Chapter 1Trial by Fire

The day the invitations for my wedding to Grayson Thorne went out, his childhood "best friend" flew in from London.

Sienna wasn't just his friend; she was the orphan his parents had informally adopted, his shadow. And she demanded a "pre-marital test."

"A girl like you, an orphan? You're obviously just a gold digger," she announced at brunch. "You'll have to pass a one-month trial. Only then will our 'family' give you our blessing."

Under Grayson's silent agreement, his clique of trust-fund brats began their hazing.

On a ski trip in Aspen, a bucket of ice water was "accidentally" dumped on me from a balcony. In the sub-zero weather, I ended up with a fever so high I had convulsions.

A week later, a "prank" involving faulty wiring nearly set my room on fire.

Their "tests" were relentless. "She's an orphan," I overheard one of them say. "It's not like she has anyone to defend her."

Then, Sienna stole the case containing my family's medals.

She was blatant. "Want them back? I'm sure you can buy them. Or maybe not. My dog does need a new collar."

…

Two days before the wedding, I was walking down the grand staircase at the Thorne estate. I hit a patch of clear cooking oil, my foot shot out, and I tumbled head-over-heels down two flights of marble stairs.

My ribs screamed. Every breath was agony.

I dragged myself up, my arm throbbing. Nearby, a few of the house staff were covering their mouths, snickering.

"God, did you see her? Miss Sienna got her again." "She's tough, though. Most girls would have run by now."

Sienna's bright, cruel voice drifted in from the foyer. "A gutter rat trying to be a queen? She's not going to give up that easily."

She was flanked by her friends, all of them looking impeccable. I was a mess of bruises and torn clothes.

"I still don't get what Gray sees in her," one guy said, looking me over. "Sienna's been right there his whole life. Why pick... that?"

"She's an orphan, she can't help his family. It must be a fetish. Or maybe she's just really good in bed?"

A wave of laughter.

I ignored them, trying to check if my wrist was broken.

A voice cut through the haze, and my hand froze. "Elara, my friends are here for the party. What happened to the house? There's oil all over the floor. You're supposed to be the future Mrs. Thorne. You can't even manage a simple party?"

I looked up. Grayson was home. He was yanking at his tie, annoyed, until he finally saw the gash on my forehead.

"God, what now? How did you get hurt again?"

He started toward me, but Sienna grabbed his sleeve. "Gray, we agreed. The trial isn't over until the rehearsal dinner."

She shot me a mocking look. "Miss Peyton. You keep saying you love Gray for him, not his money. You have to prove to us that we can trust you with him."

One of her friends chimed in. "Sienna's right. If you back out over a few little scratches, you're just a gold digger."

Grayson stopped. He hesitated.

That single moment of hesitation was a bullet to my heart.

I didn't want this stupid "trial." He was the one who'd begged me.

"Elara, baby, my mother is still convinced you're not right for us. Just... play along. Show her you're committed. When it's over, she'll have to accept you."

I loved him. I'd loved him for seven years. So, believing the "trial" was just a few silly pranks, I'd agreed.

I never imagined Sienna would be this vicious.