Replacement

Elaris’ POV

​His cold words echoed in my ears as the wedding guests cheered around us, and even though I wanted to pull off the veil and run away from the church, I knew that my adoptive parents were watching every single move I made. 

Everyone in that room thought I was a terrible person who spent months tormenting my sister, but the truth was that Liora ran away completely on her own because she refused to be trapped in an arranged marriage with a man she didn't know.

​Just two hours before the ceremony began, my mother dragged me into the small fitting room at the back of the mansion, threw Liora's wedding gown onto my lap, and ordered me to put it on without asking any questions.

​"Please don't do this, Mother," I begged, holding the dress in my hands while tears filled my eyes, "Liora left because she didn't want to marry Cassian, so you should just tell him the truth instead of forcing me to pretend to be her."

​My mother stepped forward and slapped me hard across the face, sending my head spinning as my cheek burned from the impact, and she grabbed my arm tightly before I could pull away.

​"Shut your mouth and put the dress on," she shouted, glaring at me with so much hatred that I could barely recognize her. "We took you in when you had nothing, we fed you and clothed you for years, so you owe this family everything, and you are not going to ruin our name today."

​My father stepped into the room, closing the door behind him so no one in the hallway could hear us, and he pointed his finger at me while I tried to stop my crying.

​"Listen to me very carefully, Elaris," my father said, keeping his voice low and angry, "if you refuse to put on that veil and walk down that aisle, we will throw you out of this house right now, and you will be left on the street with absolutely nothing to your name."

​"I don't even know Cassian," I said, looking between both of them while my voice trembled, "he already hates me because he thinks I drove Liora away, so how can you force me to marry a man who despises me?"

​"He doesn't have to love you, and you don't have to love him," my mother spat back, grabbing the lace veil and shoving it over my head until my face was completely hidden. "All that matters is that a Sterling daughter marries a Virelli today, so stop complaining, wipe your face, and do as you are told."

​I had no money, no job, and no other relatives who would take me in, so I was forced to stand beside my father, walk down the aisle, and take the hand of a man who looked at me with pure disgust.

​When the ceremony ended and the reception finally finished late that night, Cassian didn't say a single word to me during the long drive to his mansion, and he kept his eyes fixed on the window the entire time.

​As soon as the car stopped in front of the house, Cassian opened his own door, stepped out into the night, and walked inside without even checking if I was following behind him.

​A young butler opened the front door for me and grabbed my small suitcase, looking at me with a nervous expression as he pointed toward the grand staircase in the main hall.

​"Welcome to the Virelli estate, ma'am," the butler said, keeping his head down as he spoke. "Mr. Cassian has already gone upstairs, so let me show you to the master suite on the second floor."

​"Thank you," I replied softly, following him up the stairs while holding the heavy skirt of the wedding gown so I wouldn't trip over the hem. "Is Cassian already in the room, or is he working in his office downstairs?"

​"He went straight to the second floor, ma'am," the butler answered, opening the doors at the end of the hallway and setting my suitcase down near the wardrobe. "If you need anything else tonight, you can use the house phone on the side table to call the kitchen."

​"I don't need anything else tonight, thank you," I said, watching him step out and close the door behind him.

​I stood alone in the middle of the large room, looking at the huge bed and the quiet space, and after a few minutes, I unzipped the wedding gown, pulled it off my shoulders, and changed into a plain dress from my suitcase.

​I sat down on the edge of the mattress, keeping my eyes fixed on the door handle, and I waited for Cassian to walk in so I could try to explain what really happened with Liora, but the door never opened.

​Hours passed while I sat there in the dark room, listening to the clock on the wall tick away the minutes, and by four in the morning, I finally gave up hope, lay down on the bed, and let my tears fall until I fell asleep from exhaustion.

​When morning came, a soft knocking sound at the bedroom door woke me, and I quickly sat up, adjusted my dress, and called out for whoever was outside to come in.

​An older maid pushed the door open, carrying a tray with a glass of water and some warm bread, but she looked so uncomfortable that she refused to look me in the eye as she walked over to the table.

​"Good morning, ma'am," the maid said, setting the tray down carefully before stepping back toward the exit. "Breakfast will be served in the dining room down the hall whenever you are ready."

​"Thank you," I said, standing up from the bed and smoothing out my hair with my hands. "Where is Cassian right now? I would like to talk to him before he leaves for his office."

​The maid hesitated, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as she looked down at the floor. "Mr. Cassian left for his company two hours ago, ma'am, and he gave strict instructions to the staff before he walked out the front door."

​"What instructions did he leave?" I asked, taking a step closer because the anxious look on her face was making me nervous.

​"He told us to move all his clothes, shoes, and personal items out of this bedroom immediately," the maid answered, keeping her voice very low, "and he said that from now on, he will be sleeping in the west wing of the estate, and you are never allowed to enter his private quarters without his permission."