IA WAS

ed to him, he still chose to side with his precious biological daughter, Marianne. "Why? Why did y

for all the food, the credit cards, the house-everything we've given you

you brought in to clear your conscience. But what about Clifton and Marianne? How lon

was dressed in a sleek red gown, her hair styled perfectly, as if none of this

e sense now. My family treated Clinton so well be

ily, and if you're going to treat me like I'm just some orphan, then your daughter sho

he liquid splashed across my skin, burning more from the humiliation than the alcohol. "Y

"Victoria, you should know how arranged marriages work by now

o days to marry Vincenzo Volkov, a man I barely knew, someone with a dangero

ave you a home, raised you. And this is how you repay us? By trying to ruin everythi

"Grateful? For what? For being use

will marry Vincenzo Volkov for the good of this family, and

dn't care about me. To them, I wasn't family. I was just a tool to secure an

until my life was

I kept my head high. "When I get married into the Volkov family, I want you to disown me.

ts didn't want you either, that's why you ended up here. You're worthless to them, and t

right. No one else would ever want you, Victoria. With your looks and your

g me apart piece by piece, making me feel small, like I was nothing.

voices echoed in my ears, making me feel like I was suffocating. I burst into my room, slamming the d

thing they asked, tried to fit in, tried to be the daughter t

rs away. The sadness in my heart was turning into anger, and then, in

t the wall, my mind spinning. I bit my lower lip so hard I could taste blood, but I didn't care. The sil

dn't exist to them anymore. I waited, hoping for something-anything-

d I was sure I looked terrible-like some version of Shrek. My eyes had to be swollen

my teeth, nothing at all. Moving my legs

silent, I heard

ou something to eat?" Miss Beatrice, the head maid,

one?" I muttered, gripping the railing as I looked dow

vely sitting room was empty-completely d

speaking. "It seems you've forgotten. Toda

ut. My stomach churned, and for a mome

ed, but no tears came this time. Instead, a strange numbness sett

it was their wedding day. How could I forget? After everything that had happen

now. "You deserve more than this, Miss Victor

ng. Deserve more? Maybe once I believ

!" Miss Beatrice said, trying to lighten the mood

, my voice tinged with disbelief. "What if he's ugly, short, or

't judge someone by their appearance alone, Miss Victoria

s easy for you to say. You're not the o

, but think of it this way: you might find someone who surprises you. Someo

sank onto my bed, my heart racing. Minutes bled into hours. What was my n

monster? The clock ticked like a metronome of my impending doom. Suddenly

as nothing

wedding dress. You'll wear it tomorrow. Marianne and Clinton have alr

would," I murmured, retreating into the bed s

she spat, her voice sharp

ing day-a day meant for celebration, yet he

eatrice, stepped in, flanked by two other maids carrying trays of makeup and other brid

night?" Miss Beatrice asked, her voice

re." My voice was barely above a whisper as I hugged the pillow tighter, seeking some sense

in the air. Miss Beatrice cleared her throat softly. "We'r

t, here I was, practically paralyzed by dread. My body felt like lead, unwilling to

sitting up. What was the point in resisting? Th

th. The sound of water running filled the silence, while one of them laid out the Valentino wedding dress-a breathtaking go

elt more li

nce. They led me to the bath, the water warm and fragrant with soft rose petals floating on the sur

nt. They worked with swift efficiency, scrubbing away what felt like the weight

ids wrapped me in plush towels, drying every inch of me with a gentle touch. They applied makeup, tur

e right places. The dress was stunning, crafted with intricate lace and delicate pearls, its soft ivor

Her face was calm, her eyes vacant, as thou

stepping back with a satisf

echoed in my mind

y feeling. But all I felt was the growing pit in my stomach, a sen

knew I ha

gave a slight nod. "Le

nd a cool breeze slipped in, car

art pounding in my ears.

ot crossed the th

n't r

for

for

t the world waiting for me... and