Wed To The Wrong Billionaire: A Bride He Didn't Want

ONE ~♣ JOANNA ♣~ My family kept me alive as a pun in their game but I never thought the day would come so fast. In the Calvettis' living room seated Mr Calvetti— my father and my stepmother; Louisa including Yulian, my immediate stepbrother. Whatever it is that brought them together like this must be something huge. Maybe..... maybe father is now willing to get Mom medical help? I know it is a stretch but I'm hoping that's why we're all gathered. My Mom has been sick for close to two months; no medical attention, no proper care, instead she stayed locked up in her quarters while this..... thing take over the space. "Sit down, Joanna." Father instructs, nodding, I lowered myself to the rug placed specifically for me in the center of the living room. Truthfully, I can't remember the last time I sat on a couch, the word is so foreign to me. "Don't argue, don't shout, just answer yes or no." Those were my Mom's instructions if I wanted to survive in this house, and she was right. My silence has saved me from uncountable horrors.. the recent being the day my stepbrother was molesting one of his maids and he saw me watching. The maid froze, I stood frozen in place, and he was smiling like he just won a lottery. My lips twitch as I remember that day...... it was insane. "You are what age now?" Louisa ask, we both know she knows my age, she just wants me to say it. "Twenty-three, Ma." I stopped counting my age at 19. There doesn't seem to be any point. Somehow I gave up on leaving this hell, until today, until now. Maybe..... just maybe I can escape this inferno. Maybe I can stop being treated like a dog in my father's house. Maybe there's still life for me beyond the four walls of the Calvettis' residence. Maybe I can get back the life stolen from me by this witch. "I don't even know what The Kingstons saw in this i***t," Louisa snorts, fanning her face as her minion giggles. "She can't even articulate herself properly." Kingston? The Kingston Group? "And as Rylan's wife?" Yulian adds, clapping his hands as if he just discover the cure to cancer "What if this is a game? Everyone knows Rylan Kingston doesn't keep a woman, he'll probably divorce her in 5 months." Divorce. Rylan Kingston. Everything hits me at once with no time to process it. I am getting married? And to Rylan Kingston? Thee Rylan Kingston? "I made a deal with the Kingston family." Father says and look at me for the first time since I walked in, my fingers twitch. My lips press into a line " You are getting married to Rylan Kingston." For the past seven years I have done nothing but care for my Mom, cook and serve the whole family. My father pitch it to his business associates and friends that ask of Mom and I that I'm sick and have been on the sick bed for awhile. I don't go outside, how possible is it that Rylan Kingston saw me, let alone agree he wants to marry me? Is this it? The escape that I've prayed for? The way out for both me and Mom? Rylan Kingston is rich, and yes... a known people's sweetheart. But I don't care. I'm not doing this for love. "I don't know him." I say quietly. "It doesn't matter if you do or not." My father replies , standing "The wedding is in one week, in New York. Louisa, you know what to do." And with that, he walks out. I am getting married. In one week. To Rylan Kingston. ****** Later that evening..... "Mom," I call out as I enter our quarter. She's sitting on her bed, flipping through the old photo album again. Sometimes I get angry with her. Like... I don't understand why she has decided to keep punishing herself by reminiscing on what was. Clinging to the past. Let go. I sure have. I gently took the photo album and set it aside on the nightstand then hold her hand. "Mom, please," I whisper "let it go." she nods absentmindedly, sniffs and give me a small smile. "What happened back there?" She asks, I sighed and squeeze her hand. "I am getting married to Rylan Kingston." Her eyes widened, her brows furrowed but slowly ease and her lips spread in a surprised smile. "What! Rylan Kingston of Kingston group?" I nod my head and smile tightly. Noticing my change of mood, she raise her hand and cup my jaw gently, drawing my face closer. "Even though I'm happy about this" she whispers " because it means you're finally leaving this family and have a life of your own— protected. But I have to ask you, do you want to marry him?" I smile softly and nods my head, this time , firmly "I want to marry him." If I marry Rylan Kingston, I'll have easy access to everything I never had. I'd be able to provide Mom with all she wants and needs. Mom nods, her smiles growing. She rises from the bed and walk towards her wardrobe, retrieving a box. She returns, eyes glistening with tears as she drops it on the bed. "30 years ago when your father proposed," she says softly " My mother picked this wedding gown for me." She opens the box, inside lays a stunning sparkling white gown and a delicate jewelry box placed on top. She lifts the jewelry case and opens it, revealing diamond necklace with a cross pendant. A tiny green inscription glows on it. Windsor. I stare up at my Mom and back at the necklace "You have a diamond?" I question in shock. "But....... You are a Carson, why does it say Windsor?" I ask, my eyes searching hers for answers. She takes my hands, squeezing it gently "This is my family heirloom. I promised you at birth that I'd give it to you when you marry and I'm keeping that promise" She says and looks down at the necklace "This necklace is our family's pride." She smiles through her tears. "You are a Windsor." What does she even mean?