THE STAND-IN BRIDE

eeth in irritation, a habit I was trying hard to s

rpeted lobby of the Elyse and Patterso

l represents a past pr

ed thirty minutes down the line, yet t

nt in my life, but my parents have insisted on it as it's the only way to save the company

my room just the night after Jac

any tonight and console hi

by that needs a nanny

But we are family, and famil

an avoidable accident; her corpse was never recovered from the fire, and you are telling m

an. The police confirmed it was a

od. Besides, I am surprised that you are not concerned about the

recovered anything of hers from the site of the accident, but I can

sition, looking every

me wrongl

drunk, Jackie would still be alive to

very great empire was built on sacrifices. Lilian, I am pleading with you

ave called father for the past twenty-three years

ther quietly walked out of the r

y slipped to the floor. My legs gave way to the

been treated as a stranger in my own home while my mum's best friend and her daughter t

ER A W

zed off in exhaustion. A tap at the door

you up." My dad said behind the door. I gradually g

ir and cascaded down my back, r

tion in the mirror. I look like I just fought with the devil. The t

my mourning clothes and with a tear-sta

rance, I stepped in like a remote-controll

ying to locate the right turn to the penthouse. I feel so

ed me inside a dark room. I lashed back with all the strength I could muster

in shock. "What

urprised?" he smirked. Di

Mac?" I shout

you know it! It wasn't my idea but your parents'. They assured me you ar

nausea and anger. My father said, "Kee

parents then". H

towards my family. I tried to convince myself it wasn't true; maybe he didn't understand what my fat

pleaded with Mac. "We don't love each other;

p here." Mac replied, "J

cold chill sett

ched in frustration. "And you can pick any o