//Elena//

“You’re getting married, Elena.”

It was the first thing I heard from Julia when I came home late from work that night. A big confused look printed on my face for a moment.

I mean I was Elena, but I had no idea who was getting married. Yes, I did have a lovely boyfriend Jake but I was sure he hadn't proposed to me yet.

If anyone was to be getting married soon, between us, it was Julia, my obnoxious bratty stepsister. She was older and already engaged in the Walton family, to the first son and heir to the Walton Group.

It was only two days before when a message from the Walton's, seeking her hand in marriage got to my parents, and my stepmother seemed exceptionally excited about it.

The Walton family was one of the most affluent members in the country, they were powerful and wealthy too. Their Group was one of the largest in the world and being married into a family like that meant being married directly into wealth.

Julia officially getting entangled with them was something I was certain my stepmother would adore.

So what the hell was Julia blabbing about me getting married?

“I’m talking to you, Elena,” Julia responded with a smirk, pointing her finger at me.

I shook my head, my stress level increasing.

Father's company went bankrupt a while back, and now the burden of supporting the family rested on my shoulders. I was tired and sore from working overtime for days.

“I’m not ready for your talks tonight, Julia. Go away,” I waved her off. I was too tired. I really need a good rest to get my strength renewed for tomorrow’s work.

I moved to the staircase but was unfortunately caught by my stepmother Janet who seemed to be having her usual quarrel with my father just now.

“You’re just going to crawl away like the ungrateful brat that you are, aren’t you?”

I shut my eyes, cursing under my breath.

I was so close. So fuckin close.

Jake's birthday was coming soon and I planned to buy his dream watch as a gift. In order to afford it and the other bills of the family, I had to do several jobs at the same time.

Though I lived under the same roof as Julia, I was not allowed to be a pampered daughter like her.

I was only an orphan adopted by this family. I had to earn everything with my own hands to afford and pay back their nurturing.

Inhaling sharply, turned to her to find her eyes splitting daggers at me.

“Listen, Elena. You’ve been living off us for most of your life, and things are hard now that your father’s company is in crisis. Why don’t you repay all of his sacrifices to show how grateful you are?”

“Janet-“ my father warned, trying to stop her and I didn't know why I couldn't control my emotion at that moment. I was bad at controlling it.

“What more do you want me to do?” I yanked, “As long as you’re involved, everything I do is never enough…I work day and night to assist, I do literally everything around here without complaint. How else can I prove to you that I’m grateful?”

“You little bitch, how dare you raise your voice at me?”

“Can you just stop this already, Janet?!” My father thundered, “What has she got to do with our predicament?”

“This little bitch-

Janet’s words were interrupted by a slap from my father. The action tore a gasp from my throat and Julia looked equally shocked.

Although Janet had the rudest tongue, it was the first time my father was putting his hands on her.

“Call her a bitch one more time and I will make sure you never get to use that mouth of yours again!” He threatened.

“Harold..” Janet called, stunned.

“I told you not to get her involved in this, I will find a way myself. Leave her out of it!”

Tears gathered in my eyes when I glanced at my father. I could see him trying to protect me even though he was passing through a lot himself.

It was hard enough for him losing almost everything that he worked for his entire life in only a week and I didn’t want him to worry further.

For his sake, I chose not to argue with Janet. But, Janet obviously didn't want it over.

“Then what about Julia? Why does she have to be the one to get married to that monster when Elena is here?" She yelled in tears. Somehow I could feel the pain in her voice.

But what was she talking about? Monster?

Wasn't it said that the first son of the Walton family was the hottest Billionaire?

Julia had been looking forward to this day for a long time. Even after we went bankrupt, she still maintained her extravagant lifestyle, saying she only needed to be a happy and beautiful bride-to-be. Her fiance spoiled her silly.

I tried to look for the answer from their faces as Julia walked to her mother, crying in her arms. Janet accused my father again.

"You’re all over Elena, protecting her like she’s your daughter! Julia is your biological child! Your only child! Will you not do anything about her getting married to that hideous man, Asher?!”

Asher? The youngest son of the Waltons?

True, there were rumors that he was disfigured after a big fire accident that scarred his face, and took the life of his mother, making him look like a monster. But when did Julia have a relationship with him?

What was going on?

My Father was quiet after Janet’s accusation, I could see the amount of guilt weighing in his chest.

“Do you know what will become our fate if she goes into that family? It’ll be the end of us!” my stepmother further lamented.

I was about to chip in my confusion when Julia stepped forward and held my father's arm.

“All our problems will be solved if Elena got married to Asher in my place. With their influence, Dad, you can get your company back and we don’t have to worry about getting blacklisted or being harmed. It’ll be a win for us all, and everyone will be happy.”

“Wait what? What the hell are you talking about?” I looked simultaneously at their faces, confused.

“Julia is right.” Janet nodded as she wiped off her tears, turning to me.

“Elena, you have to be the substitute bride and get married in your sister’s place to Asher Walton.”