Love is a Lie My Husband is a Fraud

At our wedding, he got down on one knee, swearing he'd love me forever. Tears blurred my vision as I nodded, crying happy tears. But the moment I looked up, a line of glowing text floated in mid-air. [Stop being touched. Even his name is a lie. Everyone at this wedding is a hired actor—except you.] [William Harrington? His real name is Cody Miller. He’s a high school dropout. He rented this Hamptons estate, hired fake parents, and bought his Ivy League degree. The only real thing about him is his plan to ruin your family and steal your fortune.] I froze. Our wedding was held at the most expensive estate in the Hamptons. Over three hundred guests were in attendance, flowers were flown in from Rome, and the champagne tower stood over six feet tall. William Harrington knelt before me, holding my hand. "Seraphina," he said, his voice dripping with devotion. "I will love you for the rest of my life." The crowd erupted into applause. I nodded through my tears, believing that God had finally given me the perfect man. But as I raised my hand to wipe away my tears, a line of text flashed in the air. [Stop being touched. Even his name is a lie. Everyone at this wedding is a hired actor—except you.] Thinking my eyes were playing tricks on me, I rubbed them hard. The words remained. [William Harrington? His real name is Cody Miller. He’s a high school dropout. He rented this Hamptons estate, hired fake parents, and bought his Ivy League degree. The so-called Harrington legacy is nothing but a complete lie.] [The only real thing about him is his plan to ruin your family and steal your fortune.] I stood frozen on the altar. I turned to look at William. He was gazing at me tenderly, his eyes full of deep, undivided love. But those words were hovering right above his head. [She doesn't believe it. She thinks she's just hallucinating from wedding stress.] [She’ll convince herself everything is fine in no time, and happily play the part of a billionaire's wife. That is, until three months from now, when her father's company is scammed out of $200 million under the guise of a 'merger.' Her dad will suffer a stroke, and her mom will be pushed down the stairs.] [Only then will she realize that every single word we said was true.] The smile completely died on my face.My name is Seraphina Vance. I am the sole heiress of the Vance Group. William Harrington was supposed to be a Harvard PhD from an old-money manufacturing family. He was handsome, well-mannered, spoke with a refined eloquence, and treated me like a queen. Even my parents constantly praised him, saying he was a stable, reliable young man with an impeccable background. I used to think so, too. But these floating bullet screen texts completely shattered my reality. The wedding continued. We cut the cake, toasted the guests, and threw the bouquet. I moved like a puppet, letting William lead me through every single step of the ceremony. He leaned in, whispering in my ear with a voice so sweet it could melt ice, "Sweetheart, you look breathtaking today." I stared at him, desperately searching for a crack in his facade. His manners were perfect. He handled his steak knife more elegantly than I did. He knew every luxury brand, could talk about vintage wines, and could hold a conversation about high-end art auctions. A high school dropout from the slums? How was that possible? [She’s still looking for excuses to defend him.] [Hilarious. She thinks con artists look like sketchy thieves in movies.] [A truly elite con artist acts more like a billionaire than an actual billionaire.] My hand shook as I held my champagne glass. William noticed immediately. "What's wrong, honey? Are you exhausted?" "No," I forced a smile. "Just... too happy." He smiled warmly, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear. The gesture was so natural, as if he had practiced it a thousand times. [Of course it's natural. He practiced it for three years. He’s been preparing for today since the very first day he met you.] [Your father's company has $300 million in liquid assets. Cody has already bought off an insider. The moment this wedding is over, they’ll make their move.] [Do you want to know why he chose today of all days to marry you? Because your father just signed a crucial contract yesterday, and the other party only recognizes your father's signature.] A chill ran down my spine. My dad had indeed signed a massive contract yesterday. And that partner had been introduced to us by William. "I need to use the restroom," I said. William nodded, watching me walk away with eyes full of adoration. [Go, go, go! You can still save your dad if you act now.] [Any later and it’ll be too late.]The moment the restroom door clicked shut, my knees buckled. I almost collapsed onto the tiled floor. I whipped out my phone and dialed my father's number. No answer. I tried again. Still, it went straight to voicemail. The text appeared again. [Don't bother. Your dad is at the bar. He’s drunk, and his phone is on silent.] [Your 'best friend' Chloe Davis is with him. She’s Cody's accomplice. She’s the one who put your dad's phone on silent.] Chloe? My best friend of ten years, since college. She was my maid of honor today. [She owes five million to underground casinos, and Cody paid off her debts. In exchange, she had to play her part in this show.] [Right now, she’s pretending to drink on your behalf while making sure your dad chugs down more alcohol. She’s making it easy for them to make their move tonight.] I felt completely numb. Chloe had been enthusiastically taking drinks for me all night. I had been so touched by her "loyalty." I took a deep breath and opened the restroom door. In the hallway, William’s "mother" was chatting with several high-society women, smiling with maternal grace. [She’s an actress Cody hired for $300 a day. She’s done background work in over thirty TV shows.] [She can barely remember her 'son's' fake name. Yesterday, she almost called him Leo.] I stared at the woman. Feeling my gaze, she turned around, her smile growing even warmer. "Oh, Seraphina! Why are you out here? Did William do something to upset you?" "No, Mrs. Harrington," I said calmly. "I was just wondering, where did William go to elementary school again?" She blinked, momentarily caught off guard, but quickly recovered with a laugh. "In New York, dear! My memory is getting so bad, I can't recall the exact school right now." [New York? She couldn't even name three neighborhoods in Manhattan.] [William’s fake resume says he grew up in Boston.] I smiled faintly. "Really? William told me he grew up in Boston." The woman's smile stiffened for a fraction of a second. She tapped her forehead. "Oh, look at my silly brain! Yes, of course, Boston! I'm getting so old, I keep mixing William up with his cousin." [The lies are full of holes, but they’re betting you won't dare expose them at your own wedding.] [After all, if you make a scene, you’re the one who gets embarrassed.] I nodded and turned back toward the grand ballroom. William was walking toward me, his face filled with worry. "What took you so long, honey?" "Just chatting with your mother," I said. "William, did you really go to school in Boston?" His eyes flickered slightly, but he quickly smiled. "Yes, of course. Why do you ask?" "Just curious." He wrapped his arm around my waist, guiding me back into the ballroom. "Today is our big day. Don't worry about those little things. Come, let me introduce you to some partners." [He’s panicking. He’s afraid you’ll keep digging.] [Those 'partners' are his partners in crime. Their job is to keep you distracted so you don't have time to think.]By the middle of the reception, my father had been carried to the VIP lounge, completely wasted and unconscious. My mother was tending to him, looking deeply concerned. William pulled me from table to table, offering toasts. His "friends" were incredibly aggressive, trying to force drink after drink down my throat. [Don't drink it. The glass is spiked. It’ll make you drowsy so they can carry out their plan tonight.] I held my glass, freezing. "My stomach is acting up. I can't drink tonight," I said. "I'm sorry, everyone." The people at the table paused, but someone quickly laughed it off. "Oh, the bride is shy. We get it, we get it!" William's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly masked it. "Seraphina really has a low tolerance. Let's not press her." He took the glass from my hand and set it back on the table. [He’s starting to suspect you. You’ve never rejected him like this before. You used to do whatever he said.] After the toast, William pulled me aside. "Seraphina, what’s going on with you today? Are you not feeling well?" "I'm just tired," I said. "William, I want to take my parents home first." "I'll have the chauffeur drive them," he replied smoothly. "You're the bride. It's not right for you to leave early." [Not right? He’s terrified that if you leave, their plan tonight will fall apart.] [Your father's phone is currently in his pocket. He needs your father's thumbprint to unlock it and initiate the wire transfer.] I looked him dead in the eye. "My dad is completely drunk. I need to take him home myself. If you're so worried, you can come with us." William was silent for two seconds. Then, he smiled. "Of course. I'll go with you." [He’s trying to figure out a backup plan. But he can't refuse you right now. Refusing would make him look suspicious.] We walked to the lounge. My father was snoring loudly on the sofa. My mother sat beside him, looking exhausted. "Mom, let's take Dad home," I said. "You're tired too." My mother nodded and stood up. Just then, Chloe walked in. "Sera, leaving so early? Stay and have some fun! Today is your wedding day!" "My dad is drunk," I said coldly. "Chloe, could you help host the remaining guests for me?" Chloe's smile stiffened. She glanced at William. William gave her a subtle, almost imperceptible shake of his head. [Do you see that? They’re communicating with their eyes.] [Chloe's job is to stall you. She can't let you leave.] "Sera," Chloe grabbed my hand. "Your dad has a driver. If you leave now, the guests will be so disappointed. Besides, William's parents are still here. Leaving early is so disrespectful to them." I snatched my hand back. "Chloe, is my father's health more important, or the guests' feelings?" She gasped, clearly shocked by my bluntness. [She’s losing it. She never expected you to talk back to her.] [Because in the past, you never argued with anyone—especially not her.] "I... I didn't mean it like that..." Chloe stammered. "Then step aside." I helped my mother support my dad. William stepped in to help, his touch still gentle, but I could feel a tight, aggressive grip on my father's arm. "Seraphina," he whispered, his voice dangerously low. "You are acting very strange tonight." "How so?" "You've never talked to me like this before." [He’s testing you. He’s trying to see if you actually know something.] I looked at him and suddenly laughed. "William, we just got married. Can't I have a little attitude?" He smiled, but the warmth didn't reach his eyes. "Of course you can. Let's go. I'll walk you out."As our SUV pulled out of the estate, I watched William's silhouette through the rearview mirror. He stood under the canopy, getting smaller and smaller. The glowing text popped up again. [You're temporarily safe. But your dad's phone is still with him.] [When he helped support your dad, he used your dad's thumbprint to unlock the phone. He's currently running a remote transfer.] I whipped around to look at my dad. His suit jacket pocket was completely empty. "Mom, where's Dad's phone?" My mother blinked, feeling around my father's pockets. "It was just here a minute ago..." [It's in Cody's hands. He swiped it when he pretended to help your dad.] [The transfer is already in progress. It will clear in three minutes.] I grabbed my phone and dialed my father's executive assistant. "Arthur! Lock down all of the company's bank accounts immediately! Block any outgoing transfers under my dad's name. Now!" Arthur was startled. "Miss Vance, what’s going on?" "Just do it! Right now!" [Good job. But it's not enough.] [Cody has a backup plan. He bought off an insider. Even if you lock the main accounts, he can route the money through secondary channels.] [Your company's CFO is on his payroll.] The CFO? A name immediately flashed in my mind. Marcus Finch. My dad's most trusted executive, who had been with him for fifteen years. "Arthur," I commanded, "notify all our banking partners immediately. Any documents signed under my father's name tonight are void. Also, revoke Marcus Finch's financial clearance immediately!" "Miss Vance, this is..." "Do it!" [Smart. But you've officially exposed yourself now.] [Cody knows you're onto him. He won't just stand by.] When we finally parked in front of our villa, I helped my father inside. My mother looked terrified. "Seraphina, what on earth is happening? Did you and William have a fight?" "Mom," I took a deep breath, clutching her shoulders. "William Harrington is a fraud. Even his name is fake." My mother froze, her eyes wide with shock. "What are you talking about?" "I’ll explain later," I said. "Right now, upgrade the home security to maximum. Do not let anyone inside." The second I finished speaking, my phone rang. It was William. "Seraphina, are you home safe?" "Yes." "Seraphina," his voice was still calm, but there was a chilling edge to it. "Why did you freeze the corporate accounts?" [He’s laying his cards on the table. He’s betting you won't dare to face him.] [But he completely underestimated you.] "Because I know you're a fraud, Cody Miller." There was a dead silence on the line for three seconds. Then, he let out a low, dark chuckle. "Well, Seraphina. You're much smarter than I gave you credit for."