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Ximena Lavigne's life is turned upside down when she discovers she's been betrothed to the charming but unknown Hugo De León. Despite her protests, her parents insist on the marriage. As Ximena navigates this complicated situation, she meets Jayden Knights, a mysterious and charismatic young man with a troubled past tied to her father. Meanwhile, her loyal bodyguard and best friend, Carlos, harbors secret feelings for her. Further complicating matters is Walter Briggs, a man who has loved Ximena since childhood and now seeks her hand in marriage. Torn between duty, desire, and her own dreams, Ximena must choose between the path laid out for her and forging her own destiny. Will she succumb to the expectations of those around her, or will she find the courage to follow her heart?
Chapter 1 PROLOGUE
Paris 6:45pm
The autumn breeze blew over her face as she watched from the rooftop, the flowers gently swaying in the breeze. Closing her eyes, she savoured the moment with relish wishing her life would be as calm as the breeze. The sun was setting already and the sky was yellow. She managed a smile as she looked at the horizon. Her face grew solemn on remembering the conversation she had with her father minutes ago. It was one thing being the heiress to the Lavigne Empire and another thing to be nagged about it. All her life, for as long as she could remember, her parents always rang it in her ears that she was the heiress and she should always act like one.
At age sixteen, she'd started attending conference meetings and was in charge of one of her father's companies in Paris. It was very hectic combining school work with the company's work but her parents didn't seem to mind. She hardly had time for herself or to make friends, not that her allowed her to anyway. They were the ones choosing who would and who wouldn't be her friend. Every decision of her life was made by her parents.
Now twenty two, Ciara Ximena Lavigne was in charge of three companies, a hotel and a restaurant. Her father, Armando Lavigne, a French man was a very powerful man who had companies, hotels and restaurants in Paris, America, Spain and Italy. Armando was a very wealthy man. He got married to an American, Nora.
Ximena slicked her ginger red hair- which she'd gotten from her father- back with her palm and let out a frustrated sigh. She remembered the urgency in her father's voice when he'd asked her to come to America. And from the sound of his voice, it didn't look like she'd return to Paris any time soon.
"Mena!" A voice called breaking into her thoughts.
She recognized the voice immediately and turned swiftly to see her seventeen -year- old sister, Jasmine Zuri Lavigne.
"Zuri! You're back. What kept you? Practicals? " Ximena said brightening up a bit.
"You got it. We had tons of practicals today. I was looking for you when I arrived. You weren't in your room or in the study so I figured you might be here. And I was right. You love watching the sunset," Zuri beamed walking towards her.
"Yeah! Right," Xinena said with her smile wearing off.
"What's wrong Mena? You don't seem happy," Zuri said sitting opposite her.
If there was anyone Ximena cared about the most in the world, it was Zuri, her younger sister. Zuri was the only one who understood her. The only one who shared her sorrows and joy with her. And sometimes the one who advised her. Ximena couldn't bear to see her hurt or in pain especially when their mother, Nora Lavigne yells at her.
"Dad called," Ximena finally said.
"What did he say?"
"We're going to America in two days."
"What?" Zuri's eyes dilated. "Why? Did he mention the reason?"
"Non. You know how father is. He refused to tell me the reason. He just said it was urgent and that we shouldn't delay," Ximena said.
"I know I've always wanted to visit America, but I didn't expect it to be this way," Zuri said with a frown.
Ximena had been to America but once. And she was five then. She'd gone there when Zuri was born, spent a couple days and they both flew back to Paris with their parents.
"We don't have a choice, Zuri. Dad has a reason. It'd better be a good one. I'm really gonna miss Paris, my home."
"Me too," Zuri said. "Aunt Maya will miss us too."
Ximena smiled wryly. Her fingers curled around the glass cup in front of her which contained cocktail. She lifted it to her lips and gulped down its entire content.
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