As soon as I reached home, my Mom began crying.

“What happened, Mom?” I asked in a concerned voice.

“Claire, Belle called me and asked me to call off her marriage. She said she had found someone better.” She replied while crying.

“Yeah, I know.” I replied flatly, “My fiance…”

“Claire…”

“I have moved past it, Mom. I don't care.” I replied in an indifferent voice to cut her off. I didn't want to see her worried about me. She sighed before saying, “We are so stressed, Claire. She just called off the marriage and didn't consider her father's image in the business world. Mr. Daniel Parker is a well known business tycoon. If he hears about it, he will make things difficult for your father.”

She paused for a while. I remained silent. I was not ready for any kind of conversation as I was still trying to recover from the shock that I received a few hours ago. My Mom hesitated for a moment before she continued, “Your father and I have decided to let you take Belle’s place and marry his son, James Parker. I know you will not disappoint us like Belle, right Claire?”

James Parker was the illegitimate son of Daniel Park. Rumors had it that his face was disfigured in a fight and he looked really ugly. There were also some rumors about his inability in bed. I was stunned when I came to know my little sister was marrying such a person just to save Dad’s business. I once sympathized with her and asked her to cancel the marriage. However, I didn't know she was cooking something else in her evil mind. She must have planned this, seducing my fiance and letting me take her place to marry a disfigured man.

“Mom, you know I was not in favor of wedding Belle to an illegitimate son of Mr. Daniel. Then, how did you even think that I would marry him?” I asked while raising my eyebrows. My Mom wiped tears from the corner of her eyes before saying, “Claire, you know your father's business was running at a loss for the past few years. He is in a huge debt. He took money from the Mafia world as well. Now they are threatening your father. We were expecting financial support from Mr. Daniel. But, if the marriage calls off, we would get nothing and your father…”

She began crying before she could complete her sentence. I wiped her tears and supported her. I was already at a loss because of Jayden infidelity and now seeing my mother crying like this, made me emotionally weak. I couldn't think anything straight. I knew I was being used in my sister's plan and hated it. However, considering my family's helplessness and my obligations towards my parents, I sighed before saying, “ Okay, I’ll marry James Parker. Don't cry, Mom. I can't see you like this.”

“Claire…” my Mom stammered, “ I knew you wouldn't disappoint us. You are my darling. I’m sorry that you have to go through this. First your fiance’s betrayal and now this. I wish you didn't have to…”

“Mom, let's just not talk about it.” I cut her off. She nodded her head and then suddenly looked up at me as if she just remembered something. She then said, “ Claire, we received a call from James early in the morning. He wants to meet the bride before the wedding. We fixed the date tomorrow. We didn't know about Belle's affair then. Now, you have to go meet him.”

“Alright!” I said before walking up to my room. I laid on my bed and began scrolling my phone. My hands abruptly searched for ‘James Parker’ and all sorts of adverse information about him appeared on the internet with the title ‘Black ship of the Parkers’ family’.

I got ready to meet this James Parker. I came downstairs only to see Belle talking with someone on the phone. She was wearing her sports shoes and hence the call was on speaker. A female voice sounded on the phone. She was probably talking with her friend. Her friend asked in a surprising voice, “You broke your marriage arrangement with James Parker?”

“Or else? Do you want me to marry an ugly disfigured man who is sexually defective? No way! Such a man only suits my boring sister, not me.” Belle replied while flickering her hair.

“ I know right! But why did you agree to this marriage before?” Her friend’s voice was filled with confusion. I too wanted to know the answer. I saw Belle smiling decisively while saying, “It's because he is a millionaire’s son. I thought I could enjoy his money while fooling around with other men. But, I didn't know that he is an eyesore in his father's eyes. Mr. Daniel has even announced publicly that he will not give a penny to him from his wealth. He is a black ship of the family. What's the use of marrying him then?”

Belle paused for a while. The smile on her lips spreaded even larger as she continued,“On the other hand, Mr. Daniel doesn't have any heir to his property. Jayden is a close relative to him. After his death, his property must pass to Jayden. After marrying Jayden, I’ll be super rich.”

Turns out Belle was marrying Jayden only because of the money he might inherit from Mr. Daniel. She broke my two years long relationship and seduced my fiance just to satisfy her greed for money. I was mad at her and wanted to go confront her. But again, for whom? For Jayden? He was not innocent either. He couldn't hold it up in his pants and got seduced by beauty. He broke my trust. He was equally guilty. Both of them suited each other. I smiled ironically thinking this and walked out.

Our meeting was fixed in a five star hotel. I got a few minutes late. I found James waiting for me on the reserved table. A man was standing near him, probably his assistant or bodyguard I assumed.Two empty mugs of coffee showed me he was not used to waiting for someone. I apologised in a formal voice and sat down before him. I stared at his face for a while. He had black spots all over his face. However, if we removed these spots, he was actually breathtaking handsome. It seems like people just love exaggerating things. Removing those black spots on his face, he was a tall man with a broad jawline and fair complexion.

He initiated the conversation with, “You are late, Miss Hudson. Do you have nothing to say?”

I coughed before saying, “You aren't as ugly as people say.”

“You-” The man standing near him looked offended by my comment and wanted to say something. But, James waved his hands, hinting him to stop. He then said in a deep manly voice, “You aren't the girl I was going to marry.”

“ You are right. She doesn't want to marry an ugly disfigured man who is incapable in bed.” I repeated Belle's words without hesitation as I continued, “So, she snatched my man from me and here I’m sitting in front of you.”

He stared at me for a while. He then lit a cigarette, put it inside his lips and bent his head near me before saying in a deep voice, “I know you are not interested in me.”

There was something in his voice that sent shivers down my spine whereas he added, “But I promise to make this arrangement beneficial for both of us.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by James's words. What could he possibly offer me that would make this arrangement beneficial for both of us? I had already lost Jayden to Belle, and the thought of marrying James, a man I had just met, was less than appealing.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. But then, something inside me clicked. I was tired of being hurt, tired of being used. It was time for me to take control of my life, to make my own decisions.

And so, with a sense of determination that I hadn't felt in a long time, I nodded my head. "Yes," I said, my voice firm. "I'm ready to hear your proposition.”

***

In the night, I received a letter from the Jones and Jackson group. It was the invitation card for a charity auction that was going to be held the next day. Many big business tycoons were going to attend the auction including Parker groups and the most famous JW groups. I was also invited because of my social work abroad. Earlier I was planning to attend this function with Jayden but now I had to go alone.

I stood at the edge of the crowded ballroom, sipping my champagne and trying to make small talk with the other guests. Suddenly my gaze fell on my sister, Belle, who was standing beside Jayden. Jayden must have asked her out. I couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance seeing them showcasing their love to all the guests. Belle was currently making a big show of herself, flaunting her diamond necklace and designer gown to everyone. As soon as her gaze fell on me, she came near me and didn't hesitate telling me how many gifts Jayden gave her that day before personally coming to pick her up for the auction.

“Sister, have you come alone? Why didn't you invite your fiance with you?” She asked, intentionally trying to provoke me.

I have indeed asked James if he wanted to join me in the auction. He told me he would be there in time but I didn't see him yet.

“Her fiance?” Jayden's eyes narrowed. I looked up at him deeply, trying to see if he had a sense of jealousy in his eyes. But, he only laughed mockingly before saying, “Are you talking about James? He doesn't show his ugly face in public. Don't you think his ugly face will ruin everyone's mood?”

“You should mind your words while talking about him. He is after all your cousin,” I said with a stern voice, making him laugh even more. He then walked closer to me as he whispered, “Being offended for your fiance already? But, you have to hear these words for your entire life. Are you sure you are going to marry a useless man like him?”

“Only the future will tell who is useless! As far as I know, I have never seen you working before. Are you planning to rely on your uncle's money for a lifetime?” I smirked,

“You-” Jayden pursed his lips, he wanted to add something but Belle stopped him, saying, “Don't ruin your mood because of her, Jayden. She is just jealous that I got such a handsome man like you and she lost a gem like you only to have a defective man for herself,” Belle smirked. Jayden's lips curled up into a smile after being praised by his girl. He immediately pulled her in his arms and placed a kiss on her forehead, intentionally showing me off.

Just then we noticed a commotion at the entrance of the auction hall. People were turning to stare, their faces filled with shock and surprise.

I followed their gaze and my eyes widened as I saw James Parker walk into the room. He was tall and broad-shouldered with piercing blue eyes and extraordinary features. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and his tailored tuxedo fit him like a glove. But what really caught my attention was the lack of black spots on his face. He exuded confidence and power, his very presence was commanding attention. And as he scanned the room, his eyes locked onto mine. I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body.

James smiled as he reached us.

"Sorry I'm late," he said, his voice low and smooth. "Traffic was a nightmare.”