The Counterfeit Bride

Draven

The drive out to Vera’s parents’ house had taken hours, and my hands were still slightly clammy as I walked up their front steps. I had made the trip specifically to ask for their blessing to marry their daughter. Gifts were tucked neatly under my arm, and the speech I had been practicing for days was queued up in my head, ready to leave a solid impression.

The moment the door opened, the