No one stepped forward.
No one questioned him.
My father lowered his hand and stared at me with a warning that needed no explanation.
He didn’t want me to speak, didn’t want me to ruin the story he had created, and certainly didn’t want me exposing the truth in front of the men who had come to take his daughter away.
I looked at him, and for the first time, I understood exactly how far he was willing to go to protect Sylvia.
He didn’t care that I was innocent, didn’t care that I had already been beaten, and certainly didn’t care that I had been diagnosed with an illness that would likely take my life within six months.
As far as he was concerned, I was simply a convenient replacement.
Now I was expected to wear Sylvia’s wedding dress, take her place, accept her marriage, and remain silent while everyone believed I had tried to kill her.
I slowly lowered my hand from my cheek.
Something inside me had begun to change.
I had spent twenty years accepting everything this family had thrown at me, but now they wanted me to carry their lie into the Estate of the most powerful Alpha in the kingdom.
For the first time, I wondered whether being sent away from the Mills family might not be the punishment they believed it was.
Perhaps it was my only chance to escape them.
The silence that followed my father’s slap lasted only a few seconds before one of the men finally stepped forward.
He appeared to be older than the others, perhaps in his late forties, with a composed expression that revealed very little emotion as his gaze moved between me and my father, as though he were carefully considering everything he had just heard.
“Mr.
Mills,” he said calmly, “we need to contact the Alpha and seek his advice before proceeding.” My heart tightened at his words.
Supreme Alpha.
If they contacted him now, perhaps the truth would finally come out.
Perhaps he would refuse to accept me, and perhaps I wouldn’t have to leave this house wearing another woman’s identity and enter a marriage that had never been meant for me.
My father, however, showed no concern.
“There’s no need to disturb him with this matter,” he replied immediately.
“The situation is already clear.
Sylvia is unconscious, the wedding cannot simply be cancelled, and both families have already reached an agreement.” The man’s expression remained serious as he studied my father.
“With respect, sir, Supreme Alpha specifically requested Sylvia.
Sending another woman in her place without his knowledge is a decision that should come from him.” For the briefest moment, my father hesitated, but whatever uncertainty crossed his face quickly disappeared beneath his usual authority.
“If the marriage is cancelled today, it will be an insult to the Alpha’s family and could have serious consequences for the Mills family.
Do you really want to explain to the Alpha that we allowed his wedding to collapse because the bride was pushed down the stairs?” The man didn’t answer immediately.
I remained standing beside the servants, my hands trembling beneath the sleeves of the dark wedding gown.
My father’s lie had been carefully constructed, leaving very little room for anyone to challenge him without creating an even greater problem.
Sylvia was supposedly unconscious, the wedding was supposed to take place that very day, and the substitute bride was already standing before them.
All that remained was for them to take me away.
After a moment, the man reached for the communication device attached to his belt.
“Very well.
I will contact the Alpha’s office and inform him of the situation.” “There’s no need.” My father’s voice stopped him before he could make the call.
He stepped forward, his tone carrying the unmistakable authority of a man accustomed to having his orders followed without question.
“Carry on with the arrangements.
Take her to the capital and prepare everything for the wedding.
I’ll personally take responsibility for explaining the situation to Supreme Alpha.” The man stared at him for several seconds, clearly weighing the seriousness of what he was being asked to do.
“Are you certain?” “Absolutely.” My father’s gaze shifted toward me, and there wasn’t even a hint of hesitation in his expression.
“Take her.” My stomach dropped.
The servants immediately moved toward me, and I instinctively stepped backward, my fingers curling into the fabric of my dress as the reality of what was happening finally settled over me.
There was no discussion, no opportunity to refuse, and no one coming to my defense.
My father had already made the decision for me, and now all I could do was watch as the men from the Torren Palace prepared to take me away.
“Wait.” My voice was lower, but everyone heard me.
I looked toward the men from the Palace, desperately hoping that at least one of them would recognize how wrong this situation was and give me an opportunity to speak.
“At least let me speak to Supreme Alpha.” “Enough.” My father’s voice cut through the room before anyone could respond.
He turned toward the guards, his expression hardening as he gave his final order.
“Take her to the helicopter.” My heart began pounding against my ribs.
No one asked what I wanted, and no one cared whether I agreed to the marriage.
The decision had already been made for me.
All that remained was to take me to the capital and place me before the man who had expected Sylvia to become his bride.
Two guards approached and took hold of my arms, guiding me toward the exit.
I didn’t resist because I knew there was little I could do after everything that had already happened, but before I crossed the doorway, I turned my head one last time.
My father was still standing in the sitting room.
He didn’t look worried about what would happen to me, nor did he show any regret over the lie he had created.