Chapter 1

It was the night before my wedding when my family learned that we had been selected to provide a bride for the ailing heir of Silverbay's showbiz empire. My father and stepmother had just three days to send one of their daughters.

My sister, Roxanne Simmons, panicked when she heard the news and begged my fiance, Clinton Whitfield, to intervene.

To my horror, he fell to his knees and pleaded for my help. He even promised me that once it was over, he'd marry me.

The moment I agreed to take Roxanne's place, Clinton's eyes lit up with joy. He rose, spread his arms, and said, "Gabby, I knew you'd never make things difficult for me. You've always been tough, and no one could push you around.

"But Roxanne's different. She's spent her whole life depending on others, careful and guarded every step of the way. She needs to be protected."

Having said that, he tried to hold me as he once had, but I shoved him away with all my strength.

Watching Clinton gaze at Roxanne with such tenderness made my eyes sting with unshed tears.

Roxanne's mother, Miranda Graham, was the mistress who eventually replaced my mother.

Roxanne moved into our home when she was three and quickly became the apple of my father's eyes. Whatever she wanted, he made sure she got it.

When I was five, I had saved every penny of my allowance to buy a doll—only for Miranda to snatch it and give it to Roxanne.

At 12, I was accepted into the city's top high school. However, my father had said, "We will take care of you." And just like that, Roxanne took my spot.

Later, when she failed her exams, she cried, accusing me of flaunting my acceptance to a top university. In response, my father cut off my living allowance for all four years of college.

When he heard what had happened, Clinton choked back tears and begged the Whitfields to fund my education.

"Gabby, every time I see how strong you are, it breaks my heart a little more. What your family wouldn't give you, I will," he had promised.

He had forgotten that it was the strength he once admired that made me the woman I had become.

Now, I fought back my tears and said, "Go. As for our engagement, let's just act as if it never happened."

This time, Clinton didn't see through my reluctance and hurt like he used to. Instead, he nodded firmly before helping Roxanne to her feet.

"Gabby, when you return, I'll divorce Roxanne and marry you!"

Meanwhile, Roxanne's face was streaked with tears as she kept thanking me through sobs. "Gabby, thank you for letting me have this! But my engagement to Clint happened so suddenly…

"The wedding's tomorrow, and I don't even have anything to bring with me. Could you give me what you had set aside for yours?"

She batted her lashes as she spoke, looking innocent. Yet, the greed in her gaze was unmistakable.

Roxanne was talking about what my mother had left me. It was the company shares and estate she had risked her life to earn in a deal with the company.

I could still remember my mother pulling me close on her deathbed, saying, "Gabby, this money is your safety net."

I had never spent a single cent of it, not even when my living allowance was cut in university.

"No way. Letting go of the engagement is already the biggest concession I could make," I replied firmly.

Clinton frowned in displeasure. "Gabby, you weren't always so petty. You and Roxanne are sisters. If she's humiliated at the wedding tomorrow, won't that reflect on you? Just give it to her."

Without me even realizing it, his favor had already tipped toward Roxanne.

Just then, my father, Derek Simmons, came over to persuade me.

"Gabriella, you're about to marry into the Sterling family. Even if you take the money with you, it won't be of any use. Give it to Roxy, okay? I'll prepare something else for you later."

I couldn't believe my ears. My eyes burned red as I stared at the two people I had always called family.

"Everyone knows Roxanne and I can't stand each other! If she's humiliated, what does that have to do with me?" I snapped. "Dad, every time you've taken my things, you promised to make it up. But have you actually done it?"

Almost immediately, Roxanne burst into tears again, tugging at Clinton's sleeve and shaking her head. "Clint, forget it. Gabriella never liked me, anyway. She's just waiting to see me humiliated."