Stand-In Bride’s Escape CH 14

Chapter 14  Phoebe followed Elliot into his study, her voice still choked with tears: “Elliot, if Isabelle really hates me this much, I shouldn’t have come back…”  Elliot rubbed his temples, his tone relatively gentle: “Don’t overthink it. She’s probably just in a bad mood.”  “Why is she in a bad mood? Is it because … Read more

Stand-In Bride’s Escape CH 13

Chapter 13  Phoebe sat on the living room sofa as the family doctor carefully tended to the bruises on her body.  When the alcohol swab touched her wounds, she sucked in a sharp breath, but her mind was full of Isabelle’s ice–cold stare from the  warehouse earlier.  Something was wrong.  Very wrong.  It was the … Read more

Stand-In Bride’s Escape CH 12

Chapter 12  The moment Phoebe saw Elliot appear, hope burst into her eyes.  She dragged her battered body toward him, limping as she threw herself into his arms. Tears streamed down her face, her voice trembling uncontrollably: “Elliot… she, she was going to kill me! Isabelle has lost her mind! She can’t stand to see … Read more

Stand-In Bride’s Escape CH 11

Chapter 11  Chapter 11  After an unknown amount of time, Isabelle regained consciousness in the bone–chilling cold.  She struggled to open her eyes, everything blurry before her.  The burlap sack was stuffy and reeked of blood, the metallic smell nearly suffocating her.  Gritting her teeth, she used all her strength to break free from the … Read more

Stand-In Bride’s Escape CH 10

Chapter 10  Chapter 10  Elliot stood in the doorway, looking at Isabelle in her wedding dress, a sarcastic smile twisting his lips. His voice was ice cold: “I just told you not to trouble Phoebe, and you immediately arrange to have her kidnapped? Do you have to torment her every moment? Now you’ve orchestrated this … Read more

Stand-In Bride’s Escape CH 9

Chapter 9  em  Chapter 9  In the dressing room, Isabelle sat quietly in front of the mirror, letting the makeup artist apply her eyebrows and lips.  The woman in the mirror was breathtakingly beautiful, almost unchanged from when she fled her wedding three years ago, except for an even more aloof look in her  eyes.  … Read more

Stand-In Bride’s Escape CH 8

Chapter 8  Chapter 8  After delivering those cold words, Elliot turned and left the basement.  Sophie listened to his footsteps fade away before slowly using the wall to help herself stand.  Over the next three days, she locked herself in her room, barely leaving.  She only took a few bites of the meals the servants … Read more

Stand-In Bride’s Escape CH 7

Stand–In Bride’s Escape: No More Chains. Only Freedom  3.9%  Chapter 7  Chapter 7  His gaze swept over her, as if checking for injuries, finally breathing a sigh of relief. “What happened these three days?”  Sophie’s lips curved slightly, blood seeping from her cracked lips. “Nothing.”  She cut straight to the point. “The wedding you promised … Read more

Stand-In Bride’s Escape CH 6

Chapter 6  When Sophie woke up again, she was staring at the stark white ceiling of a hospital room.  “You’re finally awake!” The nurse sighed in relief. “With injuries this severe, we need to contact your family immediately.”  She paused, then couldn’t help but add, “Look at Miss Evans next door–same accident, but her injuries … Read more

Stand-In Bride’s Escape CH 5

Chapter 5  Sophie opened her eyes in pain to find herself back at the Sinclair estate.  Elliot sat by her bedside, staring at her with dark eyes. “What did you just say about leaving?”  Sophie’s heart skipped a beat as she feigned confusion with a hoarse voice. “What leaving? I must have been delirious with … Read more