The Runaway Sister
CHAPTER ONE
SOPHIA'S POV
My name is Sophie Lane. I am 24 years old.
I live in Texas. Not in the big city. I live in a ranch. Our ranch is called Lane Ranch. It is not big like other ranches in Texas. It is small. 200 acres. We have horses, cows, and a small house. My father built this house with his own hands 30 years ago.
My family has three people. My father, Thomas Lane. He is 60. My mother, Helen Lane. She is 55. And my older sister, Vanessa Lane. She is 26.
And me. Sophie.
Vanessa is the beautiful one. Everyone in our small town knows her. She has blonde hair, blue eyes, tall, perfect smile. She wanted to be a model in Dallas. She loves city life, diamonds, big dresses, parties.
I am different. I have brown hair, brown eyes, small. I love books. I love horses. I love our ranch. I went to college in Austin for agriculture. I wanted to come back and help my father with the ranch.
But one year ago, everything changed.
Our ranch had a big problem. No rain for six months. The cows died. The bank took our loan. My father owed 2 million dollars to the bank. If we don't pay, we lose the ranch.
My father had a friend. Old Mr. Barrett. William Barrett. He is the richest man in Texas. He owns Barrett Oil. Barrett Oil has oil fields all over Texas. Billions of dollars.
Old Mr. Barrett said, "Thomas, I will help you. I will pay your 2 million debt. But my grandson needs a wife. He is 32 and not married. Let your daughter Vanessa marry my grandson Cole. Then our families become one family."
My father said yes. It was an arranged marriage. Vanessa also said yes, because Cole Barrett is very rich and very handsome.
Who is Cole Barrett?
Cole Barrett is the CEO of Barrett Oil now. Old Mr. Barrett is old, so Cole runs everything. He is 32 years old. He is 6'3 tall. Dark brown hair, grey eyes, strong body. He always wears black suit and cowboy boots. He is known in Texas as cold, grumpy, and ruthless. He never smiles in magazines. He never had a girlfriend in public. He works 16 hours a day. He owns a big ranch, Barrett Ranch, 10,000 acres. Private jet. Oil fields.
When my sister met him for the first time at a dinner in Dallas, she came home and said, "He is hot, but he is a monster. He talked only 5 words to me. He just looked at me like I am a business deal."
But she still agreed, because of the money and because her i********: would look good.
The wedding was fixed for June 15th. In a big church in Dallas. Very big wedding. 500 people.
My father got the 2 million dollars. He paid the bank. Our ranch was saved.
Everyone was happy. Or we thought.
Until two days before the wedding. June 13th.
I was in the barn, feeding our horse, Daisy. It was 7 AM. My mother shouted from the house.
"SOPHIE! VANESSA!"
Her voice was shaking. Crying voice.
I ran to the house. My father was in the living room. He was holding a paper. His hands were shaking. My mother was on the sofa, crying.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
My father gave me the paper. It was a letter from Vanessa. Handwritten.
It said:
_Mom, Dad, Sophie - I am sorry. I can't do it. I can't marry Cole Barrett. I met him yesterday again in Dallas. He told me after marriage I must live in his ranch, leave my modeling, give him children. He said I must obey him. He is a monster. I don't love him. I love Jake. Jake and I are running away to New York. Don't find me. Sorry. The money you already got, you can keep. But I will not be the bride. - Vanessa_
Jake was Vanessa's secret boyfriend. A photographer.
My heart stopped.
Vanessa ran away. Two days before the wedding to Cole Barrett.
My father sat down. His face became white. "We are finished," he said. "The Barretts will destroy us. Cole Barrett does not forgive. He paid 2 million. He invited 500 people. If there is no bride, he will sue us. He will take our ranch. Everything."
My mother cried louder. "Where will we live?"
I was shaking. My sister left us. She ran away.
The phone rang. It was William Barrett's assistant. "Mr. Lane, confirming the rehearsal dinner tonight at 7 PM in Dallas. The bride must be there."
My father looked at me. His eyes were red.
"Sophie," he said slowly. "You have to take her place."
I stepped back. "What? No. Dad, no."
"Sophie, please," my mother came and held my hands. "You are also a Lane daughter. You are 24. You are beautiful. Cole will not know. The veil... he will see at altar only. We will tell him it is you. The contract says Lane daughter. Not specifically Vanessa. We can do it."
"No, Mom. I don't know him. He is scary. He hates people. He wanted Vanessa, not me," I said.
My father knelt down. He never knelt before. "Sophie, my small girl. If you don't do this, we lose everything. The Barretts have lawyers. They will take this ranch, this house. Your little brother... your cousin, little Sam, we take care of him. Where will he go to school? Please. Save our family."
Little Sam was my cousin, 10 years old, orphan. We were raising him. He was sleeping upstairs.
I cried. I did not know what to do. I am not brave like Vanessa. I am quiet. I never even had a boyfriend.
But I looked at our house. The walls my father built. The photos on the wall. Our ranch.
Vanessa saved herself and left us in fire.
Someone had to put out the fire.
I wiped my tears. "Okay," I said in a small voice. "I will take her place."
My father hugged me. "Thank you, thank you, my daughter."
My mother quickly called the dress shop. Vanessa's wedding dress was already made. White, big, beautiful. We went to town to alter it for me. Vanessa is taller than me, so they had to cut it short.
That night, I did not sleep. I packed a small bag. One book, my horse photo, and my old jeans.
The next day, June 14th, we drove to Dallas. The Barretts booked a big hotel for the Lane family. I stayed in the room and cried.
Vanessa called me once at midnight. "Sophie? Is that you? Dad told me you will marry him? Don't do it, Sophie. He is cold. He will make your life hell. Run away like me."
I said, "You ran away and left us to die, Vanessa. I have to do it. Don't call again." And I cut the phone.
June 15th. Wedding day. 2 PM. Dallas First Church. Big, big church.
I wore the white dress. My father walked me down the aisle. My veil was long and thick. No one could see my face.
I could see Cole Barrett waiting at the altar.
Oh God.
He was more handsome than photos. And more scary.
He was wearing a black suit, white shirt, black tie, and black cowboy boots. His hair was combed back. His beard was trimmed. His shoulders were big. His hands were big. He was looking straight at me.
Behind him, Old Mr. Barrett sat in a wheelchair, smiling. His family - his mother, his father, his brother - all rich Texans in cowboy hats.
The music played.
My father gave my hand to Cole. Cole took it. His hand was warm, rough, big. My small hand disappeared in his.
He whispered, "You are late."
I said nothing.
The priest started. "We are here to join Cole Barrett and Vanessa Lane..."
When it was time to lift the veil, Cole lifted it slowly.
And he saw me.
Not Vanessa.
Me.
His grey eyes looked at my face. He froze.
His jaw became hard. His eyes became ice. Cold, cold ice.
He leaned close, so only I could hear. His voice was low and angry.
"Where is Vanessa?" he whispered, his grip on my hand tight, hurting me.
My lips shook. "She... she ran away. I am Sophie. Her younger sister. I will be your bride."
For two seconds, he said nothing. I thought he would shout. I thought he would leave me at the altar. 500 people were watching.
His mother in the first row whispered, "What is happening?"
Cole looked at his grandfather. Old Mr. Barrett was looking at us, confused. Then Cole looked back at me. My eyes were full of tears, but I tried to be strong.
He took a deep breath. His face was like stone.
Then he turned to the priest and said in a loud voice, "Continue."
The priest continued. Cole said his vows, looking at me with hate. "I, Cole Barrett, take you, Sophie Lane..."
I said my vows, voice shaking. "I, Sophie Lane, take you, Cole Barrett..."
We exchanged rings. His ring was big for my finger, but it fit.
"You may kiss the bride," the priest said.
Cole looked at me. He did not kiss my lips. He kissed my forehead, hard. Like a punishment.
Everyone clapped. But Cole's family looked confused. Whispers started.
After the church, we went to the reception at Barrett Ranch. Very big party. Texas oil people, politicians, everyone.
Cole pulled me to a small room behind the hall. He closed the door.
Now we were alone.
He finally exploded. But quietly, so no one outside heard.
"Do you think I am a joke?" he said, his voice low and dangerous. He stood very close. I could smell his cologne, strong and woody. "Your sister runs away like a cheap drama, and you come in her dress? You think you can replace her?"
"I... I had no choice," I whispered, crying now. "My family... we will lose everything... The contract says Lane daughter..."
"Don't talk about contract. You don't know anything about my contract," he said. He took out a paper from his inner pocket and threw it on the table. "This is the real contract. Read it."
I picked it up. It was a marriage contract. 10 pages.
Article 1: Marriage will be for 3 years.
Article 2: Bride will live at Barrett Ranch as Mrs. Barrett.
Article 3: No love. No touching without permission. No children for 3 years.
Article 4: Bride will attend all public events as wife.
Article 5: After 3 years, divorce. Bride will get 10 million dollars and leave Texas.
Article 6: Bride will not disrespect Barrett family.
I looked up, tears falling.
"You will sign this," Cole said. "You wanted to be replacement? Fine. You are replacement bride. 3 years. You will be my wife in public. In private, you stay away from me. Don't come to my room. Don't touch my things. Don't expect me to love you. I wanted your sister, not you. But a Lane is a Lane. My grandfather paid. So I keep my promise. You keep yours."
His words hurt like knife. Replacement bride.
I nodded, wiping tears. "I... I understand."
He gave me a pen. I signed. Sophie Lane.
He signed. Cole Barrett.
"Good," he said. He took the contract. "We go out now. Smile. My family is watching."
He opened the door and held out his hand. I had to take it.
We went back to party. He put his hand on my waist, tight, possessive. For the photos.
His mother, Patricia Barrett, came to us. She is a thin, rich woman with blonde hair and cold eyes. She looked at me from top to bottom.
"Cole, I thought Vanessa was taller and blonde? This girl..."
Cole said, "This is Sophie. Vanessa's younger sister. Vanessa had emergency in New York. Sophie took her place. She is my wife now. Mrs. Barrett."
Patricia smiled, but not nice smile. "Ah, replacement bride. How... convenient for your poor family. You must be happy to trap a Barrett."
I felt small. My face became red. I wanted to run.
But then Cole's hand on my waist became tighter. He pulled me closer to him.
He looked at his mother, grey eyes cold. "Mother," he said, his voice calm but everyone around could hear. "She is my wife. Her name is Mrs. Sophie Barrett. She is not replacement. She is my choice now. You will respect her. If you insult my wife again in my house, you will not enter my ranch again. Do you understand?"
The music was still playing, but the people near us became silent.
Patricia's face became white. "Cole, I was just..."
"I said, do you understand?" Cole repeated.
Patricia nodded. "Yes."
Cole nodded and turned, taking me away. He took me to the balcony, away from crowd.
I was shocked. He just protected me. He said he hated me, but he protected me from his own mother.
We stood on balcony. Texas sunset. Big sky. Oil fields far.
I looked at him. "Why... why did you do that? You said you don't want me."
Cole looked at the fields, not at me. His jaw tight.
"Because you are my wife now," he said. "I hate your sister for running. I don't know you. But you are wearing my ring. My last name. No one insults my wife. Not even my mother. That is Barrett rule."
He looked down at me. His eyes were still cold, but something else there too.
"Don't misunderstand, Sophie. This is not love. This is respect. My wife gets respect. Even if she is replacement."
I nodded, holding my tears. "Thank you."
He looked at my white dress, my small hands shaking.
"Come," he said. "Party is over for us. We go to the main house. You must be tired."
He took my hand again, but this time softer.
And we walked into Barrett Ranch, into his big, cold house, as husband and wife.
Contract for 3 years.
He hates me.
But he protects me.
And that night, as I sat in my new big bedroom alone, in my sister's wedding dress, I heard him outside my door, telling the maid, "Bring Mrs. Barrett warm milk. She didn't eat."
Slow burn had started, and I didn't know it.
