Runaway Groom : A Bride's Tale

Runaway Groom : A Bride's Tale

Jenny · Completed · 186.3k Words

429
Hot
1.8k
Views
339
Added
Add to Shelf
Start Reading
Share:facebooktwitterpinterestwhatsappreddit

Introduction

"The entire wealthy circle in Seattle knew how much Stella Carlson loved Aaron Malone. People watched the childhood sweethearts grow from inexperience to maturity, finally getting married in a grand wedding ceremony.

On the day of the wedding, despite the alliance between the Carlson and Malone families, the groom ran away. Stella knew that Aaron had rushed to L.A. to take care of his ex-girlfriend, who had attempted suicide.

Unwilling to become the laughingstock of all Seattle, she gritted her teeth and dialed the number of her adversary, her tone almost commanding, "Ethan, come and marry me now. This is your only chance for revenge."

On the other end, Ethan Powers raised an eyebrow as he gripped his phone, staring at the floor littered with cigarette butts. "Did the groom run away?" he asked. "My darling."

Chapter 1

May, Seattle

The clouds hung low, the weather brewing with mugginess. Just after the typhoon passed, the air carried a damp mist, accompanied by a gentle breeze blowing into the room through the window.

The clock ticked slowly, steadily pointing to eight o'clock sharp.

Just then, there was a light sound outside the door. Upon getting a response from Stella Carlson, Aurora, dressed in professional attire, entered the hotel's presidential suite.

Merbeil, where Aurora worked, was the best-known wedding planning company in the industry, specializing in high-end clientele. Of course, the services provided were also absolutely considerate and meticulous, worthy of the million-dollar fee.

Two months ago, Merbeil received a commission for a luxury wedding. After internal competition, Aurora stood out and officially won the planning for this luxury wedding.

The top-floor presidential suite at SIMO Hotel was elegantly simple in style, yet luxurious details were subtly embedded. Even the water glasses casually placed on the coffee table were custom-made by Queen-W.

Upon entering the room, Aurora saw the bride, Stella, standing silently by the window. With a polite smile, she kindly asked, "Miss Carlson, it's still early, would you like to rest first?"

Upon hearing her voice, Stella turned around. Her bright eyes were clear and charming, with a soft light akin to water. With chestnut hair and red lips, her delicate features adorned her swan-like neck and shoulders. Her skin resembled porcelain. She was draped only in a loose bathrobe, yet her beauty stunned Aurora, who was also a woman, almost rendering her unable to look away.

The beauty's gaze fixed on the clock on the wall, which was moving constantly. Then, with a faint smile, she gently asked back, "Is it still early?"

Her voice was soft, as if asking Aurora, yet also as if speaking to herself, which puzzled Aurora a bit. After all, it was just past 8 o'clock, and according to the wedding schedule, it would be another two hours before Mr. Malone arrived.

As the head wedding planner, Aurora naturally had some understanding of the groom and bride.

The Malone family was among the few prominent elites, and the groom, Aaron Malone, was the current head of the Malone family.

This well-known young man was truly the pride of heaven, born with a silver spoon, educated in prestigious schools. He successfully launched a startup while studying, which later went public, and then orchestrated the largest medical merger in the industry after inheriting the family business.

However, the wealthy bachelor, what people found most fascinating was a rumor.

Many gossip accounts speculated about the ambiguous relationship between the elite Mr. Malone and the rising starlet in the entertainment industry, Avery Fletcher. Naturally, Aurora was also curious. But after interacting with him during this period, she felt that Mr. Malone's attentive care for his fiancée, Miss Carlson, didn't seem fake.

Miss Carlson was both beautiful and graceful, not inferior to Avery, who stood out in the entertainment industry for her looks. It was heard that she entered the Radiant Arts Institute with outstanding results in liberal arts in Seattle, and later pursued further studies at the Lawton Business School, a definite academic achiever. Such an illustrious lady with outstanding credentials and a personable demeanor. After two months, Aurora had become a loyal supporter of Stella.

Avery had a solid background, and negative news about her had been wiped clean. However, Aurora still heard from her screenwriter friends that Avery tended to throw tantrums while filming.

If Mr. Malone wasn't blind, why would he ignore his fiancée, who was stunningly beautiful, and instead favor Avery, who only knew how to market her beauty like a duck trying to imitate a swan?

Aurora felt that perhaps the rumors were just hearsay, merely the online community chasing shadows.

Unaware of Aurora's thoughts, Stella glanced at her phone, closed the window, and walked over to the sofa to sit down, asking, "Aurora, I remember you're from L.A.. Do you know how long it takes to travel from L.A. to Seattle?"

"If you're taking a plane, it's less than two hours. Hmm... but today might be an exception. I have a friend who wants to come to Seattle for a visit. Originally, they had a flight booked for today, but just saw on their social media that many flights from L.A. have been canceled."

Both Seattle and L.A. were coastal cities, and this season, there were often typhoons, occasionally causing flight delays due to weather.

Just as Aurora finished speaking, her two colleagues entered, pushing a rack with wedding dresses.

Stella, in a relaxed posture, nodded casually while half-leaning on the sofa, no longer engaging in further conversation.

...

The presidential suite had a separate dressing room, where Stella went to change.

The wedding dress was a special custom design from Stella's friend Natalie Barrett's personal brand. Layers of sheer white chiffon cascaded, adorned with hundreds of pearls and diamonds, shimmering in the light. The fitted off-the-shoulder design highlighted her sexy and delicate collarbones, accentuating her graceful and enchanting figure. It had to be said, this dress and Stella were a perfect match, and everyone exclaimed at how beautiful it was.

The wedding team's executive assistant, Hannah, walked over at this moment to help with arranging the train of the dress.

The Carlson family might not be as prominent as the Malone family in recent years, but they were still considered notable figures in Seattle. Most importantly, Stella was about to marry into the Malone family and officially become Mrs. Malone.

Hannah tried to please, casually tidying the wedding dress while also complimenting, "Miss Carlson, I've worked with many clients, but this is the first time I've met such a handsome groom like Mr. Malone. Mr. Malone said you two met when you were 16. First love always holds the most sincere feelings."

While Hannah's attitude was teasingly polite, Stella remained lost in thought, politely smiling at the end without responding.

Feeling a bit awkward, Hannah was relieved when Stella's phone rang at the right moment, giving her a chance to change the subject. She smiled and said, "Mr. Malone is really considerate, calling at this moment."

Seeing Stella slightly furrow her brows, Aurora thought she might not appreciate Hannah's approach, so she spoke up, "Alright, let's not disturb Miss Carlson anymore. Let's go over the wedding itinerary again."

Although Hannah had some support behind her, she didn't dare openly defy Aurora, the executive of the wedding team, so she reluctantly bit her lip.

The three soon left the room.

The room quieted down as Stella walked to the window and answered Aaron's call.

The man's voice was gentle and calm. "I'm sorry. The flight got canceled, and I won't make it back in time."

Stella rubbed her brow as if she had expected it, her tone flat. "I know." Her voice was as gentle as ever, putting Aaron at ease on the other end of the phone.

Next, Aaron's voice became steady and firm, as if he were handling business matters. "It's still early. We can reschedule the wedding for tomorrow. I've already called Daniel. He'll inform the guests later. Don't worry."

Don't worry?

Hearing Aaron's words, Stella found it ridiculous and smiled, almost as if mocking herself.

Yesterday, when Aaron said he had to rush to L.A. for a branch matter, he used the same gentle and calm tone to assure her not to worry, that he would come back and it wouldn't affect the wedding.

"Aaron, I know Avery was admitted to the hospital last night. Are you at the hospital now?" Stella asked directly.

Aaron obviously didn't expect her to know the reason for his trip to L.A. and remained silent for a moment.

Stella's eyes dimmed slightly, a touch of self-deprecation coloring her gaze as she spoke knowingly, "So you're at Avery's apartment."

There was a pause on the other end, and he spoke softly, "I'm sorry, Stella, for not telling you yesterday. I was afraid you'd misunderstand."

"Misunderstand? But look, even though you knew I might misunderstand, you still went there." Her tone betrayed no emotion, adding a hint of irony.

Aaron's tone grew somewhat indifferent, "I know you have some bias against Avery, but she's your cousin. She's injured, and neither you nor I can turn a blind eye."

The man's obvious defense of Avery caused Stella's hand to tremble slightly. She sighed deeply, quietly lowering her gaze. "Yes, Avery is my cousin."

She was also Aaron's ex-girlfriend, and more importantly, his childhood sweetheart.

The Carlson and Malone families were close, and Avery moved in at the age of six with her mother, becoming Aaron's true childhood friend. Earlier, when Hannah tried to make light of the situation, Stella remained silent because Aaron's childhood affection didn't belong to her.

"How is she now?" she asked.

The two had argued too much over Avery, so Aaron didn't want to dwell on it now. He simply replied, "She's been discharged from the hospital, nothing serious."

"Oh, I see." Though she had anticipated it, Stella still felt a bit relieved. If Avery had really been seriously injured, Stella's grandfather, Thomas Carlson, who had been in poor health in recent years, probably wouldn't be able to handle it. However, when Stella received those photos just now, she already understood that Avery probably wasn't really in trouble.

"Stella," Aaron softened his tone, "My decision to come to L.A. before the wedding was not well thought out, but for now, we need to make sure tomorrow's wedding is properly arranged, okay?"

Because Avery was injured, he had to cancel last minute, so he wanted to postpone the wedding.

Stella was acutely aware, from the moment Aaron proposed to her, that the significance of this wedding in their hearts was different.

She remained calm, silently gazing out the window.

The city bustled with activity, towering skyscrapers dominating the skyline.

Perhaps the air conditioning indoors was too strong. With one arm wrapped around herself, she stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the flowing traffic below, yet feeling no sense of reality. It was as if she had returned to the year she turned 16.

After a long pause, she spoke again, "Aaron, do you remember when I first came back to the Carlson family, I lost the jade Buddha the dean gave me? I searched for it for a long time but couldn't find it. I hid in the attic and cried alone. Then you found me in the attic, didn't tell anyone, and secretly helped me find the jade Buddha."

Her voice was ethereal and soft, causing Aaron to be drawn into reminiscence, softening his heart. Later, he chuckled softly, "At that time, I wondered why you would hide and cry just because you lost something. But seeing how sincerely you cried, I had to help you find it."

Stella smiled.

Actually, she knew Aaron hadn't found that jade Buddha. It was just his gentlemanly upbringing that compelled him to not ignore a crying girl and so he bought a similar-looking one.

"Why bring that up all of a sudden?" Aaron asked.

"I just suddenly felt that losing that jade Buddha wasn't really worth being sad about." With that said, most of the emotions in her heart dissipated.

Initially, her tears were more about the overwhelming scrutiny she faced when she first returned to the Carlson family, suppressing too many emotions. Later, when she got into the Radiant Arts Institute, she heard plenty of flattery and praise from outsiders. The jade Buddha Aaron bought for her was also lost, but she seemed to feel nothing about it.

Time ultimately heals all wounds, and nothing is immutable. So what had she been holding onto all these years?

It was as if she had pondered one thing for too long and finally made a decision in this moment.

"Let's put an end to this wedding," she said. "Let's break up."

Last Chapters

You Might Like 😍

My Husband Wants An Open Marriage

My Husband Wants An Open Marriage

198.3k Views · Completed · Elysian Sparrow
It’s true what they say about marriage: one partner’s always happier than the other.

Julie's world is shattered when her husband, Ryan, reveals that he wants an open marriage. His reason: he needs a child as they've been unable to have one. Julie reluctantly agrees to save her marriage.

The next day, Ryan returns home with his secretary, confirming Julie’s long-held suspicion that their affair was taking place behind her back.

Julie, heartbroken and enraged, seeks solace in a bar, where she meets a fascinating stranger named Luke, who changes the game. Julie confides in Luke over drinks, and he proposes a risky plan: he will act as her "boyfriend" to turn the tables on Ryan.

Julie agrees, setting off a chain of events that will challenge everything she thought she knew about love, loyalty, and herself.
The Alpha King's Human Mate

The Alpha King's Human Mate

411.1k Views · Ongoing · HC Dolores
“You must understand something, little mate,” Griffin said, and his face softened,

“I have waited nine years for you. That’s nearly a decade since I’ve felt this emptiness inside me. Part of me began to wonder if you didn’t exist or you’d already died. And then I found you, right inside my own home.” 

He used one of his hands to stroke my cheek and tingles erupted everywhere. 

“I’ve spent enough time without you and I will not let anything else keep us apart. Not other wolves, not my drunken father who’s barely holding himself together the past twenty years, not your family  – and not even you.”


Clark Bellevue has spent her entire life as the only human in the wolf pack - literally. Eighteen years ago, Clark was the accidental result of a brief affair between one of the most powerful Alphas in the world and a human woman. Despite living with her father and her werewolf half-siblings, Clark has never felt like she really belonged in the werewolf world. But right as Clark plans to leave the werewolf world behind for good, her life gets flipped upside down by her mate: the next Alpha King, Griffin Bardot. Griffin has been waiting years for the chance to meet his mate, and he's not about to let her go anytime soon. It doesn't matter how far Clark tries to run from her destiny or her mate - Griffin intends to keep her, no matter what he has to do or who stands in his way.
Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother

Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother

203.1k Views · Ongoing · Harper Rivers
Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother.

"What is wrong with me?

Why does being near him make my skin feel too tight, like I’m wearing a sweater two sizes too small?

It’s just newness, I tell myself firmly.

He’s my boyfirend’s brother.

This is Tyler’s family.

I’m not going to let one cold stare undo that.

**

As a ballet dancer, My life looks perfect—scholarship, starring role, sweet boyfriend Tyler. Until Tyler shows his true colors and his older brother, Asher, comes home.

Asher is a Navy veteran with battle scars and zero patience. He calls me "princess" like it's an insult. I can't stand him.

When My ankle injury forces her to recover at the family lake house, I‘m stuck with both brothers. What starts as mutual hatred slowly turns into something forbidden.

I'm falling for my boyfriend's brother.

**

I hate girls like her.

Entitled.

Delicate.

And still—

Still.

The image of her standing in the doorway, clutching her cardigan tighter around her narrow shoulders, trying to smile through the awkwardness, won’t leave me.

Neither does the memory of Tyler. Leaving her here without a second thought.

I shouldn’t care.

I don’t care.

It’s not my problem if Tyler’s an idiot.

It’s not my business if some spoiled little princess has to walk home in the dark.

I’m not here to rescue anyone.

Especially not her.

Especially not someone like her.

She’s not my problem.

And I’ll make damn sure she never becomes one.

But when my eyes fell on her lips, I wanted her to be mine.
Mated To The Cold Hearted Alpha

Mated To The Cold Hearted Alpha

261.8k Views · Ongoing · Alice Tumusiime
Warning 18+ ⚠️MATURE READERS ONLY⚠
"You want me to fuck you, I know it"
"As much as you don't like me, you're my mate and you can't deny it."
He stood up behind me, one hand holding my hip, and leaned down, his breath ragged against my neck, his voice was husky,
"You'll listen to your body... what it wants... and my body... what it needs. Only the pleasure that a small bite can bring."

At the age of 15, I was shocked to hear the ruthless Alpha claim that I was his mate.
To make matters worse, he killed my father, who was trying to protect me. At that time, I successfully ran away from him.
However, when I turned 18, I fell into his trap again.
I hated him and wanted revenge, but the moon goddess had a different plan for me.
I was his mate, and we were fated to be together. No matter the circumstances, my body couldn't resist him.
You Rejected A Silver Wolf

You Rejected A Silver Wolf

185.4k Views · Completed · Princess Treasure Chuks
After being hated and rejected her entire life, for a mistake she made in the past, Lady Rihanna, daughter of the Beta decided to leave Black Hills.
Wandering off as a rogue, she heightened her powers and became the fearsome dread called Your Silver.
Accompanied by her silver wolf, she was ready to unleash hell on all who rejected her but then she meets her second chance mate, Alpha of Black Rose, who she couldn’t refuse.
An evil is rising that'd need the blood of the silver wolf to succeed. Would Rihanna forsake her pain and work with her mates, old and new?
Or would she charge head-on to the evil risking her own life? Enjoy this enthralling read!!
Stuck With My Three Hottie Boss

Stuck With My Three Hottie Boss

169.8k Views · Completed · Oguike Queeneth
"Your pussy is dripping for us, begging for us to use it." His deep voice sent shivers down my spine.

"Do you want that, buttercup? Do you want us to give your little cunt what it craves?"

"Y…yes, sir." I breathed


Joanna Clover's hard work through university paid off when she got a secretary job offer to her dream company, Dangote Group of Industries. The company is owned by three mafia heirs, they don't only own a joint business, they are also lovers and had been together since their college days.

They are sexually attracted to one another but they share everything together including women and they change them like clothes. They are known as the world's most dangerous playboys.

They want to share her but will she accept the fact that they fuck each other?

Will she be able to navigate business and pleasure?

She has never been touched by a man before let alone three, all at the same time. Will she oblige?
The Luna's Vampire Prince

The Luna's Vampire Prince

144.8k Views · Completed · Bella Moondragon
Prince Rafe leans over me, holding himself up on one elbow as he gazes at my face. I feel his eyes wandering over every surface from my brow to my eyes, down my nose, to my lips and chin, and then returning to hold my gaze for a second. The small smile at the corner of his mouth makes me think he likes what he sees.
His hand is cool when it brushes a loose curl from my cheek, but I don’t jerk away from him. I have no idea what’s going on. I don’t understand why I’m here. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. It seems like a lot of powerful people want me—dead or alive. And yet, all I can think about right now is how badly I want this vampire’s hands on my body.


I live in a desolate village on the edge of the Vampire King’s lands. This used to be wolf shifter territory, but now, we are just trying to survive.
When I mess up and find myself in a culling, I know I’m dead. No wolf shifters ever survive these events.
And after the stunt I pulled in the middle of the village, Prince Rafe probably wants me dead.
Is it a good thing or a bad thing when a vampire looks at you like you’re a snack?
Something tells me, once I reach the castle, I’ll be missing my miserable existence in the village.
But then—it turns out I have no freaking idea who I even am, and when the royals start referring to me as Princess Ainslee, I realize my life is about to take a turn—for better or worse.
The Wolf Prophies

The Wolf Prophies

158k Views · Ongoing · Catherine Thompson
Lexi has always been different than others. She is faster, stronger, can see better and heals quickly. And she has an odd birthmark in the shape of a wolf's paw. But she never thought of herself as special. Until she gets close to het twentieth birthday. She notices all of her oddities get stronger. She knows nothing about the super natural world or mates. Until the birthmark starts to burn. Suddenly she finds herself involved with werewolves that think she is the prophesied one that is supposed to unite the packs against a vampire that wants her dead. She has to learn how to handle her new powers as well as not one but two mates. One wanted to reject her because he thought she was human. The other accepts her completely. The prophecy says she has to have both. Wha twill she do. Will she accept both or reject one and hope for a second chance mate? Will she be able to handle shifting and her powers before it is too late?
A pack of their own

A pack of their own

497.4k Views · Completed · dragonsbain22
Being the middle Child ignored and neglected, rejected by family and injured, She receives her wolf early and realizes she is a new type of hybrid but doesn't know how to control her power, she leaves her pack with her best friend and grandmother to go to her grandfather's clan to learn what she is and how to handle her power and then with her fated mate, her best friend and her fated mate little brother and grandmother start their own pack.
Unwanted Mate Of The Lycan Kings

Unwanted Mate Of The Lycan Kings

101.3k Views · Completed · Jessica Hall
Caught in a deadly game, Zirah must outwit three savage Lycan Kings and their lethal pets to survive. But what happens when she finds herself in the heart of the maze, not just alive, but protected by the very beasts sent to kill her? It is supposed to be a game—a game of life and death. But what started with the maze trials ended in a prize that is more than Zirah bargained for. She never thought the prize would be for her to choose between the three Lycan Kings fighting for their father’s throne.

Upon meeting the three Lycan kings, Zirah learns that the Kings are no prince charmings. That this would be no fairy tale love story, but one where her life is constantly balanced on the sharp edge of a knife's blade. A knife that is poised to take her life or leave her horribly broken. The Kings want nothing to do with her or each other and plan to get rid of her.

What they don't expect is for Zirah to fight back, only she plays with something far more dangerous than weapons. She’ll play with their hearts.

Zirah has to pick one King, but secrets will be revealed, and the battle between the Kings will be for more than just the throne. They will battle for the queen that they tried to break. But there's just one issue: Zirah wants revenge, and what better revenge than taking away their precious throne?
A FORCED CONTRACT MARRIAGE WITH THE DEVIL

A FORCED CONTRACT MARRIAGE WITH THE DEVIL

85.3k Views · Completed · Alice Tumusiime
"Love me or hate me either way, I will fuck you every night.."
MXM R18+
A FORCED CONTRACT MARRIAGE WITH THE DEVIL.
I sucked in my breath when he all of a sudden took hold of my jaw and kept my other hand above my head" "Let go of me, you devil," I beat against his chest repeatedly. I wanted to shove him off me but he didn't even budge a bit. Within minutes , l brought my knee up and kicked him in the shin. As soon as I did, he groaned out in pain and I took that as an opportunity to free myself from his grasp. I rushed quickly to the other side of the room desperate to get away from him.

He wasn't going to do as he pleases with me and yet we are fellow men
Up North

Up North

142.1k Views · Ongoing · eenboterham
"I prefer your moans, your gasps, and your whimpers. Don't hold them back, and I'll be more than satisfied..."
My hands move from his jaw to his hair, tagging at its ends. His hands travel down my body and pull the material from my shirt up my body, he places a wet kiss right beside my belly button. I tense as I let out a gasp. He makes his way up, showering my stomach with slow kisses, studying my body as he goes until the shirt is completely off and his mouth is on my neck.


Aelin has been mistreated by her pack for as long as she can remember, but as the threats of the Vampire Kingdom becomes more and more palpable, her pack has to call the Northerners to help them train and prepare for the Vampire Kingdom. What happens when the Northern Alpha takes a liking to Aelin?