Chapter 2 — The Substitution

The afternoon silence hung heavy over the Sanchez mansion as Selena walked into the living room, the envelope in her hands.

Cassio was there, standing by the fireplace, watching the flames dance against the black marble.

When he saw her, he smiled — a brief smile that dissolved the moment he noticed her pale face and tearful eyes.

"Selena... what happened?"

She took a deep breath, trying to steady the tremor in her voice.

"Cassio... I just picked up the results from the premarital exams. There must be a mistake, there has to be, but..." She held out the sheet with trembling hands. "It says I'm infertile."

For a few seconds, he stood motionless, reading the lines carefully. The sound of wood crackling in the fire was the only noise between them.

Cassio looked up, and for the first time, Selena saw an expression she had never seen on his face before — fear.

"Is this serious?" he asked, swallowing hard.

"I... I don't understand! The doctor said there's no way around it. It's irreversible."

"Selena," he interrupted, looking away. "I need to be honest with you."

Her heart raced.

"What do you mean?"

"I love you, but... I can't marry a woman who won't be able to give me children. I'm the only heir of the Vieira family. My parents expect me to carry on the name, to have a son, a successor. It's a responsibility I can't ignore."

The words fell like blades. Selena lowered her head, fighting not to cry.

"I understand," she answered, barely above a whisper. "But for a moment, I thought you'd be different. I thought you'd stay by my side... even so."

Cassio let out a heavy breath, like a man carrying an unbearable weight.

"My father already invested a lot in this wedding. Canceling now would be a scandal — and besides, he'd never accept this marriage knowing about your condition."

Rodrigo Sanchez, who had overheard part of the conversation from his study, walked into the room.

"What are you two talking about?"

Cassio turned, nervous.

"Mr. Sanchez, I'm afraid I can no longer marry your daughter. She... she won't be able to have children."

Rodrigo narrowed his eyes.

For a moment, he looked at Selena — devastated, motionless — and then at Cassio.

His expression showed no sadness, only calculation.

"I understand your concern, Cassio. A man in your position has duties to the name he carries." His voice was calm, almost cold. "I don't blame you for backing out."

Selena stared at him, stunned.

"Father? Is that all you're going to say?"

"Daughter, I'm not judging you. But I can't force a man to marry against his will either."

At that moment, Patricia appeared on the staircase, having heard enough to grasp the situation.

And, like someone spotting a golden opportunity, she allowed herself a discreet smile.

"I have an idea," she said, descending the steps with calculated elegance. "Cassio, why not marry Ingrid? She's healthy and can give you the children you want so badly."

The air seemed to freeze.

Selena looked at her in disbelief, the color draining from her face.

"How... how can you say that right now?" she stammered. "You're talking about my sister!"

Patricia feigned surprise.

"Don't take it the wrong way, dear. I was just trying to help. It's a practical solution for everyone."

Cassio glanced at Ingrid, who stood in the corner of the room, watching everything in silence.

She lowered her eyes, pretending to be embarrassed, but inside her heart was surging with satisfaction.

"Everyone knows I'm going to marry one of the Sanchez daughters," Cassio said, thinking it over. "But no one besides my father knows which one."

Rodrigo stepped closer, a slight smile at the corner of his lips.

"Cassio, that's an excellent idea. This way we avoid the scandal and keep the families united."

Selena felt the room spin.

"Father... please..." she whispered, almost voiceless.

Rodrigo didn't answer. He simply looked away.

Ingrid took a step forward.

"Cassio, I don't want to offend Selena, but if she consents... I accept," she said softly, masking the triumph rising in her throat.

Selena stepped back, her legs buckling.

"I... I need to go to my room," she murmured without looking at anyone. "Do what you think is best."

She climbed the stairs slowly, her heart in pieces.

Behind her, the voices continued — cold and rational — as if they were negotiating a contract, not deciding a fate.

Cassio followed her with his eyes, and for an instant, something in him wavered.

He felt pity. But then he swallowed the feeling. Pity didn't produce heirs.

When Selena closed the bedroom door, the tears came without control.

They fell in silence — only the trembling of her body betrayed the despair.

Now two kinds of pain burned inside her:

the pain of being infertile — and the pain of being betrayed by her own family.

On the other side of the house, Ingrid smiled discreetly as Rodrigo and Patricia were already discussing dates, guests, and the "new wedding."

As if nothing had happened.

That night, the Sanchez mansion slept in silence.

But the silence concealed the beginning of something far darker:

the ruin of an innocent woman — and the rise of a lie that would change everyone's fate.

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