Novels by Mary

My phone vibrated inside my handbag.I ignored it while looking at myself in the beautiful dress It vibrated again.And again.Finally, I pulled it out.Vanessa.My heart sank.I looked at Xander.He was busy speaking with one of the employees then I stepped away to pick it.“Hello?”Then her voice came.“I saw you.”My stomach tightened “Where?”“With Xander.”I swallowed.“Oh.”“You're wearing my clothes.”My fingers tightened around the phone.“I didn't have a choice.”“You have my husband.”I froze.“He's not—”“He is my husband, Olivia.”Her voice was sharper now.“I want my position back.”My heart began pounding.“You left.”“I changed my mind.”Of course, she changed her mind. But why now, all of a sudden. What's venessa really up to? “Vanessa…”“Give him back to me.”My chest tightened.I didn't know why those words hurt so much, it's her position but why am I feeling this sudden sadness Maybe because I had started forgetting that I was only temporary.Maybe because somew

"This marriage can't continue."I said.My legs trembled, but I refused to let him see my fear."I can't keep pretending to be someone I'm not."Xander didn't move, He simply watched me.Then, unexpectedly, his lips curved into the faintest smile.It wasn't warm. It wasn't kind. It was dangerous."You misunderstood me, Mrs. Sterling."My heartbeat quickened."What?"He reached beside his wheelchair and picked up a thin brown envelope.My eyes fell on it as he placed it on the table."Before you decide whether this marriage continues…"He slowly pushed the envelope toward me."…you should know why I agreed to marry you."My fingers hovered above it."What is that?""Open it."I hesitated. Every instinct inside me screamed not to touch it. But curiosity won.I picked up the envelope, my fingers trembling as I opened it.The first photograph slipped out, and I caught it before it fell.My blood ran cold.It was a picture of my father, but he wasn't alone. Standing beside him was a man I

Chapter 6:“Vanessa…?”For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.My heart pounded violently against my chest, and my lips parted, but no words came out.I stared at the woman standing in front of me, unable to move.My sister.My heart slammed against my ribs.“What is she doing here?”After everything she had done… after running away on her wedding day, she actually had the courage to come back?“What happened to you, Vanessa?” I finally managed to ask.I swallowed hard as I waited for her answer.“Olivia…”She stretched her arms toward me.I instinctively stepped back.I was disappointed and angry at her not after what she put us through But somewhere deep inside me, I was also relieved to see her.Maybe because I was already exhausted from pretending to be her.“I’m sorry I put you through this,” Vanessa whispered. “I never wanted to marry Xander.”My heart sank.She had come here to tell me to continue living her life.To continue pretending to be Vanessa.“How, Vanessa?” I asked so

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