Before Elaine could finish, Thomas cut her off sharply.
"No. Drop that idea immediately. The Yates family asked for Felicia, not that fool Riley. If they find out we switched her, the entire Cole family is finished."
Elaine did not flinch. "They never named Felicia specifically," she replied, calm and steady. "What they want is a daughter of the Cole family. Riley is one too."
She stepped closer, her tone softening, persuasive. "We can give Riley some shares when she marries. She doesn't understand anything anyway. Even if the Yates family looks into it later, they won't make things difficult for a fool. And if we miss this chance, who would ever marry her? Are we supposed to support her forever?"
Thomas hesitated.
Elaine pressed on, her voice lowering further. "We've spent years raising Felicia. Can you really bear to send her to marry a man who won't live much longer?"
"Exactly, Dad!" Felicia added quickly, stepping forward. "I'm meant to marry into a good family—someone who can support the Cole family in the future. How could I marry Adrian Yates?"
Thomas's jaw tightened.
"You're right," he said at last, the resistance draining from his voice. "They want a daughter of the Cole family. Riley counts. It's settled."
Sacrificing one fool was far better than sacrificing the daughter he had carefully raised for years.
Relief flickered across Elaine and Felicia's faces as they exchanged a quick glance.
Across the room, Riley lowered her gaze. For a brief moment, something shifted in her eyes—quiet, restrained.
Then it vanished.
Thomas turned towards her, forcing warmth into his expression. "Darling Riley, you're still part of this family. Marrying into the Yates family isn't a bad thing. I don't expect much from you, but at least you won't have to worry about food or shelter anymore. That way, I still fulfilled my promise to your mother and grandfather."
He paused, then added, "Take the next couple of days to prepare. I'll transfer some shares to you as your dowry. Keep the documents safe."
It sounded generous.
But everyone in the room understood the truth. Those shares carried debt, disguised as a gift yet weighted with liability. In the end, Riley would be the one to pay for it.
Thomas had arranged everything perfectly.
Riley's lips curved faintly, masking the bitterness in her eyes. She clapped her hands lightly, her voice bright and childish.
"Getting married sounds fun! Riley likes getting married! I'll have pretty new clothes!"
Good. If I'm married into the Yates family in Felicia's place, then from this moment on, I will be even with the Cole family. This is the last time.
The thought settled quietly, final and unshakable.
As Thomas watched Riley, a trace of guilt stirring in his chest.
Meanwhile, Elaine and Felicia could not hide the small smiles tugging at their lips.
***
Back in her room, Riley slipped into the wardrobe and pulled out her laptop. Hugging it close, she sat down, her slender fingers moving swiftly across the keyboard—nothing like the fool she pretended to be.
A chat window popped open. Several unread messages blinked on the screen, all sent the night before.
[1005]: You there? I saw a few new medical cases posted on the forum. Want to take a look?
[1005]: If anything catches your eye, let me know. I can help you pick it up.
Riley blinked once, then typed her reply.
[Rye]: I'll check. No need—I'll take my own cases from now on.
***
Three days later, a car from the Yates family arrived.
Along with it came something simple, yet heavy with meaning—
A red marriage certificate.
Riley held it in her hand, her breath catching for just a moment.
A faint, wry smile curved her lips.
She had not expected to be married off like this.
Life really was unpredictable. Rumour had it Adrian would not live past twenty-five.
She did the calculation in her head.
He was already twenty-four.