“And that's how we ended up in this situation...” James finishes telling the story, omitting some details so that the family wouldn’t hate him.
Emily was shaking as she listened to her father confess that he had traded her fate for money. She asks, “Can't we sell the house?”“I'm afraid not, dear. I already have…” He swallows hard. “I bet the house’s deed too. We have nothing left.”“Heavens!” Shouts Erica Evans, his wife. She's furious, pacing back and forth with her high heels clicking the floor. “How can one man disappoint so much? First, you sleep with some servant, and I had to take care of a child that isn't mine. Then you spend all our money and our house on games? How can you be so irresponsible?!”“Don't talk like that...” James tries to argue.“Not only that! As if all that weren't enough, you want our daughter, our dear Emily, to marry a casino owner? A mobster?”“That wasn't my idea, Erica. He somehow became interested in her...”“Of course he would be interested in her! Just look at her!... She looks like an angel!”Emily is about to break down.“Who knows what things he will do to our daughter!” Erica shouts.“His rep assures he won't do anything...”“Rep?” She chokes. “Have you even spoken to him yet, James?”“Never directly, but...”“Have you ever seen him?”“No, Erica. He's a private man, very few are known about him...”“Then, moreover, you betrothed our daughter to a completely unknown man, whose appearance no one has seen, and nothing is known about him?” She throws a vase of flowers at him, which hits the wall and shatters.James' eyes widen.“You're a scoundrel! A douchebag!”“I'm doing this for us!”“You're only doing this because you screwed up in the first place!” The wife replies.As the couple exchange shouts, Emily cries silently. Tears stream down her angelic face as her mind searches for alternatives. She couldn't marry a mobster. And she definitely wouldn't marry a man she's never seen. After all, if there's so much mystery about his appearance, it's probably because he must be scary.Does this Reviello guy have scars all over his face? Mobsters tend to have scars. Or was he burned? Did he have a terrible accident? Is he naturally ugly?For Emily, beauty is a key factor. Essential. She couldn't marry blindly and find later her husband doesn't fit her standards.“Does it have to be me?” Emily finally asks.“What do you mean?” James looks confused.“Did he specifically ask for Emily?”“Yes. For Emily Evans.” James nods.Then, both Emily's and Erica's eyes land on the girl who, until that moment, had remained quiet, observing the situation: Eleonor.“What's it?” Eleonor asks, noticing all eyes on her.Eleonor, like Emily, is incredibly beautiful. She also takes after her father's blond hair, and light green eyes. She's slightly taller than her sister and has more curves in her body. Likewise, she resembles very little her birth mother, a maid who abandoned her shortly after birth, in exchange for a massive sum of money.Half a year after her birth, Erica became pregnant with Emily, and Eleonor nightmare began. The 'mother' always made her discontent and mistreatment clear. To the outside world, they were a perfect family, but Eleonor always knew she wasn't loved.“Elle…” Emily whimpers, getting off the couch where she was to kneel before her older sister. “I can't marry a person like that...”“Emily, we need this. For the good of the family.” James says impatiently.“Is there no other way, father?” Eleonor asks, looking at the man. “If we get a job...”“A job?” Erica shouts. “Do you think someone like me is going to get a job?”“It doesn't look like we have any choice, Mother.” Eleonor sets her eyes to her sister, who is hugging her legs. “We can't let Emmy marry such a dangerous man.”“We have another alternative, Eleonor.” Erica says, raising an eyebrow. “Why don't you marry him?”“Me?” Eleonor is surprised. “He's not interested in me, he wants Emily. Besides, I don't think he's willing to marry the wrong sister.”“He doesn't need to know that.” The woman approaches with a mischievous smile. “You can pretend to be Emily.”“Are you crazy?” James intervenes. “Do you think we could fool a man like Reviello? We could lose our lives if he finds out we've been tricking him!”“After the marriage is concluded, he will not kill the bride's family...”“You're underestimating this man, Erica. You have no idea of his cruelty...”“And you expect us to marry our daughter to such a savage?”The discussion starts again. Their voices get louder and louder and more aggressive.“Please Elle…” Emily whimpers. “I can't do this... I can't marry a man like him...”Eleonor didn't know what to do. Seeing her little sister as helpless as she was at that moment saddened her. For a long time, Emily was her strength, her reason for existing. The only affection she found in a house full of loneliness. She would do anything for Emily, including giving her own life.At that moment, she realizes that this is one of those hypothetical life-or-death moments. I mean, their lives really are on target. Her father is in debt to a dangerous and mysterious mobster, and who knows what he could do to pay it off. Marrying him sounds better than being sold into slavery abroad like the scenes represented in movies. But Emily wouldn't be able to survive either alternative. Eleonor, at least, is used to being mistreated.“We need to try!” Erica shouts, trying to get her husband to agree with her absurd plan.“All right.” Eleonor says, glaring at her younger sister. “I'll do this. I will marry this Reviello in Emily's place.”In the bedroom, Eleonor looks out the window. The sky is really brightly tonight. Since she decided that she would marry in Emily's place, silence has reigned in the Evans household. Honestly, she's scared. Not just because she's about to become the wife of a cruel man she doesn't know, but because if he finds out she's the wrong sister, things could end badly. She and her family may even die. From her father's fear, thinking of herself with a mortal wound doesn't seem far-fetched. Another part of her is also saddened because in her twenties she has dreams. She wanted to attend college, which had to be postponed because of the family financial problems. She didn't know exactly what she wanted to do, but she had two years to discover her vocation. Like, she had to be good at something, right? But at that moment, everything seems hazy and confusing. Her dreams shattered in front of her as she decided to accept for herself the fate that should have been her sister's. Eleonor is getting
Eleonor was in a dress super tight at the waist and loose at the skirt, with a square neckline and puffed sleeves, in a salmon color. An outfit that really highlights her slim body curves. All this preparation is because Reviello's Rep was coming to discuss the wedding stuff. Eleonor thinks it's an absurd to dress up for a man who won't even be her husband, but Erica insisted to her bastard daughter get into the dress and behave like a lady, as Emily is known. To prevent her family's plan from being discovered, Emily decided to take an afternoon at the mall. James didn't worry about his daughter spending a small fortune in the shops because everything was about to be resolved. All it takes is the supposed rep to arrive, take a good look at Eleonor, and present the terms of the marriage contract. That simple. She's alone in her room when she hears a knock on the door. Her father opens the door without waiting for an answer. He's got a guilty look on his face, like everything he's put
Ever since Eleonor signed the contract proposed by Mr. Reviello, she has been accompanied by his representative, Asher. When the Evans family realized they would not receive a penny of the groom's fortune, they submitted a lavish wedding. The preparations were running out of time. Three days from now, Eleonor will walk down the aisle in place of her sister and marry a man cruel enough to specify that he's willing to kill if anyone else finds out about the contract. Which also leaves her hands tied because she had been in a relationship with Josh for at least three years until four days ago. How could Eleonor explain this situation without mentioning her family's debt or that she's marrying so her sister doesn't fall into the hands of a mobster? She needs to explain herself before the nightmare began. That is why she decided to meet Josh at the coffee shop. That's where it all started... when Josh told he loves her. Their friendship began during elementary school and then became a rel
Eleonor is looking in the mirror, admiring the wedding dress that has been chosen for her. Erica and Emily have chosen all the details of the wedding, as well as the guests and even her dress. Despite not being able to decide a single flower arrangement, Eleonor looks stunning in that mermaid wedding dress. A long veil trailing on the floor is atop her bound hair. Delicate pearl jewelry adorns her ears and neck. And a soft make-up on her face highlights the beauty of her eyes that seemed more valuable than those jewels. Unfortunately, this was not the glow expected in a bride's eyes. They were tears that threatened to mess up the make-up. A sadness that could be attested to by anyone who looked close enough. She's alone in her dressing room. Erica and Emily are too busy arranging all the guests in their proper places. The church is full. Over two hundred guests are present. Many of them, Eleonor was not even acquaintance. The Evans family took this opportunity to prove that the 'rum
It didn't rain rice. There were no cans in the back of the car. Just a black limousine that surprised everyone but caused no spark of excitement in her eyes. She should imagine that, of course. That's Emily's dream, not hers. She's the wrong bride. Eleonor left the cathedral soon after. Everyone went to the ballroom, where they would have a big party. But the moment Eleonor gets into her ride, she says coldly: “I want to go to the hotel.” “But Mrs. Reviello, the party...” “Don't call me Mrs. Reviello.” She scolds him bitterly. “I'm not a Reviello.” “Yes, you are. From the moment you signed that contract and accepted the vows at the altar, you became part of the Reviello family.” Asher says quietly. “Do you understand how much weight there is in carrying that surname?” “I assure you it's not heavier than the one I have carried for twenty years.” She scolds, looking out the window. “Just take me to the hotel. I'm tired of all this.” There is no longer a reason to hide her personal
Asher knocks twice on the door. Quickly, a deep and slightly husky voice gives him permission to come in. He opens it quietly. The night is silent, and a full moon adorns the bright sky. Sitting near the window, Mr. Reviello is staring at the horizon with a glass of scotch in hand. The floaty breeze sways his dark hair. The white shirt on is crumpled, with four buttons open in the chest. His expression remains indecipherable, as do his empty hazel eyes. Asher closes the door behind him and walks across the room. Reviello has not looked at Asher yet. “Shouldn't you be enjoying the party?” Reviello asks, without taking his eyes off the city lights. “You should be there... it cost me a small fortune, after all.” “Giovanni...” Asher sighs. “You know your family won't like to hear that you suddenly got married and didn't call them to the ceremony. Especially when it comes to a bride they didn't choose.” “What makes you think I care what they think, Asher?” Giovanni Reviello finally se
Yes, the presidential suite is incredible. However, the size of the room only accentuates her loneliness. She stripped off her dress alone. Her only company were two security guards who were outside the room. Eleonor buried herself in the silk sheets and allowed the tears to roll down her face after she undressed. She felt an intense tightness in her chest. A difficult, painful feeling to describe. She's so disappointed. She shouldn't have thought for a second that she could find a home in such a situation. How could anything good come out of all this, after all? Her father sold her out. Her mother hates her, despite her efforts to be loved. Josh betrayed her. And now her husband is a heartless man. Emily remains the only person in the world who deserves her heart. That is why, despite all the sadness, Eleonor remains firm in her conviction that she had done the right thing. She's doomed to a lonely, loveless, and dangerous marriage, but at least her sister will be safe and happy. T
The plane is landing at the airport in Florence as the sun sets. The city lights are already starting to come on, which will make the capital of Italy's Tuscan region even more beautiful. As they drive through the streets of the city, Eleonor sees the buildings with Renaissance architecture and is amazed by the scenery. The city is incredibly beautiful. The historic buildings are truly impressive. Something in her chest warms up when she sees the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore. She has never seen a church as beautiful as that. There is no doubt that it's the most beautiful place ever. Eventually, her eyes find the Palazzo Vecchio. And as the car approaches the streets, she also sees the Ponte Vecchio and the Arno River, which are reflecting the shades of the sunset in their waters. Indeed, a breathtaking place. Before long, the tourist part is left behind. They move on to a higher and distant part of town, where they find a more wooded area with trees and flowers that look like aut