Chapter 1

FLICKER'S RESTAURANT

The small, old, worn-out shop was packed with customers shouting to be attended to.

Ivy hurried toward a table that had placed their orders. She set the food down and bowed slightly.

“Sorry it took so long,” she apologized. The woman smiled in understanding, but the man glared.

“Even though the food is top-notch, you people take too long. Work harder,” he scolded, his wife placing a hand on his arm to calm him.

Ivy’s hands curled into fists. She wished she could punch his rude face.

“Honey, she already apologized,” the woman said gently, then turned to Ivy. “It’s alright, you can leave.”

“Thank you,” Ivy murmured, walking away with a sigh of relief. That man seemed like the type with anger issues.

“Aunty, are you going to serve us now?” a little girl at a table asked, her big eyes staring deep into Ivy’s soul.

“Sure. What would you like?” Ivy asked, pulling a small notebook and pen from her apron.

The girl glanced at her mother, then leaned forward. “I want the biggest pancake you have! With strawberries, extra whipped cream, and chocolate chips too.”

Ivy chuckled. “That sounds like a sweet pancake mountain. And for Mommy?”

The tired but graceful woman smiled faintly. “Just a cappuccino for me, thank you.”

“Coming right up.” Ivy scribbled it down.

As she walked off, the girl whispered to her mom, “She’s really pretty. Like a princess.”

“Maybe she is, sweetie. A hardworking princess.”

---

WILLIAMS COMPANY

The ticking of the antique clock echoed in Damon Williams’ office. He sat behind a sleek black desk, suit sharp, jaw tighter. Afternoon light streaked through the blinds, but none of it touched him.

His fingers paused on his tablet. “Cancel the marketing meeting. They’ve wasted enough of my time.”

By the door, his well-dressed assistant nodded. “Already done, sir. The car’s waiting. You have the hotel opening in Midtown.”

Damon rose smoothly, slipping his phone into his pocket. “Let’s go.”

---

MIDTOWN

The convoy of black cars cut through traffic like knives through butter. Damon’s sedan led the way, tinted windows adding to its intimidating presence. The city was alive with honking horns and rushing bodies.

Then—

Screech.

A delivery truck stopped suddenly. A motorcyclist swerved. Horns blared. Damon’s driver cursed under his breath.

“We’re stuck,” the assistant sighed, checking her watch. “We’ll be late.”

Damon said nothing, staring out the window, unreadable.

Outside, a young woman wove through the chaos, apron dusty with flour, blonde hair tied messily, eyes tired but determined. A paper bag swung in her hand.

Ivy.

She walked past Damon’s car, just inches from his window.

He didn’t look at her, and she didn’t look at him.

Two strangers. One fleeting moment.

Neither knew their worlds were about to collide.

---

LITTLE BLOOM BAKERY

The brass bell chimed as Ivy stepped inside. The scent of cinnamon and chocolate wrapped around her like a hug.

“Finally!” Jayla called from behind the counter. “What happened? You look like you crossed a battlefield.”

“I did,” Ivy laughed breathlessly, dropping the paper bag. “Traffic was a nightmare. Trucks broke down, and people lost their minds.”

She brushed flour from her worn black jeans. “But I got the delivery from Crème Delights. The rich across the street love their vanilla beans.”

Jayla snorted. “Rich people love anything expensive. Bet they wouldn’t last a day here.”

Ivy smiled faintly, glancing across the street. “Anyway, let’s get back to work before Mrs. Terrence kills us both.”

---

DAMON – 5:28 P.M. | MONDRIAN HOTEL

Flashing cameras lit the hotel entrance. The city’s elite and media swarmed as Damon’s car pulled up.

He stepped out, tall and composed, presence commanding attention. His assistant followed, tablet in hand.

“You’re twenty-eight minutes late,” she murmured.

“I’m not here to be on time,” Damon replied coolly.

Reporters surged forward, ignored as he strode into the glass doors. Whispers followed him, ladies gossiping about his looks. None dared approach—except one redhead from a wealthy family, thinking herself the star.

She lifted her dress slightly, smiling brightly. “Mr. Damon,” she called, bowing.

“Who are you?” Damon asked, bored.

Her face reddened with humiliation. Still, she forced a smile and dared to reach for him.

Damon stepped back swiftly, dodging her touch.

She lost her balance and fell face-first to the floor with a scream.

🗣️ I wonder if she’s alright…

🗣️ Serves her right. Everyone knows Damon hates being touched.

🗣️ She made a fool of herself.

🗣️ Not just herself—her whole family.

Gossip spread as the redhead rose shamefully, nose bleeding. She fled in tears. Other women quickly abandoned any thoughts of approaching Damon.

The party carried on as if nothing happened. Businessmen tried to pitch him contracts, but Damon ignored them all.

---

BLACKRIDGE COLLEGE

Blackridge College was where the rich ruled and scholarship students survived with grit. Its facilities and professors were top-tier, making it the most prestigious school in the state.

Only four scholarships were granted yearly, through grueling exams. The majestic blue-and-white campus was the envy of all.

In one lecture hall, students sat scattered. Some listened, many dozed or scrolled their phones.

Orion Blackwood slept at his desk, earbuds blasting music. Dressed in a leather jacket, singlet, baggy jeans, and sneakers, he drew whispers from nearby girls.

He wasn’t just handsome; he was heir to a wealthy family. Many girls dreamed of him, but Orion wasn’t a playboy. He was a lone wolf, quiet and distant.

The lecturer wrapped up. “That’s all for today. You’ll work in pairs—boy and girl only—on workplace inequality. It’ll count as half your test.” With that, he left, students groaning.

Orion, who hadn’t listened at all, stood and walked out.

Halfway down the hall, a dark-skinned girl blocked his path.

Annoyed, he paused his music. “What is it, Skye? Class is over. I just want to be alone.”

“Prof. Dante gave us an assignment. Will you be my partner?” she asked brightly.

“Sure—if it’ll get you to leave me alone.”

Skye beamed. Their parents were business partners, giving her an excuse to stay close to him, though he kept distant.

“Are you going to Ronan’s party tonight?” she pressed.

“What’s the point? I’m not even friends with him. That guy throws parties like a freak. I’ll be on my way now.” Orion left before she could stop him.

As he walked off, Skye’s twin brother Blaze appeared.

“Why try so hard with Orion? He’s a weirdo who likes his space,” Blaze muttered.

“Orion isn’t a weirdo. And since he’s Mom and Dad’s friends’ son, the three of us should be friends too,” Skye said firmly before walking away.

Blaze sighed. “Sometimes I think my stupid twin has a thing for that Orion guy.” He shook his head and chased after her.

IN THE CITY – A TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT

The evening was quiet. The little girl from the restaurant—the one who had called Ivy pretty—sat on the living room floor coloring with pink crayons. Her soft curls bounced each time she looked up.

The door opened with a creak, followed by heavy footsteps.

Daniel walked in, the smell of alcohol clinging to him. His expression was dark as he looked at Leah, folding laundry at the dining table.

“Where’s my dinner?” he asked, voice low and rough.

“I kept it warm in the oven,” Leah replied calmly.

His eyes flicked toward the kitchen, then to the little girl—Luis.

“She’s still up? What did I say about that?”

“It’s not even eight, Daniel. She was drawing. I’ll tuck her in soon.”

Daniel’s face twisted. “So now you talk back?”

Leah’s chest tightened. “I’m just explaining.”

He slapped her hard across the face. The sound cracked through the room. Leah stumbled back, hand to her cheek.

Luis dropped her crayon. “M-Mommy?” she whispered.

Blinking back tears, Leah stood tall. “Don’t do that in front of her!”

“I’ll do whatever the hell I want! I pay the rent!” Daniel roared.

“Think of our daughter’s mental health for once!”

Furious, he raised his hand again. This time Leah didn’t flinch. “Do it again,” she said coldly, “and you’ll never see us again.”

He froze. Luis burst into tears.

Leah scooped her up and carried her to her room as Daniel cursed, knocking the folded laundry to the floor.

Inside, Leah tucked Luis in and picked up a storybook. “Mom will read you Cinderella. Just listen and sleep, okay?”

Luis grabbed her hand. “Mom, please stay. Don’t go back outside. Daddy might be mean again.”

Leah forced a smile. “Don’t say that. Daddy just got angry.”

“Mom…”

“You need to sleep or you’ll be late for school.” Luis hesitated, then closed her eyes.

---

THE SAME NIGHT – ROYAL WOOD HOSPITAL

In one of the wards lay Matteo, Ivy’s younger brother.

The door creaked open. Ivy entered with a nylon bag, her bright smile hiding her exhaustion.

“Ivy,” Matteo said as she approached.

Her smile dropped when she saw a book in his hand. She snatched it away. “Why are you reading? You’re supposed to rest!”

“Reading won’t kill me. I need to study for the Blackridge scholarship. Then I’ll be closer to my girlfriend.”

Ivy sighed. “You risk your health for that girl. Has she even visited this week?”

“She’s busy, but I know she loves me,” Matteo said.

Ivy frowned. “I get bad vibes from her.”

He ignored her. Beneath his strong front, his heart defect worsened—shortness of breath, fatigue, fainting spells. Without surgery, he wouldn’t survive. That was why Ivy worked multiple jobs to pay his bills.

“I brought fruit,” she said, setting the bag down. “I’ll be on my way.”

“You’re not staying?”

“I’m going home to sleep. Goodnight.” It was a lie—she had another shift.

Outside, she ran into his doctor. “Good evening, Dr. Zach.”

“When will you pay your brother’s bills? We already found a donor. Delay much longer, and his heart will fail,” he snapped.

“Please, I’m trying. Just give me more time.”

He smirked. “You wouldn’t have to work so hard if you agreed to a threesome with me and my friend. We’ll pay you well. Don’t refuse again.”

Ivy cringed. He had pestered her before, but she couldn’t risk angering him while Matteo was under his care.

“I’ll get the money,” she said stiffly and walked away.

Watching her leave, he muttered, “It’s only a matter of time. She can’t raise that money alone.”

---

OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL

As soon as Ivy stepped out, cursing Dr. Zach under her breath, a group of gangsters surrounded her.

“Oh, shit!” She tried to run, but one caught her and knocked her unconscious.

When she woke, the air smelled foul. She was in a shabby hideout, men staring at her with lust.

Their leader, KJ, stepped forward, smug, and sat across from her.

“What right do you have to kidnap me?!” she shouted.

“I wouldn’t have if you didn’t owe me money,” he said, blowing smoke.

“I promise I’ll pay you back with interest. Just let me go.”

KJ laughed. “You’ve avoided me for a month. I had to send ten men today.”

“What will you gain by killing me? Just let me pay.”

“I could sell your organs,” he said, making her shiver. “But I have a better idea. One that’ll make us both rich.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What?”

“Pretend to be a billionaire’s long-lost wife.”

“What?! I won’t impersonate someone. I won’t get surgery either!”

KJ waved his hand. One of his men handed her a photo.

Ivy’s face went pale. The woman in the picture looked just like her—same features, same smile. The only difference was the woman’s black hair, while Ivy’s was blonde.

“That’s Selena, the billionaire’s wife,” KJ said. “Pose as her and you’ll get enough money for your brother’s surgery—and more. If you succeed, approach this man.”

He handed her another photo—Damon, caught unaware. Cold, intimidating, deadly.

Ivy trembled just looking at him. Deceiving someone like Damon felt like striking a deal with the devil himself…