Chapter 1

"Gavin, you've already faked your death. Why are you still keeping Emily around? Don't tell me you've actually fallen for her?"

"Don't be ridiculous. The accident left me sterile. If she weren't carrying my child, I would've kicked her to the curb a long time ago.

"Charlotte, don't worry. She's just a walking incubator. Once she gives birth, the baby will be yours on paper. In my heart, there's only ever been you."

Charlotte Evans blushed, playfully thumping Gavin Holt's chest before hesitantly asking, "But… what about your brother? Do you really think you can keep this from your parents?"

He was silent for a long moment, then let out a heavy sigh.

"We have to try. Dad and Mom always loved Sebastian best. They were going to leave the entire family fortune to him. If I hadn't made a move first, then…"

The bouquet of flowers I was carrying froze in my hands. The vase slipped from my grasp and shattered on the floor.

So… the one who died in that car crash wasn't Gavin at all. It was his brother, Sebastian Holt!

"Emily? What are you doing up?" Gavin—no, "Sebastian"—rushed out, his face sharp with panic.

"The flowers by Gavin's memorial had wilted. I was just coming to replace them." I forced down my shock, bent to pick up the shards, and tried to keep my voice steady.

"You're sure you didn't hear anything?"

"Positive. I'd just reached the doorway when I dropped the tray."

Relief flickered across his face, though his tone was still impatient.

"Before Gavin passed, he said that even though his heart belonged to Charlotte, you were pregnant, so we owe you some consideration. Next time, let the servants handle this. Go back to bed.

"And one more thing… stop coming to the room Charlotte and I share."

I muttered a quiet "okay," but pain was clawing at my chest.

The night before our wedding, he had held me like he never wanted to let me go.

And by the very next day, he had moved Charlotte into the Holt mansion.

Now I finally understood: he had come back using Sebastian's name just so he could be with her openly.

A dull ache throbbed low in my abdomen, and I dug my nails hard into my palm.

When I first heard the news of Gavin's death, I had defied my family and vowed to keep this baby. Now, this child felt like a cruel joke.

I was just a vessel he was using.

Five years of love, devotion, and time—all of it wasted.

"Sebastian, what are you doing chatting with a widow? Don't you find that bad luck?"

Charlotte appeared in a thin silk slip, leaning lazily against the doorframe, her gaze sharp with provocation.

"Can't wait anymore? Tonight, I'll give you everything you want."

Sebastian pulled her into his arms, his hand squeezing her waist with practiced intimacy.

My heart seized.

That was his habit—every time Gavin touched me, he would do the exact same thing.

The man tangled in sheets with Charlotte—if he wasn't Gavin, then who else could he be?

"Since Emily loves eavesdropping so much, let her listen to us."

The door swung wide, and soon the air filled with obscene gasps and the slick, shameful sounds of flesh against flesh.

Beneath him, Charlotte moved with wanton abandon, yet her eyes sought me out, taunting with every glance.

The flood of humiliation and anguish dragged me from my shock. I wanted to flee that disgraceful scene, but my legs refused to move.

Five years ago, Charlotte had gone abroad. Heartbroken, Gavin accepted my confession. From then on, he cherished me, swore to make me his wife.

But the day Charlotte returned, he abandoned me at the altar and rushed to the airport to meet her.

Not long after, came word of his death.

So these five years of love had been nothing more than a meticulously spun lie.

When their frenzied entanglement finally ended, the two lay entwined, bare and breathless.

"Haven't seen enough yet? Sebastian and I need to rest."

By then, my face was streaked with tears.

Back in my room, I picked up my phone and typed a single message: [Alex, I'm ready to leave with you.]