Novelit

She was forced into a marriage to save her father’s business. And her fiance? He was in a coma, leaving her with an uncertain future. For others, she was doomed to be a widow and would someday get kicked out of the family. But what if life played a funny joke?

A few years later, she came back to her homeland with her twin children.

“Keep your distance from this man; he’s dangerous.” she pointed at the man on the TV.

“Well, let’s see.” one of them responded scornfully.

It was the day of socialite Avery's wedding, but the groom was nowhere to be found.

The groom Elliot had been in a coma after a car accident six months ago. His doctors predicted he wouldn't survive until the end of the year.

Overwhelmed by grief, Elliot's mother decided to arrange a wedding for her son before his premature death.

The Fosters were one of the local richest families, but no reasonable socialite would want to marry a man so close to death.

Dressed in a white wedding gown, Avery sat at the vanity, her makeup accentuating her fair skin, making her look as delicate as a blossoming red rose. But there was a hint of unease in her almond-shaped eyes.

With only 20 minutes left before the ceremony, Avery was frantically checking her phone, anxiously waiting for a text message.

She had a boyfriend before being forced to marry Elliot, and he happened to be Elliot's nephew, Cole Foster. However, their relationship had never been public.

Avery had texted Cole the previous night, hoping they could run away from Avonsville and elope. She stayed up all night waiting for a response that never came.

She couldn't wait any longer.

Avery got up from her seat, grabbed her phone tightly, and made up an excuse to leave the room.

She rushed down the hallway, stopping in her tracks when she heard her sister, Cassandra, giggling behind a partially open door.

"I bet my clueless sister is still waiting for you, Cole! Maybe you should go string her along a bit more. What are we going to do if she changes her mind and calls off the wedding?"

"Do you think she has a choice now that things have gone this far?" Cole replied, embracing Cassandra and nuzzling his lips against her neck. "Even if she tries to back out now, the guards will force her down the aisle!"

Cassandra laughed wickedly, then said, "Avery will flip if she finds out you've been with me every night!"

Avery's head throbbed with fury. She took a step back, nearly losing her balance.

Her hands clenched into fists around her gown as she fought back tears

Her father had been hospitalized after his company failed.

Her stepmother, Wanda Tate, had turned against Avery, forcing her to marry into the Foster family for her own gain. She claimed it was for the sake of the Tate family, but Avery knew this was Wanda's way of getting rid of her.

The most shocking thing was that her boyfriend, the one who claimed to love her, had betrayed her!

No wonder Cole insisted on going through with the wedding. He promised that he would marry her once Elliot died, but it was all a massive lie!

Her hopes and dreams had shattered, feeling suffocated.

As the voices around her grew louder, Avery tightened her fists, her eyes turning icy cold.

For years, she had put up with her stepmother and stepsister's taunts for her father's sake. She had silently borne all sorts of unfair treatment for the sake of family harmony.

She had been naive and foolish.

But now, she wouldn't let them walk all over her anymore!

She would reclaim what belonged to her!

Soon after, the wedding ceremony commenced.

Wearing her bridal gown with a bouquet of flowers in hand, Avery walked down the aisle to the gentle melody of romantic music.

She recited her own vows and placed the wedding ring on her finger.

The crowd appeared puzzled, but she ignored them.

From that moment, she became Mrs. Foster, and no one could touch her.

Unfortunately, her new husband, once a powerful figure in Avonsville, had limited time left.

That evening, Avery was taken to Elliot's mansion.

Situated in the heart of the city's wealthy district, the mansion was worth over 150 million dollars.

Before Avery could familiarize herself with her new home, Mrs. Cooper hurriedly brought her to the master bedroom.

Her attention was instantly drawn to the man lying on the grand bed. She cautiously approached him, studying his face.

Elliot's prominent features were striking on his chiseled face, exuding an air of regal nobility.

His skin was unusually pale from staying indoors, but his good looks were captivating.

Had it not been for his illness, Avery would never have married him.

Before his accident left him bedridden, Elliot had been a force to be reckoned with. The Group under his leadership was among the country's top ten corporations.

He was known to be ruthless and tyrannical, involved in both legitimate businesses and dealings with the criminal underworld. Those who crossed him paid dearly.

Avery never thought she would marry someone like Elliot.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the bedroom door opened.

It was Cole!

"I'm sorry, Avery! I was swamped today and only just managed to come see you," Cole said, feigning sincerity as he approached her.

"I just married your uncle," Avery replied coldly. "Do I have to teach you how to address me?"

"I know you're angry. I didn't run away with you because I didn't want you to struggle in life. Uncle Elliot is practically a dying man, so you won't have to do anything while married to him. Once he passes away, I'll get a great lawyer, and you'll inherit everything!"

Cole excitedly grasped Avery's hands, continuing, "When that happens, it will all belong to us!"

Avery remembered the earlier scene between Cole and Cassandra, and repulsion surged through her.

"Let go!" she shouted, forcefully shaking his hands off her.

Astonished by her outcry, Cole wondered if this was the same Avery he knew.

Avery had always been gentle and kind, never raising her voice at him.

Could she have discovered something?

Cole was struck by a pang of guilt and stepped closer to Avery, wanting to explain the situation to her.

Suddenly, his gaze went past Avery to something she couldn't see. His eyes grew wide with shock, as though he'd encountered a ghost.

"Wh-what..." Cole stumbled over his words.

Meanwhile, Elliot, who had been motionless in bed, started to gradually open his eyes.