looted their bank accounts as she left.
Isla is the replacement bride, so enter Isla. Her father's remedy was straightforward and harsh: compel his illegitimate daughter to take Vivian's place in marrying Damian Blackwood. Keep the family business alive. Save whatever they have left of their reputation. In order to save the important daughter, give up the unimportant one. Isla had three options: reject and watch her mother be thrown into the streets, reject and see her father's business fail, or accept and become Mrs. Damian Blackwood. She selected door number three.
The unexpected thing about Isla: that on their wedding day, Damian would regard her as if she were his adversary. He would hold her accountable for Vivian's betrayal. That he would make it plain that this marriage was revenge, and that she would pay for what her sister had done. The fact that her treacherous heart would flutter at the sound of his "I do," even despite the cruelty in his dark eyes.
The unexpected thing for Damian was: that his substitute wife was not involved in Vivian's betrayal. That Isla had suffered at the hands of the Monroe family for 25 years. That Vivian had been stealing the works of an outstanding designer for years, even though she had been silently submissive. That the woman he married as punishment would turn out to be the only woman he ever truly loved.
The agreement was straightforward: separate bedrooms and lives, public displays of the ideal couple, and a one-year marriage. The conclusion—divorce and independence. Straightforward. Clean. Bloodless. But Damian failed to consider how Isla appeared in moonlight. The manner in which Damian's uncommon smiles caused Isla to forget to breathe was not taken into consideration by her. Neither explained the point at which pretense turned into reality. Nobody at all anticipated Vivian's return—desperate, dangerous, and determined to kill the sister who had the audacity to take her place.
Watch Isla Monroe change from an unseen illegitimate child to the most well-known fashion designer in the business. See how Damian Blackwood discovers the distinction between retaliation and love, and how he chooses love over vengeance, even when it frightens him. See how two shattered individuals create an empire together by setting fire to anyone who attempted to ruin them. Since vengeance is a dish best served cold, but love? The flame of love obliterates all other flames.
Is it possible for a marriage to begin as vengeance and end in love? Is it possible to be irreplaceable when you take the place of someone who is superior? Can you trust someone when they tell you that you are everything when your entire existence has been spent being told that you are not enough? Monroe Island is about to learn the truth. one contract. One year.