Chapter 3

“Dad, I want you to call off Juliette and Tristan’s wedding plans.”

Henry’s hand froze mid-motion. He stared at his daughter in confusion.

“Why?” he asked, clearly puzzled. “Did something happen?”

“I just want you to call off the wedding.”

“We’ve already agreed to their marriage, Ana. Mrs. Westwood has even prepared the engagement documents.”

“Call it off. Ask her to replace the bride.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let Juliette go. Let me marry Tristan instead,” Anastasia said in a calm but unwavering voice.

This time, I won’t beg or fight to marry Andrew. If he wants to end our engagement, so be it. I won’t make the same mistake twice.

“Don’t you love Andrew?” Henry stared at his daughter in shock.

For years, Anastasia had gone to great lengths to win Andrew’s heart. Seeing her so readily volunteer to switch brides left Henry wondering if he had heard her correctly.

“I love him, but he doesn’t love me. He loves Juliette.”

“Sweetheart, you…”

“I don’t want to be with him anymore, Dad.”

“But Tristan…”

“I know. And I’m certain he won’t hurt me,” Anastasia replied confidently. “I also don’t want to damage your reputation, Dad. If you force Juliette to marry Tristan, people will think you’re treating your stepdaughter unfairly. Juliette has only recently become a widow, and people out there still pity her. If you force her to marry Tristan, who now has special needs, they’ll think you’re throwing her away.”

“That’s not true! They simply don’t know everything I’ve done for her. I care about Juliette. How could I ever mistreat her? Barbara has already agreed to this, and so has Juliette.”

Anastasia knew that was true.

Her father treated Juliette, who wasn’t even his biological daughter, like his own child.

Whatever Anastasia had, Juliette had to have as well.

Henry had never treated the two girls differently.

Anastasia also knew that Juliette was only pretending to agree to the marriage. In reality, she was playing with Andrew’s feelings simply to test Anastasia’s patience. But this time, Anastasia would not fall into the same trap.

“Barbara may have agreed because she couldn’t bring herself to refuse you, Dad,” Anastasia began, carefully playing her part. “She knows you mean well and doesn’t want to damage your relationship with her, so she simply agrees to whatever you suggest.”

Henry fell silent, a trace of doubt crossing his face.

“I just want to resolve this problem, Dad. Andrew loves Juliette, and Juliette loves him too. I’m willing to let them be happy together. I know my place. Even if I married Andrew, there’s no guarantee I would ever be happy with him.”

Henry rose from his desk and walked over to Anastasia before pulling her into a tight embrace.

“My God, you’ve finally grown up, sweetheart,” he said, gently stroking her head. “I’ve wanted to hear you say that for so long. Happiness doesn’t come from someone else. It comes from within ourselves. You’ve made the right choice. You shouldn’t keep chasing after Andrew. Open your eyes. There are plenty of good men out there who will appreciate you and love you for who you are.”

“I know. And this time, I’m choosing Tristan to be my husband,” Anastasia said firmly. “Given his current condition, isn’t he perhaps the most sincere man there is?”

Henry was silent for a moment before finally nodding slowly.

“Are you truly certain about this decision?” he asked, making sure she was serious.

Anastasia nodded resolutely. “I am. But I want this bride swap to remain a secret.”

Henry frowned briefly, but then nodded in agreement.

“All right. I’ll contact Judith and arrange everything.” Henry turned and headed back toward his desk.

“Dad,” Anastasia called calmly.

Henry stopped and turned around. “What is it, sweetheart?”

“I want my wedding to Tristan to take place on the same day as Juliette and Andrew’s wedding.”

Henry smiled before nodding in agreement.[]