Refusing To Be His Perfect Replica I Choose The Arranged Marriage

Chapter

1

For seven years, I've been in a secret relationship with Castro Harrison, my brother's best friend.

Just as I was hoping he'd propose, I tracked his location to a private lounge at an upscale restaurant, where I found they were joking about me.

"Castro, now that Oriana's back from London, what are you going to do about that replacement?"

Castro remained silent, his lack of response speaking volumes.

The tension in the air was broken by another friend's sardonic laugh.

"You've got to hand it to Castro-having the nerve to pursue William Blackwood's sister while Oriana was away. Now that you've had your fun, and Oriana's back..."

"Well, Oriana deserved it after how coldly she left. A replacement was just what she needed to teach her a lesson!"

The next day, Castro took me to Oriana's welcome-home party at the Blackwood Estate, lavishing attention on me with an almost theatrical display of affection.

But when Oriana ran out in tears, her Chanel dress stained with wine, Castro pushed me aside without a second thought and rush out.

I returned home alone, my cream silk blouse ruined by scalding soup and my skin was still burning.

With trembling hands, I finally opened the door to his study---the one room he'd always declared off-limits.

him and Oriana in Paris, the Eiffel Tower gleaming behind

turned to ice as I dialed

that arranged marriage—I'll

brother's voice softened with concern,

This doesn't sound

my throat, but I forced a light

inevitable, isn't it? Does it really matter who

continued, trying to keep my voice

trust your and father's judgment. Even for a business merger marriage, I know you would have vetted the

relief was audible

back? Would you like to meet him first before making your

proceed, the sooner we can resolve the company's crisis. Go ahead and start planning the wedding. Let's set it for... a month

coninued, "His first love is finally back in town. You should invite him to the wedding -

Oriana too. No wonder Castro never let me tell my

concealing the pain that

him, Will. We're... not

I quickly said goodbye and

leaning against the doorframe, his signature smirk playing across his

"Not close to whom?"

"You."

widen as he

"Should we discuss just how 'not close' we are? All those nights together

ear, and for the first time, his intimate gesture made my skin