THE BILLIONAIRE'S STAND-IN BRIDE

Aria's POV

“What exactly have you done for our family, Aria? You're nothing but a useless daughter!” The woman I called my mother yelled, throwing her shoes at me which I ducked immediately.

“It's my fault that we're falling into jeopardy?” I asked in disbelief and she scoffed, turning to me.

“The company is falling apart and you're asking me whose fault it is? Who has been running the company because apparently, you can do it better?” She asked, visibly fuming and I let out a scoff of amusement.

“Take it easy, Mom, we don't want you getting a heart attack,” Romeo said to my mom as he shot me a glare and I threw my hands in the air.

“This is just unfair. Too unfair. You and I know that the only reason this company is failing and on the verge of bankruptcy is because Romeo handled it!” I muttered, crossing my hands over my chest. “Romeo squandered the company's money on his stupid girlfriend, who left him, and all I did was try to save the company from failing. Now it's my fault? Why not blame your promiscuous son?”

“Watch your mouth, you stupid brat—”

“Or what?” I interrupted Romeo, who looked like he could tear me apart, but I didn't care. “You're gonna hit me like you used to? You're gonna bully me? Threaten me?”

“Shut up!” My mother yelled, throwing a book at me, but I couldn't duck in time as it hit my chest. “You're nothing but useless and now you're trying to blame my son?”

“Mom, I'm your daughter too!” I replied, clenching my hands into fists as I tried not to show how affected I was by her harsh words.

“I never gave birth to a useless daughter like you!” She yelled but Romeo held her back. “You'd better find a way to fix what you've destroyed. I don't care how but it's all your responsibility. Mess it up and I'll kill you myself.”

“Mom, please calm down.” Romeo coaxed her as he turned to me with a mocking smile. “If she can't fix it, she'll have no choice but to use her body to feed the family. I'm sure she'd love that, she flirts with every man she sees anyway.”

My blood ran cold at his accusation as I stared at him in disbelief but before I could defend myself, they walked away, leaving me with an aching chest and a throbbing head.

This was unfair.

I had begged my father three years ago to let me handle the company. I could take care of it. I would make it grow. But my wicked mother, who hated me with everything in her bones, made sure Romeo became the CEO instead.

Year after year, the company fell. I brought it to their notice, but their son was “supposedly smart” and he knew what he was doing. He was the man. I was just a woman.

Two months ago, we were losing everything. I had to step in. I managed to make things better but it didn't stop the fact that the company was already jeopardized and was on the brink of bankruptcy.

And now they're blaming me when it was all Romeo's fault.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I glanced at it to see it was a message from my dad telling me to meet him at the company.

I wondered if he was about to give me an earful too. Regardless, I boarded a cab to the company and walked in, my heart nearly stopping when I saw the employees packing up. The company was as good as gone.

I made my way to the top floor and to my father's office. I knocked gently then pushed the door open to see my father standing by the window, his gaze lost and sad.

“Dad.” I mithered as I walked in and he turned to me. He looked too melancholic, which actually pierced a part of my heart. They may not have been kind to me, but they were still my parents, and I couldn't hate them if I tried.

“Sit.” He ordered, and I took a seat on the couch. “I should have listened to you years ago when you asked to take over. I looked down on you because you are a girl. I didn't think I could entrust you with something so important. But now… I wish I had listened.”

He paused for a moment, taking a seat on his chair and I stared at him for a moment.

“Are we giving up on the company?” I asked and he let out a sigh as he placed his hands on the table.

“We don't really have a choice, Aria. It's dead already. There's no getting it back.” He muttered and I immediately shook my head in despair.

“You can't say that… there must be something we can do about it. We probably just need to find more investors willing to—”

“No one is willing.” He interrupted me and my heart sank. “I never thought I'd get to say goodbye to what I built with my own hands. I did find a way but…” His voice trailed off and I sat up immediately.

“What way?”

“Forget it,” He waved his hands to dismiss the thought. “It's not pleasant. Forget I said anything.”

“Father, please,” I begged. “Whatever it is, if it's something I can do, then you know I'll do it. Just tell me.”

I was willing to do anything for my family. Even though it sometimes puts me in uncomfortable situations.

“It's not as easy as you think it is.” He replied, his hand on his chin. “However, if you agree to it, we would have a new investor who would bring the business back to its radiant self again.”

“What is it?” I asked, feeling expectant and eager as I sat on the edge of the couch and he sighed.

“You have to get married.” He said after a moment of silence and I froze.

“I'm sorry, what?”