Bound By Betrayal: The Billionaire's Forced Bride.

CONTENT WARNING This is a dark romance containing themes of domestic abuse, emotional and physical mistreatment, coercive control, and other mature and potentially distressing situations. Some themes may be difficult for certain readers. Please read with care. (Livia) My mother pulled the veil over my face and looked at me. There was no happiness in her eyes, only relief that I had agreed to do what she wanted. I stared at myself in the mirror and barely recognized the woman wearing the expensive white dress. This wasn't how I imagined my wedding day. "You know what you have to do, Livia. Walk down that aisle, marry Julian, and don't embarrass this family. Your sister has already caused enough problems." I looked at her through the mirror. Camille was supposed to be wearing this dress today. Julian Prescott loved my sister, and everyone knew it. He had never wanted me. Camille disappeared two nights ago. She left a note saying she couldn't marry a man because our families wanted it. My parents couldn't force her to come back, so they turned to the daughter they could control. Me. "I still don't understand why you didn't tell him. He thinks Camille is coming down that aisle. What do you think he'll do when he sees me?" Mother picked up my bouquet and pushed it into my hands. Nothing I said would change her decision. My father had threatened to throw me out with nothing if I refused. I had nowhere else to go. "He'll marry you. The agreement says a daughter of our family must marry him, and you are our daughter. Once the papers are signed, the problem is over." Maybe it would be over for them. I had spent twenty four years doing everything my parents asked while Camille did whatever she wanted. They loved her anyway. They remembered me when they needed something. A knock came before my father entered. He looked at me, then checked his watch as though this was a business meeting. There was no hug or anything that told me he cared. He held out his arm. "It's time. Don't make this difficult, Livia. After today, you'll be Julian Prescott's responsibility." Responsibility. That was all I had ever been to them. Part of me wanted to believe marriage could give me something better. Julian might hate what our parents had done, but perhaps he would understand that I hadn't chosen this either. I took my father's arm and followed him from the room. My legs felt weak beneath the dress, but I kept walking. Voices reached me as we approached the doors leading into the ceremony. Somewhere on the other side was the man who thought he was marrying my sister. The doors opened. Everyone turned. My father led me forward while I held the bouquet. When we reached the front, he placed my hand into Julian's and walked away. Julian stared at my hand before reaching for my veil. He pulled it away from my face. "What the hell is this?" His eyes moved over me as if he expected Camille to appear instead. I tried to pull my hand away. He held on. Anger filled his face. "Where is Camille? Why are you wearing her dress? Answer me, Livia." "I don't know where she is. She left two nights ago and refused to come back. I only found out yesterday that my parents expected me to take her place." He released me and turned toward my parents. My mother looked away. People had started whispering around us. I wished I could disappear. "You knew Camille wasn't coming, and nobody thought to tell me? You brought Livia here instead?" My father stood. "The agreement is between our families. It requires you to marry one of my daughters. Camille made her choice. Livia will fulfill the agreement." Julian turned toward his own parents. His father didn't look surprised. That was when I realized he had known. Julian realized it too. "You knew. You let me stand here believing I was waiting for Camille. Were you ever planning to tell me?" His father rose. "You know the conditions your grandfather left behind. You must be married before you take full control of Prescott Holdings. If you walk away today, your position goes to the next eligible person named in the trust." Julian looked at me before turning away. "Give me five minutes." He walked away without looking back. I remained in front of everyone while my parents stayed where they were. A part of me hoped Julian wouldn't return. Then I could say I had tried. Ten minutes later, Julian returned. He stopped beside me and looked at the officiant. The anger was no longer on his face. He didn't look at me when he spoke. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. "Continue." I turned toward him. "You don't have to do this. I didn't ask for any of this either. If you want to leave, I'll understand." His eyes met mine. "You think I'm giving up everything I've worked for because your sister ran away? I'm marrying you because I don't have another choice. Don't confuse that with me wanting you." I looked down at my flowers. The ceremony continued. I answered when I was supposed to. Julian did the same. When the officiant announced us as husband and wife, Julian didn't kiss me. I hadn't expected him to. We signed the marriage documents afterward. People congratulated us and pretended nothing unusual had happened. Julian barely looked at me. My parents left without saying goodbye. Hours later, I sat beside my new husband in the back of a car. Neither of us spoke during the drive. Large gates eventually opened ahead of us. Beyond them stood a mansion bigger than any home I had ever entered. This was where I would live now. Maybe this could still work. Not as a real marriage. I wasn't foolish enough to believe Julian would love me. I only wanted peace. After living with my parents, peace was enough. I could stay out of his way. The car stopped. Julian got out and I followed. Several members of staff were waiting when we entered the mansion. A woman approached us. She glanced at me before looking at Julian. "Mr. Prescott, the east suite is ready for Mrs. Prescott. Would you like someone to take her there?" "No." The woman looked confused. Julian turned toward me. "She won't be staying in the east suite. Clear the old storage room at the end of the west hall. Put a bed in there." The woman stared at him. "Sir, that room is very small. It doesn't have a proper wardrobe or bathroom. There are several empty bedrooms." "I know how many bedrooms are in my house. I told you where she's staying. Do it." I looked at him. "You want me to sleep in a storage room?" He stepped closer. "I wanted to marry Camille." I couldn't answer. He looked at the wedding ring on my finger. "Instead, I came to my wedding and found you standing in her place. Don't walk into my house expecting to live like my wife. On paper you may be Mrs. Prescott, but that's where it ends." He walked away. I remained near the entrance with strangers watching me. The woman looked at me before lowering her eyes. I had believed marrying Julian would finally get me away from a family that never wanted me. I was beginning to realize how wrong I had been. I hadn't escaped anything.