The Cripple Who Claimed a Principessa

Before my wedding to Julian Griffin, he crossed out his own name on the marriage contract—the very symbol of our two great families' alliance—and signed his brother's, Rhys Griffin's, instead. All for a stupid bet with Amber Cross.

A friend teased him, "You swapped your name with Rhys's on the contract just because you lost a bet to Amber? Aren't you afraid Principessa Donovan will make you pay for it?"

Julian replied dismissively, "She took a face full of fire for me. She can handle this. I've publicly humiliated her fifty-two times. What's one more? Besides, Rhys is a cripple. No woman would touch him. When Seraphina finds out, she'll come crawling back, and I'll still hold all the cards."

I stood just outside the door, hearing every single word. My blood ran cold.

For our families, the marriage contract was a sacred, inviolable symbol of our bond. Every couple joined in matrimony would sign their names, representing their family's blessing and the fusion of their power. Yet, Julian treated such a solemn vow like a cheap joke.

I didn't confront them. I simply turned in silence and strode away.

On the day of the wedding, Julian arrived at the church to find it utterly deserted. He called me, his voice frantic.

Across from me, my new groom waited. I stood before him in my pristine white wedding gown and answered calmly, "My wedding is about to begin. Are you calling to offer your congratulations?"

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1

On my wedding day, I walked toward the new husband Julian Griffin had chosen for me. But he was the one who would live to regret it.

...

My mother asked with concern, "Seraphina, are you absolutely sure about this? Rhys Griffin is paralyzed. He can't even care for himself. Julian was your fiancé, and he's the future Don of the Griffin family."

I cut her off. "My mind is made up. Julian and Rhys are brothers; they're both Griffins. Since Julian doesn't want me, why should I humiliate myself by begging for him?"

To our families, that contract was everything. Each union, solemnized by the signing of the document, represented a sacred alliance between two powerful dynasties. It was a tradition that upheld our honor and power—a ceremony of the highest dignity.

I never imagined Julian would treat it like a game.

I clamped a hand over my mouth, choking back a sob. Five years. I had wasted five years of my life on a man who didn't deserve a single second.

From the moment I first saw him at seventeen, I had been utterly devoted. I even took a bullet for him—or rather, a bomb. I shoved him clear of an explosion meant to kill him, only to be swallowed by the flames myself. I almost died.

Though I survived, the blast left its mark. I was plagued by excruciating, intermittent headaches that only powerful painkillers could manage.

When I learned I was to be joined with Julian in marriage, I was so ecstatic I couldn't sleep for nights on end.

I truly thought my happy ending was finally within reach.

However, Julian postponed our wedding again and again, always for a different reason. And every single reason had a name: Amber Cross.

The first time, Amber sprained her ankle at a club. Without a word, Julian abandoned me and our guests, racing to her side at a private hospital.

The second time, Amber threw a backstage tantrum, complaining that the evening gown I had personally designed for her wasn't dazzling enough. Julian canceled our wedding again, this time to procure more magnificent jewelry for her.

This charade continued until now, the fifty-second time.

At first, our family members sympathized with me. But as the cancellations mounted, they began to whisper that I was the problem.

They said I was cold and cruel, and that's why Julian despised me.

They said I was unfaithful, seeing other men behind his back, which was why he refused to go through with the ceremony.

The rumors spread like wildfire, the gossip growing more vicious with each retelling, until I couldn't even bear to show my face at family gatherings.

I begged Julian to set the record straight.

But he would just pat my head and murmur, "Don't listen to them. All that matters is that I know the truth about you."

At first, his words moved me. Only later did I discover that Julian himself was the source of those rumors. He wanted to divert everyone's attention to me, to shield Amber from their scrutiny.

Every betrayal was a bullet, ripping another bloody hole in my heart until it was nothing but shreds.

I'm done wasting my life on you, Julian.