CHAPTER TWO

The sting on my cheek faded into a dull burn, but I didn't move. I just stood there, staring at my mother's hand as she lowered it.

She had never hit me before, not once in twenty-three years.

"You will not speak to me like that," she said, her voice calm again. "I am still your mother."

I touched my face; it was hot under my fingers.

"Are you?" I whispered. "Mothers don't sell their children."

She exhaled through her nose. "You're being childish."

"I'm being honest."

"Honest." She laughed.

"You want honesty? Fine. The company is weeks from bankruptcy. If we don't take De Luca's offer, we lose everything. The house, the cars, your clothes, everything you've never worried about. Gone."

I knew the company was struggling. But I didn't know it was that bad.

"So you marry me off," I said. "Problem solved."

"If that's how you want to see it," she said.

"How else should I see it?" My voice cracked. "You told me my little sister offered me up like a sacrifice, and you agreed."

My mother didn't flinch. "Elena loves Damiano, but she's young and not ready yet. She wants to finish her art degree and live her life…Is that wrong?"

"No," I said. "What's wrong is that she volunteered me to take her place, and none of you asked me first, and I had to find out by standing in a hallway like a servant listening at a door.”

My mother stood up straighter. "You weren't supposed to find out at all."

Those words hit harder than the slap.

"You were just going to tell me I was getting married," I said slowly. "And I was supposed to say yes. Like a good girl."

"Yes."

I stared at her; she wasn't ashamed or sorry either. She truly believed she was doing the right thing.

"Does Damiano know?" I asked.

My mother's eyes narrowed. "Know what?"

"About the switch." I crossed my arms. "Does he know he's not getting married to Elena? That his bride will be me instead?"

For the first time, my mother hesitated.

"Damiano believes he is marrying Elena," she said carefully. "That is what he was told. That is what his family was told."

My stomach dropped.

"He doesn't know," I breathed. "You're lying to him too."

"It's not lying…it's managing expectations."

"He's going to walk into that church expecting Elena," I said, my voice rising. "And then I'm going to show up in a white dress. And you think he'll be fine with that?"

My mother's jaw tightened. "By the time he realises, the papers will be signed. The deal will be done.”

"You're insane." I backed away. "All of you are completely insane."

She moved towards me, but I held up my hand.

"Don't come near me."

"Gabrielle, listen…"

"No." I shook my head. "I am not marrying a man who thinks he's getting married to my sister and they are giving him me instead; I am not going to stand at an altar and pretend." "And I am not going to lie to save your company."

My mother's expression hardened. "You don't have a choice."

"Watch me."

I turned towards the door.

"Where are you going?"

The door opened.

My father stood there.

He looked older than I remembered. His eyes weren't tired; they were hard.

"Going somewhere?" he asked.

I stopped.

"Dad," I said, my voice smaller than I wanted. "Please. You can't make me do this."

He stepped in and closed the door. My mother moved to stand beside him.

"We already have everything planned," my father said. "The contracts are written, the wedding date is set, and the invitations are being printed as we speak."

"You did all this without telling me?"

"We did what we had to do." He stepped closer. "The De Lucas are expecting a wedding, and they are going to get one."

"With Elena," I said. "They're expecting Elena."

My father shook his head. "They're expecting a bride from this family. Which daughter it is…that's our business."

"And when Damiano finds out?"

"He won't." My father's voice was final. "Because no one will tell him. And you…" He pointed at me. "You will walk down that aisle, say 'I do', and spend your life as Mrs Damiano De Luca."

I felt the tears coming again; I hated them for making me look weak.

"What if I say no?" I whispered.

My father's face didn't change. "You won't."

"I'm saying it right now. No."

He was quiet for a moment. Then he sighed.

"Gabrielle," he said. "Listen carefully."

I waited.

"You will marry Damiano De Luca. You will pretend to be who he expects. You will smile for the cameras, attend dinners, and keep your mouth shut about Elena. You will not tell anyone, not your friends or your future husband. No one."

"And if I don't?"

He looked at me.

"Then I will find you," he said softly. "And I will bring you back."

My blood went cold.

"Don't try to run," he continued because I will find you. And when I do, things will be much worse."

I looked at my mother. She stood beside him, her face empty.

"You would hunt me down," I said. "Like a criminal."

"I would do whatever it takes to save this family," my father said. "Even bringing my own daughter home in handcuffs."

The room felt smaller… I couldn't breathe.

"You're not my father," I whispered. "Not anymore."

"I'm the only father you have." He opened the door. "The engagement dinner is tomorrow at seven. Be there in a dress with a smile."

He walked out.

My mother paused at the door. She looked back at me, and for a moment, something flickered in her eyes, maybe regret or guilt.

"Wear the blue one."

he said. "It brings out your eyes."

Then she was gone.

I stood alone in the room, my hands trembling and my chest feeling tight like I was dying.