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.

let me go,

a daughter’s absence marked by empty chairs

back from Mum’s embrace before they could

“Mum, I’m starving.”

eyes soft with maternal concern. “Tll make

“Perfect.”

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

terminal.

Chapter 5

Manhattan penthouse, Castro faced a very different scene.

sat on the Italian marble floor, repeatedly calling a number he knew wouldn’t answer.

year, he’d meticulously set a reminder for my birthday – August 27th. This morning, the alert had woken him in Oriana’s guest room,

first instinct had been to head to Whole Foods, to buy ingredients for the birthday dinner

planned.

Cartier bracelet he’d ordered months ago was

limping slightly, had given him pause.

I’d always been the reasonable one why

day restlessly checking his phone at Oriana’s, he finally headed home.

the penthouse, he felt like he’d walked into a stranger’s home. He

space had reverted to its pre–Aveline