My step sister's marriage: I am her substitute

I stood in the middle of the backyard behind the clinic, the soft country breeze caressing my face. The fields around me seemed to stretch on forever, blanketed in a soft golden glow of the setting sun. Peaceful. Quiet. On the surface. I knew better than to trust that peace. This was never home; this was exile.

It always did that, washed over me like a wave, when I was by myself. The day my father passed away was the day my world stopped.

I was his princess, his little Alice. He always said my mother left her strength behind in me when she passed away. He raised me to be strong, kind, and positive. I clung to those values because I thought they were enough to keep us together, to keep us safe.

But when his car slid off the icy road, and his heart stopped beating, it all unraveled.

My stepmother, Victoria, wore black to his funeral, but there was no hint of grief in her eyes. While I cried for the last of my kin, she stood beside me, gazing down at me as though I were some pest she could not wait to be free of. I did not realize then how true that was.

A week after the funeral, my father's will was read by the lawyer. I sat in that cold, shining office, clinging to the expectation that Dad had left me something. He'd always said that he'd done everything for me.

But the will named Victoria as the sole heir to the Harper estate. The business. The mansion. The savings. It all went to her.

"Your father trusted me to see everything," she said, playing the part of a grieving woman clutching her pearls.

"You're still young, Alice. Don't you worry, I'll take care of you."

It wasn't long before I learned what that meant. I wasn't her stepdaughter anymore, I was her servant.

"Alice, clean the dining room."

"Alice, make Clara's breakfast."

"Alice, why can't you be more like Clara?"

Clara. My flawless stepsister. Beautiful, pampered, and heartless. She thrived under Victoria's regime, lapping up every second of her newfound power.

It wasn't sufficient that Victoria stole my inheritance from me. She stole everything else from me too.

I will never forget the day she caused me to fail my exams. I had studied for months. I was going to be a doctor, as Dad always hoped I would. The night before, Clara burst into my room, her face streaming with tears.

"I will never be able to pass!" she wailed, clutching her textbooks as if they were shields against her. "Mother's going to hate me!"

Victoria appeared within minutes, her piercing eyes slicing through me. "Alice," she said, her voice honey-like. "Clara requires your help."

I didn't mind helping. But for Victoria, that wasn't enough.

"You'll fail your exams for her," she said, as if it was the most normal request in this world.

"What?" I said, aghast. "I have worked so hard

Victoria's smile grew cold. "And you'll clean this house more diligently if you don't. Remember, dear, that I dictate whether you eat, sleep, or stay beneath this roof.".

I sat up that night, staring at my exam papers. My eyes were blurry with tears, but I did what she said I had to do. I marked all my wrong answers and all her correct ones. When results came out, Clara passed. I failed.

"You're such a failure, Alice," Clara had taunted.

A failure. That's what they called me. But I wasn't.

The worst was when I got in an accident. It was during winter, and the stairs outside the house were covered with ice. I slipped and fell down the stairs. Pain shot through me as I fell awkwardly on my ankle. I screamed for help, but no one came.

I must have been there for a few hours, freezing and not being able to get up. Later on, Victoria did leave, and the moment she saw me, I was a burden.

"Get up," she shouted.

"I can't," I said, with tears in my eyes.

She then sighed, asking one of our neighbors to take me to the clinic. On the way, I heard her telling a friend how much she is investing in me.

I limped around the house for weeks, trying to keep up with them. When I couldn't, Clara told me I was lazy. Victoria agreed. I had learned that my pain didn't matter to them. Nothing at all about me mattered in their lives.

Then, on my 13th birthday, they sent me away. "You're an adult now," Victoria said, shoving a bus ticket into my hand. "There's a farmhouse out in the country where you can stay. It's quiet. You'll be okay."

She did not even say goodbye.

The farmhouse wasn't great. It was old and worn, with barely enough heat to remove the sting from the cold nights. But at least they were gone. I worked at a local clinic, helping an old doctor. It was nothing, but it gave me a reason.

I did five years of solitude, working and studying every spare moment I had. I had to prove to myself-and maybe Dad, wherever he was-that I wasn't a failure.

Victoria and Clara did not forget about me, either. They would call from time to time, but not out of love. Clara would brag about her new clothes, her trips to town, the men who adored her. Victoria would remind me of how grateful I should be for their "generosity."

Still, I stayed away. Far away.

Until today.

Victoria phoned this morning. I was going to let it go but was compelled to pick up.

"Happy birthday, dear," her voice was honey.

I was surprised because Victoria had never before wished me a happy birthday. Why now?

"We miss you," she continues, "Why don't you come home? We'll have this little party. It's so long since we've seen you."

Home. The word sounded odd coming from her lips. Still, a part of me-a part I hated-wanted to believe she meant it. Maybe they'd altered. Maybe they finally cared.

So, I agreed. I picked up my things, got on the bus, and returned to the mansion that had once been my home.

When I came in, it was like stepping into a museum. It was all exactly as I had left it, but colder. Clara broke the silence first, her green eyes shining with mischief. She looked me up and down as if I was a stranger.

"Still dressing like a farmer, I see," she said, her mouth curling into a sneer.

Victoria showed up a second later, as elegant and ruthless as ever. "You've... developed," she said to me, though it came out less like a compliment and more like an insult.

They led me to the table where on the table was a small cake. I stared at it, confused. Was this real? Were they actually celebrating my birthday?

Then Victoria spoke, her voice sharp and deliberate. "We have a serious issue to discuss."

Clara grinned, her excitement barely contained.

Victoria gestured to a man seated at the head of the table. I hadn't noticed him before. He was tall, with piercing blue eyes and a cold expression that made my stomach twist.

"This," Victoria said, "is Ryan Bennett. He's your future husband."

My heart stopped.

"What?" I whispered, my voice shaking.

Clara laughed, her voice venomous. "Happy birthday, Alice. You're getting married."

The room pressed in with the weight of the sentence. Married? To Ryan Bennett? I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My whole body trembled and I locked my fists at my sides to regain my composure.

I'm not getting married," I said, my voice shaking but steady. "This has to be a joke."

Victoria's cold eyes narrowed, and she stepped closer. "Does this look like a joke to you? she asked, her tone as sharp as a blade.

"I'm only eighteen!" I protested, my voice rising. "I'm not even old enough to get married! But I have aspirationsI want to complete my education and become a physician. You can't just sell me off like this!"

Clara laughed from the position of her seat, making her legs look like a spectator sitting on a screen. "Oh, poor little Alice," she said mockingly. Still living in the daydream of a life that is not mine.

I turned to her, anger bubbling in my chest. "Stay out of this, Clara."

However, before I could even finish, Victoria snapped her fingers, and two muscular bodyguards walked into the room.

"Seize her," she ordered, her voice calm but commanding.

The guards approached me, and I took a step backward, panic surging inside me. "What are you doing? Let me go!"

They held my arms securely but not harshly, keeping me fixed. My heart pounded as I struggled against their grip, but it was no use.

"Stop fighting," Victoria said, her tone dripping with disdain. "You'll only make this harder for yourself."

I glared at her, tears stinging my eyes. "Why are you doing this to me? I'm your family!"

Victoria laughed coldly. "Family? Don't make me laugh, Alice. You're nothing but a burden. And now, you finally have a purpose."

She turned to Ryan, who had remained silent. He stood up, his tall frame towering over me. His icy blue gaze fixed on mine, and for just a second, I thought I saw movement in thempity, maybe. But it was gone in an instant.

Does my dad owe you money?," I said, my voice cracking. "Is that what this is about?"

Victoria answered for him. "Your father took a significant loan from Mr. Bennett before he died. And he didn't pay it back. She folded her arms, a smug smile on her lips. Ryan is choosing to accept a human as payment,"

My stomach churned. "A person?"

"Yes," Victoria said, nodding toward me.

"You."

I had the feeling that the floor had been suddenly ripped out from beneath me. My father would never agree to this. He loved me. He wouldn't sell me off like... like property.

"I won't do it," I said, shaking my head. "I can't. There has to be another way."

"There isn't," Victoria said firmly. "Do you know how much trouble we're in because of your father's debt? This is the only way to save this family."

"Save the family?" I spat. "You mean save yourself and Clara. I'm not doing this."

Ryan stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "Listen to me, Alice, " he said, his voice low and controlled. "You have two choices. You can either agree to this and come willingly, or I'll take this to court. And believe me, the courts will side with me. Either way, you'll end up being my wife."

His words sent a chill down my spine. I glanced a few times around the room, desperate for someone to come to my aid. But Victoria and Clara only looked amused, and the bodyguards stood like stone statues, unmoving.

"I'm just eighteen," I said, my voice breaking. "I have my whole life ahead of me. Please...I wanna go to school, become something. You can't take that away from me."

Ryan's expression softened, but only slightly. "You can study," he said. "I won't stop you from pursuing your education. But you will do it as my wife."

I stared at him, my heart racing. Was that supposed to be a compromise? I did not know whether he was being nice or was just playing on me.

This is not right", I cried, tears running down my cheeks.

"Life isn't fair," Victoria said bluntly. "Now stop crying and do what you're told. Sign the contract."

I shook my head, I did not want to look at the papers laid out on the table. But Ryan stepped closer, his presence overwhelming.

I'm going to give you a whole night to consider it," he said, voice firm but not harsh. "But if you refuse, your family will lose everything. Do you want that on your conscience?"

I bit my lip in an effort to stifle a sob. This wasn't my fault. None of it was. But they were making it seem like it was.

Victoria sighed dramatically. "She's always been so selfish," she said to Clara. "Can't even do one thing for the family."

Clara smirked. "Typical Alice."

Their words stung, but I refused to let them break me. I straightened my back, even as the tears continued to fall.

I'll. maybe," I replied in a soft tone, recognizing I had no real choice.

Ryan nodded, stepping back. "Good."

When Victoria gave her hand, guards released me. I rubbed my arms where their hands had been, the skin still tingling from their grip.

"Go to your room," Victoria said. "And don't try anything foolish. The guards will be outside your door."

I went back and turned and walked, my legs trembling, my heart pounding. The more I ascended the stairs, the more I seemed to feel the judgment, mockery on their part.

Upon arriving at my childhood room, I shut the door and sat up against it lying down on the floor. The walls were bare, the furniture sparse. It didn't feel like my room anymore. It didn't feel like anything.

I buried my face in my hands, my crying getting worse now that I was on my own. How has my life come to this? I had gone from being my father's favourite to this?

my freedom was slipping away.

I had to make a choice. But no matter what I chose, I would lose.

I didn't win. I'd fought. Screamed. Begged. Victoria forced me to marry Ryan anyway. At my own wedding, my stepsister Clara was the only one smiling. Her eyes glittered. Satisfaction. A family-only ceremony-stepmother, sister, Ryan's bodyguard, and best friend. His family? Didn't even bother to show up.

The priest was too afraid to speak during the vow process, Ryan refused to say his vow, he didn't bother trying to show that he felt something. I was the only one saying my vows and happy that maybe he is going to be different.

Now, I sat on the edge of the bed. Our bed. My fingers twisted the hem of my dress. Wringing the delicate lace until it crumpled. My skin felt tight. Breath shallow. Ryan undressed.

Methodical. Each piece of clothing he removed felt like a countdown. His bare torso caught the dim light. Lean. Sharp. The dark chocolate scent of him filled the room. I tried to make myself small. Invisible. But my eyes couldn't leave his body, scanning every edge of his perfectly sculptured body, His gaze found me.

"I don't want that look," he said. Cold. His voice a low rumble. "Blame your family for selling you."

I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. "You could've refused. Taken Victoria's money. Left me out of it."

He grinned. It twisted something inside me. "I know. But the contract stated money. Your stepmother wasn't willing to sell property. She chose you instead."

Disgust churned in my stomach. "You're Ryan. Ruthless. Wealthy. Everyone fears you. Letting go of the money wouldn't have broken you."

His laughter filled the room. Sharp. Humorless. I flinched. The sound slapped my raw nerves.

"If I operated on sentiment, my empire wouldn't exist. Business is business, Alice. I don't mix pleasure with it."

"But sacrificing a human isn't business Ryan. It is illegal" I tried to explain

His tone was cold. "And the police didn't raid the place Alice"

His words crawled over my skin. Cold. Sharp. Trapped. But something in his eyes-fleeting, buried-made me feel a sliver of safety. I couldn't understand it.

"Then why me?" My voice was small. Unraveling. "There were other girls. My father wasn't the only one who owed you."

Ryan's expression shifted. A shadow passed over his features. "Because I wanted you."

My breath hitched. He stepped closer. The bed dipped under his weight.

"I've known you since you were a child, Alice. No one else would marry a man like me. They'd rather die." His lips curled into a sad smile. "I thought you might, too."

"I am sick and I need a bride and you are the only person among the wealthy hierarchy that doesn't care about money"

Sick. The word clanged in my mind. The rumors. Was he really dying? Balls of sweat on my face despite the humming sound of the air conditioning.

Horror twisted through me. How dare he marry me, knowing he could leave me a widow? The thought burned. Betrayal on top of betrayal.

"I'm not sick." His voice drew me back. Soft. A tether. "It's a rumor I let spread. To confuse my enemies."

I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Relief. Dread. Tangled in my chest. "What do I do now?"

He leaned back. The mattress sighed beneath him. "What do married couples do, Alice?"

The corner of his mouth quirked up. I hated that smile.

"I can't." My voice cracked. "I can't do it."

Tears blurred my vision. I bit my lip until I tasted blood.

Ryan's face softened. "I'm not going to force you."

He sat at the edge of the bed. Keeping a careful distance. His scent enveloped me. I hated that it wasn't unpleasant.

"I want my old life back." The words scraped my throat raw. "You're a businessman. I want a divorce. What do you want?"

His silence stretched. Wrapping around us. His expression is unreadable. A mask.

"I knew you'd ask." He finally spoke. His voice held a weight I couldn't understand. "I want a baby. Give me that, and you're free to divorce me."

The world tilted. My head spun. Pulse pounded in my ears. "A baby? You want to use me, then throw me away?"

My voice rose. Sharp. Wild. Breaking. I refused to cry.

Ryan reached for me. His hand brushed mine. Cool. Controlled. I yanked my hand away. Recoiling.

"Disgusting," I hissed. "You want to turn me into a broodmare. And then what? After the divorce, I'll be nothing. Your discarded pet."

His jaw tightened. A storm gathered in his dark eyes. For a moment, I thought he might lash out. Instead, he stood. His broad shoulders cast a shadow over me.

"You don't understand," he said. His voice dangerously low. "I'm never going to sleep with you."

I stared at him. Confusion clawed through the anger. "What do you mean?"

He moved to the dresser. Pulled out a crisp folder. Flipped it open. A thick stack of papers. The sharp scent of ink and paper filled the room.

"This is a contract." He tossed it onto the bed. "If you sign it, we'll proceed clinically. You'll get pregnant through IVF. After the baby is born, we'll divorce. You'll receive a billion dollars as compensation."

I blinked. The words swam in front of me. "A billion dollars?"

Ryan's expression remained stone. "Enough to free you from your family. Enough to give you a life of your own."

I trembled. My hands hovered over the contract. Everything I wanted-freedom, independence. But the price...

"A baby." My voice was thin. Brittle.

"Yes." His voice softened. "I need an heir, Alice. That's all."

Tears spilled over. Hot. Unwelcome. "And what about me? What happened to me?"

Ryan knelt before me. His eyes finally, painfully, human. "You get to live, Alice. You get to be free."

His words cracked something inside me. The pieces shifted. Sharp edges scraping together. I didn't know if I could ever be whole again. But maybe-just maybe-I could survive.

With trembling hands, I picked up the pen.

And signed away my future.