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.

prominently displayed on his mahogany desk, was a photograph of him and Oriana in Paris,

turned to ice as I dialed my brother's number in

about that arranged marriage—I'll

voice softened with concern, catching

This doesn't sound

formed in my throat, but I forced

inevitable,

I continued, trying to keep my

merger marriage, I

relief was audible

glad you're being sensible about this. When are you coming back? Would you like to meet

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

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

Castro never let

the pain

bother him, Will. We're...

door unlock, I quickly said goodbye and

against the doorframe, his signature smirk playing

"Not close to whom?"

"You."

answer only made his smirk widen as he pulled

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

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