The Bride to Be

THE BRIDE TO BE DANIEL HURST Published by Inkubator Books www.inkubatorbooks.com Copyright © 2023 by Daniel Hurst ISBN (eBook): 978-1-83756-161-2 ISBN (Paperback): 978-1-83756-162-9 ISBN (Hardback): 978-1-83756-163-6 Daniel Hurst has asserted his right to be identified as the author of this work. THE BRIDE TO BE is a work of fiction. People, places, events, and situations are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher. CONTENTS Inkubator Books Prologue BEFORE THE WEDDING Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Epilogue Free Psychological Thriller The Boyfriend About the Author Also by Daniel Hurst JOIN THE INKUBATOR MAILING LIST You will be the first to learn about new releases plus the many FREE and discounted Kindle books we offer! bit.ly/3dOTSW2 PROLOGUE A bride is not supposed to get arrested on her wedding day. The fact that such a shocking and strange thing was happening was the reason dozens of guests were standing around outside the exclusive country manor on this sprawling estate, gawking and gossiping as they watched the unusual scene unfold. The dazzling white of the woman’s wedding dress was in stark contrast to the dark uniforms of the police officers who were leading the bride to one of the vehicles, their flashing blue lights reflecting off the glass windows of the impressive building behind them. The glint of the metallic handcuffs wrapped around the suspect’s wrists was almost as bright as all the pink confetti that lay untouched in the baskets held by the bridesmaids, four women who could not believe that their best friend was being taken into custody on what should have been the happiest day of her life. The bride herself was angry and frustrated, as well she might be, ignoring the warning she had been issued a moment ago in that anything she said may be used as evidence against her at a later date. But while she was speaking freely, her movements were much more restricted, and that was because of the two burly officers holding an arm each and escorting her into the car, pushing her head down and bundling her into the backseat before slamming the door shut and leaving her trapped on the other side of the glass from all her invited guests. It was as she stared out through the window of the police car that she saw the tall man in the dark suit standing at the top of the steps in front of the entrance to the manor. He was looking right back at her, his dark brown eyes boring into her soul. They were eyes that she thought she would get to look into for many years to come once this wedding day had gone as planned. Through the honeymoon, through the first few years of marriage, in the hospital when they had their first child together and even at the end, BEFORE THE WEDDING 1 Rather predictably, the station is busy as I make my way towards the ticket barriers alongside the dozens of other people who are out and about on this warm Saturday morning. Perhaps it’s the increase in temperature that has seen so many people dare to venture into London today, and as I squeeze through the barriers, I’m nudged and bumped by all sorts of naked limbs belonging to fellow travellers in shorts or crop tops or short-sleeved shirts. Yes, there’s no doubt about it. If everyone is starting to wear fewer clothes, then it can only mean one thing. Summer is here. Or rather, wedding season is here. That realisation causes my stomach to churn as I make my way onto the platform and glance up at the screen to see that the next train is due in two minutes’ time. Wedding season is most definitely upon us, and this year, I will be one of the hundreds of people who will be playing a very active role in that scene. No longer will I be a passive observer or a participant with a very small role in a wedding. I’m not going to be a guest or a bridesmaid who can just turn up, smile for the cameras and savour a few glasses of champagne while watching the happy couple go through the real endeavours of the day. No, the next wedding I attend calls for me to be front and centre, in the limelight, the star of the show. I’m getting married in one month’s time. Finally, I am going to be the one in the white dress. So why the nerves as I see the train approaching over the tops of the heads of all the other passengers waiting to get on board? Why am I not overwhelmed with excitement about marrying the man I love in front of all my family and friends? Am I feeling sick because I’m nervous about making the walk down the aisle, or cutting the cake, or getting my vows wrong? No, I’m nervous because of one very important thing, and as the