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.

a photograph of him and Oriana in Paris, the

heart turned to ice as I

that arranged

My brother's voice softened with concern, catching the unfamiliar

This doesn't sound like you

my throat, but I forced

inevitable, isn't it?

I continued, trying to

father's judgment. Even for a business merger marriage, I know

was audible

this. When are you coming back? Would you like

The sooner we proceed, the sooner we can resolve the company's crisis. Go ahead

first love is finally back in town. You should invite him to the wedding

Castro never let me

concealing the pain

Will.

the door unlock, I quickly said goodbye

the doorframe, his signature smirk playing

"Not close to whom?"

"You."

only made his smirk widen as

"Should we discuss just how 'not close' we

hot against my ear, and for the first time, his