Damian’s PovAria.A simple name, pero ang hirap kontrolin. I need to think twice before crashing the silence between us—like walking into the room that might shatter in one wrong step. I never thought she would be this stubborn. Kasi kilala siya bilang tahimik na anak ng mga Delgado—si Aria Leviste Delgado. The obedient one. The quiet one. Pero nagkamali ako. She was nothing like Sienna Marie Delgado.Tahimik akong nakamasid habang hinahabol siya ng atensyon ng lahat—parang hindi siya ’yung Aria na tahimik lang sa isang sulok noon. Her smile lit up the room—may gana silang makinig sa kanya, humingi ng opinion. She had their attention. Their respect.Napaisip tuloy ako.Why did they choose Sienna to marry me when this woman beside me was clearly more than enough?"I know... but my husband will always have the last word," rinig kong sabi niya sa mga kaibigan kong negosyante.And just like that, naglapitan ulit ang mga lalaki sa kanya. At kinuyog siya ng naraming tanong."You have a b
ARIA'S POVI stared at the gown like it had a claws.“I’m not wearing that. I’ll choose my own clothes.”“You’ll wear what I picked, or you won’t come at all. I don’t need distractions beside me.”Napalunok ako. For a second, I wondered if I imagined the edge in his voice… o talagang gano’n siya kalamig?Pero sinunod ko ba siya? Hindi!Napakunot ang noo niya nang makita ang suot ko.“Change your clothes.” His voice dropped tone.Umigting ang aking panga at bumalik sa dressing room ng aking kwarto.Ilang araw na kaming ganito. Gigisingin niya ako kahit kakauwi lang namin, sabay pupunta sa kung saan. And he would always comment on my clothes.Nakasandal siya sa Ashton Martin niya nang madatnan ko—buzz cut, naka-formal, at mukhang malinis. Intimidating.Paglapit ko, nakita kong nagdilim ang tingin niya pero hindi ko siya pinansin. Umupo ako sa passenger seat na parang wala lang.Pagdating namin, maraming tao. Cameras everywhere. I wore my usual confusing smile—sweet but unreadable.Araw-
Aria's POV"Do I have to smile like a doll or am I allowed to blink like a human being tonight?"I didn't mean to be sarcastic but the words just came out.Damian didn't even turned his head to me. Nakatingin lang siya sa ballroom entrance—like it owed him something."Just don't embarrass me. That's all I ask," he said coldly."Right. God forbid your fake wife ruins your real image."Finally, he looked at me—briefly. Cold. Calculating. Parang nainis siya na hindi ako kasing dali i-handle gaya ni Sienna. Pero hindi niya alam, I was never the porcelain type. I don't break that easily."You should be thanking me," I muttered habang inaayos ang silver silk gown na pinili ng assistant niya."You're welcome for saving your legacy," I added with a little smirk."You didn't save anything. You just showed up in the wrong dress," he snapped, jaw tightening."Still married you though," I said sweetly.He didn't answer. Napakabigat ng katahimikan bago bumukas ang pinto."Try not to talk too much
Aria's POVNakatayo ako sa tapat ng bintana, suot pa rin ang wedding dress—still playing her role. My skin itched, my lungs refused to expand properly. I couldn't tell if it was the lace choking me or the man standing ten feet away, unblinking, unbothered, unreadable.Damian Valtor.Kakakasal ko lang sa isang estranghero. He loosened his tie, unbuttoned his cuffs, watched me, unable to handle the quiet I spoke up first."Why didn't you cancel the wedding?""Why? Because you're a fake?" sagot niya, may halong pangungutya. Bawat salitang binibitawan niya, parang nakakairita sa balat.He stepped closer. Slowly. Parang isang predator na siguradong-sigurado sa bawat hakbang."I don't like to waste leverage." Napalunok ako."So that's what I am now? Leverage?"Napatingin siya sa singsing na suot ko."No. You're a solution.""To what?""To your sister's mess, your family's lie, and now...to my very plans." Kumibot ang kanang kilay niya, kaya napatawa ako—isang tawang punô ng pagod at despera
Damian's POVShe's not the bride.That was my first thought when the chapel doors opened.The second?I'm going to kill someone for this.She walked like Sienna—same posture, same veil, same dress we picked out together—but it wasn't her. This girl was too rigid, too hesitant, too honest in the way her body moved. With every step, I knew.She wasn't Sienna Lancaster.Sienna was many things—a liar, a manipulator, an heiress—but never hesitant.This girl had fear stitched into her spine.I clenched my jaw, refusing to look away as she moved down the aisle. Each step screamed, I don't belong here.And I agreed.Where was my bride?My mind wandered, but I didn't show it. She stopped in front of me—chin high, lips painted in defiance. She wasn't trembling. I'll give her that. She stood with elegance, but beneath the shield, I saw the truth.The priest began speaking—something about vows and eternal love. Like they always do at weddings. But none of it mattered.My eyes stayed on her. Hers
Aria's POV"She's not coming back, is she?" bulong ko, pero walang sumagot.Nakatulala si Mama, hawak pa rin ang gilid ng champagne glass sa harap niya. Si Daddy naman, mahigpit ang pagkakakuyom ng kamao habang nakaupo sa trono-like chair.Lucian went on a meeting."Sienna made her choice," ani Aunt Elise sa kabilang linya, her voice was calm but sharp."Now we'll make ours.""No," agad kong putol and shook my head to my parents. My breath unsteady. Alam ko na ang susunod bago pa niya banggitin."We can't afford to cancel the wedding," dire-diretso niyang sinabi. "Alam mo naman, the Valtors are not forgiving people. Hindi natin pwedeng hayaan na gumuho ang empire natin dahil sa isang makasariling babae. We need peace, not war." She said feisty."It has to be Aria."She dropped the missile."What?" Nanikip ang dibdib ko, para bang may mabigat na bumagsak sa balikat ko."You’ll wear her dress, her name and no one will question it, remember, you're doing this for the family's honour, just