Between Ruin And Resolve: My Ex-Husband's Regret
The Mafia Heiress's Comeback: She's More Than You Think
Marrying A Secret Zillionaire: Happy Ever After
Jilted Ex-wife? Billionaire Heiress!
That Prince Is A Girl: The Vicious King's Captive Slave Mate.
She Took The House, The Car, And My Heart
Too Late For Regret: The Genius Heiress Who Shines
Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't Afford Me Now
Diamond In Disguise: Now Watch Me Shine
The Phantom Heiress: Rising From The Shadows
CLARA'S POV.
"Where's Cassandra?!"
Cassandra, my twin sister, disappeared.
Tomorrow was supposed to be her wedding day. But she hadn't heard from me since yesterday. Willson-my father had just returned to our mansion, giving his already tense face a look.
Meanwhile, Patricia-my mother has been in a daze since a few hours ago.
[The Number You Have Dialed Cannot Be Contacted...]
I sighed with uneasiness after hearing the same sentence for the umpteenth time. I saw that Cassandra's display name had changed to the message room.
There were some of my messages there.
[Clara: Cassandra, where are you?!]
[Clara: Tomorrow is your wedding day!]
[Clara: Cassandra, mom and dad are looking for you. Please come back. What about your and Lucas' arranged marriage?]
And none of my other messages have been replied to since yesterday.
"Is she reachable?" asked Willson, who was standing next to me.
I shook my head, looking straight at my phone screen. My heart was racing at the thought of where Cassandra had left us.
It wasn't just that. If Cassandra was missing, and the wedding was tomorrow, what would Lucas's family-the man who was going to marry Cassandra-have to say?
"There's no reply to messages. She doesn't pick up my calls either," I replied listlessly.
"What on earth is she thinking?" Patricia complained as she walked back and forth. "We can't cancel this wedding. Tomorrow is the day!"
"Right, this wedding is very important to unite our business and Lucas's family," Willson chimed in, sounding equally agitated.
I was well aware of the anxiety on Patricia and Willson's faces. They had organized the wedding between Cassandra and Lucas long ago.
The Lucas family owns The Weinstein Company, a subsidiary of WmW Noth Company. The second-largest company in America, it encompasses culinary, entertainment, law firms, and other fields.
Willson, my father, needed a large investment for his company. But he used Cassandra as a means of getting his way through an arranged marriage with Lucas.
"Hey, Clara, you try contacting Cassandra! At all costs. Try again!" Patricia urged me.
"I can't, Mom. I've sent many messages and tried calling her. But look..." I showed her my phone screen.
"There's no reply or trace of his whereabouts," I continued.
"Have you searched through contacting his friends? Or what's her social media footprint?" Willson asked.
I shook my head. I'd been doing that since yesterday, but no one knew Cassandra's whereabouts.
"I've done that too, Dad. The result is zero. No one knows where Cassandra is. They didn't get any news," I replied.
Willson sat down as he exhaled restlessly. His gaze darted all over the place.
"Cassandra... why is she doing this? Is she trying to ruin a business plan between our families?!" Willson grumbled.
"Maybe, she's feeling burdened because of the wedding, Father," I said carefully.
Willson's gaze turned sharper and focused on me. Instantly my whole body froze. I knew what I had just said would not be to his liking.
"Why should she feel burdened? She doesn't have to earn money. Lucas, the man who will be her husband, is wealthy. She won't have a hard life," Willson said firmly.
I had expected Willson to say that. Over the years, he had only been someone who thought about money and power. All he did was manage the company.
"We can't tell Lucas or his family," Patricia piped up, making Dad and me look away in unison.
I saw the obvious fear in Patricia's eyes. Suddenly, Patricia came straight to me.
Both her hands held my shoulders with a firm grip. The look in his eyes, which had radiated fear, now also radiated great pleading.
"Clara, you must take his place."
I was momentarily stunned after hearing that. For a split second, I convinced myself that I hadn't heard wrong. Or at least my mom was just having a fleeting thought.
However, for a while, she didn't change her mind. I never thought that I would face something like this.
"Wait, mom... why are you saying that?" I asked, then shook my head. "I can't-"
"You shouldn't argue, Clara!" Patricia suddenly raised her voice.
"I can't remarry, I just got divorced a month ago," I insisted, still trying to keep my tone.
"Your mother is right, Clara. You're all we have now," Willson suddenly interjected.
When I turned my gaze to Willson, I noticed the hopeful look on his face. I suddenly felt a sense of apprehension start to creep into my heart.
I felt a little offended by Father's words. Did he mean to say I was an item-the only thing they had and would sacrifice?
"This marriage is for the family business. We'll go bankrupt if we don't get their investment! Clara... you have to do this wedding," Patricia said again, more firmly.
"Marriage is not a game, Mom," I said.
"Are you going to be responsible if our family goes bankrupt, huh?" asked Patricia, her tone turning sardonic.
Now I really couldn't answer at all. My heart sank. Patricia's words made me realize my position in this family.