Chapter 1

The day before my engagement ceremony to Leo Montgomery, heir to the Montgomery family, he vanished.

Police found his bloodstained Armani shirt near the docks in Calgary.

Everyone told me to accept the truth and grieve.

But I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream. I turned around and signed a marriage contract with his most trusted friend—Julian Fraser.

Five years later, we ran into each other at a bridal boutique on Stephen Avenue.

Leo was accompanying a woman I didn’t recognize, helping her pick out a wedding gown.

His friends scrambled to explain: “Leo was kidnapped by a rival family back then. He barely escaped with his life, but he lost his memory. Aria, don’t hold it against him.”

Leo looked me up and down, his tone flippant. “So you’re that ill-fated ex-fiancée I’ve heard about? You don’t look like much. But considering how long you were obsessed with me, I might be willing to reconsider our engagement.”

Before I could speak, my three-year-old daughter stepped in front of me.

“Don’t bully my mommy, mister,” Sophie said, her voice firm despite its softness. “Or I’ll tell my daddy to punch you.”

Leo Montgomery’s brows drew together as he stared at her.

One of his crew looked puzzled. “Aria, who’s the kid? Some goddaughter you picked up?”

I couldn’t blame them for jumping to that conclusion. I’d once sworn I’d marry no one but Leo Montgomery.

That obsession gave the Blackwell and Montgomery elders no end of headaches.

After Leo’s ‘death,’ everyone feared I’d do something reckless. They assigned people to keep an eye on me, both openly and in secret.

I had no desire to play games with Leo’s crew. I spoke clearly. “You’ve got the wrong person. I’m not your ex-fiancée.”

“And this,” I said, lifting Sophie into my arms, “is my daughter. Sophie. My biological daughter.”

I turned to leave, but the boutique clerk called after me. “Miss Blackwell, your custom gown has arrived from the Chinook Centre boutique.”

I didn’t turn back. “Sell it. I’ll wire the remaining balance.”

Leo finally stepped in front of me, blocking the door.

“You’re Aria Blackwell, aren’t you? My people told me what happened the day before our engagement. I don’t remember you, but I’m willing to keep my promise. You don’t have to bring a little girl just to get back at me.”

He tried to look innocent, but the smugness in his eyes betrayed him.

He was convinced I’d loved him too much to move on. In his mind, there was no way I’d marry someone else and have a child after he disappeared.

Then he looked at Sophie and smiled. “Sweetheart, tell me—who’s your mommy?”

Sophie answered in her soft, sweet voice. “That’s my mommy. Her name is Aria Blackwell.”

Leo’s grin didn’t falter. “Lying isn’t nice, little one.”

He was about to push further, but I interrupted him. “You’ve got the wrong person. Keep this up, and I’ll have my guards remove you.”

Leo backed off, rubbing his nose in frustration, and stepped aside.

Once I was gone, one of his friends clapped him on the shoulder. “Leo, I think you really messed up. Aria seems seriously pissed.”

Leo just waved his hand dismissively. “Relax. We grew up together. I know her. She’ll be mad for a few days, tops. I’ll tell her I got my memory back next month—she’ll be crying in my arms in no time.”

Back at the villa, I carried Sophie inside. Julian was in the kitchen, cooking.

Hearing us, Sophie ran into his arms.

“Daddy! There was a bad man at the bridal store. He was picking on Mommy. You have to beat him up for her!”

Julian’s eyes darkened for a moment, a sharp glint flashing through them. He was about to ask questions when his phone rang.

“Sweetheart, grab my phone for me,” he said. His hands were slick with oil.

Sophie reached into his pocket and automatically turned on the speaker.

“Julian, man, I had the worst luck today. Ran into Aria at the bridal store. She’s seriously pissed. She even brought a kid to mess with me. I think I went too far. You’re my best friend, you’ve gotta help me...”

Leo’s voice filled the spacious living room, echoing off the walls.

Julian’s eyes turned cold. He hung up without a word.

I looked at him with a half-smile. “Your best friend, huh? Don’t forget to help him.”

Sophie tilted her head. “Daddy, why does that voice sound just like the guy who bullied Mommy?”

Julian changed the subject without missing a beat. “Dinner’s ready. Let’s eat.”

Leo and I had grown up in the same power circle.

He was charming, full of swagger, always had something smooth to say. Girls loved him.

Back in college, I used to wait outside his dorm in my luxury car just to catch a glimpse of him.

I made it clear to everyone—we were a thing. I’d bring him the best gifts. I wanted his friends to know he was mine.

People envied us. They whispered about our relationship.

I made it known loud and clear: “Leo Montgomery is mine. Anyone who touches him answers to me.”

The Blackwell and Montgomery families were evenly matched in Calgary’s underground.

Leo treated me well. We went skiing in the Alps, skydiving in Dubai, attended exclusive galas.

Everyone assumed we’d end up together.

The elders arranged our engagement for a perfect date.

Then, the day before, Leo disappeared.

Both families mobilized. Even the police got involved.

They found his bloodstained shirt at the docks, suspected foul play from a rival clan.

That night, I received an anonymous video.

In it, Leo was drinking wine with a woman I’d never seen. He looked carefree, wild.

“Marriage is a prison,” he laughed. “Who wants to get locked up this early? I’ll fake my death for now. Once I’ve had my fun, I’ll go back and marry Aria. Just keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid.”

Someone off-camera asked, “Aren’t you worried she’ll move on?”

Leo scoffed. “Not in a million years. I know Aria. Even if I were really dead, she’d stay loyal for life.”

The video cut off there.

All the grief I’d felt turned into a cruel joke.

The next day, I ran into Julian Fraser at the Calgary Municipal Building. He was also under family pressure, in need of a powerful ally.

I said, “Let’s sign. You and me.”

Julian adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. His expression didn’t change.

“Okay,” he said.

And just like that, we became husband and wife—on paper.

No wedding, no announcement.

No one outside the families ever knew.