Chapter 1 The Substitute Bride, Brothers at Odds

# Chapter 1: The Substitute Bride, Brothers at Odds

I never thought I'd sign my future away with a fountain pen worth more than my childhood home. Yet here I was, Linette Skinner, once the darling of high society, reduced to a bargaining chip in a game of corporate chess.

"Sign here, Miss Skinner," the Ballard family lawyer slid the contract across the mahogany table, his voice as dry as the champagne being served at my engagement party downstairs.

My hand trembled slightly as I stared at the document—a marriage contract binding me to Herbert Ballard, heir to the Ballard empire. The terms were clear: my hand in marriage in exchange for saving my family's crumbling business.

"Is something wrong?" Herbert's voice cut through my thoughts. Cold, calculated, precise—just like everything about him. At thirty-five, he commanded the room with steel-gray eyes that never revealed emotion. His tailored suit probably cost more than what remained of my family's assets.

"Just admiring the poetry of it all," I replied with a practiced smile. "Nothing says romance like a prenuptial agreement thicker than War and Peace."

A flicker of amusement crossed his face—the most emotion I'd seen from him in our three-month courtship. "Business before pleasure, my dear. Always."

I signed my name with a flourish. The deed was done.

Three weeks later, I walked down the aisle in a designer gown that felt like chainmail. The cream of society watched as I pledged my life to a man whose touch left me cold. Herbert's vows were perfectly rehearsed, as though he'd practiced them in front of a focus group to ensure maximum shareholder approval.

Our reception was a masterclass in extravagance—crystal chandeliers, rare orchids flown in from Thailand, and enough champagne to float a yacht. I played my part: the grateful bride, rescued from financial ruin by the generous Ballard heir. No one needed to know about the contract locked in Herbert's office safe.

"You look like you could use this," a voice murmured near my ear as a fresh glass of champagne appeared before me. I turned to find myself face-to-face with Maurice Ballard, Herbert's younger brother and the family's notorious black sheep.

Where Herbert was all cold precision, Maurice was dangerous charm. His dark eyes held secrets, and his smile promised he'd share them with you—for a price.

"Congratulations, sister-in-law," he said, clinking his glass against mine. "Welcome to the family business."

"Thank you," I replied cautiously. The brothers' rivalry was legendary in business circles. "I'm surprised you came."

"And miss watching Herbert acquire his latest asset?" Maurice's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Never."

Before I could respond, Herbert materialized beside me, his hand possessively claiming my waist. "Maurice," he acknowledged coldly. "I see you've met my wife."

"Just welcoming Linette to our dysfunctional family," Maurice raised his glass. "To the newest Ballard—may she survive longer than the last addition."

Herbert's fingers tightened on my waist. "Enjoy the party, brother. It's the closest you'll get to the boardroom this quarter."

Maurice's laugh was sharp enough to cut glass. "Always the businessman, Herbert. I wonder if your bride knows what she's really signed up for."

I felt tension crackle between them—ancient and dangerous. Herbert steered me away before I could decipher the meaning behind Maurice's words.

That night, after endless smiles and handshakes, Herbert led me to the presidential suite of his family's flagship hotel. The bridal suite was a monument to luxury, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the glittering city skyline.

"I have work to finish," Herbert announced, loosening his tie. "Don't wait up."

Just like that, he vanished into the adjoining office, leaving me alone on my wedding night. I kicked off my painful heels and opened the complimentary champagne. Some fairy tale.

I was halfway through my second glass when the suite door opened. Expecting room service with the late dinner I'd ordered, I called out, "Just leave it on the table, thank you!"

"Is that any way to greet family?" Maurice's voice sliced through the room.

I jumped up, nearly spilling champagne on my nightgown. "How did you get in here?"

Maurice held up a key card between two fingers. "Family privileges." He strolled in as though he owned the place, looking dangerously handsome with his bow tie undone and a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Where's my devoted brother? Don't tell me he's abandoned his bride already."

"Working," I said stiffly. "You shouldn't be here."

"No?" He moved closer, studying me with unnerving intensity. "Tell me, Linette, did you read the fine print of your marriage contract?"

My heart stuttered. "What are you talking about?"

Maurice chuckled, the sound devoid of humor. "My brother doesn't do anything without multiple contingency plans. Especially marriage."

He reached out suddenly, his fingers capturing my chin. I froze as he leaned in, his breath warm against my face.

"Sister-in-law," he whispered, his voice a dangerous caress, "you really think he married you for love?"

I jerked away. "I'm not naive, Maurice. This is a business arrangement."

"Oh, it's business alright," he replied, backing toward the door. "But not the kind you're thinking of. Check the dresser drawer. Third one down."

Before I could question him further, he was gone, leaving only his cryptic warning and the lingering scent of his cologne.

I stood frozen for a moment, telling myself to ignore his mind games. But curiosity—my perpetual downfall—propelled me toward the dresser. The third drawer slid open silently, revealing neatly folded silk shirts. Herbert's.

There was nothing unusual—until I noticed a manila folder tucked beneath them.

With trembling fingers, I extracted it and flipped it open. The header made my blood run cold: "Organ Donation Agreement."

My eyes scanned the document, disbelief mounting with each line. It was a legally binding agreement for a kidney donation, with my name listed as the donor. The recipient's name made my heart stop: Katherine Lane.

I'd heard that name before. Katherine—Herbert's college sweetheart who'd mysteriously vanished from his life years ago. The woman he'd allegedly never gotten over.

The suite door opened, and Herbert walked in, his expression shifting from surprise to cold fury when he saw the document in my hands.

"Going through my things already?" His voice was arctic.

"What is this?" I held up the agreement. "A kidney donation? Is this why you married me?"

Herbert's face revealed nothing as he approached. "You should be more careful about the contracts you sign, Linette. Page seventeen, paragraph four clearly states your commitment to medical procedures deemed necessary by either party."

Horror washed over me. "You can't be serious. This is—this is barbaric! You married me for my kidney?"

"For compatibility," he corrected, as though discussing a business merger. "Katherine needs a transplant. You're a perfect match—something extremely rare. When I discovered this during our background check, it seemed... efficient to combine solutions."

"Solutions?" My voice rose. "I'm a human being, not a spare parts warehouse!"

Herbert sighed, straightening his cuffs. "Don't be dramatic. You'll live perfectly well with one kidney, and your family's company will thrive under Ballard protection. Everyone benefits."

The cold calculation in his eyes made everything clear. I wasn't a wife. I wasn't even a person to him. I was a means to an end—a walking organ donor for the woman he truly loved.

My hand closed around the crystal champagne flute. In one fluid motion, I flung its contents directly into Herbert's face.

He froze, expensive champagne dripping down his perfect features.

"Herbert," I said, my voice deadly calm as rage crystallized within me, "your first love... is she in need of a kidney?"

His eyes narrowed, and I saw something dangerous flash within them. This man—my husband of twelve hours—was capable of far more evil than I'd imagined. And I was legally bound to him.

But if Herbert Ballard thought I would quietly sacrifice my body for his schemes, he was about to learn just how wrong he was. I might have signed a contract, but I wasn't defeated yet.

The game had just begun.