CHAPTER 5

I step outside with my mom, her face etched with worry and sadness. It's been that way since Dad passed. After his death, it felt like our lives came to a halt—nothing good seemed to happen anymore.

“Mom, don’t worry about paying Paul. I’ve made a deal with him,” I tell her, trying to ease her mind.

She glances up at me as we walk into the house. "What kind of deal did you make with him?" Her voice is shaky, eyes wide with concern.

I hesitate. I can’t say much—not yet. Beatrice and Paul had made me promise not to tell anyone about the arrangement.

Mom turns away and starts crying, her sobs quiet but intense. My heart aches to see her like this. I rush to her side. “Mom, why are you crying?” I ask, desperate to understand.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve all this! I couldn’t even take care of my daughter. Now, she’s made a deal to be Paul’s mistress to save me... I feel so miserable,” she says, choking on her words.

“No!” I protest sharply, squeezing my face in disbelief. "Mom, that's not it."

How could she even think that? I may be desperate for money, but I would never lower myself like that. I have my pride, and I won’t sell myself to anyone.

I look at her again, my chest heavy with guilt. She’s devastated, and I can’t find the words to comfort her. I wish I could explain that nothing bad is happening, that things will be fine. But how do I tell her about the million-dollar deal I’ve made?

What will she think when I show up one day with a million dollars in hand? How will she feel if I’m gone for three weeks?

Maybe it’s time to tell her everything.

“Mom,” I guide her to a chair, “I need to tell you what’s going on.”

The man with Beatrice earlier was James, an employee at Beatrice’s company. James said I need to stay at Hattie’s house for three weeks.

Paul promised to compensate me upfront. He said he’d give Mom two hundred thousand dollars after I agreed to the business. And tomorrow, I’m supposed to go to Beatrice’s house to finalize things.

This is happening so fast, and part of me is excited.

I mean, what’s so bad about pretending to be someone else for three weeks? It’s easy money—free food, free room, and a million dollars. If I can make this last for a couple of months, I could be set for life.

I don’t believe it’s real, but I can’t deny the way it feels—like luck is finally on my side.

After a few hours of talking and convincing, Mom finally agrees, though she’s still nervous. I reassure her, telling her there’s nothing strange about it. Hattie just ran off because of her arrogance—something rich kids often do when they think they’re untouchable.

Mom eventually relents and agrees to the deal, especially since the money Paul promised came through earlier than expected.

When Mom left for work this morning, she was happy. It’s the first time in a long time that I’ve seen her smile. I feel a glimmer of hope. I’ve always wanted to do something to make her proud, to buy her things, to make up for everything we’ve lost.

It’s the second day now, and I’m getting ready to meet Beatrice.

I’m wearing a faded blue jean and a red blouse—clothes that don’t quite fit my usual style, but in a month, I imagine myself in designer clothes, living a whole new life.

I pull up in front of the massive Everett building. It’s so huge, it feels like I could get lost in it. I wonder what the inside looks like.

I knock on the gate lightly and wait. I don’t know how they’d even know someone knocked—there’s no bell here.

Before I can knock again, the gate swings open. James stands there, frowning. “You didn’t think I came out just because you knocked, did you? Didn’t you see the bell button?”

The belly button? I feel embarrassed and look around until I find it nearby. I’ve never even seen one before, let alone used one.

I cautiously press it.

“Are you kidding me right now?” James yells, his voice sharp. He pulls his head back in disbelief. “What do you think you’re doing?”

I flash him an awkward smile before stepping inside, feeling a little out of place. The house is stunning. The garden catches my attention first—so beautifully arranged, it’s like a museum without the artifacts, just the beauty left behind.

James takes a seat near Beatrice. “She’s something else,” he mutters, and I take the chance to look around. The chandelier hanging in the center of the room looks like an ice sculpture, and the furniture—elegant but not overwhelming—makes me feel like I’m in a dream.

Someday, I tell myself, I’ll buy a place like this for Mom and me.

“Good morning,” I say, bowing my head respectfully to Beatrice. She doesn’t acknowledge me at first, which makes me second-guess if I did something wrong.

Before I can say anything else, a woman in her late twenties enters. She stops in her tracks when she sees me, studying me intensely, eyes widening with surprise.

“Is she back?” she asks, turning to James with a confused expression.

James laughs lightly. “I thought so. Can’t believe they look so much alike.”

The woman claps her hands in excitement. “This is perfect. Now the marriage can go on as planned.”

Marriage? My heart skips a beat, and I turn toward her, confused. “What marriage?” I ask, brow furrowing.

She sighs, distracted, and takes a seat without answering. My head spins as I look to James for clarification. "What marriage is she talking about?"

James stares at me for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he speaks. “Hattie ran away because of the marriage. That’s why we needed you.”

My heart sinks, a sense of dread flooding through me. What does this have to do with me? I only look like Hattie, not her!

James continues, unphased. “You’re going to be Hattie and marry him.”

I freeze. “What are you talking about?” My mind is reeling. This isn’t what I signed up for.

“Ash!” The woman huffs, clearly irritated. “Do you think we’d offer you a million dollars for nothing? You think this job’s irrelevant?” Her voice hardens as she leans in. “You’re getting the money for a reason.”

My chest tightens. How could I have been so naive? My excitement turns to panic.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do this,” I say, my voice shaky, standing up.

Beatrice finally meets my gaze. “You signed the contract. You can’t withdraw unless it’s over. If you do, you’ll owe back everything—two hundred thousand dollars to your mother and the rest of the loan.”

My stomach churns. What have I gotten myself into? The world feels like it’s crashing down around me.

“Will I... pass the wedding night?” I ask, dreading the answer.

James tilts his head, intrigued. “What do you mean?”

I can barely form words. “Will I have to... sleep with him?”

A wicked smile creeps across his face. “It’ll happen the way he wants. Your husband gets what he wants.”

My heart races. Is this happening? This is not how I imagined my life-changing. A million dollars for... my dignity?

I’m not ready for this. My mind goes blank. I can’t even process what’s happening to me.

“You should be grateful,” the woman says sweetly, but the malice in her voice is unmistakable. “Not every girl gets the chance to be with the Ayles billionaire, Henry.”

I feel like I’ve just been hit with a ton of bricks. “Grateful?” I repeat, my voice cracking. “Grateful for what?”

I’m about to lose everything.