When Love Cuts Deep, Loneliness Bleeds

The dying heir to Silverbay's showbiz empire suddenly announces he'll select a bride at random from the city's prominent families, hoping the marriage can bring some luck and save his life.

On the night before my own wedding, his men arrive and inform us that the Simmons family has been chosen. My parents have just three days to deliver a daughter to him.

As soon as my sister, Roxanne Simmons, hears the news, she breaks down in tears and rushes to my fiance for help.

When he sees her crying, Clinton Whitfield drops to his knees in front of me, under everyone's gaze. "Mr. Sterling enjoys tormenting virgins. If Roxanne marries him, who knows what he'll do to her?

"But you're already past the marrying age, so he won't be interested in you. Please, help Roxy this once!"

He looks away, his voice heavy with guilt as he continues, "Besides, he doesn't have much time left. When you return, I'll marry you."

Tears well up in my eyes. I ask, stunned, "And what if I don't want to?"

Clinton's gaze turns cold, his earlier guilt replaced by ruthless intent. "Then I'll make sure you go to him myself."

I laugh bitterly as a chill runs through me. "Fine. I'll go instead."

It was the night before my wedding when my family learned that we had been selected to provide a bride for the ailing heir of Silverbay's showbiz empire. My father and stepmother had just three days to send one of their daughters.

My sister, Roxanne Simmons, panicked when she heard the news and begged my fiance, Clinton Whitfield, to intervene.

To my horror, he fell to his knees and pleaded for my help. He even promised me that once it was over, he'd marry me.

The moment I agreed to take Roxanne's place, Clinton's eyes lit up with joy. He rose, spread his arms, and said, "Gabby, I knew you'd never make things difficult for me. You've always been tough, and no one could push you around.

"But Roxanne's different. She's spent her whole life depending on others, careful and guarded every step of the way. She needs to be protected."

Having said that, he tried to hold me as he once had, but I shoved him away with all my strength.

Watching Clinton gaze at Roxanne with such tenderness made my eyes sting with unshed tears.

Roxanne's mother, Miranda Graham, was the mistress who eventually replaced my mother.

Roxanne moved into our home when she was three and quickly became the apple of my father's eyes. Whatever she wanted, he made sure she got it.

When I was five, I had saved every penny of my allowance to buy a doll—only for Miranda to snatch it and give it to Roxanne.

At 12, I was accepted into the city's top high school. However, my father had said, "We will take care of you." And just like that, Roxanne took my spot.

Later, when she failed her exams, she