My Family Wants Me to Marry a Fool, But I'm Already the CEO's Wife! Chapter 2

"The city's most powerful CEO? Julian Hayes?"

Judy's eyes narrowed with instant suspicion. "You will watch your tone when speaking that name. And don't you dare get any delusions."

"A man like Julian is so far out of your orbit, it's laughable. Only a young woman of refined upbringing, like our Tiffany, could ever stand beside him."

"As for you, consider a blessing. If not for his condition, a girl with your background wouldn't even be considered. Know your place."

These people didn't bring me back for a family reunion at all. They just wanted me to be a substitute bride.

Funny enough, I'd prepared for this. For the lack of love, the cold calculations. So when the words finally came, they didn't hurt.

"Let me get this straight,"I said, my voice cold. "You won't let Tiffany, the daughter you raised, marry a disabled man. So your solution is to drag in your biological daughter as a replacement?"

"Even by your standards, that's exceptionally cold."

"If Tiffany doesn't want him, she can break the engagement. Pay them off. Make it go away. Why force me to marry a man who can't even wipe his own drool?"

"We have a contract!"Robert blurted out, his face flushing. "The gifts are exchanged. We can't just back out."He caught himself, his jaw tightening. "Matters of reputation among our kind aren't for you to question. You will marry him. It's a matter of honor."

Now I saw the full picture. They'd taken the Blackwoods' money and promises, but balked at giving up their prized Tiffany. So, they'd fetched a spare part. Me.

Clever. Pity their plan was about to fall apart.

A wry smile played on my lips. "I get it. What a shame, though...I can't marry Darren either. Because I-"

...already have a husband. The words never made it out. Judy's hand cracked across my face.

"I knew you were trouble! Don't tell me you're delusional enough to think Julian would look at you!"

"He's the city's most powerful CEO! A country girl like you isn't even fit to be his assistant, so don't even think about it."

Clutching my stinging cheek, I stared at her in disbelief.

"What I was trying to say, is that Julian cannot, and will not, marry Tiffany."