The Don's Stand-In Isn't Playing Pretend Anymore

My mother, Anna Greco, didn't ask a single question. She simply agreed. Many years ago, she had immigrated to Mofrand and had been doing exceptionally well there since then.

Just as I hung up the call, a message from Daniel popped up on my phone.

He texted, "Babe, I ran into Leah. I'll take her home first. Take a cab back after you see the guests off."

But he had been drinking the entire night, so how could he drive?

Just as that thought formed in my mind, I laughed at how ridiculous I was. Even after everything, I was still worrying about him.

An intense feeling of self-loathe surged within me. As I walked, I clenched my teeth and hurled the engagement ring to the ground as hard as I could.

This was not enough… Not even close! Everything I was wearing made my skin crawl. I grabbed the hem of my gown and tore it apart, shredding the tulle until it hung in tatters.

Only then did I feel a hint of relief.

I didn't know how long I walked before I realized the back of my heel was throbbing with pain. Gritting my teeth, I slipped off the ill-fitting heels.

I had forced myself to endure so much for this relationship. But just like those shoes, no matter how hard I tried, they were never going to fit. So, I left them behind and walked barefoot down the road. I trudged for about two miles before I finally managed to get a cab.

By the time I got home, the living room lights were still on.

Daniel was draping a blanket over Leah's shoulders with a cup of hot cocoa in his hand.

He gently reminded her, "Careful, it's hot."

Leah looked up and gasped softly when she saw me in a disheveled state, standing in the doorway. "Oh my! You're home, Rosie."

Daniel turned around and froze at the sight of my state. He then hurried over with concern.

He asked, "Where did you go? And what happened to you? I called you, but your phone was off. If you hadn't come back, I was going to send someone out to look for you."

Leah rushed over too, glancing at my torn dress and bare hand.

She exclaimed, "Oh no! Your dress is ruined! Also, where's your engagement ring? Don't tell me you're calling off the wedding just because Daniel gave me a ride home first?"

"Yes, I am doing that," I admitted without hesitation. To my surprise, it felt strangely satisfying.

Daniel's hand, which was just about to hand me a blanket, froze mid-air. The concern in his eyes shifted to irritation.

"Rosalie, what kind of joke is that? I was just being nice by taking care of Leah on your behalf. How can you throw a tantrum and say we're not getting married now?" Daniel fumed.

"Don't be mad, Rosie. It's my fault. Here, have something warm to drink," Leah said sweetly, trying to smooth things over. She stuffed the cup of cocoa she had taken a sip from into my hands.

For a split second, I caught that familiar, malicious smile flicker across her face. In the next moment, the scalding liquid poured from the cup and some of it spilled onto my hand.

"Ah!" I hissed in pain, flinging the cup away on instinct.

"Ah!" Leah shrieked dramatically and stumbled back. The cup hit the carpet, and the hot cocoa splattered everywhere.

"Leah!" Daniel shoved me aside and crouched down to check her legs right away. "Are you alright? Does it hurt? Let me see!"

When he confirmed she was fine, he turned to me with an austere expression. "Can't you be more sensible, Rosalie? Leah flew ten hours just to come to our engagement banquet! If you're upset, you can be mad at me. She was just trying to calm you down and offering you a drink to warm you up!

"What's with your attitude? She's your sister! I expect you two to get along."

I retorted loudly, "She's no sister of mine. She was the one who sold out Mom to please our stepmother. She got Mom kicked out with nothing to her name!"

Tears swam in Leah's reddened eyes. "Rosie, I was young and didn't know better… Mom and Dad got divorced because their relationship fell apart. What does that have to do with me?"

She turned to Daniel with an aggrieved expression. "I didn't know she hated me this much. I'll just go."

Daniel grabbed her wrist and turned to scold me furiously. "How can you be so petty? That was years ago! Are you really still hung up on that? You're being impossible!"

I stared at him shielding Leah in a daze. It was so familiar and so unbearable to look at.

When we were kids, my dad, Aldo Ricci, cheated on my mom. Mom wanted to leave with the both of us. But Leah had sided with Dad's mistress, Camilla Coppola, who managed to win her over with pocket money and new dresses. And so, Leah told Dad about Mom's plan behind our backs.

On the day Mom decided to get a divorce, Leah accepted Camilla's gift and tattled to Dad that Mom was planning to take us away. Dad acted first and got the best lawyer, so Mom lost everything and left our home all alone.

Because of Leah's act of betrayal, Dad and Camilla adored her.

As I refused to bow down to them, I became the villain in the Ricci family.

When we were in school, Leah incited everyone to boycott me. Every time I got bullied, she would stand at the back of the crowd and watch me with that same innocent smile.

Now, it was her victory again.

My eyes burned, and I rubbed them hard, refusing to let tears fall.

Daniel seemed to realize he had gone too far with his words. He reached out, intending to comfort me.

"Rosalie, that's not what I meant…"

I said nothing and turned to go upstairs.

"Come on, Rosalie. Let's talk!" he called out, hurrying after me to follow me into the bedroom.

I slammed the door shut with all my might. It nearly hit him in the face.

The hallway went quiet for a few seconds before I heard him taking in deep breaths and doing his best to keep his voice even.

"If you don't want to talk, fine. Get some rest and stop overthinking. We'll take our wedding photos tomorrow morning. Make sure you're well-rested," Daniel said.

I ignored him and plugged in my phone to charge it. I watched as the screen lit up.

A new message appeared on it. It read, "I've booked the flight."

The date was coincidentally set on the day Daniel and I were supposed to get married.