"I'm going," I say, voice steady. "No," Madeline spits, as if the word can stop me. "Madeline, please," my mother says, hands searching for dignity on the coffee table. "This is our chance." "Chance? You call marrying into that house a chance?" Madeline laughs. "Do you know what that family wants? They want a face that opens doors, not some—" She stops and pats her own cheek as if polishing an inheritance. "I know exactly what they want," I say. My father clears his throat. "Ava, what are you—" "She won't do it," Madeline says to the room. "You all heard her. She won't stand in front of Fionn Chase. He married to appearances once, he will notice. He will—" "Madeline," my mother's voice hardens. "Stop pretending you speak for everyone." Madeline stands, palms flat on the couch. "She can't possibly—" "She can," I cut in. "And she will." Silence hits the living room like a dropped plate. My sister's fingers go white on the cushion. "You're joking," Madeline's mother says. "You want to be his stand-in? For a dowry? For shares? For the life we've been starving for?" "It's not for me," I say. "It's for us." "For us?" Madeline laughs, louder this time. "You mean for you to take the easy route while I lose the bride price I worked on? You're going to steal my engagement like a thief?" "You sold that engagement the