Chapter 1Venom & Vows

After my father went bankrupt, I was shipped off to the Thorne estate to settle his debts.

The man who picked me was the third son, Julian Thorne—a man with a notorious obsession with snakes.

Every night, he would bring a cold, slithering reptile into our bedroom. He’d let it coil around my ankles, ignoring my tears, refusing to take it away.

Aside from that terrifying quirk, I lived a life of luxury. I was the envy of everyone, the spoiled bird in a gilded cage.

But then, another girl arrived at the estate to pay off a debt.

Because this new girl was terrified of snakes, Julian killed his favorite pet right in front of her.

Looking at the serpent’s blood pooling on the floor, I knew my time as his favorite canary was up.

Conveniently, my three-year contract was over.

So, clutching my barely showing baby bump, I quietly escaped the Thorne estate.

* * *

When I found out my family was bankrupt, I was actually thrilled.

My dad had eight daughters. I was number eight.

My seven older sisters had all been sold off into strategic marriages. They were pawned off to divorcees with baggage or geriatrics old enough to be their grandfathers. Beautiful women, all of them, living miserable lives.

Dad had picked a winner for me, too. He combined the worst traits of all my brothers-in-law: short, obese, fifty-six years old, and mean.

I took one look at him and threw up. Literally. I knew if I married him, I’d starve to death because looking at his face killed my appetite.

When I refused, Dad locked me in the basement. He knew the drill; he’d broken seven daughters before me.

Just as I was about to lose hope, his company tanked. Even better? None of my rich brothers-in-law lifted a finger to help.

Dad was finally broke.

I lit incense for my ancestors, thanking them for the divine intervention. I thought I’d dodged the bullet of marriage.

I underestimated my father’s shamelessness. Since he couldn't marry me off, he decided to use me as collateral.