The Substitute Husband.

a's

ds, custom-made by my father. It clung to my figure flawlessly, bound to capture headlines. A matching diamond necklace, earrings, and bracelet graced my neck, ears, a

h. To the world, I was Alana Preston, a regular woman who had enjoyed the privileges of a well-off upbringing, eventually establishing her own agency in the entertainment industry. Yet concealed from the pu

ame on the screen. He must be as thrilled as I was, conside

e of nervousness and excitement in my stomach. To

iel said, his tone serious. I rolled my

" I shook my head, assuming he was

get married," Daniel revealed, his words cutting thr

d, stumbling over my words. There was no way

ind out any moment now," Daniel rep

d just happened. Right on cue, my mother barged into the room, her face etched with concern. A

sorry," Mom said as s

, fighting back tears and

ivered, and she glanced at my f

, Nina,"

me w

m handed m

nes that had gone vi

d the first one. Cozy was a nice way of saying Suzanne

ff as Daniel Ray leaves Alana Pr

ng left at the altar by rising star Dani

ile soul? They had no idea who

inally planned. My father's plan for me was to get married and only afterwards would the world find out I am Alana Jordan. It would take two years of marriage and running a successful agency for me to

my company. If I cast him in my projects, it would open doors for others in the industry. We could have had a life filled with love and luxury if he

to happen. Instead, he chose to humiliate me, leaving me at the altar. Worse sti

id you know this would happen?" Dad scoffed

ly," I replied, earning a stern look from him. But Mom shot him a glare in return. This mess was mildly his fa

him a lot," Mom comforted me, gently ru

was a win-win situation for Daniel. There was love, passion and growth fo

-or you will if we don't fix this," Dad

scoffed. The media already kne

anned," Dad began scheming out loud, his concern for his own reputation shining throug

ough my contacts on my phone, desperately searching for a suitable male to marry. But the few men on my l

sts had started gossiping by now. All I could think about was how I had l

ceiling, fanning my eyes to prevent my tears from ruining my m

"I've found someone for you. We've crafted a story that fits p

spreading across my face. Maybe I could s

or open wider to reveal his choice. "Al

as I saw him s

erything changed in high school when Alec Fisher arrived on a scholarship at my prestigious private school. Without much effort, he consistently claimed the first-place spot, relegating me to second, always in his shadow.

I see you at the altar?" he

sworn enemy b