Semua Bab The Don's Stand-In Isn't Playing Pretend Anymore: Bab 1 - Bab 10

My mother, Anna Greco, didn't ask a single question. She simply agreed. Many years ago, she had immigrated to Mofrand and had been doing exceptionally well there since then.Just as I hung up the call, a message from Daniel popped up on my phone.He texted, "Babe, I ran into Leah. I'll take her home first. Take a cab back after you see the guests off."But he had been drinking the entire night, so how could he drive?Just as that thought formed in my mind, I laughed at how ridiculous I was. Even after everything, I was still worrying about him.An intense feeling of self-loathe surged within me. As I walked, I clenched my teeth and hurled the engagement ring to the ground as hard as I could.This was not enough… Not even close! Everything I was wearing made my skin crawl. I grabbed the hem of my gown and tore it apart, shredding the tulle until it hung in tatters.Only then did I feel a hint of relief.I didn't know how long I walked before I realized the back of my heel was th

A week before the wedding, Daniel had still tried to come up with excuses for not coming home at first. But sometime later, he simply vanished.If I were any other bride, I probably would have broken down. But all I felt was relief. If he were back, I would have to pretend and direct my efforts into playing my part to deal with him. All I wanted now was to leave quietly.The day before the wedding, I was packing the last of my encrypted documents into my suitcase when my best friend, Emily Barbieri, called."Hey, Rosalie! How's Parneyland? Was the firework show magical?" Emily asked excitedly.I frowned and said, "Parneyland? I think you got the wrong person."Emily fell silent for a moment before saying, "Wait, didn't you see Daniel's latest post? I'll send you a screenshot."I tapped to open it. In front of the Parneyland castle, Daniel had his arm around a woman with straight hair. She wore a cute mouse headband while holding onto his arm tightly. Daniel looked down at her w

Daniel's phone slipped from his hand and fell to the floor."Don't be mad, Daniel." Leah stepped closer, looping her arm around his, her eyes flashing with concealed triumph. "Since Rosie and I look exactly the same, why don't I just step in for her? The don's bride running away from her own wedding would be such a scandal.""That's ridiculous!" Daniel snapped, jerking his arm free so hard that Leah stumbled. "Rosalie isn't someone who would disappear without a reason! She loves me so much! Something must have happened to her!"He turned and announced, "The wedding is postponed indefinitely until I get Rosalie back!"Without another glance at anyone, he stormed off, barking orders at his subordinates. "Check every flight. Lock down the ports. Find her and bring her back to me!"Leah's triumphant smile froze. She ran after him, grabbing at his sleeve. "What could possibly have happened to her? You wanted to marry me all along! Why go looking for her?""Leah!" Daniel snapped at her

Daniel fell silent for a full minute. When he finally spoke again, his voice was suddenly calmer than before. He asked, "Rosalie, did you look at the photo album in my study?""Yes," I admitted without hesitation."That was in the past!" he blurted anxiously, sounding as if he felt hurt that I'd misunderstood him. "Everyone does stupid things when they're young! I admit that I mistook you for Leah on the night of the graduation party. But that was years ago. I fell in love with you! I changed!"Then, he changed his tune and started blaming me. "But you don't love me anymore, do you? If you did, you'd have asked me in person instead of running away! Why didn't you do that? Why did you run away from our wedding to punish me?"There he went again, trying to push all the blame onto me. However, I would no longer let him have his way, not anymore.Calmly, I rebuked his accusations. "Daniel, you know me better than anyone. You know how long I loved you and how much I wanted a family

The glare of the light stung my eyes. I squinted and blinked until the shape in front of me came into focus.Daniel?The moment he saw that I was awake, he rushed forward to hug me. "Rosalie, I missed you so much!""Are you insane?" I snapped, glaring at him.He acted as though he hadn't heard a word I said. His fingers worked quickly to untie the knots binding my wrists.He muttered, "Don't be so harsh now. I tried everything. I called. I texted. You ignored me… I just had to see you."The instant the rope loosened, I swung my hand and gave him a tight slap.Daniel's head jerked to the side. After a long moment, he slowly turned back to face me. He pressed his tongue lightly against the side of his cheek that was slapped.Suddenly, he smiled."Rosalie, I find you even sexier now compared to when you were all submissive," he said appreciatively.I felt utterly nauseated. "You're sick. Why aren't you with Leah?"The moment I mentioned Leah, Daniel's expression twisted into on