CHAPTER 1

YILENA’S POV

“Your husband is so good to you.”

“Look at the diamond. I'm sure Mr. Stone must have gone through a lot to get it.”

“Yeah, I heard it's one of the most expensive gems created by the Diamond Luxury Brand.”

I smiled.

It was the best I could do.

Happiness was the easiest emotion to fake, and it had become my thickest coat.

Smiling at the compliments. Laughing at the comments. While my heart slowly bled.

I wondered why they couldn't see. Was it only the material things that mattered?

Couldn't they see how my husband left me standing alone while other men held their wives by their waist?

Couldn't they see the blank expression when he looked at me?

My eyes burned with tears but I couldn't let it fall.

“Thank you Mrs. Rivers, I love your necklace too.” I said in response.

“Oh, thank you. My husband said it was the hardest to get and he loved how it looked on me.” Mrs. Rivers said with a smile.

I nodded with a small chuckle. “He is a darling man.”

My eyes went down to the ring on my hand. It was my wedding ring.

But Carter Stone never placed it on my hand. It was brought by a delivery man.

Along with a text that said, ‘This is just a play. Don't imagine what you are not.’

My lips hurt as I bit down on them. In three days was our anniversary, and like every other woman, I wanted to celebrate it with my husband.

Call me stupid, I don't care.

I wanted to feel loved too, was that too much to ask?

To feel amongst those who celebrated such days.

“Please excuse me.” I said, and walked away from the company.

Pretending made me sick, and I needed to breathe.

I hugged myself as I stared at the moon, waiting outside the building.

Sipping the wine, I expected a sweet taste but it was just as bland as my marriage.

“I was created for more.” A whisper left my lips. Called a fashion prodigy, but I had left everything because my parents called me.

‘Marry your sister's fiancé. Take her place and pretend to be her. She's going to be a star, marriage would impede her success.’ My Father had told me.

Till this day, I felt no regret because I loved my family, and surprisingly I cared for Carter.

I twirled the wine, the moonlight reflecting against the glass.

I was the only one who knew my sister, Fiona, left because Carter was poor. She already had someone she loved.

“Yilena!”

I turned around instantly, “Carter.” The name left my mouth in a whisper.

There he was, standing gloriously with his well-tailored suit. His deep blue eyes seemed to pierce my soul, but the only thing I saw was the level of irritation that rose every second.

"What are you doing out here alone?" His fingers raked impatiently through his hair. "You want everyone to think I'm the kind of husband who abandons his wife at parties?"

My lips parted. "I... I only came out for some air."

"What kind of silly excuse is that, Yilena?”

I saw the muscles of his jaw tightened. "

People are watching. Every move I make reflects on my company." Carter stepped closer, his gaze hardening.

My body was rigid and I stood on the spot.

"Or are you trying to get back at me?" His eyes narrowed, and I could swear I heard him curse.

"What?" I whispered, my heart clenching.

Carter laughed, a bitter sound, "Don't act innocent." He scoffed.

"You already ruined my life once. Are you trying to ruin everything I've built too?”

I thought someone had stabbed my heart but the pain I was feeling was merely from his words.

My fingers tightened around the wine glass until they trembled, my mind was blank as I tried to wonder what I had done wrong.

"I never wanted to ruin your life..." My voice cracked. "I only wanted—"

"Wanted what?" He cut in mercilessly. "For me to love you?"

“You are not your sister, Yilena. And don't expect me to forgive you for deceiving me.” He snapped, and the raw hate in his voice made me flinch.

The tears I'd been fighting all evening finally betrayed me, as they rolled helplessly down my cheek.

I lowered my head, ashamed that I was crying in front of him again.

"I'm sorry..." I whispered between shaky breaths. "I'm so sorry."

For the first time in years, I felt so small, and useless.

In a marriage I didn't ask for, why was I the one to suffer?

Suddenly, I felt a soft touch against my cheek, and my body froze.

“There…” Carter muttered softly, and my heart leaped. This was the first time I had cried in front of him.

Was he concerned about my feelings?

“Don't cry Yilena.” His words came again, “You know how big tonight is for me.” He wiped my tears with a thumb.

I could only look forward, not wanting to make another mistake.

Then his finger came under my chin, lifting up my face, and Carter had a smile on his face.

"I need everyone to see the perfect wife beside me, so stop crying.” He said, taking out a small napkin before dapping away the tears on my face.

"Put that smile back on, don't embarrass me any more.”

I froze. Embarrass him?

Before I could form another thought, he turned around, heading back to the ballroom.

I was embarrassing to my own husband. It was a thought that stayed back in my head.

The ring on my finger caught my eyes, and a laughter escaped my lips.

“Just for tonight, Yilena.” I muttered to myself, and looked ahead.

I took a step when my phone vibrated.

It was a message, one from an unknown number. Clicking on it, my brows drew together. It was a picture of a ring, exactly like mine, it was on someone’s finger, and there was a message attached to it.

‘The one with you is fake, just like you are a fake wife in a fake marriage. Carter belongs to me and he proved it by getting me such a beautiful ring!’

‘Hurry and leave my husband, Yilena. You'd never be good enough for him.’