THE SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: HE MARRIED THE WRONG SISTER

Chapter 2

ALINA POV

I barely made it up the stairs before the tears overwhelmed me.

The moment I close the door to my room, my legs give out. I slid down against the wood, pulling my knees tightly to my chest, and let the sobs tear out of me. Hot, ugly tears streamed down my face as my whole body shook.

How could they do this to me?

I cried until my throat burned and my eyes felt swollen. The pain in my chest was so heavy I could barely breathe.

A soft knock sounded on the door.

“Alina,” Mom's voice came through. “Sweetheart, can I come in?”

I didn't answer. But she opened the door anyway and stepped inside, closing it quietly behind her. She was holding her silk handkerchief, dabbing at her eyes as if she had been crying too. I knew better. This was the performance she always gave when she wanted something.”

“Oh, my poor girl…” she sighed dramatically and sat on the edge of my bed, looking down at me with fake sorrow. “Look at you, crying like this. It breaks my heart to see you so upset.”

I lifted my head, tears still pouring down my cheeks. My voice came out shaky. “Then why are you doing this to me? Mom, please… I'm begging you. Don't force me to marry that man.”

She reached out to me and stroked my hair the way she used to do when we were little. “Alina, you know we don't have a choice. The company is dying. If we lose it, we lose everything. Your father is under pressure.”

I pushed her hand away gently and sat up, wiping my face with trembling fingers. “Then let Aria marry him! That was the agreement. Why do I have to take her place?”

Mom breathed heavily. “I've said it before, Aria won't be able to cope. She's not done with college yet, and she has her whole life ahead of her. We can't cut her future shorts like this. It would destroy her. You're stronger.”

“Stronger?” I cried, fresh sob breaking through. “You keep saying she has a life to live, but what about me? We are the same age for crying out loud! I have dreams too. I want to finish my interior design course. I want to create something meaningful. I want to fall in love one day with someone who actually sees me. Why does Aria get her future while I throw mine away?”

Mom let out a soft sigh. “Ohh, Alina… You are breaking my heart. Do you think this is easy for me? I carried the both of you. I love you both. But Alina...” She sighed again now knowing what to say.

Tears flowed faster down my face. “I'm scared, Mom. I don't know this man. What if he's cruel? What if I'm miserable every single day for the rest of my life? I'm begging you, please don't do this. I'll do anything else. I'll work harder for the company. I'll take extra jobs. Just don't make me marry a stranger, please.”

Mom reached for my hand, but I pulled away. “Alina, my sweet girl… if there was any other way, we would have done it. This is the only way, my child. If we lose everything, where will we go? How will we live? Think of the family. Think of all of us.”

“I am thinking of the family!!!” I cried, my voice breaking completely. “But what about me? I have feelings too. I have a heart. I have goals.”

Mom stood up slowly, still dabbing her eyes. “You are being selfish Alina. How else do you want us to talk to you? This is your chance to finally prove your worth to this family after everything you've caused.”

I broke down completely, curling into myself on the floor as loud, painful sobs wrack my body. “Please, Mom... I'm begging you as your daughter. Don't do this. I don't want to get married now. I want my own life. I want to be seen. I want to matter too…”

She looked down at me for a long moment, her expression a perfect mix of sadness and determination. “I wish things were different my dear, but the decision is made. Your father insists. Try to be strong. This is all for us.”

With one final long sigh, she turned and left in the room, closing the door behind her.

I remained on the floor, crying until no more tears could come out. My throat hurts. My head throbbed. My chest felt hollow.

I have never felt more heartbroken.