Chapter 1 The Arrangement

Sophia Hayes hadn't expected her life to change so dramatically when she received a late-night call from her older sister, Catherine. Sitting in the familiar surroundings of their family home, Sophia stared in disbelief as Catherine, pale and weak from her illness, laid out a plan that sounded more like a nightmare than a solution. Catherine, once vibrant and the light of every room, was supposed to marry Aaron Walker in a few weeks.

Aaron, the cold and calculating CEO of Walker Industries, was a man Sophia had met only a handful of times at family gatherings, and she had always felt an underlying tension between him and her sister. Now, Catherine was too ill to go through with the wedding. But it wasn't just a wedding-it was a business transaction, a union that was supposed to stabilize their families and protect Aaron's company from public scrutiny.

"Sophie," Catherine's voice trembled, as she held Sophia's hand tightly. "I need you to marry Aaron in my place. He can't afford a scandal right now. The merger, our family's business...it's all at stake." Sophia recoiled at the idea. Marry her sister's fiancé? It sounded absurd. She had never seen Aaron as anything but a distant figure, someone wrapped up in his empire. But as Catherine's pleading eyes locked with hers, Sophia felt the weight of obligation settle over her heart. It wasn't just about Aaron. It was about protecting their family's interests and giving Catherine the time she needed to recover from her illness. Sophia, though independent and strong-willed, couldn't help but feel trapped by the circumstances.

She sighed deeply, her mind racing. "I can't believe you're asking me to do this, Catherine," she whispered, her voice full of hesitation. "Aaron will never agree to this. He's...he's not the type to bend to something so crazy."

Catherine squeezed her hand harder. "He needs you. He'll listen. At least talk to him. Please."