003

Camilla returned home after a long day of being away. She had disguised herself so well that even her mother won't be able to recognize her own child. But before coming into the house, she did away with all her disguise.

She entered inside the small, modest house to find her parents and Vanessa seated in the living room. Their expressions were tense, yet Vanessa wore a smug, knowing smile.

She didn't bother to talk to any of them, they always wore a sour expression whenever they saw her, like she was a total stranger in her own parents house. But that was the least she was bothered about, before she could make it to the step, her mother's voice stopped her.

“Camilla, did you not see anyone here?”

Camilla paused and turned to look at her mother, “There's you, Dad, and Vanessa. Should I also tell you how you’re all seated?”

“You're such a waste!” Evelyn cursed, fuming with anger.

“I know right? Do you have anything to say to me? If not, I'll head upstairs.”

“Williams, do you see what I was telling you about? This ungrateful child feels no remorse for what she had done. She isn't even bothered about the threats that Louis had been sending. This isn't something you need to think twice about?”

“What are you two talking about?” Camilla frowned, unbothered about Louis' threats, but about what her mother said last.

“Camilla,” her father began, his voice brisk and businesslike.

“Father.”

“You're getting married tomorrow?”

Camilla frozen, Certain she'd misheard. “Excuse me? Married?”

“Yes,” her father confirmed. “The contract had been signed.”

“What contract?” Camilla's heart raced, dead pooling in her stomach. “What are you talking about?”

“My little sister is naive and doesn't understand what you mean. Mom, dad, I'll explain to her.”

“Dear sister, you're getting married to the Sterling heir. The one rumoured to be crazy. Opps, don't mind my tongue. They offered enough compensation that would secure our family and even save us from the trouble you've caused.”

“You're sending me away for marriage to a stranger, without my consent?”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” Vanessa scoffed, twirling the strands of her perfectly styled her. “Do you know how lucky you are? Women kill to get into the Sterling family and this could be our family’s chance to rise to fame again, don't you think?”

“Then why didn't you take the chance? Last time I checked you're older than me, shouldn't the older one get married first? Weren't you the one who had always dreamt of getting married to him? Oh you're dumping him now that he's rumoured to be crazy? How pathetic?” Camilla snapped, obviously annoyed.

“Camilla, how can you say that? You know your sister has a brighter future and can't end up with a crazy man.”

Camilla's heart twisting with pain, she couldn't believe her own birth mother was saying this to her. How did she even end up in a family like this? Any remaining likeness or love she had forgotten them was vanished.

“Y’all are risking my life for money, is that it? Fine. Now, knowing this, I would never get married to him. You better return their money and let Louis do whatever he wants, I don't care.”

“Camilla, you won't dare to say no. You've always been the ungrateful one, this is your chance to do something meaningful.” Her father chimed in, his tone depicting finality.”

Camilla's eyes burned with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall, not In their front of them. She chuckled, “I dare to say no, what about that?”

“Camilla, if you don't get married to him. I'll have the doctors delay Katrina's heart transplant.”

Camilla froze, staring eyes wide at her mother, “You won't do such a thing.”

“Of course I will. You think I have no idea that she's the only one you truly care about? The one you're spending your income on?”

“You're willing to risk someone's life, just for money? What did I expect, if a mother could throw her child into marriage, because of money, what more about a stranger. Y’all disgust me!” Camilla cursed, deeply regretting why she was born into the family.

She couldn't let them do anything to hurt Katrina. Few years back Camilla was accused of stealing In a shop, because she had no money. Katrina, a middle aged woman, was the one that saved her and paid the bill, took her home and made food for her. She took care of her and provided for her. Camilla later found out that Katrina had no child, and her husband was dead, and she vowed to repay her kindness. Few months ago, Katrina developed a heart failure and needed a transplant, which Camilla was working on so it would be a success. No, if her parents were to call the doctor and ask him to delay the opening, Katrina was really going to die, which she wouldn't allow, with no other option left, Camilla agreed to her parents request.

“You want me to get married into the Sterling family? Fine, but that's on condition.”

“What condition?”

“I'll sever ties with everyone of you, after that, will I be able to get married into their family.”

Her sharp words left a chilling silence in the room. Her parents and Vanessa exchanged uneasy glances, but none of them spoke immediately. Evelyn, her mother, was the first to recover, her face twisting into an expression of pure rage.

“You think you can just sever ties with us and walk away?” Evelyn hissed. “You are part of this family whether you like it or not!”

Camilla laughed bitterly, her voice trembling with suppressed anger. “A family? This isn’t a family. Families don’t sell their daughters for money. Families don’t gamble with lives to save their own skin.” Her gaze hardened as she looked directly at her mother. “You may have given birth to me, but you stopped being my family the day you decided I was disposable.”

Vanessa smirked and leaned back in her chair. “You’re being dramatic again, sister. You’ll thank us when you’re living in luxury. Honestly, you should be thanking me for turning this opportunity down. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have this ‘golden ticket’.”

“Luxury?” Camilla shot back, her tone icy. “You mean the chains of a loveless marriage to a man with a reputation for mental disorder? If it’s such a golden ticket, Vanessa, why didn’t you take it yourself? Afraid you couldn’t handle him?”

Vanessa’s smirk faltered, but she quickly masked it with feigned indifference. “Unlike you, I have options.”

Camilla turned her attention back to her father. “And you,” she said, her voice low and venomous, “you were supposed to protect me. Instead, you sold me off without a second thought. For what? To cover up your failures?”

Her father’s expression didn’t change, but his eyes flickered with something—shame, perhaps, or guilt. “This is not up for discussion,” he said flatly. “You’ll do as you’re told.”

Camilla clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. “Fine,” she said, her voice shaking with suppressed emotion. “I’ll marry him. But don’t think for a second that I’m doing this for you.” Her gaze darted to her mother. “This is for Katrina, and Katrina alone. Once the wedding is over, consider me dead to you.”

Her mother scoffed. “You’re being ridiculous—”

“No, you are,” Camilla interrupted, her voice rising. “You’ve treated me like I was worthless my entire life, and now you want to use me to save your reputation? To save your skin? Fine. I’ll play your game. But don’t ever expect anything from me again.”

She turned on her heel and stormed upstairs, slamming her bedroom door behind her. Her heart was racing, and her hands were trembling, but she refused to cry. Not now. Not for them.

Sinking onto her bed, she stared at the ceiling, her mind spinning. How did it come to this? Her parents’ betrayal wasn’t surprising, but their willingness to use Katrina against her cut deeper than she thought possible.

I have to protect her, Camilla thought, her resolve hardening. I’ll marry into the Sterling family, but I’ll do it on my terms. And when this is over, I’ll make sure none of them can ever hurt me—or Katrina—again.

The next day a car from the Sterling family arrived to pick up the supposed bride, which was Camilla. That was how she found herself married, with no wedding or whatsoever.