Chapter 1

My brother couldn't afford a wedding.

So Gary Thompson, Brittany's father, proposed: an exchange of wives.

Brittany could marry my brother, but I would have to marry him.

I refused, but my whole family conspired, drugged me, and delivered me to Gary Thompson's bed.

As I tried to escape, Gary and Brittany accidentally pushed me off a cliff, and I fell to my death.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day we were supposed to go to the Thompsons' to discuss the wedding.

I woke up with a pounding headache, finding myself in Gary Thompson's house.

He lunged at me like a shriveled zombie.

I ran out, screaming, as if my mind had broken.

Gary Thompson and Brittany Thompson chased frantically after me.

"Daisy, my dad's already touched you! No other man will want you now! For my wedding to Jake, just make this sacrifice and be with my dad."

I felt numb, my mind a blur. I felt utterly defiled, soiled by that old, ugly, disgusting Gary Thompson.

Why? Why was all of this happening?

I ran desperately, finally cornered at the edge of a cliff.

Gary Thompson rushed up, grabbing my hair and yanking my head back, slapping me hard across the face twice.

"Why are you running? You're mine now, old man's property!"

"Your parents and I already agreed. Brittany marries Jake, and you, as part of the exchange, marry me."

I shook my head frantically, sobbing, completely broken.

"No! Absolutely not! My parents would never marry me off to you, let you abuse me!"

Brittany tried to persuade me from the side.

"Daisy, just accept it. They're the ones who handed you over to my dad."

"Just be with my dad, and Jake and I will be grateful to you for the rest of our lives."

"Come on, let's go back. It's cold out here, you'll catch a cold. Just go home with my dad and settle into your new life."

Gary Thompson tugged at my hair, getting ready to drag me back, and said gleefully,

"Once she's carrying a Thompson baby, she'll settle down and be a good wife."

"She's young, maybe she can even give me a son!"

Brittany immediately chimed in,

"Dad's right! Once she has a kid, she won't even *think* of leaving, even if we told her to!"

I struggled against them with all my might, wanting to go back and get answers from my parents and Jake.

Gary and Brittany worked together, determined to take me back, no matter what.

In the struggle, caught between their grasping hands, I felt a sudden shove.

I plummeted over the edge, smashing into the rocks below!