The Mafia and his Substitute Bride Holiday Switch

Chapter one

XAMIRA’S POV

I lay on my bed, scrolling through my phone, when I heard a knock on the door. "Come in," I said, not looking up.

The door creaked open, and my elder sister, Lainey, walked in. "Xamira, we're having dinner. Dad wants to talk to us about something."

I raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. I set my phone aside and stood up, smoothing out my dress. "What's it about?" I asked Lainey as we walked downstairs together.

Lainey shrugged. "No idea. But Dad seems serious."

We entered the dining room, where Mom and Dad were already seated. We took our places, and the maid began serving dinner.

"Dad, what's going on?" Lainey asked, confusion etched on her face.

"Girls, you're both grown now, and it's time we discussed your futures," Dad began, his expression serious. "As you know, our family's business has been struggling for years. But then I met Mr. Donovan, the owner of Donovan Airline. He's a shrewd businessman, and he saw potential in our company."

"So, what does this have to do with us?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

"Well, Xamira, you see... Mr. Donovan and I, we made a deal. A deal that would secure our family's future," Dad explained, his eyes locked on Lainey. "He agreed to invest in our company, to help us expand and grow. But in return, I had to agree to... certain terms."

"What terms?" Lainey pressed, her voice firm.

Dad took a deep breath before speaking. "Mr. Donovan has two sons, and he wants one of them to marry into our family. He wants Lainey to marry his son."

I felt a surge of shock, while Lainey's face turned pale.

"But why me?" Lainey asked, her voice shaking. "I'm already engaged to Tyler."

Dad's expression turned stern. "I'm afraid that's not possible, Lainey. Mr. Donovan is the reason our company is still standing. He's the reason we have a future. And if we don't honor this deal, everything we've worked for will be lost."

Mom intervened, her voice soft. "Lainey, I'm so sorry. We didn't mean to spring this on you."

Lainey finally found her voice, her words barely above a whisper. "Dad, you can't be serious. I'm already engaged to Tyler. I love him, not some stranger's son."

Dad's expression remained firm, his jaw clenched. "I'm afraid it's not up for discussion, Lainey. This is a business deal, and we can't afford to back out now. Mr. Donovan's investment is the only thing keeping our company afloat."

I felt a surge of anger on Lainey's behalf. How could Dad do this to her? Didn't he care about her happiness?

"But what about my happiness, Dad?" Lainey asked, her voice rising. "Don't I deserve to be with the person I love?"

Dad sighed, his expression softening slightly. "Lainey, I know this isn't easy, but sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good. This marriage will secure our family's future. It's a small price to pay."

Lainey's face crumpled, and she buried her face in her hands. I got up and went to her, wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug.

"It's going to be okay, Lainey," I whispered. "We'll figure something out."

But as I looked at Dad, I couldn't help but wonder if we really had a choice.p

The rest of dinner was eaten in silence, the tension palpable. As soon as we finished, Lainey hurried out, tears welling up in her eyes.

I followed Lainey to her room, trying to console her,concern etched on my face. "Lainey, wait!" as she collapsed onto her bed, tears streaming down her face.

"How could Dad do this?" she sobbed, her body shaking with anguish. "He knows I'm already engaged to Tyler. How could he just disregard my feelings like that?"

I sat down beside her, wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug. "I don't know, Lainey. But we'll figure something out. We won't let Dad's decision ruin your life."

But to my surprise, Lainey's next words left me stunned.

"Xamira, please... you have to help me," she begged, her eyes pleading with me. "You have to take my place and marry Mr. Donovan's son instead of me."

I was taken aback, my mind reeling with shock. "Lainey, what? How can you ask me to do that?"

But Lainey just kept pleading, her words tumbling out in a desperate rush. "Please, Xamira. I love Tyler. We've been dating for five years now, and I don't see myself with anyone else. If I don't marry him, I'll die. You're not dating anyone right now, so please... help me. Take my place and marry Mr. Donovan's son."

"I... I..." I stuttered, unsure of how to respond to Lainey's plea.

Lainey's eyes welled up with tears as she interrupted me. "Xamira, please. We're sisters. We may not have the same mother, but since Dad married your Mom when I was four, you've been my sister. Your mom has been my mom. We've loved and respected each other all these years."

I felt a pang of guilt, knowing how much Lainey meant to me.

Lainey continued, her voice shaking. "I know you're single, Xamira. You might even end up loving Mr. Donovan's son. But as for me, I'm already in love. My heart belongs to Tyler. Please, Xamira. Can't you see? This is my only chance at happiness."

I took a deep breath, trying to process everything. "Lainey, I... I don't know what to say. This is all so sudden."

Lainey grasped my hands, her eyes desperate. "Xamira, please. You're my only hope. If you don't help me, I'll lose everything. I'll lose Tyler, and I'll lose myself."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at Lainey. How could I say no to my sister?

"Your older, Lainey," I said, feeling overwhelmed. "I'm just 21, you're 24. What do I know about marriage? I might screw everything up with him. I haven't even known any man, sis. I'm too young..."

I hesitated, feeling a wave of anxiety wash over me. "And you know I have genophobia... the thought of... of intimacy with someone I don't know is terrifying."

I shuddered, rubbing my arms as goosebumps appeared on my skin. "What if after the marriage, he wants to... touch me? Uhhh..."

Lainey's expression softened, and she reached out to take my hands. "Xamira, I promise to guide you through everything. You can call me anytime, and I'll be there for you. I'll help you prepare for... for everything."

She looked at me pleadingly, her eyes shining with tears. "Please, Xamira, don't turn me down. You're not a baby anymore. You're a grown woman, and I know you can do this. Just... just think about it, okay?"