Novel-novel oleh ugomarycynthia82

Chapter 5:Olivia's POVThe moment we approached the entrance, the massive glass doors slid open on their own, just like the ones I'd seen in expensive shopping malls.Stepping inside, I came to an abrupt stop.Two neat rows of house staff stood waiting for us. Maids in matching black-and-white uniforms. Housekeepers. Security personnel.And at the front stood a middle-aged man dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit with white gloves. He carried himself with calm dignity, making it obvious he was the head butler.The moment Xander wheeled inside, the butler bowed deeply. "Welcome home, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling."As if rehearsed countless times before, every member of the household bowed in perfect unison."Welcome home, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling."I stared at them in disbelief.There had to be over twenty people.The entire scene felt less like entering a home and more like walking into the headquarters of a large company.Before I could recover from the surprise, one of the maids steppe

Chapter 4:Olivia's POV"You're not Vanessa."The moment I heard those words, my knees nearly gave out beneath me. My heart pounded wildly in my ribs.The laughter around us faded into a dull hum.I parted my lips, desperate to say anything that could somehow save the situation. Before a single word left my mouth, another voice interrupted."Aunt."Xander's calm voice cut cleanly through the silence."You're mistaken."The woman blinked before turning toward him.He met her eyes without the slightest hint of uncertainty. "This is Vanessa."His expression remained perfectly composed.The confidence in his voice made even me question reality for a second."But..." the woman said hesitantly. "I've met Vanessa a few times before. She just looks a little—""I know who my wife is."His reply was firm and final. The conversation ended the moment those words left his lips.The woman looked between the two of us once more.Her expression slowly softened."Oh dear..." she laughed awkwardly. "Pe

Chapter 3:Olivia's POVEvery step toward the aisle made knots form in my stomach.My arm was linked with my father's, but my legs barely felt like they belonged to me.The wedding march echoed through the grand hall, yet it sounded strangely distant, as if I were hearing it from underwater.My heartbeat drowned out everything else.Breathe, Olivia. Just breathe.Hundreds of guests filled the elegant hall, their eyes following every step I took.I didn't dare look at them.Were they whispering? Did they already notice something was different?Did they know the woman beneath the veil wasn't Vanessa?The questions swirled through my mind, making my palms damp against my bouquet.I lowered my gaze, focusing only on the endless stretch of white petals scattered across the aisle.Beside me, my father remained silent. His grip around my arm tightened ever so slightly, almost as if he was afraid I might turn around and run.Truthfully, a part of me wanted to.The officiant's voice reached m

Chapter 2:Olivia"You're going to marry Xander Sterling instead."For a moment, I was convinced I hadn't heard my father correctly.Maybe I hadn't.Maybe the panic, the chaos, and Vanessa's disappearance had finally gotten to me.I stared at him, waiting for him to laugh and tell me it was a bad joke."Dad?"His expression never changed."Yes, Olivia." His voice was heavy with exhaustion. "You have to. It's the only choice we have."I slowly turned my head.My mother's eyes were red from crying. The wedding planner lowered her gaze. The bridesmaids stood silently, avoiding my eyes.No one objected.It was as if they had all silently agreed before I was even given a chance to speak.A lump formed in my throat.I shook my head. "No."My voice came out barely above a whisper. "I can't do that."My father stepped closer."You have to, sweetheart. For the sake of this family.""No!" The words came out louder."I can't just wake up this morning expecting to attend my sister's wedding and t

Chapter 1:Olivia"The bride is gone!"The words exploded through the bridal suite barely thirty minutes before the wedding ceremony.For one terrifying second, time stood still.A makeup brush slipped from one of the artist's hands, leaving a streak of blush across the vanity.One bridesmaid gasped.Another accidentally knocked over a tray of champagne flutes.Even the wedding planner froze, her clipboard slipping from her trembling fingers before crashing onto the marble floor.My heart skipped a beat."What do you mean she's gone?" my mother demanded, shooting to her feet so quickly that her chair scraped loudly against the floor.Every pair of eyes turned toward the young maid standing at the entrance.She looked seconds away from bursting into tears."I-I..." Her voice quivered as she twisted the edge of her apron between her fingers. "Miss Vanessa said she wanted a few minutes alone before the ceremony. She asked me to leave the room.""So?" My mother's voice rose another octav