It's always her

Binded to him

Camilla

"Please do it for us, for our family." The woman who inspired me to be independent, who taught me how to love, was pleading with me for the first time in her life.

Now, I can't help but think this was the most foolish decision I've ever made. Selena is a mystery-impossible to predict. Yesterday, we were knee-deep in wedding plans for her, and now, out of nowhere, my mother is asking me to take her place.

"You know how stubborn she is, Mily. She probably ran away. She still loves him. Love can be dangerous, darling, especially when it turns into obsession." I facepalmed, wondering why Selena had agreed to marry her second cousin in the first place.

Ethan Hamilton. Selena's second cousin from her mother's side. I may not be Katherine Walters' biological daughter, but she's always loved me as her own, just like she loves Selena.

"This is all my fault. I should've never allowed romance novels in the house," she muttered, her voice tinged with regret. I gave her an incredulous look. Yes, books have a powerful influence, but I highly doubt Selena ran off because of them.

"Mily, please. Do it for me, if you ever considered me your mother." It was emotional blackmail, but how could I refuse the woman who'd given me so much? I owed her, and now it was time to pay her back.

"Okay, I'll do it." I sighed, agreeing for her sake and for the sake of our families.

"Camila, we're not forcing you. If you want to back out, you can." My father's voice was gentle, but I could see the worry in his eyes. As much as I wanted to refuse, seeing my mother so broken made it impossible. I had to go through with this.

Internally, I cursed Selena. She was nothing like her mother or father. Maybe living with her maternal grandmother had made her selfish like that side of the family. But my parents gave me a proud smile, and I was soon wrapped in their embrace.

"We're so proud of you, Mily." My mother's voice cracked as she wiped away tears. I had waited my whole life to hear those words, and now they were finally here.

---

In a matter of moments, a new wedding gown was ordered. My mother, a renowned fashion designer in Seattle, had already planned the gowns for both of her daughters and her late daughter-in-law. Now, I wore the one intended for Selena.

The designers, originally hired for Selena's big day, were now fussing over me. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I wasn't just stepping into Selena's wedding-I was stepping into her life with Ethan. A part of me feared that from now on, I would always be known as Selena's replacement, not Camila. I whispered to myself, "I really hate you, Selena. For deceiving our parents, for making Mom cry, and for stealing my crush."

Because it would always be her-Selena. The perfect wife material, the perfect woman to be the mother of the Walters heir. Not me.

---

My father's hand in mine, I walked down the aisle. A whirlwind of emotions swirled in my chest as I approached the stage, butterflies erupting in my stomach. All eyes were on me, and instead of joy, I saw relief on the faces of our relatives.

When Dad handed me over to Ethan, I felt an unfamiliar sensation as his warm, firm hands gently took mine. His green eyes locked onto me, scanning me with an emotion I couldn't quite read. Did he know that Selena had run away?

I could only hope he did.