Chapter One

~Charlotte~

The last time I stood in this mansion, I was behind my sister, Scarlett. Hidden in the shadows, quietly watching the formalities of her wedding arrangements.

Now, I’m in a black dress tailored to perfection, red hair slicked back, heels too high for comfort, about to take my sister's place—two days before her wedding.

My mother fidgets beside me, muttering words I stopped listening to in the car.

My calm expression, which I've perfected over the years, masks my panic. The soda I drank on the way threatens to rise back up, but I push it all down.

The double doors beyond where we stand open silently.

I hear the sharp click of heels, see the flash of rage in cold green eyes, and barely have time to say anything before a hard slap tears into my face.

My mother inhales sharply. “Marina, please.”

The bird-faced Marina Reimann, adorned in so many glittery jewels, glares daggers at me.

“How dare you?!” Her voice rises like a screech ringing in my ears. “How dare both of you?”

I focus on the stinging pain and say nothing. She has a right to be angry.

My mother moves between us, pleading. “Marina, please, if you’ll just listen—”

“Listen? To what?! You want to shame me and my family? I will ruin all of you!”

“Nobody wanted this to happen, Marina, and we’re here with a solution.”

“A solution.” She points a manicured finger in my direction. “You mean throwing your other cheap daughter at my son? Never!”

I didn’t want to be a substitute bride for my sister or marry a man I don’t know, but I have no choice. Their family is one of the wealthiest in the country, and I shudder to think what they would do to us.

Yet again, I’m left with the mess Scarlett has created.

“Mrs. Reimann, I’m very sor—” Another hard slap cuts me off. The pain ripples through me like a wave.

“Don’t you dare talk to me! You shameless girl. Don’t you dare speak!”

“Mother, that’s enough.”

My spine stiffens at the sound of the voice, velvet wrapped around broken glass.

Stefan Reimann.

The man who had fallen in love with my sister and, until three days ago, thought he was going to be a father.

A hush falls over the room.

“You don’t have to hit her.” An edge in his voice sends a chill down my spine.

I turn slowly, not letting him see my panic and blinking away the tears in my eyes. My red lips curve into an apologetic smile I don't feel. “I’m very sorry, Stefan.”

His eyes roam over me, slow, calculated. Angry. There’s nothing gentle about how he looks at me from the first time he saw me with Scarlett. He stares at me like my existence is a mistake.

With a reputation that has earned him the nickname Devil in Armani, it’s only normal that my first instinct is to shrink away and hide. But I can’t.

“A letter, son.” Marina’s furious voice pulls my attention away from him. “She ruined everything with a letter, so don’t tell me not to hit her.”

“She didn’t do anything wrong, her sister did,” he says calmly, crossing the room with quick strides. “They came here for something.” He settles into a plush seat, dark eyes fixed on my face. “So, Victoria and Charlotte, what do you want?”

Marina takes a seat next to him, her face pinched. The pair stare at us like we’re freaks for their amusement. My mother tries to speak, but I stop her with a hand on her elbow.

It’s my mess to clean.

My heart is hammering in my chest, but I keep my voice smooth and controlled. “Firstly, we’re very sorry for everything. We received a letter from Scarlett, the same as you, which was a shock.”

Marina snorts, but a glance from Stefan silences her. He nods for me to go on.

“I’m willing to take my sister’s place,” I say simply.

A flicker of cold amusement crosses his face. “Of course. Because you’re identical twins, switching places is easy, right?”

“What about the baby?” Marina sneers. “That conniving witch lied about being pregnant. Everyone knows. This was supposed to be the wedding of the year.” She holds her head like she’s about to get a headache.

“I can lose the baby.” My gaze travels between mother and son. “A miscarriage is common, and a year later, we can get a divorce. We can say that after the death of the baby, our marriage fell apart. It helps you have the wedding of the year, keep your reputation, and make everyone happy.”

“You seem to have thought about this.” Stefan points to the table and the thick stack of papers on it. “Well, so have I. Let’s not waste time then.”

I blink. “What?”

I was hoping for a fight, not him just accepting my plan. Some part of me had hoped he would refuse.

I stare at the stack of papers as he speaks.

“That’s the contract. The marriage will last for one year,” he continues. “You’ll carry out all the duties as my wife. Public appearances. Travel. The occasional dinner party.”

“You can’t be serious, Stefan.” His mother hisses, then holds her chest like she’s about to have a heart attack.

He ignores her, watching me like a hunter stalking prey.

I swallow nervously.

This is good. So why do I feel like a bird in a cage?

“Feel free to go through the contract if you want.”

“Ah, that won’t be necessary,” my mother jumps in, an eager gleam in her eye. “My daughter will sign it. The wedding will happen.”

“Maybe you should think about this, son. Let’s not be rash. I’m sure I can spin up something for the media.” Marina grabs his elbow. Her voice pleading, false tears gathering in her eyes.

“No. Charlotte has offered herself as my wife.” He lifts a brow. “Unless she means to back out now?”

“Do you require anything else from me?” I ask dryly.

He doesn’t smile. “It’s all in the contract. The media thinks we’re madly in love, so you’ll pretend. The divorce will be finalized before you know it. But I need the illusion of stability.”

“Okay.”

“Does my daughter… get anything?” my mother asks quietly, and I nearly choke on my tongue.

Has she lost her mind?

Marina shoots to her feet, her face twisted with rage. “Have you no shame, Vicky? Your daughter lied, broke my son’s heart, and vanished into thin air. Now, to save face, he’s marrying your other disgrace, and you dare stand there and ask for money? You’re insane.”

Stefan shrugs, casual as ever, like he expected it. “I’m offering not to sue and bury your family. That’s very generous of me, Vicky.” He rises to his feet, buttoning his suit, bringing the conversation to an end.

My mother bows, muttering apologies as he walks past her, stopping before me.

I’m immediately aware of how he towers over me, like a looming shadow of destruction. My gaze locks on his, and my breath falters.

“Where’s your sister?” Something flickers in his deep green eyes. A certain cloak of danger wraps around his words and sends spikes through my chest.

“I don’t know.” My voice cracks.

Being twins meant we were connected on a deeper level. It meant we knew everything about each other. But there are some things that Scarlett keeps to herself. Her letter still sits on my nightstand, crumpled from how much I've read it and tried to understand why she would do this.

“Why are you doing this, then? What's in it for you?”

I swallow dryly. “Nothing. I love my sister and want to protect my family from her mistake.”

“How selfless.” He chuckles darkly, a slow, wicked smile spreading on his face. The kind that Scarlett once said scared her. The one that earned him fear and respect.

I avert my gaze as a tremor rocks my body. But Stefan hooks a finger under my chin, tilting my head up. The contact instantly sets my skin on fire.

“I don’t play games, Charlotte, and I hate being fooled.” His eyes feel like knives, cutting into me with the precision of his words. “So here's a warning, when I find Scarlett—and I will find her—you had better pray that this isn't some sick twin game, or else I'll destroy you.”

He’s wrong. He'll never find Scarlett if she doesn't want to be seen.

But he’s also right. This is a game, but not for the reasons he thinks.

This man killed our father. It’s a game of revenge.

“Okay,” I say.

If only he knew I'm prepared to burn everything.