Chapter 29 – Pretend Queens

Zarah's POV

The party was going well. Maybe too well.

I stood in the center of the living room, a glass of sparkling wine in my hand, laughing softly at something one of my friends had said.

The chandelier lights above glowed like stars, and the scent of roses and fresh desserts filled the air. Everything looked perfect, just like I had planned.

My dress was custom-made—silky cream fabric that hugged my body just right. My hair was pulled back in soft curls, and the heels on my feet sparkled with every step. People looked at me like I was the main character of a royal story.

"Zarah, this party is simply breathtaking," Nora gushed, flipping her blonde curls. "You always know how to host like real class."

"Your Fiancé must be so proud of you," another added, eyes gleaming with envy. "You two are like a power couple straight from the magazines."

Even though they had not seen two of us together before, it didn’t stop them from making flatteries. As far as no one talked about it, everything could be accepted.

I gave a soft, humble smile. "He tries. He’s just always so busy."

They all laughed.

I sipped my drink slowly, pretending to be shy about their praise.

Inside, I loved it.

Every compliment.

Every stare.

Every jealous sigh from the women who wished they were me.

Everything was going fine... until my mother came storming in.

"Zarah!" Her voice screamed happiness.

I blinked, then turned. "Mom?"

Her eyebrows were raised, eyes sparkling. "Stop standing there and go bring your fiancé in. Everyone is waiting to meet our son-in-law."

My smile froze.

"What?"

"Where is he? Bring him in and introduce him to the family. Honestly, you young people and your manners. We’re all proud of you, you know."

I laughed nervously. "Ah, Mom. He’s… busy. Always working."

She frowned. "He can’t be that busy. He came here, didn’t he?"

Before I could reply, another voice cut in.

"Well, I saw him outside just now," Clara said, strutting into the room with a sly smile. Clara, the queen of side-eyes and silent competition. She was always waiting to bring me down a notch.

"Really?" someone asked.

Clara nodded. "Yes. And guess what? He was talking to some girl. I think he mistook her for Zarah. Looked just like her, only a little… less polished."

My heart dropped.

My face must have turned white, because a hush fell in the room.

"Are you okay, Zarah?" Nora asked gently.

I pressed my lips together and gave a weak nod.

"She must be upset her cousin embarrassed her," Clara added with fake concern. "I think that girl was Mannie. The one with all those kids. She and Dominic looked like they were arguing."

My head started to spin.

So he had seen her.

Did he find out?

Was that why he hadn’t come in yet?

Did he recognize something?

I turned my eyes to the hallway, wondering if I could sneak out and drag him inside before anyone else saw or just do anything somehow. Maybe I could still fix this. Maybe I could still smile and lie my way out like I always did.

But then I remembered the way he looked at me last time. Cold. Detached. Like I was just another person in a long list of strangers.

He never treated me like someone special.

Because deep down, I wasn’t.

All these things—this house, the fancy gifts, the rich circle—none of it was really mine. It should have been Mannie’s.

But I wasn’t going to let her have it.

I worked too hard to build this fake life.

Suddenly, a servant entered the room.

"Excuse me," he said, bowing slightly. "Mr. Dominic said something came up at the company and he had to leave. But he asked me to give this to the celebrant."

He held out a jewelry box.

My mother gasped and reached for it with wide eyes. "Oh, how thoughtful!"

The room exploded in admiration again.

"Zarah, your boyfriend is so thoughtful."

"Look at that box! It must be expensive."

"He must be a CEO. No wonder you always look so calm."

"You’re so lucky, Zarah. You deserve this life."

I gave a weak smile.

My fingers dug into the wine glass.

Lucky?

If only they knew how hard I fought to steal this luck.

Later, when the party was over and people had left, I finally had time to breathe. I went to my room, locked the door, and sat on the edge of the bed.

I couldn’t stop thinking about what Clara said.

Dominic had seen Mannie.

And worse—he had seen those children. Did he recognize them?

As I paced to and fro of my room, I suddenly remembered the plan I had made long ago.

How I paid a nurse to fake everything.

How we found a disabled baby from a poor family and swapped the records.

I thought it was perfect.

But now… I wasn’t sure. I hadn’t seen any disabled child among those children.

I picked up my phone and called the nurse.

The line didn’t connect.

I tried again.

Still nothing.

Frowning, I dialed her emergency contact.

"The number you are trying to reach has been canceled."

What?

I searched through my old papers and found the nurse’s address.

I drove there the next morning.

Only to find an old woman sweeping the front yard.

"They moved," she told me. "Months ago. In a rush."

"Do you know where they went?"

"Some people said abroad. Others said they were hiding. Something about being hunted by an organization."

I stood frozen.

"No news since then. Sorry," she added.

I nodded slowly, heart pounding.

Everything was crumbling.

If Dominic found out…

If he knew I faked everything…

He would destroy me.

I had to act fast.

If I wanted to keep this life, I needed to secure my place.

I needed money.

A lot of it.

And quickly.

Because soon, everything would come crashing down.

And I wasn’t going down with it.