His Stand-In No More: I Chose an Arranged Marriage

Dad called within minutes of my text.

"Flora, why the sudden interest in an arranged marriage?"

I answered calmly, "I'm a Silvestri, after all. A marriage alliance is my duty."

Dad laughed, pleased.

"You've really grown up lately. Leaving you with Sebastian was the right decision after all."

He had no idea that my newfound maturity had nothing to do with Sebastian's guidance. It came from having my love thrown back in my face.

I didn't want him to worry, so I kept the truth to myself and made the request I'd been planning all along.

"I'd like to move into the house downtown for a while. Would that be all right?"

Dad shot the idea down at once.

"No. I don't like the idea of you living alone.

"Sebastian is your guardian while I'm away. If you really want to move out, ask him. He'll make the arrangements."

I bit my lip after we hung up.

I couldn't even move out without Sebastian's permission.

I picked up my phone and called the number that had been first on my speed dial for years.

It rang for a full minute before someone answered.

The voice on the other end was a woman's, sweet and unfamiliar.

"Hello. Sebastian's making lunch. If you need something, I can pass it on."

Sebastian had once refused to make me two slices of toast, claiming it was beneath the family's advisor. Yet here he was, cooking lunch for another woman.

Pain gripped my chest so hard I could barely breathe.

But when I spoke, even I was surprised by how calm I sounded.

"No need. It's nothing."

After hanging up, I sat there in a daze until my phone rang again.

Sebastian.

I brushed a finger over his name, then answered.

He sounded polite and distant, as if we really were nothing more than the Silvestri family's advisor and its little princess.

"Did you need something, Ms. Silvestri?"

The man who had held me, thrusting into me as he called me baby, might have been someone I'd dreamed up.

I tried to steady my breathing.

"Sebastian, I..."

He spoke before I could finish.

"Actually, I need to discuss something with you, Ms. Silvestri. Please collect your belongings from my house as soon as possible. My childhood sweetheart is moving in.

"I've arranged a house and a housekeeper for you. If there's anything else you need, tell me now. I won't betray the Don's trust."

We had spent so many nights tangled together. He'd given me incredible pleasure and what had felt like real affection.

Now he wanted a clean break, so he could go back to being the untouchable family advisor.

So thorough. So cold.

It was laughable. And I was tired of it.

I smiled as I answered, "I don't need anything else. You've thought of everything. Just what I'd expect from the Silvestri family's advisor."

Once I moved out, this relationship would be over. It should never have begun.

And I would marry into the Voss family as planned.