AMELIA

I yanked his hand away from my breast with a force that sent a jolt up his arms. "Get your hands off me, you sick pervert!" I seethed, my heart racing with a toxic mix of fear and anger.

Aiden stumbled back, his smirk faltering. "Calm down, little sis. No need to get violent."

I glared at him, my jaw tightening. "You do that again, and I'll hit you so hard, you'll be in pains."

He let out a mocking chuckle, looking at me. "Don't act so tough, Amelia. You're still a coward hidden behind a mask of bravery."

I sat up on the bed, moving to the far end of the large bed. His words sent a slight chill down my spine. Maybe, I'm really still a coward.

"You're delusional," I said, trying to mask the doubt in my voice. "I'm not the same coward of a girl you could abuse years ago, Aiden. I can defend myself now."

He looked at me, grinning widely, a devious glint in his eyes. "I heard from mum that you're getting married to... Conrad, Amy's fiance right? You should be excited."

"It's not your business. Leave my room now or there'll be consequences."

He snorted, rolling his eyes. "Consequences? Like what? Telling mum and dad? Don't tell me you think they'll believe you? You don't exist to them."

I swallowed, his words piercing through my throat. He was right. None of them would care. At least my dad would pretend to, but my mum won't bother.

I sighed, taking out a pocket knife from my bedside cupboard. "Leave! Right now."

He stared at me, his eyes dark and narrowing. Without a word, he turned and left the room. I quickly shut the door and locked it behind him.

I strode to my bed and sat down, glancing at my son beside me. He was sleeping peacefully, his chest rising and falling. He was my pride.

***********************************

The sun had almost disappeared now, the streets growing darker as the skyline sparkled with city lights. I had spent hours dragging Noah from one hospital to another, filling out applications and hoping for even the slightest chance of employment.

The answer was always the same: "I'm sorry, you didn't get the job."

I sat in a small cafe across the last hospital I had gone to. I sighed, massaging my temple, my fingers wrapped around a lukewarm cup of coffee. That was all I could drink at the moment.

The last thing I needed was for Noah to notice how exhausted I was. I had thought maybe if I could find a job before five days, I would leave the house and wouldn't have to marry... Conrad Pierre anymore.

Yet, it was in vain. Luck wasn't shining on me, but I couldn't lose hope right now. I still had four days to go and I hoped everything would go well.

"What is this little champ doing here all by himself?"

A cheerful and deep voice broke through my thoughts. I looked up to see Xander smiling warmly at me, a briefcase on his hand.

"Hello, Xander," I said softly, managing a faint smile. He settled on a chair beside me, dropping his briefcase on the floor.

"Why are you lost in thought, Amelia?" he asked, scanning my face. I glanced at him, then at my son who was playing with his toy car.

"It's nothing, really," I said, my voice low. "Why are you here? I mean around this area?"

"My father sent me to retrieve an important document around here," he said.

Just then, a waitress approached out table, a smile on her face. "What can I get for you and this little, cute prince?"

I managed a faint smile in return, picking up the menu. My taste buds were bad and all I could taste was the coffee that had gotten cold and stale. "A toast and milkshake for kids will do," I said, dropping the menu.

"Alright ma'am," she said calmly. "Your son is adorable, sir." I turned to Xander and his lips were curled up in a smile.

"No. You're mist....."

"Thank you," Xander said, cutting me off. The waitress nodded and left.

Then, Xander turned to face me. "She was just complimenting his features," he said. "There was no need to correct her. Besides Noah and I both have the same blond wavy hair and slight similarities."

I shrugged. He wasn't wrong though. I didn't know why I felt the need to correct her.

"So, will you tell me what's bothering you now? You look stressed out, Amelia."

I heaved, looking down at the table. "I'm getting married in five days time, Xander," I blurted. Still saying those words and constantly reminding myself felt like punishment. A punishment that wasn't meant for me, but for my sister.

"What?" Xander's voice was a sharp intake of breath, his brows furrowing in genuine confusion. He leaned forward, his earlier relaxed posture vanishing. "Getting married? What are you talking about? To whom?

I squeezed my eyes shut, the absurdity of it washing over me in a fresh wave. "I'm getting married to my sister's fiancé, Conrad... Pierre."

The name felt like an ash on my tongue, heavy and unwelcome. "It was supposed to be Amy... not me."

"Who told you to do it? It can't be your decision," he said, his voice calm and understanding.

My gaze lifted, meeting his. "My... parents. They concluded everything without my approval."

He leaned in closer. "Why did they make the decision suddenly?"

I sighed. Thinking about the decision alone made my knees weak and my stomach rumble.

"Because of their company which went bankrupt. Conrad Pierre promised to invest in their company in exchange for another bride."

"But you haven't fully recovered from your fiance's death and they're dragging you into another mess. What about your son? Conrad will not accept him."

I looked at him, my brows arched. "Why do you say so. Do you know him?"

He brushed his hair back, looking at me. "He is the second son of the Pierre family," he began. "He has a zero tolerance for emotions or children noises. No one has gotten used to him yet."

I looked down at Noah, his blonde curls soft beneath my palm, a stark contrast to the storm brewing in my own heart. He was engrossed in his toy car, making quiet grooming sounds.

"I don't want to go ahead with this, Xander."

"My father's company is large and flourishing Amelia," he said, his voice low. "What if my father invests in your father's company? Will I get to marry you?"

CONRAD

A year and half away, and now I was finally back home. I was back to the very place I despised.

The same place that made me go to a rehabilitation centre for a year and half. It's strange how, despite everything my father did to me, he still wanted me to take over his company.

But of course it's because I was the only person available for now and it would never be free. I could take over his company only if I married within a certain period.

"Remember that everything you own is mine," he had once said.

Well, now that he has given me his company to manage, I planned to leave my mark everywhere until my father's name became nothing but a memory.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I remained standing by the window in my large bedroom, my gaze fixed on the gardener outside. Such lazy humans.

The sky was clear, its blue hues casting a bright glow in my room. It was peaceful.

"Come in," I said, my voice sharp and low.

The door slowly opened and Mr Colton Garrett, my personal assistant stepped in, shutting the door behind him.

"Young master," he said, his voice low. I turned, narrowing my eyes. "Don't call me that!" I said, my voice a low command. "I am Conrad Pierre."

He stepped back slightly, his hands folded behind him. "My apologies."

I sighed, settling down on a chair by the window. "Your father instructed me to ask you if your wedding will still be done in five days' time."

I leaned back, shutting my eyes for a few seconds. "The date hasn't been changed. The wedding will go on."

"Do you know the bride? Have you seen her before?"

"It doesn't matter Colton. She is a substitute and the secret will remain between us."

There was a brief silence before Colton spoke. "What about... your therapist, Conrad?"

I arched my brows, looking at him. "What about him?"

He cleared his throat, his hands still folded. "You haven't visited for a while and Mr Pierre will not take it lightly if he finds out."

I exhaled, standing up, my jaw tight. "I don't need therapy anymore. My father put me in rehabilitation for years. What more does he want?"

My hands were clenched, my mood dark as I walked to Colton. "I'm not going back there, Colton. Never."

He stared at me, his stance strong. He wasn't scared of me. He didn't see me as someone that needed therapy. Or maybe he did. He had taken care of me since childhood so he knew everything about me.

"What do you suggest I do?" he asked, his voice calm.

"Tell him to go on a trip for a very long time and if father asks, tell him the therapist dismissed me as stable."

He nodded and turned to leave, but stopped. "Your bandage is bleeding. Do you want me to change it?"

I glanced at my wrist, sighing. "I'll handle it myself. Leave!" He left the room and shut the door, the sound a faint thud.

When he was gone, I collapsed on my chair, taking off the bandage from my wrist.

The fabric peeled away, revealing a sight that made my stomach churn. It was a raw, angry red, the skin around the wound still swollen and tender. It wasn't just a wound. It was an ugly festering thing that would undoubtedly leave a thick scar, a permanent testament to my father's affection for me.

"A welcome home gift," he had said a month ago, a grin on his face. I had just gotten back, still reeling from the rehabilitation journey when he had welcomed me.

I could still remember his eyes glinting with that familiar predatory amusement.

His words had haunted me before I left for my therapy sessions. "Never return to that little weakling you were years ago."

I hated myself for the weakling I was as a child. I hated my younger self. I hated being reminded of how I was then. And that little kid was a mirror of how weak I was then. The one I had seen at the hospital the previous day. I hated that kid who had stared back at me through the child's innocent eyes. I hated how he looked. And I hoped never to see him again.

*************************************

AMELIA

Days had passed since my job search began. Four days of endless searching and it yielded nothing. Some of the hospitals I went to called me. Only to tell me I didn't get the job or pass the interview.

When I had brought up Xander's offer to my parents that night, I hoped they would agree. Xander wasn't perfect, but his proposition felt like a lifetime, a way to escape the suffocating pressure and fear for Noah's future.

I laid it out, carefully, trying to make it sound reasonable. My mother's face crumpled in disbelief, then solidified into an expression of utter disapproval. My father, who had been listening silently, slammed his fist on the table.

"Absolutely not!" he roared, his voice shaking the quiet air. "Don't ever think about doing that. It is Conrad Pierre or no one else."

My shoulder sank and my fragile hope shattered, leaving behind a cold, empty ache

Since then, I hadn't bothered talking to them again. Just as I put my son to sleep and was about to lie down, a soft knock sounded on my door.

Thinking it would be my brother, Aiden again, I took out my pocket knife and went to open the door. I was surprised to see my father standing there, his face calm. I told him to enter inside and he did.

"We've talked about Xander, and that's not an option," he began, his gaze serious as we settled down. "We already made the deal with Conrad Pierre and he will not spare us if he finds out we opt out from the deal."

I stared at him, my heart slowly breaking to shards. They already made the deal with him. Without informing me, again.

He then leaned forward, his eyes earnest. He glanced at my son and was about to touch him, but I held his hand midway, my mood dark. He pulled his hand back, sensing my disapproval.

"Think about Noah, Amelia. Think about his life and future. Do you want him to grow up struggling? Or to worry about where his next food will come from? Conrad can give both of you a good and stable life. A life you can't provide right now, not on your own."

I glared at him, my lips quivering. "But Xander is ready to provide that for me and also invest in your company. Or you just want it to be Conrad and no one else. You're practically selling me off to him."

He stood up, his mood changing. "This discussion is over! You're getting married to Conrad tomorrow." He said and left my room, not glancing back once.

I sighed, collapsing on the bed. Tomorrow. It will happen tomorrow. I will be a substitute bride tomorrow.

AMELIA

The night was a blur of restless tossing and turning, and before I knew it, the first pale silver of dawn pierced through the curtains. It wasn't 'tomorrow' anymore. It was 'today'. My wedding day. And it had arrived with a brutal speed.

A dull, grey sky pressed down on the city, mirroring the dullness on my body. It felt like the world itself was sad for me.

I dragged myself out of bed, my limbs feeling weighted. "Maybe everything would change and the wedding will not take place," I muttered.

Noah was still fast asleep when I went into the shower. The hot water did little to wash away the chill in my soul, not the dread in my heart. I stayed under the shower, motionless, the water draining me.

After a long and gloomy shower, I stepped out, wrapping myself in a fluffy towel. Just then, a knock echoed at the door. I paused, staring at the door.

"Who's there?" I asked, clutching the towel on my body.

"Miss Amelia, it's Mrs Mabel," she said. I scoffed at the mention of 'miss'. In a few hours, that title will be changed to a dreadful one. She was the grim faced housekeeper my father had appointed to look after me.

"The designer is here for you," she announced, her voice devoid of warmth, as if this was merely another transaction. "Should I let her in?"

Great. They could still hire a personal designer for me. This was what they wanted. The transaction went as far as hiring a designer for me for the wedding. 'Their dream come true'. After selling me off.

"Yes," I said, my voice barely audible.

A young woman with an overly enthusiastic smile entered inside, carrying several garment bags and a large makeup kit.

"Good day, Miss Amelia," she greeted, her voice soft. "Your father instructed me to help you out." I stared at her, not uttering a word. My father. Of course it would be him. Not my mother. There was no use refusing her. She was instructed to do it after all.

"Sure, you can begin," I said, my voice suddenly hoarse. I slowly sat down on a chair beside my wardrobe, waiting for her to begin.

She smiled, keeping her things aside and beginning her work with practiced efficiency. She powered my face, blended shadowy hues onto my eyelids, and meticulously lined my lips.

I sat still, a mannequin, while she transformed my grief stricken features into something vaguely bridal. My thoughts became lost in the deafening silence of my despair.

When she finally held up a mirror, I met my own reflection. This wasn't me. It was a carefully constructed facade. My image was flawless, yet devoid of life.

"Momma?" A small voice broke through the heavy silence. Noah stood behind me, rubbing sleep from his eyes, his pyjamas rumpled. He stepped closer, his gaze wide.

"Momma, you look... beautiful," he said, his words unclear but understandable. "You're pwetty."

I smiled, bringing him closer to me. If only he knew his life would change from today. Our lives would change from today.

Minutes after the designer left, I slipped into the elegant, bold, white gown that was laid out for me. The lace felt like thorns as I put it on.

Just then, a knock sounded on my door and Xander entered inside. The moment he saw me, he froze, his gaze wide.

"Xander!" I called after seconds of his motionless state. He looked at me, his face etched with... sadness? I couldn't decipher.

"Amelia," he said, his voice low and cracking. "You're going through with the marriage? You'll get married today?"

"Y-yes Xander," I said, looking at him. He tucked his hands in his pants pockets, looking at the floor.

"Why... umm.. why did you decide to go ahead with it? I mean you told me your parents didn't agree to my offer, but still, why did you agree?"

I stared at him, my heart racing. "No wasn't an option for me. I tried but... it wouldn't have changed anything. I had to think about Noah's life too."

He nodded, still staring at the floor. "Right. Noah's life is important. He needs to be happy and not worry about anything when he grows."

He pouted his mouth and wiped his eyes. I could tell something was wrong. I went closer to him, brushing his waves away from his face so I could see clearly.

"Are you okay, Xander?" I asked.

He looked up at me, a faint smile crossing his lips. "Yeah. I'm okay."

I wasn't satisfied with his answer though I couldn't quite understand what was wrong.

"So, are you ready to go? Let me drive you there."

I shook my head. "No need to bother with that. It's okay."

"I have to. Your parents told me they won't be going there. They've got an important matter to handle at the office."

I sighed, settling down on the bed. Typical of them. They planned it, yet they won't show up at all. It was already normal for me, though I still felt a pang of hurt.

They didn't show up for my engagement party with my former fiancé. They only ever showed up for my sister's own. It hurt but I had gotten used to it.

"Where's Noah?" he asked, scanning the room.

"He's probably downstairs or in the empty room playing." I said, fixing my gown.

"Alright. Let's get going. You can't be late for this."

I stood, glancing at my reflection in the mirror.

*************************************

After some minutes, we arrived at a huge mansion that towered in the streets. The golden gates were huge, covering the mansion's visibility.

Xander stopped the car and came out of the car. He came to the passenger's side and opened the door for me to get down. When Noah and I were down, he entered his car.

"Aren't you escorting me in?" I asked, when he started the car's engine.

He smiled and shook his head. "I wish you the best, Amelia." He said and zoomed off. I stood there, watching his car disappear down the street.

I turned to face the gates, exhaling before entering inside the gates. I gripped my son's hand tightly as I slowly walked in. My heart raced, my heart beats audible to me.

As I enter inside the house, my future would be changed. A knot was tied in my stomach and my legs slightly shook as I continued walking.

The distance from the gate to the main door was like a long walk up the mountains. I finally reached the entrance door, exhaling again.

Reluctantly, I pressed the door bell on the wall beside the door, awaiting a response. Seconds later, the door creaked open and a young female servant stood at the entrance.

"I'm here to see Mr Conrad Pierre," I said, my voice firm yet low. She nodded, a pleasing smile on her face.

"Come in Miss." She stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter inside.

As I walked inside, I stopped, looking at the tall male figure standing in the middle of the living room, his back to me. Before I could utter a word, he turned to face me.

Instantly, I froze, my breath caught in my throat.

Conrad Pierre.

It was the same man with a strange aura at the hospital. His piercing gaze locked onto mine, and the room seemed to shrink around us.