Chapter 1 Replacement Bride

Aria p.o.v I wasn't ready for the drastic change, but life was and didn't give a second thought when turning my life a 360 degree turn. I was in my dorm room, reviewing the project I have to submit in a week time. When I received a phone call from my mother, her voice trembling with a mix of panic and urgency. "Aria, dear, you need to come home immediately," she said, without even a hello. I went into panic mode, my mom is a joyful soul and there are few these that could make her to panic. I felt a shiver run down my spine at the possibility of what could be wrong. Is Dad sick? "What's happened, Mom?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's Sophia," she replied, her voice cracking. I frowned confused. "What about her." Sophia is my elder sister, we are quite close to each other. She's easily my best friend since I could talk. "She's gone." I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Sophia, was supposed to get married tomorrow to Vaughn Slade, a wealthy and influential businessman. What could have made her run away? I, too didn't want her to get married to a man like Vaughn, he's too much for her to handle. Sophia has always loved a peaceful and quiet life, and Vaughn lifestyle isn't anything peaceful nor quiet. He today to today activities are being printed on the news, he's a business tycoon, a dangerous one. So it's normal for him. "Where did she go?" I asked, even though I knew she didn't have the answer hence she has asked me. "We don't know," my mother replied, her voice laced with worry. "She left a note saying she couldn't go through with the wedding, but that's all we know. Your father and I are frantic with worry." I felt a surge of concern for my sister, mixed with a dash of fear. What would happen to our family now that Sophia had run away from her wedding? If she didn't want the wedding, why did she agree in the first place? And how come she didn't talk to me about it. "Is Dad okay?" I asked, knowing how much he had invested in this marriage. "He's...well, he's not taking it well," my mother replied diplomatically. "You know how much he was counting on this marriage to secure our family's future." I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. I knew exactly what she meant. Our family's financial situation had been precarious for years, and my father had seen Sophia's marriage to Vaughn Slade as a way to secure our future. "I'll be right there, Mom," I said, already grabbing my bag and heading out the door. As I rushed home, my mind was racing with questions. Where was Sophia? Why had she run away? And what would happen to our family now that she was gone? I have tried calling her phone countless times but to no avail. I couldn't shake the feeling that our lives were about to change in ways we couldn't even imagine. The drive home seemed to take forever, my mind consumed by thoughts of Sophia and the impending doom that seemed to be hanging over our family. When I finally arrived home, I was greeted by the sight of my mother pacing back and forth in the living room, her face etched with worry. "Aria, thank goodness you're here," she said, rushing over to hug me tightly. "We need to talk about what's going to happen next." I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation wash over me. What did the future hold for our family? And what role would I be expected to play in it? As we sat down to discuss the details, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was about to take a dramatic turn – one that would change me forever. My mother took a deep breath and began to explain the situation. "Aria, you know how much your father was counting on Sophia's marriage to Vaughn Slade. It was supposed to be a merger of sorts, a way to secure our family's future." I nodded, feeling a sense of unease. I had always known that Sophia's marriage was more of a business arrangement than a romantic partnership. Dad will surely have a set back in business because of this, a lot of person's wouldn't want to partner with him anymore in fear of Vaughn's wrath. "But now that Sophia's run away, everything is at risk," my mother continued. "Your father is frantic, and I don't know what's going to happen." I felt a surge of fear at the thought of our family's future hanging in the balance. On one hand, I was happy for Sophia as I stare at the note she left behind. 'I'm sorry but I can't marry him. If you're seeing this, I'm far gone and can't found, try to understand me. Love Mom and Dad.' But I can't help but wonder what would happen to us if the marriage didn't go through? I knew that I had to find out what had happened to Sophia, and why she had run away. But as I looked at my mother, I knew that I had to be careful. As the day wore on, I found myself becoming more and more entangled in the web of secrets and lies that surrounded Sophia's disappearance. I knew that I had to be careful, but I was determined to uncover the truth. Little did I know, my life was about to take a dramatic turn – one that would change me forever.