Evelina had always anticipated an arranged marriage to a stranger, as was the tradition in the Ivanovitch family. However, her expectations were upended when her sister, who had been betrothed to a man, committed a transgression that rendered her unable to marry. Consequently, Evelina found herself thrust into the unexpected position of having to wed the man originally intended for her sister. She is faced with marrying a man who doesn't see her worth. However, her perspective shifted when she discovered that he was struggling to conceal his true feelings for her, haunted by past experiences that had scarred him emotionally. As their love deepens, they are faced with betrayals and deceit from those closest to them. This sudden turn of events marked a significant shift in Evelina's life.
"Evelina hurry up, the guests will be here soon! " I heard my aunty shout from downstairs. "I'll be down soon! ".
Today is an important day for the Ivanovitch family. My elder sister, Sana, is meeting her fiance's family today.
You may think it's going to be an exciting day for her, but it's not. My papa arranged this marriage. It's the tradition in the Ivanovitch family.
When a girl reaches the age of marriage, she gets married off to strengthen the family's influence and business. It has always been this way. I know it will be my turn one day, but that day is not coming soon.
I finished my makeup and checked myself in the mirror. I look beautiful, I took my mama's face and my papa's eyes. A round shaped face, blue eyes with caramel skin.
My mama passed away when I was just six, but I still remember what she looks like. She was a very beautiful woman and my papa loved her dearly. She died of cancer.
I double checked everything and was satisfied with how I looked, then I headed downstairs. The mansion is usually busy, but today it was very busy. I headed to the main room where my family members are.
"With how long you spent preparing, someone might think you're the one meeting her fiance today" Said aunty Marina as soon as I stepped into the room. "Let her be Marina, a woman must always look her best" my uncle Pavel quickly backed me up.
I gave them both a smile as I walked to the far end of the room. My family is pretty big. My papa runs a very large business and being the family man that he is, he took a lot of our cousins under his wings.
My papa owns one of the biggest diamond mining companies in Russia, producing a significant portion of diamonds and distributing them to many countries.
"Evelina can you please go help babushka in the kitchen" aunty Marina calls out to me "Sure aunty"
Babushka was my grandmama and my favorite person in this world. I particularly live under my sister's shadow. She has always been in the spotlight while I was left in a dark corner. My mama and babushka have always been the only ones who truly see me, but when my mama died, it was just babushka.
I entered the kitchen that was bussing with servants and babushka was at the center of it.
"Oh don't steer it like that, you'll end up burning up!" "someone get that turkey out of the oven before it turns into a charcoal briquette!"
Yeah, that's my babushka. I guess she's not really everybody's favorite.
"Hey there, maybe try toning down the volume a bit, babushka, to keep that blood pressure in check!" I joked as I neared my grandmama.
"Oh, solnyshko!" my grandma beamed as she hugged me. Solnyshko was a nickname babushka has always called me ever since I was little. "I haven't seen you all week, dear. Have you been eating well? Has anyone been giving you trouble?"
"I'm fine, babushka" I smiled as I hugged her back. Babushka was the only person who was always looking out for me.
"I wanted to come give me a helping hand here but it seems you're doing just fine" "Ah don't bother yourself with that, here my dear have something to eat" She handed a plate of pirog, a sweet pie filled with berries and meat.
"Have you seen your sister today?" "no babushka". I haven't seen my sister all week. I guess she's busy preparing for her fiance. I'm actually glad that she'll be getting married soon. Then maybe when she leaves the house then they can finally notice me.
I do the best I can to please people in this family, but it's just never enough. And they never notice. Sana can just do one minor thing and the whole family will notice and praise her. I hope when she's gone, they can finally see me.
"You should go see her, it's a big day for her. Go see how she's doing" my babushka said as she walked away to check the pot of soup.
I really don't want to see her, but I guess I should, since it's a big day for her.
I left the kitchen and went up the stairs to her door. "Sana, are you in there?" I knocked on her door, but there was no response. "Sana?" Still no response. I turned the door knob and it opened. I walked into her room, but there's no one here. "Sana?!"
"What do you want?" oh my God that scared me!!!
"Sana? I knocked but there was no answer so I just came in," she was sitting in a dark corner of her room so I couldn't see her.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT? " OK, I guess someone is in a foul mood today. "Babushka said I should come check on you since today was a big day for you" "Tell the old lady I'm fine, now leave" well that's rude.
"Are you okay, you're not even ready yet and the guests will arrive soon" I should try to see reason with her since she's not getting married out of her own choice.
"Leave me alone Evelina" alright fine. As I turned to leave, I heard her whisper "I guess you'll be happy now that I'm getting married," "What do you mean? Why would I be happy?" I asked, confused.
"You have always tried to get everyone's attention, doing things to please them and all, but you couldn't even get the slightest attention. So with me out of the way you can finally get the attention you've always wanted"
WHAT?!!!
I mean I did think about the whole thing, but hearing her say it so bluntly sounds so harsh!!!
"You're being ridiculous, Sana" "oh, am I now?" What's up with her today? "I just came to check on you, I'll be on my way now" I turn to leave but she quickly gets up and grabs my arm. How is she so goddamn fast?!!
She leans close to my face and whispers "you may think you'll finally get what you want, but trust me Evelina, you won't," she lets go of my arm and walks away, leaving me standing alone and confused.
What does she mean? And why does she hate me so much?!!
Chapter 1 Big Day
23/05/2024
Chapter 2 Strange, beautiful man.
25/05/2024
Chapter 3 The Ghost CEO
27/05/2024
Chapter 4 Substitute Bride.
28/05/2024
Chapter 5 All Gone.
30/05/2024
Chapter 6 A Month
31/05/2024
Chapter 7 Yellow Dress
01/06/2024
Chapter 8 Wedding Dress
02/06/2024
Chapter 9 The Dairy
03/06/2024
Chapter 10 New Home
07/06/2024
Chapter 11 Wedding Night
08/06/2024
Chapter 12 Attached
13/06/2024
Chapter 13 A Picture
14/06/2024
Chapter 14 A Guest
15/06/2024
Chapter 15 First Day
16/06/2024
Chapter 16 Painting
17/06/2024
Chapter 17 Work
18/06/2024
Chapter 18 A Memory
19/06/2024
Chapter 19 Maya
20/06/2024
Chapter 20 Package
24/06/2024
Chapter 21 Dr. Hawthorne
24/06/2024
Chapter 22 A Moment
24/06/2024
Chapter 23 Last Day
27/06/2024
Chapter 24 Maxim
27/06/2024
Chapter 25 Photos
27/06/2024
Chapter 26 Protection
28/06/2024
Chapter 27 The Intruder
30/06/2024
Chapter 28 Second Package
03/07/2024
Chapter 29 Hidden Sanctuary
06/07/2024
Chapter 30 Unveiling Heart
09/07/2024
Chapter 31 Abduction
19/07/2024