Refusing To Be His Perfect Replica, I Choose The Arranged Marriag by BlueMoone

Chapter 5

The transatlantic flight carried me eastward, the sun painting ever changing portraits outside my window. Brilliant azure skies gave way to rolling clouds tinged with gold, a canvas of nature’s finest work

Inspiration struck suddenly, and I pulled out my sketchpad, capturing the ethereal play of light in a n jewelry design.

By the time I finished, darkness had claimed the sky.

There was something magical about crossing the Atlantic – a time traveler’s journey where I left New York on the morning of the 27th only to land in London on the night of the 26th.

Through the arrivals gate, I spotted them immediately – Mum, Dad, and William standing in a row,

beaming and waving like excited children at a parade.

The sight of them made my heart squeeze.

I ran to them, wheeling designer luggage forgotten as I fell into Mum’s embrace, breathing in her familiar perfume – Chanel No. 5, just as she’d worn all my life.

-Eight years ago, I’d defied their wishes and moved to New York for university, chasing what I’d thought

was love.

go, trusting me to find my way.

brief Christmas visits, a daughter’s absence

back from Mum’s embrace before

“Mum, I’m starving.”

soft with maternal concern. “Tll make your favorite – shepherd’s pie with extra gravy, just

“Perfect.”

arms with both my parents as we walked to the car park, our laughter echoing

terminal.

Chapter 5

across the ocean in his Manhattan penthouse, Castro

the Italian marble floor, repeatedly calling a number he knew

This morning, the alert had woken him in Oriana’s guest

Whole Foods, to buy ingredients for

planned.

bracelet he’d ordered months ago

slightly, had given him pause. After all, I still hadn’t

been the reasonable one why was I being

the day restlessly checking his phone

walked into a stranger’s home. He

reverted to its pre–Aveline state- stark, minimalist,