Chapter 2
CAMILLE
Theavesd a sigh as I read the funk’s notice daout the foreclosure of Grandma’s farm and homer.
If we didn’t pay our debt, nothing would be left for us except my little savings, which aren’t enough to cover what we cowe
After my grandmother fell ill last year, and the farm was devastated by infestations and typhoons, this is where we are now buried in debt
I pressed my palm to my forehead as if the gesture could block out the weight of reality. My chair scraped against the wooden floor as I stood, needing to nuove, to breathe
The
be air in my small offior was warm and thick with the earthy scent of soil and plants. From my seat in the greenhouse we hard built years ago, could see the sprawling fields of flowers surrounding us.
The Bowers.
Their vibrant colors stretched endlessly under the soft afternoon light, swaying gently in the freeze as if nothing could rouch them. Roses, tulips, and blaes bloomed together in a chaotic yet beautiful harmony.
The sight worked its magic on me,
ne, just i
ust as it always did. My shoulders relaxed, and my heartbeat slowed. The flowers had a way of quieting the som in my mind
“This place.” I whispered to myself, “I can’t lose this place.”
It wasn’t just a farm or a piece of land. It was where I had grown up, where my memories lived. It was where I had learned to tend the soil alongside Grandma, her laughter echoing as we worked under the sun. It was where I had my last memory of my mother–a memory that I clung to more tightly with each passing year.
I wouldn’t give up on this place,
1 could try my luck with other banks. I still have a few months. I can do this,
I even tapped my shoulder, comforting and encouraging myself,
A faint smile tugged at my lips as I remembered Grandina’s words–her voice was always warm, always steady, even in the face of hardship.
“In life,” she used to say, “everything works out. If it doesn’t at first, it will eventually, Life will take you to a greater destination. The things you think you can’t survive, somehow, divinely, you’ll make it through. “That’s life.”
“Camille,” a soft voice snapped me out of my reverie.
put on my best smile as I turned around and looked at Daisy, She’s my best friend. We grew up together because her parents worked for the Jenkins family–my mother’s side.
“Your grandmother is calling for you.”
My smile vanished as worry crept in
rry crept in “Why What’s wrong?
по
rong? Is she not feeling well?” I asked, quickly grabbing my purse from the table.
“No, she’s fine, Camille. But she has a visitor. Her voice trailed off, and I stopped in my tracks just as I was about to leave the greenhouse.
I turned back to look at her. She was shifting nervously, avoiding my gaze
“Who iar Laked nervously.
Gould it be someone from the bank? Or those loan sharkst
“It’s your father, Camille ”
My mouth fell open and my heart started pounding faster.
What is my father doing here?
I could barely even remember his far -the last time I saw him was twenty years ago, on my fifth birthday. That day didn’t end well.
His face is blurred in my memory, but the slap he gave my mother still
“Camille.” Danny’s voor broke through my thoughts, snapping me out of those painful memories
1/4
11:11 AM m
Chapter 2
Realizing Grandma was alone with him, I quickly composed myself and ran toward the house.
By the time I reached the porch, I was catching my breath. My gaze landed on the luxurious car parked outside. My father was really here.
I wonder if she’s here too.
My twin sister, Callie.
As 1 stepped inside, the smell of hot chocolate greeted me. Grandina must have made in
My eyes immediately darted to the living room. There, I saw the back of a man sitting on our sofa and my grandmother serving him a cup of hot chocolate. I scanned the room for a woman who looked exactly like ine, but no, Callic wasn’t here.
“Here. George, take a sip. I don’t have any coffee at home your daughter is allergic to it, so it’s banned here.”
Thanks Camila-
“Oh you’re already here, my darling Camille,” my grandmother interrupted him as
is her gaze caught mine.
I forced a smile, though my lips felt stiff, and walked toward them. From the corner of my eye, I could feel the man–my father–watching me intently.
I was still in my work clothes: a white long–sleeve polo, jumper pants, and scuffed boots. My hair was tied back in a French braid, and I suddenly felt exposed, as though my appearance was being scrutinized.
“Grandma you called mel
She nodded and turned to the man, still staring at me
Camille, we have a visitor. This is your father, George Collins. Do you remember him?”
I shook my head. “Not really, Grandma…” I said softly.
The man stood up, his movement deliberate. His face was lined but not weathered–be looked healthy, almost too polished. His tailored suit and expensive watch screamed wealth. T expected that. You were only seven the last time I saw you
Sevent
But I only remember seeing him when I was five.
It didn’t matter whether I was five or seven; what matters now is the question of what is my estranged father doing here.
Before I could say anything, he stepped closer and hugged me. His arms wrapped around me tightly, but I stood frozen, unable to return the
I glanced at my grandmother, searching for answers in her expression. She offered me a reassuring smile, her eyes urging me to respond, but my body wouldn’t cooperate. Before I could make a move, he released me, stepping back,
“The flower farm outside looks lovely,” he said, his tone lighter now. “Do you mind giving your father a tour, Camille?”
I glanced at Grandma, and she nodded. “Go, darling, I’ll just prepare our hinch”
The silence between my estranged father and me as we walked along the flower fields made me uncomfortable.
It didn’t help that he had been staring at me like bacteria under a microscope.
“So, how are you doing?”
the only answer I could give him, though it was a lie
not fine. I m struggling with the debts and everything
I’m lying Theep telling my grandmother everything’s under control because I don’t want her to worry.
“Fine This farm and house are already in
y in foreclosure, right! And you’re fine with that?”
I stopped walking, and so dal he
Chapter 2
He pulled a box of cigarettes from his pocket and lit one. He sighed, the tension visible in his posture as he took a drag.
“How did you find out?”
I judging by your grandmother, I’m sure she doesn’t know about it
“I have my ways. And judging
From how he looked at me, I already knew he wasn’t here to catch up with his estranged daughter. It wasn’t as if he’d suddenly woken up and realized he missed me.
He was here for a reason.
Growing up, I would occasionally ask my mother about him–just small, curious questions about where he was or why he never visited. Her reaction was the same each time: a tight–lipped expression, her hands gripping whatever she was holding a little too hard, and a quier refusal to say much of anything. Over time, I stopped asking. I didn’t need her to spell it out for me. The mere mention of his name was enough to reveal what kind of man he was, Cold. Ruthless, Someone better be left forgotten.
“What do you need?” I asked, my y voice firmer than I expected.
He smiled at me, but the gesture didn’t reach his eyes. It wasn’t warm or apologetic. It was calculating, the kind of smile that felt like a prelude to manipulation. “You’re smart. I guess you’re not that naive, even though you grew up here with only your grandmother and flowers,”
He laughed softly, the sound sharp and dismissive.
The words stung, not just because of their meaning but because of how he said them–like my life, home, and everything insignificant
thing I’d w
I worked for were
My fists clenched at my sides, my nails digging into my palms. I could feel the heat rising in my chest, the anger bubbling below the surface. Who was he to waltz in here after all these years and belinle everything I’d built with my grandmother!
“Is that supposed to be an insult!” I shot back, my tone icy
His smirk widened as if my reaction amused him. “Not at all. Just…an observation.”
He cleared his throat as I glared at him. “I would like to offer you a deal. I’ll pay all your debts, daughter. I’ll even give you money on top of that
I swallowed hard. As much as I wanted to decline outright, I knew I wasn’t in a position to be picky.
“What’s the deal?”
His smile widened, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes as though he was pleased I’d taken the bait. “It’s simple. You just need to pretend–you’re going to be an actress. It’s just a one–time thing, Camille.”
My brows furrowed. “Pretend? An actress?”
He nodded, his gaze sweeping over me from head to toe. “We’ll need a bit of a makeover for you. But it’s convenient that you and Callie are truly identical”
“Callie?” I whispered, my heart sinking as I remembered my identical twin sister
“Yes, your twin sister, Camille. Pretend to be her for one night, and I’ll make sure your problems are taken care of
My mind raced. Was this the opportunity I needed to dig myself out of the hole I was in finally!
I shouldn’t trus
trust George Collins‘ words–that this is just a simple act, that it would be easy for me to pretend to be Calliana Collins
I stared at the green–eyed man before me. To say he was handsome was an understatement.
Htut it wasn’t just his appearance that was distracting–it was how he looked at me, piercing and calculated. My heart pounded with nervous energy as I tried to process every word my father had told me during our journey from Hudson to New York.
All to meet this man–my twin sister’s fance
The man. Liam Anderson, was supposed to marry my twin sister
Except my twin sister had run away
Now, my father wanted me to step into her shoes, to pretend to be Callie while his people searched for her
“Callie he called, smirking as if he was holding hack laughter when I stood up quickly at the sound of his voice.
Chapter 1
repeated,
voice steady as he walked toward me.
Ivalled even though my knees felt- tak. From the corner of my eye. I could see the tension radiating from my father.
who this man was. My father had told me he was a wealthy businessman, but I couldn’t shake the feeling there was more to him seemed idangerous enough to make my cunning father look like a scaredy cat right now..
But I had to play my part well, or else Did lose the chance to save our beloved farm.
you’re mad at me for leaving like that. I just got cold feet, but I promise-
I couldn’t finish my words before he pulled i
ime by the waist, and before I could even prepare myself, his lips were already crashing against mine.
paped
his chest, pushing him away, and I could almost hear the curses muttered by my father when he let go of me.
idness and danger in his given eyes, I already knew 1 had failed.
widening in shock, as he suddenly ruined the liver of the sexy sotin dress I was wearing, revealing my thich
where did you go. Callie! To a plastic surgeon to remove your birthmark, ham?“
could finish his sentence, the man pulled a gun from behind his back and pointed it at him.
I gasped in shock. frozen and unsure of what to do
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