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.

displayed on his mahogany desk, was a photograph of him and Oriana in Paris, the Eiffel Tower gleaming

ice as I

about that arranged

My brother's voice softened with

"What's wrong? This doesn't

formed in my throat, but I forced a light

marriage is inevitable,

trying to keep my voice

merger marriage, I know you

was audible through

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

crisis. Go ahead and start planning the wedding. Let's set it

is finally back

No wonder Castro never let

lowered my eyes, concealing the pain that threatened

him, Will.

quickly

to find Castro leaning against the doorframe, his

"Not close to whom?"

"You."

smirk widen as he

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

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