Chapter 1

Stepping from City Hall, Emelie Richmond stared at the marriage certificate, momentarily dazed. She couldn't believe she was married, much less to a stranger she'd met only once. The certificate still felt warm. Tyler Vaughn's name was inscribed upon it; beyond that, Emelie knew nothing.

"When should we hold the wedding? I'm in a bit of a hurry," Tyler said, standing beside her.

Emelie considered. "In two weeks. I'll need time to prepare."

Tyler's lips curved into a faint smile; his eyes softened. "Alright. You don't need to worry. Just wait for me to pick you up on the wedding day."

Emelie smiled. "I'm staying at Blue Sky Residence with the Horton family. I'll be waiting."

Just as Tyler began to speak, his phone rang, and a Rolls-Royce arrived. "Sorry, something urgent has come up." He left after Emelie gave him an understanding look.

Moments later, three luxury cars pulled up. Three strikingly handsome, yet vastly different, men emerged.

Anthony Horton, the eldest, approached, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses. "Mel had a fever. I was busy caring for her."

Marcelo Horton, the second eldest, followed, his tall figure imposing in a sleek black trench coat. "Since you were undecided, our lateness doesn't matter. Let's postpone until next year."

Connor Horton, the youngest, smirked. "Forget next year. Push it back a few years. Let her take her time."

Emelie shook her head, serenely producing the marriage certificate. "I'm not choosing between you. I'm already married."

Their faces froze, shock evident.

Anthony's gaze narrowed. "Emelie, are you trying to scare us?"

Marcelo's smile vanished. "You know Mel saved our lives. We owe her. You know how we feel. Can't you be more understanding?"

Connor tugged at his tie. "Warlington knows we've been pursuing you. Who'd dare marry you but us? They'd be asking for trouble! And now you're faking a certificate?" He snatched the certificate and tore it.

The shredded paper fluttered down. Emelie stared, bewildered. She wanted to argue but remained calm. This was supposed to be a joyful day. A torn certificate could be easily reissued.

With a composed expression, she said, "Tearing it doesn't change the fact the marriage is valid. My wedding is in two weeks. You're welcome to attend."

The brothers exchanged disbelieving glances. They suspected a ploy.

Marcelo stepped closer, coldly. "This little act is getting old."

"I'm not acting."

"Fine, fine," Connor replied with mock patience. "If you insist, I can't wait to see how you keep this up in two weeks."

Anthony was about to speak when his phone rang. Melissa Blackwell's frail, tearful voice filled the air. "Anthony, Marcelo, Connor… where are you? I feel awful…"

Panic etched their faces. Anthony softened, hurriedly comforting Melissa. "Mel, I just stepped out for your favorite snack. I'll be right back."

"Don't worry, Mel. I'm coming," Marcelo added.

"Hang tight, Mel. I'm on my way," Connor said.

They sped off, leaving Emelie alone in the cold. The wind whipped her hair, blurring her vision. A faint smile played on her lips, though a sense of loss lingered.

Even now, Emelie couldn't understand her situation with the Horton brothers. When she was seven, her parents died, and she was taken in by the Hortons, close friends of her family. An arranged marriage between her and one of their sons had been planned.

That day, a delicate, sweet Emelie had arrived at the Horton residence—and all three brothers had fallen for her instantly. They'd fought over her, each declaring her their future bride. Their parents, Ezra Horton and Kaitlyn Gould, initially dismissed it as childish infatuation, but the brothers' feelings intensified.

They cherished her, fiercely protecting her. Anthony became the family heir; Marcelo, a global superstar; and Connor, a legendary esports player. Despite their differences, their affection for Emelie remained steadfast.

Exasperated, Ezra and Kaitlyn announced Emelie would choose a husband on her 22nd birthday. That day arrived, but the three men, who once vowed to love her above all else, failed to appear because of Melissa, the daughter of a new maid.

Melissa had ingratiated herself to the brothers with calculated kindness. Initially dismissed, their attitudes changed dramatically after she saved them from a car accident. Their hearts shifted toward Melissa, and they began to hurt Emelie.

Numerous incidents occurred—abandoning Emelie on a dangerous mountain, prioritizing Melissa's amusement park trip over Emelie's illness, and saving Melissa over Emelie from drowning. Even on her wedding day, they missed the appointment.

None of them, who once swore to marry only her, had arrived on time. Their public affection was well-known. Now abandoned, the humiliation threatened the Richmond family's reputation. To preserve her family's dignity, Emelie married a stranger.

The arranged marriage was over. Her ties with the Horton brothers were severed.