What Is 'And Then I Chose Myself' By Chiara Mercurio About?

All my life, I thought I had it all figured out — the quiet, obedient girl who did what was expected and stayed in the shadows. But life has a way of turning everything upside down. I’ve lived with rules, expectations, and secrets I never dared to speak aloud. I’ve tried to be who everyone wanted me to be, but now… I’m starting to ask myself who I really am. And then there’s Lucas — a presence I can’t ignore, though I’m not sure what he truly means for me. Between past pains, the choices I make, and the life I’m trying to claim for myself, I’m learning that growing up is complicated… and sometimes, it hurts.

'No matter what, No matter the time, No matter the place, No matter the century, No matter what's to come, I. will always. CHOOSE. YOU'. Everyone saw her as crazy..... But he saw her as nothing less than perfection. ................... "Why?" was the only thing he said. Confused I asked "Why what?" "Why do you always do this to yourself?" the tone in which he spoke almost seemed like he was heartbroken about something. "Do what?" I dared to ask, although I knew already within me I wouldn't like his response. "Conceal your worth" ....................... If you like this small insight of the story then please read on. The only thing I can guarantee you in this story is that it will definitely have an happy ending although for the two characters Rica and Dili to achieve that, they would have too pass through many difficult obstacles on their way to happiness. And trust me this isn't your normal Teenage story that is filled with rainbows and sunshine, there are a lot of gloomy days. If you don't mind that then please by all means do read on. .................. NOTE: This is a pure work of fiction. An original story by me. Buy me coffee? https://ko-fi.com/missrina

Prince Christian is temptation in royal form—tall, commanding, heartbreakingly beautiful. Jessica is his maid. His best friend. The girl who has loved him in silence for years. In the kingdom of Orlander, the royal family announces a Royal Selection to find the future princess. Christian wants nothing to do with it. His heart is still bruised from Mirabelle, the woman who left him. But the king and queen are determined. The kingdom needs a bride. The prince must choose. Christian agrees only under one condition—he will end the selection if he feels nothing. On the day of the ceremony, he draws twenty names. Mirabelle’s. A mysterious girl named Evelyn Hunter—whose name makes him smile for the first time in months. And Jessica watches the man she loves prepare to choose someone else. She is the maid no one notices. The best friend who is always at his side. The girl who knows him better than anyone… except the one thing she can never tell him. He is searching for love. She is standing right there. But in a palace full of glittering gowns, secrets, royal duty, and heartbreak… she might be the only girl he never sees. This is a forbidden romance, best friends-to-lovers, royal drama, and slow-burn heartbreak where loyalty, destiny, and hidden love collide.

I spent my whole life being Lucas DeLuca’s promised bride, his childhood shadow, the girl everyone believed would follow him anywhere. For twelve years, we planned the same future: the same family trial, the same city, the same fight to prove ourselves beyond our bloodlines. Then one night, Lucas changed his assignment to London for Vivian Castor and laughed that I would crawl after him before the seals closed. He was wrong. I stayed with the Rossi research program, burned the gift I had made for him, and chose the work I had bled for instead of the man who took my devotion for granted. Lucas thought my silence meant weakness. He thought my love made me easy to control. By the time he realized he was the one who couldn’t live without me, I was already gone. And I wasn’t about to run back into his arms. I was building my own kingdom.

I gave Adrian Vale eight years of my life. Eight years of waiting,forgiving,and pretending it did not hurt every time he chose his pride,his career,or his childhood friend over me.He always said he loved me.He always said marriage was only a matter of time.But somehow,that time never came. At my best friend’s wedding,when the bouquet finally landed in my arms,I gave him one last chance.One sentence was all I needed. Instead,Adrian took the bouquet from me and handed it to another woman. He thought I would cool down,come back,and wait for him like I always had. But he forgot one thing. I was Elena Moretti,and when a Moretti woman stops waiting,she does not look back.

When the marriage contract was placed in front of me, I only took a moment to read the terms, but Lucien Moretti urged me three times to sign. He was in a hurry, after all. His precious savior, Isabella, was waiting for him to take her to her favorite opera. So I picked up the pen, but I did not sign my name. I copied Isabella’s handwriting and wrote hers instead. In my last life, I had signed that contract with a heart full of hope. I thought becoming Lucien’s wife meant I would finally stand beside him as the Donna of the Moretti family. Instead, he kept me hidden after the wedding. At every public event, Isabella was the woman on his arm. Every matter that should have required the Donna’s approval went through her first. I told myself I was not strong enough yet. I swallowed every insult and was forced to give up everything that should have been mine. Until the night gunmen broke into the Moretti estate, and Lucien chose her again. He carried Isabella out in his arms while I bled out behind him. Then I opened my eyes and found myself back before the wedding contract was sealed. This time, I gave Isabella the Donna’s necklace. I gave her the wedding dress. I even signed her name on the contract meant for me. I gave up my name, and I gave him up with it.