The grand wedding hall was buzzing with the sound of guests mingling, unaware of the chaos unfolding behind the scenes. Eva paced nervously in the small room where her parents, Camilla and Matthew, had gathered to figure out their next move. Jessica’s disappearance was more than just a runaway bride situation—it was a disaster that could ruin both families' reputations.

Camilla, in her state of shock and stress, fainted the moment the reality of Jessica’s actions hit her. Matthew managed to catch her before she collapsed to the floor, cradling her limp form in his arms. Eva knelt beside her, fanning her face and trying to calm her mother down.

“Mom? Mom, wake up! What are we going to do?” Eva asked, her voice shaking as she looked up at Matthew, hoping for guidance.

Before Matthew could respond, Camilla’s eyes fluttered open, her face pale. “Tell me this is all a dream. How could she run away on her own wedding day?” she muttered weakly, tears forming in her eyes.

At that moment, Mia came rushing into the room, a letter clutched tightly in her hand. “Dad! I found this in Jessica’s room.” She handed the letter to Matthew, her face stricken with worry.

Matthew unfolded the letter, his hands trembling. He began reading aloud, his voice breaking with each sentence:

"To Everyone,
I guess I'm being selfish now. Even though I didn’t love Andrew, I loved his money. Now I have the opportunity to become someone big as a supermodel, and I can’t miss this chance. The King family is too full of restrictions, and they won’t allow me to live the luxurious life I want. So, I decided it’s my life. I may come back or I may not.
Love you, Mom and Dad.
~Jessica"

The room fell silent after Matthew finished reading. The weight of Jessica’s betrayal hit them like a freight train. Camilla began to sob uncontrollably, her dreams of a grand wedding for her daughter crumbling around her. Matthew, drained of all energy, sank into a nearby chair, his face pale and defeated.

“How could she do this?” Camilla wept, burying her face in her hands.

Irene, who had heard the commotion from the hallway, burst into the room. “What’s going on?” she demanded, her eyes scanning the scene before landing on the crumpled letter in Matthew’s hand. She snatched it from him and quickly scanned the words, her expression turning to one of shock and disbelief.

“She ran away?” Irene gasped, immediately pulling out her phone to call her father, Leonard King.

Eva, on the other hand, was trying her best to comfort Matthew, gently placing her hand on his shoulder as he stared vacantly into space. “It’s going to be okay, Dad. We’ll figure this out,” she said softly, though she wasn’t sure she believed her own words.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and Leonard King stormed into the room, his face red with fury. “What the hell is going on here?” he barked, his eyes flashing as he looked around the room, demanding answers.

Camilla and Matthew were too shocked to speak, still reeling from the revelation of Jessica’s letter. It was Eva who finally stood up and faced Leonard, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Mr. King, I...I’m so sorry,” she began, her voice trembling. “Jessica...she’s gone. She ran away.”

Leonard’s expression darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. “Ran away?” he repeated, his voice low and dangerous.

Eva nodded, tears filling her eyes as she knelt in front of him, her hands trembling. “Please, Mr. King. My parents didn’t know about Jessica’s plans. None of us did. Don’t hold this against my family. Please, don’t ruin my father’s reputation because of what Jessica has done.”

Leonard’s nostrils flared as he stared down at Eva, his gaze cold and unforgiving. “You think an apology is going to fix this? My family’s name is on the line, girl. This marriage was supposed to be the union of two powerful families. Do you think I’ll let this humiliation stand?”

Eva’s heart sank as she realized the gravity of the situation. She had always known that the King family was proud, but she hadn’t expected Leonard to react like this.

Before she could respond, Leonard spoke again, his voice like steel. “The marriage will happen.”

Camilla, who had been sobbing into her hands, looked up at him, confused. “But Jessica is gone. How can the marriage go on?” she cried, her voice shaking.

Leonard turned his icy gaze toward Eva, his next words sending a chill down her spine. “You have another daughter, don’t you?”

Eva’s blood ran cold. She knew what he was implying, but she couldn’t believe he was serious. “What? No...no, I can’t—” she stammered, shaking her head as she backed away, her heart racing.

Leonard stepped closer to her, his voice low and commanding. “You will take Jessica’s place, Eva. The marriage must happen, and you will marry Andrew.”

Petrified, Eva opened her mouth to refuse, but the words wouldn’t come out. She looked desperately at her father, hoping he would speak up, but Matthew remained silent, too broken by the situation to offer her any help.

“I won’t do it,” Eva finally whispered, her voice trembling. “I’m not Jessica. I’m not like her.”

Leonard narrowed his eyes, his voice hardening. “You don’t have a choice, girl. My family’s reputation is at stake. If you don’t agree, I’ll make sure your family is ruined. Your father’s business, everything—gone.”

Eva’s breath caught in her throat as she realized the full weight of his threat. She could feel her legs trembling beneath her as she glanced at her mother, who was still sobbing on the floor. Camilla’s cries echoed in her ears, and Mia stood frozen in the corner, her eyes wide with shock.

She was trapped.

“I…” Eva’s voice cracked as she struggled to find the words.

Leonard’s gaze was unrelenting, his demand absolute. “Make your decision, Eva. Will you save your family, or will you let them be destroyed?”

With her heart pounding in her chest, Eva looked at her father one last time, hoping for a miracle, but Matthew’s vacant stare told her all she needed to know. There was no other way.

Slowly, Eva nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll do it. I’ll marry Andrew.”

As Leonard turned and walked out of the room, satisfied with the outcome, Eva sank to the floor, her world spinning. She had agreed to something she never wanted, to marry a man who wasn’t meant for her, to step into her sister’s shoes and pretend that this was her destiny. But deep down, she knew there was no other choice.

Eva would become Andrew's bride.