Before I Say I Do

My billionaire dad chooses a husband for me. People claim that Sebastian Lambert is a fine gentleman who's absolutely in awe of me.

He seems easy enough to deal with, so I agree to the marriage. The wedding is held at the biggest hotel my family owns.

On the big day, as I push open the doors in my wedding dress, a bucket of foul-smelling blood comes crashing down on me.

The scene inside is even more horrifying. What was supposed to be a pure and romantic ceremony is now decorated with giant spiders and cockroaches. Grotesque clown faces grin at me from the walls. At the altar, there's a black coffin.

Sebastian's adoptive sister, Ruth Lambert, strolls over with a group of people. She covers her mouth in fake surprise as she remarks, "Oh my, Claudia, you look like a pathetic mutt right now!"

Laughter erupts around me. Holding my anger back, I coldly reply, "All of you, get out."

She crosses her arms, arrogantly looking down at me as if she's on some pedestal. "Come on, Claudia. Seb personally asked me to surprise you. I put in a lot of effort to decorate your little wedding. You're telling me to get out? I don't even get a 'thank you'? Do you need me to teach you some manners?"

She signals to the people next to her, and two of them step forward, trying to force me to my knees.

Stunned for a few seconds, I pull out my phone and call Sebastian. "Is this the so-called surprise you had your sister prepare for me? Forcing me to kneel before her?"

This wedding had some of the most influential people as guests. I didn't care much either way, but the older guests weren't going to be nearly as forgiving with Sebastian Lambert.

If he really was as chivalrous as Dad claimed, I figured giving him a hand wouldn't hurt.

But before I could finish my sentence, Sebastian cut me off impatiently. "That's all you wanted to say?"

He sounded as if I was making a fuss over nothing.

My rage was indescribable, but I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "Mr. Lambert, you seem to be confused. The wedding's about to start, and Ruth has turned the venue into a crime scene. You'd better come deal with her—"

With a beep, the line went dead. I was aghast. We hadn't even met, and he'd already threatened me twice. Was this what Dad meant by "in awe?"

Ruth crossed her arms and sneered. "You're nothing but a mutt that the Lamberts picked up off the street. Who do you think you are now—the lady of the house? So what if Grandpa likes you? I'm the only one Seb cares about!"

Seeing my disheveled appearance didn't seem to satisfy her, and she lifted her blood-splattered heels. As if she were doing me a favor, she said, "If you crawl over here and lick my heels clean, maybe I'll spare