1: The Unseen Bonds

In Crestwood City, the grandeur of Lily Harper’s wedding day was overshadowed by the peculiar absence of her groom, Michael Everett, who lay in a coma. The prestigious Everett family, known for their influence in both legitimate and clandestine spheres, had orchestrated this marriage to maintain their lineage. Michael Everett, the apparent leader of the prominent Everett family, had been involved in a ghastly motor accident that left two of his best friends dead instantly, while he survived only by the skin of his teeth. He lay in a coma, oblivious of everything going on around him and the preparations underway to ensure he got married to the love of his life, Lily Harper. Draped in a gown of ethereal beauty, Lily reflected a façade of elegance, masking her inner turmoil. She was about to marry a man lost in a silent world, a man with a slim chance of making it back to this world. But that was not even the main problem troubling her mind. What was troubling Lily was the not-so-simple fact that her heart already belonged to another. As the ceremony drew near, her thoughts were with Daniel Everett, Michael’s cousin, her secret love who had stolen her heart with hardly any effort. They had planned an audacious escape to Serenity Isle, where they intended to spend the rest of their lives together. Yet Daniel’s silence since the previous night weighed heavily on her. Her secret lover had seemed somewhat aloof, as if something was weighing down his mind. Try as she might, she couldn’t get Daniel to open up to her or share what was troubling him. Was Daniel having second thoughts about their planned escape to Serenity Isle? Perhaps the pressure of the wedding preparation was taking its toll on him, despite knowing it was all a facade. Lily couldn’t put a finger on what was really troubling Daniel. Well, sooner or later, she would find out. As luck would have it, Lily found out the problem sooner rather than later. Stepping into the corridor, her world came crashing down as she overheard a damning conversation between Daniel and her half-sister, Ivy. “Daniel, we must be cautious. Lily is no fool,” Ivy whispered, her voice tense. “She’s just a pawn, Ivy. Once I control the Everett estate, we can be together openly,” Daniel replied with cold calculation. Lily’s heart raced as she processed their betrayal. Her mind reeled with flashbacks, each memory now tainted with deceit. She took deep breaths to steady her nerves as hot tears stung her eyes. So, this is it! Daniel was having an affair with her own half-sister of all the ladies in Crestwood City. Lily clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white. She leaned against a wall, eyes closed, willing the tears not to fall and ruin her immaculate makeup. Her mind traveled back to a period when love from Daniel was all that mattered. Flashback: A Secret Meeting A few nights ago, in the secrecy of the moonlit garden, Daniel had held her close. “Lily, trust me, we’ll be free soon,” he had murmured, his words seemingly sincere. They had just made sweet love in the moonlight, and her body was still zinging with the amazing orgasms Daniel gave her without much effort. Lily was head-over-heels in love with Daniel, and he knew it. Back to the Present Tears brimmed in Lily’s eyes again, but once again, she refused to let them fall. Her mind raced, seeking a way out of this unexpected development, a way that would still leave her in charge of the situation without giving Daniel and Ivy the satisfaction of winning. The realization of being used as a tool in her stepmother Helen’s machinations added to her resolve. Crestwood City had always looked down upon the Harpers, and this marriage was Helen’s desperate attempt to elevate their status. With a newfound resolve, Lily exited the house and entered the waiting limousine. The chauffeur closed the door, got in the driver’s seat, and drove to the nearby chapel. The guests gasped at her radiance and beauty as soon as Lily entered the chapel. But no one noticed her eyes, which held a storm of emotions. The ceremony, devoid of the groom’s presence, was surreal. As she stood alone at the altar, Lily felt the weight of everyone’s eyes upon her, but she stood tall, her spirit unbroken. The creme de la creme of the society graced this occasion, and she felt odd tying a nuptial knot with a man halfway to Heaven. Lily stiffened and willed her mind to concentrate as she took the wedding vows. The round of applause that came after she completed her vows did nothing to allay the storms raging in her mind. After the wedding, the chauffeur drove Lily to the massive Everett mansion. The luxurious home, filled with treasures and secrets, felt more like a gilded cage. But it would now be her home for the rest of her life. She shuddered at the thought of being the wife of a man whom doctors have practically given up on. Lily refused to think such thoughts as the maids led her to the master bedroom where Michael lay, fitted to machines that beeped constantly. In the master bedroom, she saw Michael for the first time since their engagement. A mix of awe and sorrow filled her. His presence, even in stillness, was overpowering. His handsome features, framed by dark hair, held a silent allure. She felt a painful tug in her heart at the thought that she had actually entertained running away with this man’s cousin. Never again, she thought. As Lily contemplated her new reality while nurses and maids ran around Michael’s bed, ensuring his comfort, Daniel entered the room, his smile failing to hide his true intentions. He crossed the room and stood beside Lily, gazing down at his uncle as he struggled for life. “Congratulations, Mrs. Everett!” Daniel boomed loudly. Then, in a low voice, “Soon, all this will be ours,” he said, reaching for her hand. Lily recoiled, her voice icy. “You underestimate the Everetts, Daniel. And as for you, you’re nothing but a schemer in the shadows.” Daniel’s smirk faltered, his eyes searching Lily’s face and his face turning white as he realized the game had changed. Lily had transformed and was no longer the naïve pawn; she was now a player in Crestwood City’s dangerous game of power and deception. “This family is still under Michael’s name, and now, so am I. Address me as Mrs. Everett,” she declared, a clear warning in her tone. Daniel was so shocked he could only open and close his mouth like a fish out of water. Lily spun around and marched out of the master bedroom, leaving Daniel to stew in his own bewildered thoughts as she made her way to Michael’s bedroom, their bedroom.