The Emperor's Substitute Bride

At our seventh anniversary gala, Alexander gifted me Rose Manor, the most expensive property in the city.

All the socialites and heiresses were practically green with envy. They swarmed around me.

"Olivia, oh my god! Alexander absolutely adores you!"

"Please, next week at my family's charity gala, you and the Don have to come, alright?"

"Yes, Donna, can I get a picture with you? This Rose Manor is one of a kind. The way the Don cherishes you makes every woman in the world jealous."

I could barely hold my smile together. No one knew that inside, I was already frozen solid.

I made an excuse to leave, but ran into Alexander coming to find me at the corner.

"Olivia, where were you going?"

He grabbed my hand. I pulled away on instinct. He looked back at me, so I pretended to tuck my hair behind my ear.

"Isn't the party almost over? Why are you still looking for me?"

Alexander gave me a mysterious smile.

"Of course, because there's still a surprise, darling."

The moment he finished, fireworks exploded across the night sky, massive and brilliant.

Alexander had given me another surprise. Several helicopters swept over the city, trailing giant banners that spelled out my name in glowing letters, "Olivia."

Cheers erupted from the crowd. Alexander walked toward me, wrapped an arm around my waist, and pulled me close.

He lowered his head, his eyes full of warmth, and pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth. Then he whispered in my ear:

"I love you, Olivia. My forever Donna. We'll be together always."

So tender. So sincere. So moving.

If only I didn't know he'd bought my sister the exact same manor.

I tilted my head up to meet his kiss, his cologne mixing with the scent of tobacco on him.

But when his head dropped to my neck, a sharp, cloying perfume invaded my nose.

It was Elena's favorite custom scent.

A wave of disgust surged up my throat.

"I need the bathroom."

I forced a smile, pushed him off gently, and walked away, my stomach churning.

I pulled out my phone. An encrypted call with no caller ID lit up the screen.

I answered. It was the head of Santoro Institute:

"Ms. Garcia, we saw you accepted the top-tier weapons research invitation in the system. Are you sure you want to join us?"

"I'm sure."

I stared at the fireworks outside the window, my voice cold.

There was a pause on the other end. Then a hint of caution crept into his tone:

"Then should we bring your sister Elena out as well?"

At the name "Elena," my stomach twisted.

Five years ago, my family died in an accident, leaving only me and my little sister Elena.

To protect the only family I had left, I joined Alexander's organization for shelter.

When I fell in love with Alexander and married him, I thought I'd found a new family.

But the deadliest betrayal came from the sister I'd risked my life for, and the husband I'd sworn to love.

"Not anymore."

I closed my eyes.

"I don't keep people who betray me by my side."

A voice answered on the other end:

"Understood. Three days from now, we'll erase every trace of you and come pick you up."

I hung up, let out a breath, and a voice came from behind me.

"People who betray you? Who?"