“Your princess is back. What are you going to do with Alicia, your placeholder?”

My smile faded, hands trembling as I held the pregnancy test results, something I was supposed to surprise my boyfriend Heron.

Placeholder? Princess? What are they talking about?

“Marcus doesn’t know you’ve been dating his sister for six years. That’s risky enough,” the voice continued, laughing softly. “But Hannah? She’s different, isn’t she? She’s the one.”

There was a long pause before Heron finally answered, his words cutting through me like glass. “Alicia’s convenient. She always has been.”

“So are you going to proceed with your proposal with Alicia? Surely, she was expecting it.”

“Proposal?” Heron smirked. “If anything, that’s just a proposal because I need something from her, and not exactly her.”

I covered my mouth in shock, tears falling in my eyes, and before they could see me, I turned and walked away, my legs moving on their own as my heart shattered.

Sitting in my car, I stared blankly at the dashboard. My chest felt tight, and every breath I took burned. The envelope lay beside me on the passenger seat, its contents mocking me.

For six years, I’d given Heron everything—my trust, my love, and my loyalty. I’d believed him when he said keeping our relationship a secret from Marcus was for the best. I’d believed him when he promised that our time would come.

But it was all a lie. I was never his choice. I was just a placeholder.

My hands trembled as I picked up my phone and dialed my brother’s number for an overseas call.

“Alicia?” Marcus’s voice was steady, comforting in a way I didn’t deserve right now. “Are you okay?"

“I’ve been thinking,” I said, trying to keep my voice even.

“About what?”

“The marriage proposal,” I said, gripping the phone tightly.

There was a long pause. “You’re saying yes?” he asked carefully.

“Yes,” I replied.

“You’re sure?” Marcus asked, his tone softening. “You’ve been hesitant about this for years. What changed your mind?”

“I’m sure,” I lied. “Just thought about it. Please make the arrangements.”

“Alright,” he said after a moment. “If that’s what you want, I’ll take care of everything.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“No worries, my sister. And oh, by the way, I will see you in days.”

“Next week? Why? Are you coming home?”

“Ah, my best friend Heron wanted me to come since he’ll be having a party for Hannah, his first love. Wait, you know Heron, right?

“No,” I lied. “I don’t know him."

“I probably need to introduce you to him once I get back—”

I ended the call before he could say anything further. So that was it, he never wanted to tell us about us to my brother because of Hannah.

Turning the key in the ignition, I glanced at the envelope one last time before shoving it into the glove compartment. Heron would never see it. He didn’t deserve to know that I had his baby.

Instead of going home, I decided to go to the hotel and stayed there. I just couldn't bear the lies of Heron, acting like a perfect boyfriend.

As I reached the hotel, I received a message from Heron, “Hey, babe. Something urgent came up at work. Won’t be able to sleep with you. See you tomorrow.”

I ignored the message and was about to head out of my car when I noticed a familiar figure heading inside the hotel—Heron and Hannah.

Indeed, I was just a replacement.

I couldn’t stop crying as I drove aimlessly through the city, instead of going to the hotel. What for? Heron and Hannah were there. Hannah was Heron’s urgent matter—not me. How could he do this to me? I thought everything about us was real.

My hands trembled on the wheel, my vision blurred from the tears streaming down my face. I didn’t even see the tree until it was too late.

The crash jerked me forward, and pain shot through my body as the car came to a screeching halt. For a moment, everything went black.

When I woke up in the hospital, the sterile white ceiling stared back at me. My body ached, and the faint sound of monitors beeped in the background. A nurse appeared.

“How are you feeling, Ms. Miller?”

I opened my mouth to speak, but my throat felt raw.

“You were in an accident,” she explained. “You hit a tree. It’s a miracle you survived.”

Her words started to blur, but then she said something that pulled me back to reality. “I’m so sorry… you lost the baby.”

The baby. Heron’s baby.

I stared blankly at the nurse, unable to form a single word. The world felt empty, hollow. Maybe it was better this way. He didn’t deserve to know, and now he never would.

Later that day, I returned home with a few bruises and a heavier heart. The house felt cold and unwelcoming as I walked through the door.

Heron arrived shortly after, his face etched with concern as he rushed toward me. “What happened? You’re hurt.”

“I slipped,” I lied, forcing my voice to remain steady.

His brow furrowed as he gently touched the bruise on my arm. “You need to be more careful, babe.” His voice was tender, and for a second, I almost believed him. Almost.

But then his phone lit up on the table. A message from Hannah flashed across the screen.

Heron glanced at it and immediately stood. “I need to take care of something urgent. I’ll be back later.”

I didn’t say anything as he grabbed his jacket and left. The door clicked shut, and the silence was deafening.

I sat there for what felt like hours before I made my decision. I couldn’t stay. Not after everything.

Packing was quick. I didn’t have the energy to think about what I was leaving behind. Clothes, personal items, memories—I shoved them into a bag with no plan, no idea of where I was going. All I knew was I couldn’t stay here any longer.

I dragged my suitcase to the waiting area, my body aching with every step. I was so focused on leaving that I almost didn’t notice the figure leaning casually against a sleek black car.

Damian. Heron’s rival mafia boss.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.

He smirked, his hands sliding into his pockets. “Didn’t your brother tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

Damian straightened, his smirk widening. “I’m the one you’re supposed to marry.”

I froze, the words sinking in. My brother’s proposal. The marriage arrangement I had reluctantly accepted. Was it him?

“You’re lying,” I whispered.

“Am I?” Damian tilted his head, his dark eyes studying me. “Marcus didn’t mention me? Interesting. But then you don't have a choice now, do you?”

Being brought into my brother’s estate was the last thing I expected after leaving Heron. But there I was, standing in the middle of Marcus’ sprawling mansion, my suitcase forgotten on the marble floor as he explained his double life.

“Let me get this straight,” I said. “You’re a mafia boss? You. Marcus Miller, the same guy who used to lecture me about breaking curfew.”

I couldn’t believe it. All along I thought he was just working overseas.

“It’s more complicated than that,” Marcus replied. “I’ve kept this from you because I had to. You wouldn’t have been safe otherwise.”

“Safe from what?” I demanded. “I didn’t ask for your protection.”

“You didn’t have to,” he said. “People wanted you dead, Alicia. You’re my sister. I did what I had to do to keep you alive.”

I clenched my fists, anger and disbelief coursing through me. All these years, I thought I knew him—my responsible, level-headed brother. Now, he was standing here in a tailored suit, exuding the kind of authority that made the men around him stand straighter and lower their gazes.

“And Damian?” I asked, glaring at the man leaning casually against the doorway, his smirk as infuriating as ever. “He’s part of this too?”

“Damian is my ally,” Marcus said. “And your fiancé.”

My stomach twisted at the word. I opened my mouth to argue but stopped. What was the point? My life had been flipped upside down so many times in the past week that agreeing to marry Damian almost seemed like the least shocking thing.

“Fine,” I said, crossing my arms. “I’ll marry him. But don’t think for a second that I’m happy about any of this. I mean,” I sighed. “I know about marriage and I agreed… I just didn’t know that it would be with a mafia boss named Damian.”

Damian’s smirk widened, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. “Don’t you think it’s destiny, sweetheart?”

I shot him a glare before turning back to Marcus. “Anything else you’ve been hiding from me?”

Marcus cleared his throat. “Not really. I just need to attend the party Heron’s throwing for Hannah so you should come with me.”

The mention of Heron’s name made my chest tighten. “Why?”

“Because it’s good for appearances and since you’re back home now, people should know about you,” Marcus said, his voice leaving no room for argument. “You’ll be coming with Damian and he’ll introduce you as his fianceè.”

***

The party was as extravagant as I expected, filled with glittering chandeliers, flowing champagne, and the kind of people who thrived on power and whispers. I arrived on Damian’s arm, his hand resting lightly on my lower back as we entered the room.

“Relax,” Damian murmured, leaning closer so only I could hear. “You’re the star of the show tonight.”

I didn’t reply, my eyes scanning the room until they landed on Heron. He was by the bar, a glass of something dark in his hand, his eyes narrowing when he saw me.

I excused myself from Damian and walked straight toward him. His expression shifted as I approached—calculated, composed, and utterly fake.

“Alicia,” he greeted, his voice low. “What are you doing here? And why are you with Damian?"

“Marcus wanted me here,” I said coolly. “I’m his sister, remember?”

Heron’s jaw tightened. “We need to talk.”

He led me to a quieter corner of the room.

“We can’t let Marcus know about us,” he said urgently. “If he finds out—”

“No need for that,” I interrupted, my voice cutting through his.

Heron blinked, momentarily thrown off. “What?”

I took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of strength I had left. “There’s no need to pretend anymore, Heron. I’m breaking up with you.”

His face paled, his grip on his glass tightening. “Alicia, don’t do this.”

“I’m done,” I said firmly. “Six years, Heron. Six years of lies, secrets, and hiding. I was nothing more than your placeholder. Well, now you’re nothing to me.”

Before he could say another word, I turned and walked away, my heels clicking against the marble floor as I headed straight for Damian.

When I reached him, Damian smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement.

“Done with your chat?” he asked.

“Completely,” I said.

Damian took my hand and turned to face the crowd, raising his glass. His voice boomed across the room, commanding attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Damian announced, his grip on my hand tightening. “Let me introduce you to my fiancée, Alicia Miller.”