From Substitute Lover To Scorned Heiress

from scratch with my college boyfriend, Bryant. I fought my fath

covered the devastating truth: I was never his true love, just a c

even bought her a custom wedding gown in my name, tryi

me and used his dead mother's memory to mani

left," he whispered

ily's empire now on the brink of collapse, I've already accepted an arranged

pte

le. I'll

of a future I' d once sworn to fight. They hung in the air o

ually flinched. His eyes, usually sharp and calculating, widened for a fleeting

rise replaced by a familiar shrewdness. He steepled his fingers, hi

at about... Bryant?" The name felt like a bruise, t

rds. "I always thought you and that... young man from the city council... had a c

r together." The statement was flat, devoid of the emotion

rriage." I repeated, my voice s

He just nodded slowly, his eyes searching mine. "Are you sure,

d, a man from a family whose lineage intertwined with ours like ivy. He rattled off the

sh into, especially not when you' re... well, when you' re clearly going through somethin

d firm. "I' ve had plenty of time to think." My hands, resting

had soured, partnerships had dissolved, and a series of bad decisions by my father had left us teetering on the edge. This arranged

t solution. Th

ked away from the path laid out for her, all for a man she believed in. That

rl who once believed in grand gestures and undying love

y. And make sure Bryant, the man wh