All Chapters of THE WRONG SISTER : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The luncheon was Arwen’s idea.Or rather, Simone had suggested it, and Arwen had been too tired to argue.“Isolde’s friends have been asking to see you,” Simone had said.Now Arwen stood in the estate’s garden room, watching four women air-kiss each other and settle into chairs like they owned the place.“Isolde, darling!” A blonde in head-to-toe Chanel stood and pulled Arwen into a hug that smelled like expensive perfume. “Look at you. Married. We thought you’d run off to Europe and ghost us forever.”Arwen forced a laugh. “Why would I do that?”“Because you threatened to do exactly that three months ago at Petra’s birthday party.” The blonde pulled back, studying her. “Don’t you remember? You said marriage was a death sentence and you’d rather live in Paris eating cheese.”The other women laughed.Arwen’s mind raced. “I was drunk.”“You were very sober and very serious.” The blonde sat back down. “I’m shocked you actually went through with it. What changed?”“I grew up.”“In three m

Thursday came too fast.Arwen told Caelum she had a dress fitting.She told the driver to drop her three blocks away from the café. She walked the rest, looking over her shoulder every few steps.Corner Café on Madison was quiet at two PM. Evelyn sat in a back booth, coffee in front of her, looking completely at ease.Arwen slid into the seat across from her.“You came,” Evelyn said. “I wasn’t sure you would.”“I shouldn’t be here.”“But you are. Which means you’re smart enough to know you need help.” Evelyn pushed a menu toward her. “Order something. We need to look like we’re just having lunch.”A waitress appeared. Arwen ordered coffee she knew she wouldn’t drink.When they were alone again, Evelyn leaned forward.“How long have you been pretending to be your sister?”Arwen’s stomach twisted. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”“Don’t.” Evelyn’s voice was sharp. “We’re past that. I know who you are. Arwen Valehart, twenty-four, studied art at Westbridge, lived quietly and kep

Arwen didn’t leave her room for an entire day.She told the staff she wasn’t feeling well, told Marcelline she needed rest, and sent Caelum a text about a headache.All lies.The truth was she couldn’t face any of them, couldn’t put on the smile and play the part and pretend that everything was perfectly fine when her entire world felt like it was crumbling around her.She wandered her suite restlessly until she saw them—her art supplies, shoved in the back of the closet when Isolde’s things had taken over.Arwen pulled out the box and before she could think better of it, she was setting up by the window where the light was best.She hadn’t painted in weeks, but now she needed it desperately, needed to be herself for just a few hours.The brush felt right in her hand the moment she picked it up. She started with blues, layering ocean colors and building them up with whites and grays. Hours passed without her noticing. The painting emerged slowly—an abstract piece that was all movement

Arwen stood in front of her closet staring at Isolde’s expensive silk nightgowns.She pushed past all of them until her fingers found what she was looking for at the very back.Her own nightgown from before, soft cotton in pale blue with tiny buttons down the front. She’d bought it three years ago on sale because it made her feel comfortable.She pulled it on and looked at herself in the mirror. For the first time in weeks, she recognized the person staring back.Her hand was shaking when she reached for the lock on the connecting door. She stood there for what felt like hours with her fingers wrapped around the cold metal, trying to make herself turn it.He’d called her Arwen tonight, had used her real name like he’d known it all along.The lock turned with a soft click.Arwen pushed the door open slowly, half expecting to find Caelum’s room empty or him already asleep, but he was sitting at his desk with his back to her. Papers were spread out in front of him and his shirt sleeves r

“Don’t answer it,” Arwen whispered again, her fingers tightening on his shoulders.The phone buzzed a third time.Caelum reached back without looking and grabbed the phone. He silenced it with one quick motion before tossing it somewhere across the room. They didn't even notice it clatter on the floor.“There,” he said, his hands coming back to frame her face. “Nothing else matters right now except this.”“Caelum...”“Do you want me to stop?” His thumb traced her bottom lip, his eyes searching hers. “Because if you do, tell me now before I lose what’s left of my control.”She should stop this.But she’d spent weeks being careful, and pretending.“Don’t stop,” she breathed. Something fierce and possessive flashed across his face.He kissed her again, slower this time but not any less intense, and when he lifted her she wrapped her legs around his waist instinctively. He carried her the few steps to his bed and laid her down on sheets that smelled just like him, and suddenly everything