The Billionaire’s Substitute Bride

Yvonne Carter carried the last tray into the dining room just as everyone took their seats. She carefully placed the plates on the table, serving her father first, then his wife, and finally Charlotte. “That’s enough,” her stepmother said without looking at her. Yvonne nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” She turned to leave. “Yvonne.” She stopped. Richard Carter looked up from his newspaper. “Bring me the documents from my study after breakfast.” “Yes, Father.” She walked away. It was always like this. While Charlotte sat at the table, Yvonne was the one making sure everything was in place. It wasn’t unusual anymore. She had stopped expecting anyone to question it. She returned to the kitchen and began cleaning. A few minutes later, Richard’s voice came from the hallway. “Yvonne, come to my study.” She dried her hands and went upstairs. When she entered the study, Charlotte and her mother were already there. Richard looked serious. Yvonne immediately knew something was wrong. “Sit down,” he said. She took the empty seat. Richard placed a folder on his desk. “The company is in trouble.” Charlotte’s expression changed. “How bad?” “Bad.” Richard opened the folder. “We’ve lost two major contracts. The banks are refusing to extend our loans, and if we don’t find another source of funding soon, Carter Construction could collapse.” Yvonne remained quiet. She knew how much the company meant to her father. “What are you going to do?” Charlotte asked. “There is one option.” Richard leaned back. “The Sterling family.” Charlotte’s eyes widened. “The Sterlings?” Richard nodded. “They’re willing to invest enough money to stabilize the company.” Relief briefly crossed Charlotte’s face. “Then what’s the problem?” Richard’s silence made her smile disappear. “They want something in return.” “What?” “A marriage.” The room became completely silent. Yvonne looked at her father. “A marriage?” Richard nodded. “The Sterling family wants a Carter daughter to marry into their family.” Charlotte’s face immediately tightened. “To Edward?” Richard didn’t answer. Charlotte’s eyes widened. “No.” Her mother looked at her. “Charlotte” “I said no.” She stood. “I’m not marrying Edward Sterling.” Yvonne watched her carefully. Charlotte had always been ambitious, but this was the first time Yvonne had seen genuine fear in her eyes. “He’s old enough to be my father,” Charlotte continued. “I’m not doing this.” Richard frowned. “You don’t even know exactly who” “It doesn’t matter.” Charlotte interrupted him. “If the Sterling family expects me to marry their father, they can find someone else.” She turned toward Yvonne. “Yvonne can do it.” Yvonne stared at her. “What?” Charlotte shrugged. “You’re a Carter daughter too.” Yvonne looked at Richard. “You’re actually considering this?” Richard sighed. “The agreement only says a Carter daughter must marry into the Sterling family.” “So you brought me here because I’m the easiest person to sacrifice.” “That’s not what this is.” “Then what is it?” Richard had no immediate answer. Yvonne stood. “For once, just say it.” His expression hardened. “Yvonne, this marriage could save everything we’ve built.” She laughed quietly. “Everything you’ve built.” She shook her head. “And what about what I’ve built?” Charlotte scoffed. “You’re acting as if you’re being sent to prison.” Yvonne turned toward her. “You’re the one who refused.” “Because I don’t want Edward Sterling.” Yvonne’s eyes narrowed. “And because you think I’m good enough for him?” Charlotte didn’t answer. Yvonne looked at her father. “You’ve already decided.” Richard stood. “We haven’t decided anything.” “But you’re asking me.” He sighed. “Think about it.” Yvonne shook her head. “No. You think about it.” She walked out. Charlotte watched her disappear down the hallway. The moment Yvonne was gone, she turned toward her mother. “You can’t seriously expect me to marry that man.” Her mother lowered her voice. “Your father needs this deal.” Charlotte crossed her arms. “Then Yvonne can marry him.” She had no idea how wrong her assumption was. None of them did. The Sterling family had never said the bride would marry Edward. They had simply said a Carter daughter would become a Sterling bride. And the identity of the groom had deliberately been left unspoken. That evening, preparations began for the Sterling family’s visit. Servants moved around the mansion, arranging flowers and preparing the dining room. Yvonne stayed in her bedroom. She stood before the mirror, staring at her reflection. A Carter daughter. That was all she seemed to be when the family needed something. She picked up the photograph of her mother from the bedside table. “I don’t know what to do,” she whispered. She placed the photograph down. Outside her window, the first Sterling car could be seen approaching the gates. Yvonne didn’t notice. Her thoughts had drifted somewhere far away. Back to a time when things had been simpler. A time when she was only five years old. A time before she understood what it meant to be unwanted. Twenty years earlier, Yvonne stood on a small stool in the Carter kitchen, washing plates that were almost too big for her little hands. She could hear laughter coming from the dining room. Charlotte was eating with the adults. Yvonne continued washing. Then she heard footsteps. A little boy appeared at the kitchen entrance. He looked around before his eyes settled on her. He frowned. “Why are you washing plates?” Yvonne looked up. “Because I have to.” The boy stepped closer. “Why aren’t you eating?” Yvonne glanced toward the dining room. “My sister is eating.” “But you’re not.” She shook her head. “This is what I have to do here.” The boy stared at her. “You shouldn’t have to.” Yvonne shrugged. He looked at her for a moment before smiling. “What is your name?” “Yvonne.” “I’m Adrian.” Someone called his name from outside. “Adrian!” He turned toward the voice, then looked back at Yvonne. “I have to go.” Yvonne nodded. He took a few steps before stopping. “I’ll come back.” She frowned. “For what?” He smiled. “To get you out of here.” Yvonne giggled. “And then what?” The little boy thought for a second. “Then I’ll marry you.” Yvonne laughed. “You’re funny.” Adrian shook his head seriously. “I’m serious.” Then he ran out of the kitchen. Yvonne watched him disappear. She had no idea that the little boy had just made her a promise. And she certainly had no idea that twenty years later, the name Adrian Sterling would return to her life and change it forever.