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.

of him and Oriana in Paris, the

heart turned to ice as I dialed

arranged marriage—I'll do

softened with concern,

tone. "What's wrong? This doesn't sound like

formed in my throat, but I forced a light

realized - marriage is inevitable,

trying to keep

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

was audible

you coming back? Would you like to meet

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

love is finally back in

knew about Oriana too. No wonder Castro never let me tell

my eyes, concealing the pain that threatened to

bother him, Will. We're...

unlock, I quickly said goodbye and ended

looked up to find Castro leaning against the doorframe,

"Not close to whom?"

"You."

made his smirk widen as he pulled

husky whisper. "Should we discuss just how 'not close' we are? All those nights together weren't close

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