"But our younger daughter Marilyn is not only beautiful, she's sweet and innocent. She's a perfect match for your Harrison!"
My father bobbed along beside her, nodding and bowing:
"Exactly! The betrothal gifts have already been paid, the reception's all set up. It'd be a shame to let it go to waste, right?"
Of course.
This was their real plan all along.
The family I had treasured my entire life was willing to grind me into the dirt just so my sister could take my place and marry my fiancé.
Marilyn, now thrust into the spotlight, dropped the sobbing act in an instant.
She blinked those big, dewy eyes and pointed at her own nose with a look of clueless wonder:
"Huh?"
"You want me to marry Harrison?"
She scrunched her brows in a show of hesitation, then gazed up at Harrison with a bashful blush.
"But would Harrison even like a curious little thing like me?"
Harrison looked at me, then looked at Marilyn.
"I like women who are pure and innocent."
"Not social butterflies like your sister."
"She's had eight abortions. Every man in the capital's already had his turn. Marrying her would make me the laughingstock of the whole city!"
"You're the real deal."