My Boyfriend Drained My Blood to Please His Stepsister novel Chapter 9

My life was finally settling into place. My adoptive parents didn't love me like their own daughter, but they treated me well enough.

Besides occasionally submitting design drafts to the studio, I had developed a love for reading.

My past made it hard to open up, so I had no friends and had never fallen in love.

Stacy, my adoptive parents' daughter, often mocked me, calling me a socially inept bookworm.

I didn't care. Books gave me strength.

But over time, my adoptive parents started to believe her.

Then, without my knowledge, they arranged my marriage.

One Week Ago

When I came downstairs for dinner, my adoptive father, Gerald, said coldly, "Congratulations. You're getting married."

My adoptive mother, Stephanie, sighed. "Dawn, we're getting old. When hardship comes, no one will take care of you. So we found you a charming, handsome husband."

"His name is Kezr—"

Kezr. That sounded like a bald man in his fifties.

A chill ran down my spine.

"I don't want to marry a stranger. Why are you doing this?" I panicked.

Gerald cut me off. "Because we're getting a lot of money. This isn't a request. We took you in, so now it's time for you to repay us."

Money? Were they selling me?

"What did I do to deserve this?" My voice shook. "I won't marry someone I don't love."

They didn't know my past. They didn't understand how painful a loveless marriage could be.

"Enough!" Gerald snapped. "You will marry him."

I looked up. His expression was stiff, his reluctance clear.

"…I do," he gritted out.

"Dawn Graves, do you take Kezr Heznaya as your husband?"

I hesitated.

"…I do."

"You may now kiss the bride."

My breath caught.

He leaned in, closer and closer—then pressed a light kiss to the tip of my nose.

A shiver ran down my spine.