The Billionaire's Stand-in Bride.

"Tell me I look better than every other bride you have seen." Katherine spins around, showing off the elegant wedding dress she is wearing.

I smile softly, my lips moving before the rest of my face can catch up. "You do."

She stops, her eyes burning into mine through the ceiling-to-floor mirror. "Say it properly." It doesn't sound like a request; it's a command.

"You are the most beautiful bride," I say, forcing a smile that doesn't reach my eyes.

"You don't sound sure." She raises her hands in a sharp gesture, telling the stylist to stop whatever adjustment she was making on her dress. She tilts her head, wanting to get a proper glance at me.

"I am sure, Katherine." I bite the inside of my cheeks.

My sister makes a beautiful bride. My concern is that she shouldn't be a bride to the man she is getting married to.

"Then why do you look like you are about to attend a funeral?" She folds her arms tightly, turning to face me fully.

A wedding that isn't bound by love is what? I sigh, not wanting to say that out loud to her.

The stylist coughs slightly, and our eyes dart to her. "I'm sorry," she whispers before going back to what she was doing.

Silence.

"Katherine..." I start, lowering my voice, not sure of how this will sound to her. "Don't you think this is too... fast?" I shift my eyes from hers to the floor. "I think he's too old."

"I've been expecting you to say this all day," she snaps, irritation colouring her voice.

"I'm...I'm just worried." I don't have the courage to raise my face up to hers, so I keep it buried there. Something about this whole arrangement just gives me the creeps.

"No, you are not. You are judging."

"What?" I snap my head up in shock. My brows furrow. "I'm not, Kate."

"I don't care. All I'd like from you today is not to ruin things," She pauses significantly. "like you always do."

"All I'm just saying is maybe you should take your time, you know? Think about this." I plead, trying to sound more convincing.

"And you think this is the right time to give me this advice?"

It's never too late to save your sister, is it? "I'm just looking out for you."

"By questioning me on my wedding day?" she narrows her eyes, her posture stiffening.

"I'm not questioning, I'm just-"

"You just can't stand that I am doing something you wouldn't?" She raises an eyebrow, giving me a glassy stare.

Of course, I would never. It's all shades of wrong. Marrying your father's business partner? A man old enough to give birth to you? How can my sister be this...

"I'm just looking out for you," I mutter, defeated.

"Then act like it."

She turns back to the stylist, who continues to adjust the beaded part of the wedding dress. I stand there thinking of what to say to elevate the mood, but nothing that I think of comes out right.

This is Katherine's dream. She has always wanted him.

Roman Kade.

Of all the men to want in this city.

Which is why I should be happy for her, right? She is basically getting what she wants. But three days ago, she didn't even know she would be here. Our father arranged this, and something about it just makes my stomach drop.

"Smile, Daisy. It's the happiest day of my life, whether you like it or not. This wedding will hold, and you will watch me marry him."

Even if I hate to admit it, she is right.

Soon, the stylist finishes, and she starts packing to leave when Katherine calls me to come forward. She is sitting in front of the mirror now with teary eyes.

"What's wrong, Katherine?" I rush to her side. "Those tears can't drop. You'll ruin your makeup."

She closes her eyes and sniffs. "I know. I won't ruin my big day with the tears."

"So, what's wrong?" I search her expression. I've never seen Kate this way before.

"I'm just happy, Daddy made this happen."

Oh- I look at the stylist, and she averts her gaze quickly from us. She hasn't said a word, and truly. I am surprised. All other stylists Kate has are talkative.

She zips her bag ready to leave, but I signal for her to stay. I don't want to be left alone in the room with Katherine.

"Daisy?" Katherine begins. "I want you to stand by my side all through today."

I nod. Not knowing what to say.

"Can you help me with my veil? At least that way I know you are happy for me."

I nod my head again and tell the stylist to pass the veil. She hands it over to me, and I carefully place it on her head before forcing a smile at her.

Katherine gushes in excitement at the sight of us in the mirror-the sight of herself. I mean.

I adjust it properly on her head, and her smile doesn't cease when the door flies open.

We both turn our heads to figure out who would barge into the room that way. It is none other than our father.

Finn Wilson. The man who set all of this up. He has always told us that he would be the one to prepare our grooms, and I fear that I am next in line. Well, except I find a suitor with great influence, someone like Roman Kade or bigger.

"Out!" he commands the stylist, and soon she scurries out of the room.

"Is everything okay, Dad?" Katherine stands up and moves to him. He clenches his jaw as he pulls her into a hug.

I rub my arm nervously, hoping that one day, I'll get all the fatherly love Katherine gets.

For now, I have to earn it, and I'll do anything and everything to get it.

He releases her from the hug and pulls away from her. He looks at me and then back at Kate like he is about to say something.

"I'm ready, let's get the wedding started," Katherine beams, wanting to elevate the mood.

"Katherine, Hand over your wedding dress to Daisy."

The words land like a bomb, and before I can process it and speak, Katherine is already ahead of me.

"What?"