1. you go, not your sister

Chapter 1

Alessa Skill

Today, on this cold morning in Bloomington, USA, I woke up at 6 am. I remain huddled in the corner of the bed; today is an important day for my family, the day they sold me to a man I don't know much about. Not how he is now, but I heard he was a very handsome man about two years ago. He was only 25 when he got involved in an accident, and for the past two years, no one has seen his face. Why?

He suffered ninety percent burns in that accident. Ever since my family said I would have to marry him, I researched since he was an important CEO in the United States, and he was quite handsome. He used to go out a lot with several women and caused all sorts of scandals, the most ridiculous life I've ever seen. And me? Well… I'm an ordinary girl, just turned 18, finished high school at 16, and managed to get into a good college after winning an eighty percent scholarship. Let's say I'm a genius, but… I'm stuck with a rather… well, they're not my family. I've been living in this house since I was 10; my mother had married my stepfather Luiz, and he has a daughter named Dhany.

She was supposed to marry that awful man, but since I have neither mother nor father, I have no choice; they force me to do what they want, and with nowhere to go, it's even harder.

My mother died two years ago, so my uncle sent the deprived, me, Alessa, to marry out of obligation, as they are facing financial problems, and the heir, Marone, has been looking for a woman to take care of him for some time.

My uncle decided to send me instead of his daughter, making up that she had an illness and wouldn't be a useful woman in his life, but rather a burden, well… the way she is greedy, it's obvious that's not far from the truth. This family is all about money; I would try to run away, but if they found me, I would be punished, and they are very severe, especially because I have no reason to stay in this house, as he says… and he's right since I'm of legal age, but I still don't have enough money. It's a bit difficult to deal with depression and also pay for college.

"I supported you and your mother in this house for years; do something for us!" He constantly throws that in my face, and now I'm the substitute for my step-sister Dhany. She's quite beautiful, compared to me, I'd say she's a goddess. I'm just slightly taller than her, but Dhany has everything a guy would desire in a woman—ample breasts, a defined waist, a round bottom. She's the perfect woman, and I, well… small breasts, neither underweight nor overweight, I think. I gained a few pounds after taking antidepressants, and my bottom… it's not that great. My hair is a mercy, a mix of straight and very curly at the tips; if I sleep without a cap, it gets so tangled I feel like cutting it.

"Alessa, don't forget you're leaving in an hour; surely your disfigured husband must be very demanding. He won't want to see a woman looking like a beggar," Dhany joked without opening the door. Of everyone in the house, I'm still worthy enough to have a room at the end of the hallway, actually, it wasn't even a room.

That was the first thing that changed when I lost my mother; I lost part of everything, my decorated room, my clothes. I live like a maid, but I don't complain. Lately, I've been working at a restaurant with some friends; I have to pay for my college and buy my medications and try to save to pay for a few months of rent.

The money I earn is only enough for that. If they give me a piece of bread, I'm happy until I find a decent job.

I got up from the dirty corner I was lying in next to the dresser. It's time to get ready. I walked to the old wardrobe, and a bitter smile crossed my face as I looked at its state—old with falling doors; my head still hurts from the last time one of the doors came off. "I never want to see it in front of me again." I have to pack and find decent clothes. I was so upset that I didn't do anything, but at least, I have to look presentable.

"Oh… darn!" I sighed indignantly. My old heels no longer fit me; this is depressing. Everything that fits my foot is my old, worn-out sneakers. I still have a dress that I can wear, but honestly, I'm ready to make a terrible first impression, and that's great. I hope he doesn't like me and sends me back home. "God forbid, that would be death. My uncle Luiz would kill me." I should call him dad, but he's not my father and treats me like a servant.

I combed my hair in a way that looked manageable when loose and put on a dress… let's say it's much smaller than me, but that's how my clothes are. As long as they don't tear, I'm wearing them. This blue dress is a bit tight around the waist and makes it seem like I have huge breasts; it's so tight in the neckline. At least, it's loose from the waist down, and it doesn't constrict me, so I can walk.

As soon as I appeared at the top of the stairs, everyone was already waiting near the door. Dhany barely holds back laughter seeing my state, at least I took a shower.

I could narrate the tragic event of my life while lazily walking down each step in my tight sneakers. I, Alessa Skill, am getting married to a mysterious CEO who suffered 90% burns in an accident.

When I finished descending the stairs, I was literally thrown outside, dragged by Uncle Luiz. They stuffed me in the car with my old suitcases; nobody would go with me, which made me even more panicked.

"Be obedient and ensure a dignified life for your family," Luiz asked with a fake smile. "At least we fed you well; now you can satisfy a man's desires. Goodbye," he concluded, closing the door. I stared at him with wide eyes, what do you mean, dear? Satisfy what? I hope it's cooking. If it's what I'm thinking, what am I thinking? Of course, it is!

"Let me out! Help!" I started screaming desperately. I got this warning yesterday; I didn't have time to think, I don't even know what I'm doing now, damn it… Mom… help…

"Sorry, miss, you can only leave when you arrive at the Marone mansion," said the driver, a bit mechanized. My stomach churned; my head became dizzy. I collapsed onto the leather seat amid an existential crisis, my eyes welled up, I've never been so screwed in my life. I let a few tears wet the seat, but I quickly composed myself. Today, I had to go see my husband… and… darn… I don't want to! How can they force me to marry someone just for money?

I know my life will become hell the moment I step into that house."