Chapter 1 The Shocking Request

YENISSE

The words that change my life forever tumble from my father's lips, "your sister is gone. You will have to take her place...at the altar." His voice is firm and commanding.

"Dad?" I gasp in disbelief. "Is this some kind of joke?" Because there is no way I am going out there to marry that asshole of a sister's fiance.

"No, sweetheart. It's not a joke. It's the only way to salvage our family's honor."

I feel like I've been punched in the gut. "What? No, Dad, I can't!" I protest, my voice is shaking.

My mother's eyes plead with me to reconsider. "Honey, please understand-"

It's no surprise how nice her tone is as she is about speaking to me and that's because she needs something from me. And I even feel more anger towards her for doing that.

But I cut her off, my mind racing. "How can you even ask me this? It's wrong on so many levels!" I think of my boyfriend, Oliver, who is seated already in the congregation. How will he feel seeing me walk down the aisle with another man?

My father's face hardens. "Your sister's actions have left us no choice. She humiliated our family by running away on her wedding day. You're the only one who can redeem our honor now."

I shake my head, trying to understand why my parents have failed to see reasons with me. "But that's not fair! And what about Oliver? I can't just abandon him like this."

"Worry about your family first. Think about how this would affect your life, our lives. Now is the time to show you're truly a Billing."

What does that even mean? Was being born into the Billing's family not enough to make me a Billing? This is exhausting.

I walk towards the door but my father's words stop me in my tracks. "Your efforts will be futile. There is no running away from this."

"I wasn't running away but there is no way I'm marrying Jude." That is impossible. I don't even love him.

"What's so wrong with marrying Jude?" My mother asks.

"Everything mom. Diana is my sister. Are you forgetting that fact? And he's Diana's fiance. Not just fiance. They have been dating for two years now."

"There is no big deal about that. After all, in the past, if a man's wife is dead, the late wife's sister can marry the husband," says my father.

"Dad!" I yell. "Really? Diana isn't even dead. That is totally not relatable to what's happening here. Besides, that was in the past, not now." I can't believe he is bringing something like sororate marriage up when it's not connected or linked to us, our time or our tradition in any way.

"The past makes way for the present," he voices. "I would love for you to see it like that because she is gone. She is nowhere to be found and you will do as you're told."

I frown, my stomach churning. What exactly is going on? Diana runs away on her wedding day and now I'm being informed that I'm marrying Jude in her stead? This is ridiculous, and there is no way either Jude or Diana would accept this.

I run a hand through my hair, confused. "Have you spoken to Jude yet? Does he even know?"

"Yes. I think he has been informed by his parents."

"And he is okay with this?" Jude hates me, his actions say it, and the way he looks at me says it, so there is no way he would agree to this. In that case, I'm sure of escaping this cruel fate.

"That doesn't matter. The point is, the wedding is happening and you're his bride."

Diana wouldn't do this to Jude. She speaks every day of how much she loves him and there is no way she would be okay with me being his wife. She would really despise that.

I glance at my parents, but neither of them can face me. This... this can't be real. What does this even mean? For me? For Oliver and I?

"Marry him, or our family's reputation is ruined plus there will be no money to fund your business if you try to do anything stupid."

Is he going to pull that card right? He knows how badly I need that investment. I can't believe him right now. My mind sprints with conflicting emotions of shock, anger, and guilt. How could my sister do this to us? To me?

My scolding voice pierces the room. "How could she be so selfish? Leaving us to deal with the consequences of her actions!" My words sting but they know I am hurting. This can't be right.

I grab my phone and ring Diana again for the umpteenth time today but her line is switched off. It was ringing earlier, I'm sure she saw my texts and messages before switching off her phone. Diana had disappeared on her wedding day leaving a "I can't do this. Sorry" note. She was really looking forward to this day so why would she do that? What does she mean by "she can't do this"? Why would she do this to me?

"Let's give it time. It's probably just cold feet. She will get back into her right senses and show up." I try to fight my way out.

"I'm sorry," My mother says. But is she truly sorry? Or is this just her way of disguising her selfish desires? The only thing she cares about is the benefits this marriage provides. "I'm concerned about your sister's behavior, and I hope she doesn't look back on this with regret."

"She will, mom, there is no way Diana would agree to me marrying Jude," I speak with a firm but gentle tone. Of course, they know that. They're just too selfish to let their mind think about that.

"It will be alright, Yenisse," she squeezes my hand.

I scoff. Will it be alright if after the wedding she comes running back to Jude? What would be my fate? Is this another way to sabotage me? No, those questions shouldn't pop into my mind. I am not even entertaining the thought of marrying Jude, not even for a second.

"Can I at least talk to Oliver about this?" I plead with my parents.

"No! There is no time. Jude has been waiting for so long and the congregation is already spewing gibberish."

I feel trapped like my whole world is crashing down around me. Because of Diana's actions, I am going to lose and hurt the only person I ever loved. He is the only man who sees my worth and loves all parts of me. And how could my parents do this to me?

The mirror before me arrests my reflection, encouraging me to run away but there is no way to save myself. No, not with my parents here telling me what to do. Their reputation can as well burn to the ground. I will not sacrifice my life or the one I love for these selfish people who never loved me. I am ready to lose everything, but not Oliver.

"Please, I need a minute to think."

"There is no time." My mother's sharp response.

"Really? This is overwhelming. I just need a moment to myself."

My father looks at my mother and then returns his gaze to me. "Take your one minute and don't try to do anything stupid."

I smirk and nod in response.

"Your phone?" He holds out his palms in front of me and I roll my eyes before handing my phone to him.

As soon as they exit the room, I lock the door. Without even taking a breath, I look through my window and jump out of it - fleeing my fate.