Chapter 3

It wasn't until the doctor asked me to confirm the surgery deposit that I discovered my account had been frozen.

The night before, my mother had transferred most of Grandma's medical guarantee fund to pay the down payment on tomorrow night's ceremony.

I called her, and she didn't sound the least bit guilty.

"Livia can't wait. But Adrian has money. Have him cover it."

"Grandma has her pre-op exam the day after tomorrow."

"That's two days away."

Her tone was impatient. "Livia's trust is more important. Stop getting your priorities all wrong."

She hung up.

I stood at the payment window, staring at my account page, so furious my head was spinning.

She actually believed Livia's engagement ceremony was more urgent than Grandma's life.

Seven years ago, I had stayed with the Rossi family.

Because Grandma's health was poor.

Because Adrian said Livia couldn't manage without us.

Because my mother said the family needed me.

As it turned out, all they needed was my money and my silence.

I didn't want to ask any of them for anything ever again, so I called my late father's lawyer. "Release the reserve fund in my name."

The line went quiet for a few seconds. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"But your father said that money was only to be touched when you had nowhere else to turn."

Through the window of the hospital room, my gaze settled on Grandma's face. "Then that time is now."

I paid the surgery deposit in full, then contacted the Cassano family's hospital to arrange a transfer.

I had barely finished settling the surgery fees when a message from Livia came in.

Livia: [Selena, we're still missing a witness for tomorrow night.]

Livia: [You should come.]

Right after that came a video.

Grandma sat in a wheelchair, holding an invitation in her lap.

Livia's voice came from off camera. "Grandma says she absolutely has to see Adrian get married with her own eyes."

My grip on the phone tightened.

Livia knew perfectly well that Grandma couldn't handle any kind of shock, and she had still brought the invitation to her hospital room.

This time, whatever sisterly feeling I had left for her was gone for good.

I called her. "What do you want?"

Livia's voice came through, sickly sweet. "I just want the ceremony to go smoothly. Selena, as long as you come, Grandma will never find out the bride was switched."

I closed my eyes, the rage pressing on my temples until they throbbed.

But I couldn't afford an open fight with her right now. She still had Grandma in her grip.

"Fine. I'll come."

As soon as I hung up, I confirmed the transfer vehicle and a private doctor.

The moment the ceremony ended, Grandma would leave the Rossi Estate for good.

I wasn't going to let them use Grandma to threaten me a second time.

Not long after, Adrian showed up.

He set a gift box in front of me. Inside was a long charcoal-gray dress. "Livia said you look good in this. Don't make a scene tomorrow night."

I looked at the dress and let out a cold laugh.

He'd taken my engagement ceremony, and now he wanted me dressed like a prop standing next to her.

I folded my arms, unmoved. "I'm the witness."

"That's just a title."

His tone cooled. "This is the most important day of Livia's life. What's so wrong with standing next to her?"

I looked at him, a mocking gleam in my eyes. "Adrian, do you even remember who the bride was supposed to be?"

He froze.

After a moment, his voice softened. "Selena, just this once. Once Livia gets the trust fund, I'll make up for everything I owe you."

I didn't answer. I was tired of listening to his promises.

Before that phone call, he might still have had a chance to make things right.

Too bad. Once I had promised my hand to someone else, nothing he did to make amends was worth anything anymore.