A Vicious Substitute Bride

BETRAYED.JOAN.I hurry across the busy streets, my feet tapping with excitement as I hurry over to George's apartment.My boyfriend.I had just gotten a coffee and bagel from one of my favorite bakeries and was informed that he had stopped by to get a cake.Today is my birthday and I bet he just has a surprise waiting for me.I cross the road, narrowly escaping the collision with a car whose owner violently honks at me.“Sorry!” I shout back with a wave as I continue on my way.Still, on the streets, I hear my phone ring, bringing me out of the clouds my head is stuck in and see the caller ID, “she-devil”It is Vivian, my stepmother.Instantly, every trace of a good mood vanishes.I am sorely tempted to ignore the call but knowing her, she would only keep at it until I pick up, the irritating woman.“Hello, Vivian.”“Joan! Why didn't you pick up your calls? I was worried and how many times do I have to tell you to call me mother.”“You must be with guests,” I remark with a bland ton

ENGAGED.JOAN.“We have guests.”“And how does that concern me?” I spit at her.“Joan!” I hear my father’s voice before he shows up beside her.Logan Valon, at the age of fifty-three, can still be considered a handsome man. Lean and muscular with a silver train in his hair and beautiful green eyes, eyes that I took from him.“How can you talk to your sister like that?!”“She is not my sister,” I snarl at him. “She certainly doesn't behave like one.”“You-”“Logan, what is going on?” Vivian asks as he joins them.“Oh, great, the whole gang is here!” I snark at them. “Well, I am not interested in whatever shit you have going on and your guests are of no concern to me.”“You will come down this instant or I will make you regret it.”Ohh, I want to see what he would do, I sorely do but at the end of it, I choose to obey.We do have guests and I am not ready to debase myself because of them.With an irritated sniff, I stomp down the stairs, past them, and head to the living room, the three