The cripple who claimeda principessa novel

1 Chapter 1 +5 Before my wedding to Julian Griffin , he crossed out his own name on the marriage contract - the very symbol of our two great families ' alliance - and signed his brother's , Rhys Griffin's , instead . All for a stupid bet with Amber Cross . A friend teased him , " You swapped your name with Rhys's on the contract just because you lost a bet to Amber ? Aren't you afraid Principessa Donovan will make you pay for it ? " Julian replied dismissively , " She took a face full of fire for me . She can handle this . I've publicly humiliated her fifty - two times . What's one more ?

Besides , Rhys is a cripple . No woman would touch him . When Seraphina finds out , she'll come crawling back , and I'll still hold all the cards . " I stood just outside the door , hearing every single word . My blood ran cold . For our families , the marriage contract was a sacred , inviolable symbol of our bond . Every couple joined in matrimony would sign their names , representing their family's blessing and the fusion of their power . Yet , Julian treated such a solemn vow like a cheap joke . I didn't confront them . I simply turned in silence and strode away .

On the day of the wedding , Julian arrived at the church to find it utterly deserted . He called me , his voice frantic . Across from me , my new groom waited . I stood before him in my pristine white wedding gown and answered calmly, " My wedding is about to begin . Are you calling to offer your congratulations ? " 1 On my wedding day , I walked toward the new husband Julian Griffin had chosen for me . But he was the one who would live to regret it . ... My mother asked with concern , " Seraphina , are you absolutely sure about this ? Rhy Griffin is paralyzed .

He can't even care for himself . Julian was your fiancé , and he's th future Don of the Griffin family . " I cut her off . " My mind is made up . Julian and Rhys are brothers ; they're both Griffins . 18:17 1 Chapter 1 Since Julian doesn't want me , why should I humiliate myself by begging for him ? " To our families , that contract was everything Each union , solemnized by the signing of the document , represented a sacred alliance between two powerful dynasties . It was a tradition that upheld our honor and power - a ceremony of the highest dignity .

I never imagined Julian would treat it like a game . I clamped a hand over my mouth , choking back a sob . Five years . I had wasted five years of my life on a man who didn't deserve a single second . From the moment I first saw him at seventeen , I had been utterly devoted . I even took a bullet for him - or rather , a bomb . I shoved him clear of an explosion meant to kill him , only to be swallowed by the flames myself . I almost died . Though I survived , the blast left its mark . I was plagued by excruciating , intermittent headaches that only powerful painkillers could manage .

When I learned I was to be joined with Julian in marriage , I was so ecstatic I couldn't sleep for nights on end . I truly thought my happy ending was finally within reach . However , Julian postponed our wedding again and again , always for a different reason . And every single reason had a name : Amber Cross . The first time , Amber sprained her ankle at a club . Without a word , Julian abandoned me and our guests , racing to her side at a private hospital .

The second time , Amber threw a backstage tantrum , complaining that the evening gown I had personally designed for her wasn't dazzling enough . Julian canceled our wedding again , this time to procure more magnificent jewelry for her . This charade continued until now , the fifty - second time . At first , our family members sympathized with me . But as the cancellations mounted , they began to whisper that I was the problem . They said I was cold and cruel , and that's why Julian despised me .

They said I was unfaithful , seeing other men behind his back , which was why he refused to go through with the ceremony . The rumors spread like wildfire , the gossip growing more vicious with each retelling until I couldn't even bear to show my face at family gatherings . I begged Julian to set the record straight . 18:17 2/3 1 Chapter 1 But he would just pat my head and murmur , " Don't listen to them . All that matters is that I know the truth about you , " At first , his words moved me . Only later did I discover that Julian himself was the source of those rumors .

He wanted to divert everyone's attention to me , to shield Amber from their scrutiny . Every betrayal was a bullet , ripping another bloody hole in my heart until it was nothing but shreds . I'm done wasting my life on you , Julian . 0 Comment @ 18:17 Leave the first comment for this chapter . Vote 39 Swipe left to continue > Lucia Morh Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she's not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.