SOMEONE PLEASE SAVE ME

CHAPTER 3

Looking back on that night from this king-sized bed, I almost feel a painful kind of pity for the girl I was just forty-eight hours ago.

 She actually thought she had a chance. She thought a duffel bag, three hundred dollars in cash, had a chance to escape her fate.

It was 2:00 AM when I crept out of my third-floor room that night. I didn't know where I would go. Probably a cheap motel on the outskirts of the city, or try contacting an old friend that had no ties or allegiance to my family. I just needed to escape. Anything had been better than ending up in this marriage to a man who was currently snarling at me, all for the sake of a family that never cared for me.

The hallway had been pitch black and silent save for the hum of the central air conditioning.

My heart was beating so hard against my ribs I was convinced it would wake the entire house.

Just make it to the kitchen door, I had told myself, taking agonizingly slow steps down the grand staircase. Just reach the garden gate, walk four blocks to the main road, and take the night bus out of the city.

I actually made it to the heavy oak front door. My trembling hand was literally on the cold metallic handle. I had even unlocked it—the tiny click sounding like a gunshot in the dead silence.

And then, light flooded the room.

"Aurora"

Father’s voice didn't come from behind me. It came from the top of the stairs, cold, heavy, and completely devoid of surprise.

I froze. If I had been braver, maybe I would have ripped that door open and run into the night. But years of conditioned obedience locked my knees in place. I slowly turned around to see him leaning against the banister in his velvet robe, holding a glass of scotch.

"Did you really think I wouldn't notice?" he asked, descending the stairs with slow, deliberate steps.

“I… I can’t do this, Father,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “Please. Don’t make me marry a stranger. I’m not Bella. This isn’t fair.”

He crossed the distance to me in three strides and grabbed my arm, not hard enough to bruise but firm enough to make escape impossible. “Fair? You dare speak to me about fair? After everything we’ve given you? This marriage is the only thing standing between this family and ruin. If you run, you destroy our heritage, our reputation, everything your grandfather built. Is that what you want? To be the selfish daughter who tore this family apart?”

Tears burned my eyes. “But why me? Why not—”

“Because Bella is delicate,” he snapped. “Why are you so selfish Aurora? You want your innocent sister to fall into the hands of the strange man instead? Stop being such a spoiled brat and do what is required of you!” His grip tightened. “Go back to your room. Do not make me drag you.”

I tried to pull away one last time, but he was stronger. He dragged me upstairs by my arm, his silence more terrifying than any shouting. When we reached my door, he pushed me inside and turned the key from the outside.

The lock had clicked with terrifying finality.

I sank onto the bed, the small bag falling forgotten to the floor, and cried until my chest hurt and my eyes were swollen. Years of suppressed pain poured out of me. I cried for the birthdays I’d spent alone, the achievements no one celebrated, the love I had never received. Eventually, exhaustion claimed me, and I cried myself into a restless 

sleep.

Morning came too soon.

I was jolted awake by the sound of my door unlocking.

Mother had walked in, accompanied by three women carrying garment bags, makeup trunks, and hair equipment.

"Look at her skin," one of the stylists muttered, pulling my hair back violently. "She’s way too pale. Bella has that sun-kissed glow."

"Spray tan," Mother ordered sharply, sipping her morning coffee from the doorway. "And contour her jaw. Bella’s jawline is softer. Use the heavy foundation to cover those dark circles."

For three agonizing hours, I sat in front of the vanity mirror while they erased Aurora Hale.

They dyed my deep brown hair to match Bella's honey-blonde highlights. They plucked, painted, and smoothed every inch of my face until the girl staring back at me in the mirror looked like a hauntingly accurate ghost of my sister. They laced me into a white silk gown that was meant for Bella's tailored measurements—pinching the waist so tight I could barely draw a full breath.

Bella herself wandered into the room right before I was escorted down to the car. She looked completely refreshed, wearing a silk robe and holding a croissant. She took in my new look and for a second, something cruel and envious had flickered in her eyes.

She stood behind my chair, looking at our twin reflections in the mirror with a sickeningly sweet smile. She leaned down, her lips brushing my ear, smelling of vanilla and expensive perfume.

"Don't look so sad, Rory," she whispered, her fingers lightly tapping my shoulder. "You're finally getting to be the center of attention for once. Just remember... you're only the spare cleaning up our mess."

I didn't respond. Couldn't respond.

“The Lannisters expect punctuality.” Father said cutting the moment. He had been standing impatiently at the door for the last thirty minutes.

Mother’s eyes misted over as she gave me a final look of approval. “You look beautiful Aurora. See? This is for the best. Do your duty and make us proud.”

We didn't hug goodbye.

They just shoved me into the back seat of that sleek black car, slammed the door shut, and watched from the driveway as the driver pulled away—trading their 'rock' for a multi-million-dollar lifeline.

And that, my dear, sums up my pathetic life and brings us back to this morning. To Kade's angry face looming over me and demanding an explanation.

I pull the black silk sheets up to my collarbone, my heart hammering against my ribs just like it did two nights ago on the stairs.

“That's…. that's what I was trying to tell you last night.” I whispered, my voice hoarse.

“I'm Aurora. Rory. My parents forced me to take Bella's place. I tried to explain at

the courthouse, and again… last night….”

Someone, please save me.