Inicio / His Stand-In No More: I Chose an Arranged Marriage / Capítulo 1 - Capítulo 10

Todos los capítulos de His Stand-In No More: I Chose an Arranged Marriage: Capítulo 1 - Capítulo 10

10 Capítulos

Chapter 1

Dad called within minutes of my text."Flora, why the sudden interest in an arranged marriage?"I answered calmly, "I'm a Silvestri, after all. A marriage alliance is my duty."Dad laughed, pleased."You've really grown up lately. Leaving you with Sebastian was the right decision after all."He had no idea that my newfound maturity had nothing to do with Sebastian's guidance. It came from having my love thrown back in my face.I didn't want him to worry, so I kept the truth to myself and made the request I'd been planning all along."I'd like to move into the house downtown for a while. Would that be all right?"Dad shot the idea down at once."No. I don't like the idea of you living alone."Sebastian is your guardian while I'm away. If you really want to move out, ask him. He'll make the arrangements."I bit my lip after we hung up.I couldn't even move out without Sebastian's permission.I picked up my phone and called the number that had been first on my speed dial for years.It ran

Chapter 2

That night, I slept better at the hotel than I had in a long time.After breakfast, I returned to Sebastian's house to pack.When I walked in, he was carefully arranging pots of flowers on the balcony.But Sebastian hated flowers. Soft, useless things, he'd called them.I'd once begged him to buy me a bouquet. He'd told me that, as the Silvestri Don's daughter, I needed to outgrow such frivolous things.He looked up when I came in."You're here. These flowers mean so much to Vivian that I had to set them out myself."His voice was almost apologetic as he spoke about Vivian Rossi, his childhood sweetheart."Vivian's very territorial. She doesn't like having a stranger's belongings in the house. If anything's been damaged, I'll pay for it."He led me to the basement, where all my things had been dumped in a heap.The crystal ornament he'd given me for my birthday last year lay shattered.The oil painting I'd coaxed him into making with me had been folded in half and tossed into a corner.

Chapter 3

The next day, Dad texted me."I've booked you a flight for tonight. You're going to the Voss estate to meet your future husband."See Sebastian this afternoon. You two need to sort out the handoff of some family business."Taking care of it was part of my duty as a Silvestri.As much as I didn't want to see Sebastian, I went to his office anyway.When I walked in, Vivian was leaning against him.He was bent over her, tenderly feeding her cake.Laughing, she offered him a bite in return. He ate it without hesitation.I loved desserts, too.But Sebastian had always said he hated the taste of cream. Even the smell made him sick.I'd thought being allowed to bring desserts into his house meant I was special. I'd been so happy I could barely sleep for three days.So stupid.I pulled myself together. As if I hadn't seen a thing, I asked evenly, "Sebastian, where are the documents I need to review?"When Vivian saw me, she got up and walked over."So you're the one who left all that garbage a

Chapter 4

Before I could finish, Vivian burst into tears."Sebastian, she shoved me so hard. And you still won't promise to stop seeing her?"Have you actually fallen in love with her? Fine. I'll go!"He caught her arm at once."No, Vivian. It's not like that. You've got it wrong."Then he turned to me with a cold frown.But when he saw my wounds still bleeding, his expression softened despite himself."Flora, I know you're upset. But if you hurt Vivian again, don't expect me to let you off so easily."I'd lost enough blood to feel cold all over. Even so, I gave him a calm smile."Understood."Sebastian seemed startled by how readily I agreed.He pressed his lips together as though he wanted to say something. In the end, he only looked away in silence.A moment later, he scooped Vivian into his arms and said gently, "Go lie down in the lounge. I'll have the doctor come and check you over."He looked back at me, and something like pity crossed his face."Those cuts need dressing, too. Sit over th

Chapter 5

Sebastian stiffly agreed to every instruction Scott gave, but the same words kept running through his head. Flora is marrying into the Voss family.He was used to her eyes following him wherever he went. It had never occurred to him that one day she might turn away, let alone marry someone else.After hanging up, he stared out the window in silence for a long time.He should have felt relieved. With Flora gone, no one would threaten what he had with Vivian.Yet the moment he'd actually heard the news, he'd felt strangely hollow.Vivian woke in the lounge and came looking for him when she found him gone."Sebastian, what are you daydreaming about?"He looked at Vivian, but his thoughts were with Flora, wherever she was now.Unlike Vivian, Flora never let anyone see her vulnerable side.She'd been young when they'd first met, yet already beautiful enough to hold anyone's attention.Back then, he'd only thought of her as a lively girl who would grow into a beauty.By the time her father e

Chapter 6

When Sebastian brought Vivian home, he felt strangely out of place.She'd removed every trace of Flora. An unfamiliar floral scent drifted from the pots on the balcony.Vivian went straight out to water them, rattling off instructions as she worked."These need water every day. Those only need it every three days. And don't forget to give them fertilizer and plant food regularly."When he'd been with Flora, she had always been the one to accommodate him.She'd made everything comfortable for him, accepting all his habits, even his taste for rough sex.He was more than a decade older, yet she was the one who made allowances for everything he did.Breathing in a floral scent he disliked, Sebastian suddenly missed the coffee Flora used to bring him.Vivian didn't notice his distraction. She turned and tugged at his shirt, pouting."Sebastian, why are you ignoring me?"You'd better take good care of my flowers, or I'll be mad!"For the first time, he didn't immediately reassure her.He gav

Chapter 7

At the engagement ceremony, I stood beside Lucas in a lavish bridal gown as we accepted everyone's congratulations.Dad looked on, beaming as he led the applause.Just as Lucas was about to kiss me, the doors flew open.Sebastian rushed in, his eyes red, shouting hoarsely, "Get away from her! Don't touch her!"He looked worn out, yet his suit was immaculate. He'd taken even more care with his appearance than usual.He strode over and took my hand, his own trembling."Flora, I'm begging you. Please don't marry him."I swear I'll never do anything to upset you again. I'll treat you right."After a stunned pause, Dad moved to drag Sebastian away. I raised a hand to stop him."Sebastian, this is my engagement party. Making a scene won't change the fact that Lucas and I are engaged."You're the Silvestri family's advisor. I don't want to humiliate you or damage our reputation. Please leave."Sebastian froze, clearly unprepared for my cool, businesslike tone.Dad immediately took the opportu

Chapter 8

Sebastian looked back at me once before leaving. I'd never seen such despair in his eyes.But it no longer hurt me to see him hurt.I looked out at the guests. Almost every one of them seemed to be biting back a comment.Only the power of our two families kept them quiet.Once the ceremony was over, word of today's scene would spread everywhere. We'd become a laughingstock.When Lucas saw how tense I was, he stepped closer and hooked a finger around mine."Don't worry. I've got this. All you have to do today is be a carefree little princess."His steady gaze finally helped me relax.The rest of the ceremony went smoothly. I kissed Lucas, then announced to everyone that we would be married in two months.Afterward, he took me back to the Voss estate.Sitting on the bed, I tried to explain what had happened.But he crouched in front of me and pressed a finger to my lips."You don't have to explain. And you don't have to worry. No one would dare gossip about either of our families."I pre

Chapter 9

After our wedding, Lucas came home with me to the Silvestri estate.Dad smiled in satisfaction as he watched Lucas carefully help me out of the car."Only a man like that is good enough for our little princess."Lucas nodded earnestly."You have my word, Don Silvestri. I'll always make Flora happy."She's the Voss family's future Donna. I'll make sure everyone respects her. No one will mistreat her."Lucas's earnest promise brought tears to Dad's eyes."Good. I can rest easy knowing you're looking after her."I stood beside them, touched and a little embarrassed."Dad, I'm happy. You don't need to worry."Lucas knows I love cherries. He even planted a whole grove of cherry trees for me on the estate."Dad's smile widened."Good. That's wonderful."You two go get some rest. I'll have the butler hurry the kitchen along. We've made all your favorites for lunch."I quickly stopped him."You go rest. I'll check on lunch."I gave Lucas a look. Understanding at once, he turned to help Dad ins

Chapter 10

Once we were inside, I put my arms around Lucas and kissed him."You really weren't jealous?"He smiled and wrapped his arms around my waist."I'm pretty confident in my own charms. With me beside you, how could you possibly want an old man?"I just can't stand the sight of him after what he did to you!"His voice had its usual brash edge, nothing like the smooth composure Sebastian had acquired over the years.Now, I was completely captivated by that spark in him.I rose onto my toes and kissed him."Don't be upset. Sebastian is an asshole, but in a way, we have him to thank for getting married so quickly."If he hadn't broken my heart, I probably wouldn't have rushed into an arranged marriage. I certainly wouldn't have reunited with Lucas so soon.Lucas deepened the kiss, laughter in his voice."You have a point. Fine. I suppose I'll stop thinking about putting a bullet in him."Six months later.Lucas never deliberately went after him, but Sebastian resigned as advisor of his own ac

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