002

“You’re going on a date.”

The words came out more like a command than a casual mention, and Olivia’s usual harsh tone was nowhere to be found. Instead, she sounded almost... nice. 

Julia’s eyes widened as she opened her mouth to ask if she’d misheard, but before she could get a word out, Olivia was already dragging her into Mia’s room. From there, she was hauled into the bathroom and ordered to take a hot shower—a luxury she’d never been allowed before.

Like she was a pawn, she was about to be traded off to settle her uncle’s debt but was still silenced, forbidden to speak or ask questions. She had no idea what was going on, but something had clearly gone awry when Olivia dragged Cedric into the room for a heated discussion.

Everything took a drastic turn when she knocked on the door to ask about breakfast, but Olivia’s response was jarring as the door flung open, and Olivia’s eyes scanned her up and down, lingering for a few seconds before snapping back to Cedric, who was visibly fidgeting. 

“Julia!” Olivia shouted. “We’ll be using Julia!”

‘For what?’

The question swirled in her mind, but her gaping mouth couldn’t form the words. Now, she was ready to ask, but the opportunity had slipped away. And what could she even protest about? 

She stepped out of the bathroom, wrapping a towel around her body, and was immediately swept up by Olivia, who grabbed her hand and pulled her to the bedside. 

Olivia plucked a short gown from the array of dresses scattered across the bed. The dresses still had their labels on, clearly brand new. Maybe they’d been bought for her, or maybe they were just grabbed from Mia’s wardrobe.

She tossed a dress aside and quickly flipped through the others, her eyes scanning for the perfect one. “This is gorgeous…” She cooed, a smile spreading across her face. 

She yanked Julia to her feet and thrust the dress against her chest. “Put it on…”

Julia snatched the dress before it fell to the floor. “But…” She stammered, finally finding her voice, but Olivia cut her off again. 

“Hurry up! Someone’s on their way to pick you up, and you can’t be late.” 

Julia froze, her body rigid with fear, unable to muster the courage to ask another question.

Olivia’s expression softened as she gazed at Julia’s face. “What’s wrong?” She asked, her voice surprisingly gentle. A faint smile crept onto her lips as she let out a soft sigh.

Her grip on Julia’s hand was gentle as she guided her to sit beside her on the bed. She wrapped her left arm around Julia’s back, her hand on Julia’s shoulder, the smile still plastered on her face. 

“Julia...” She whispered, her voice soft. 

“Ma…” Julia mumbled, her gaze fixed on the floor, too afraid to look up. 

Olivia’s tone turned cool as she began to explain, “you’re wondering what’s going on. The truth is, you’re going on a date with a man you’ll be marrying soon—any moment now.”

“Uhm!” Julia exclaimed, her head jerking up, and her gaze locked onto Olivia’s, her lips trembling. Her mouth hung open, but no words came out.

Olivia nodded, her smile growing brighter as she patted Julia’s shoulder. “I understand. You’re shocked...” 

Her voice remained calm and persuasive. “You might think we’re selling you off for money or fame, but trust me, that’s not it. You heard your uncle mention he crossed paths with the Fletchers, didn’t you?”

Julia nodded, her mouth still hanging open in shock, betraying her mind that was racing with questions and her heart yearning to yell. Maybe her mouth wasn’t entirely a betrayal—it might just have known better not to ask, sensing that it could earn her a slap.

“The thing is... he owes them a ton of money. A debt we can’t pay off, not even if our whole family works hard for generations,” Olivia said, her voice tinged with pity. “So, the Fletchers offered a way out. They want one of our daughters to marry into their family.”

“But you said I’m not your daughter...” Julia whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

Olivia’s soft chuckle was followed by a slow shake of her head. “I’m not trying to hurt you, Julia. I was hard on you because... your parents’ death still feels like a fresh wound,” she said, her voice cracking slightly. “I loved them. Their passing was a blow, and knowing what happened... sometimes it feels like I want to blame someone, and you’re the one who reminds me of them,”

Tears brimmed in the corners of her eyes as she dropped her hands from Julia’s shoulders, her face bending downward. Her fingers twisted together in her lap, wringing out the fabric of her dress. 

“But now... I see,” she whispered, her voice heavy with regret. “It wasn’t your fault. You were just a little girl who loved her parents... more than I do…”

“You were just a kid who missed her parents and didn't want to celebrate without them,” she said, her voice softening. Her face scrunched up, eyes squeezing shut as she tried to cry, but the tears refused to fall. With a quiet sigh, she gave up and lifted her head, her gaze meeting Julia’s

She pressed her hand to her chest, sniffing as if trying to hold back tears. “I’m so sorry for treating you the way I did. You didn’t deserve it. If your parents could see me now... they’d hate me. And I get it, my love for them blinded me.”

Julia’s eyes were widened in shock as she stared at Olivia, questions clouding in her mind. Why the sudden change? What was behind this newfound vulnerability? But the questions remained trapped, and her gaze was stuck on Olivia’s dramatic display. 

Olivia sniffled again, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m guilty—I accept it. I just hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me,” 

Her eyes locked onto Julia’s, and she grasped Julia’s hand, her tone pleading. “Forgive me, and I’ll make it up to you. Just trust me this once. Can you?”

Julia’s head bobbed up and down, but her silence spoke volumes—she wasn’t buying Olivia’s sudden change of heart. A thought flashed through her mind—she was going to be used as leverage to pay off her uncle’s debt.

“Who am I supposed to go out with?” She asked, her voice neutral, though her mind was already scheming escape plans. For now, she’d play along, biding her time until she could think more clearly.

“Arthur. Fletcher Arthur…” Olivia answered, her voice perked up, a mix of excitement and relief. She expected more resistance from Julia, but was buoyed that Julia wasn’t pushing back harder.

Julia’s brow furrowed slightly as she repeated, “Arthur? But–” 

Olivia cut her off. “Yes, it’s him.”

Everyone in the house knew Arthur was Mia’s long-held crush, ever since his mysterious rise to fame on TV over a year ago.  Mia’s eyes lit up whenever he appeared on screen, and she eagerly watched his interviews and public appearances, studying every detail. She'd even point out his appearances around the house, her face glowing with excitement. 

Arthur was her dream man, the one she secretly admired from afar. So, why’d Olivia sacrifice Julia to him, taking away her precious daughter’s chance with the man she loved?

Olivia’s smile faltered for a moment before she tried again, her voice softening. “Julia…” She called, but Julia’s expression remained unreadable, her lips stubbornly still. 

Olivia let out a deep breath and continued, “you must be wondering what’s going on. Don’t be afraid. I’m not putting you in harm’s way this time. After what I did, I don’t want to live with another regret,”

Olivia’s smile twisted, revealing a hint of malice. “Mia has always wanted Arthur, and that’s exactly why you’re going to have him,” she said. “After everything Mia’s done to you, all the pain she’s caused... I want her to feel a taste of her own medicine.”

Julia’s head shook emphatically, her voice firm. “No... She can have him.” Her words tumbled out quickly. “I forgive her, anyway. I don’t want to be a part of whatever this is.”

Olivia beamed lightly. “The decision’s been made, Julia. You, Arthur, and the Fletchers will be a perfect match. Your uncle and I agree on this, and Mia agrees. She’s sorry for how she’s treated you, and this is her way of making it right.”

Julia’s smile was like a mask, plastered on her face to conceal her true feelings. She didn’t believe Olivia for a second, knowing her manipulative nature all too well. Olivia’s words were likely laced with hidden motives, and her instincts screamed to be cautious. So she played along, her voice flat. “Thanks.”

Olivia wrapped Julia in a warm hug. “Mia’s on board with this, and she’s even offered to do your makeup,” she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. 

Julia’s face contorted into a mock-surprised expression before morphing into a bright, if insincere, smile. “Oh.”

“Let’s get you ready for this date, then.” Olivia said, her eyes shining with an unsettling eagerness.

“Okay, ma’am,” Julia said, standing on her feet with a forced grin on her face. “Thanks, ma.”