Chapter 4
CAMILLE
“Now I understand why you’re in such a hurry to get married. Liam. Your fiancée is a real beauty, someone said. I don’t remember his name, even though he introduced himself a while ago.
How could I possibly remember him when I’ve lost count of the people who’ve introduced themselves to me!
“That’s right. I never believed much in marriage before, but when I met my darlin‘. I guess I had to eat my own words,” he said as he kissed the side of my head.
Oh God. I want to go home! Grandma!
“Such a lucky woman, the lady beside the man said with a knowing smile, “Camille, right? Your father is George Collins?”
Liam answered for me, his tone smooth and confident
I just laughed lightly and smiled, unsure of what to say. What baffled me more was that Liam introduced me as Camille, not Callie, and no one even questioned it. I suppose it’s because my twin and I look so much alike, and our names aren’t all that different.
My jaw aches from smiling too much, and the smile has long since turned into a grimace. Liam’s firm grip on my waist isn’t helping either.
I’m uncomfortable completely out of my depth. My mind is in turmoil. All I can recall is Liam Anderson asking me to be his substitute wife.
He didn’t even wait for my answer. Before I could process what was happening, he dragged me to this party, a world I was entirely unfamiliar with.
I barely had a moment to breathe before his assistant–or staff, I’m not sure what to call him–interrupted us. His name’s Hunter. He’s a big guy and, honestly, a little intimidating. The way he looked at me as if I was a threat to his boss sent chills down my spine.
Then everything happened too quickly. A group of women whisked me away, doing my makeup and changing my clothes. Now, here I am. posing as Liam Anderson’s flancée. I wasn’t even given the chance to protest!
As if you’d dare… You’re scared for your life.
1 hate these kinds of events. I can count the number of parties I’ve attended in my life, and none of them were extravagant like this.
Politicians, celebrities–they’re everywhere. I wasn’t ready for any of this!
It doesn’t help that almost everyone wants to talk to Liam.
He’s different here. Sociable, laughing, and smiling with everyone. But for some reason, I can’t shake the feeling that it’s all fake.
He’s good at pretending.
“Tired“” he whispered to me as
ne as the auction began
The amount of money these people bid on jewellery, antiques, and paintings was something I’d only read about in books. I never expected I’d witness it in person..
Millions of dollars for a figurine?
Oh, to be rich.
“If I say Lam, can I go home now?” I asked though I wasn’t comfortable with how close he was. I could smell his perfume mingling with the alcohol on his breath, but I had to keep up the act since we weren’t alone at this table.
Maybe he’d let me leave now that I’d played my part, coming to this party and pretending to be his fiancée.
Yeah, right. As if he’d ever give me a choice. Stilll
He smiled, but it was still fake. Brushing a strand of my hair behind my ear, he leaned in closer. To anyone watching, we must have looked like a sweet couple. If only they knew the truth–I’d inet this man less than a day ago and barely knew him.
“No,” he said, his eyes narrowing like daggers as if he hated my question.
Why did I even expect a different answer!
Then why did he bother asking me!
11:11 AM —A
Chapter 4
Just drink this if you’re bored,” he said, setting a glass of alcohol in front of me.
I shook my head. Tm allergic to alcohol,” I whispered, avoiding his gaze. I turned my attention to the painting being auctioned.
It depicted a flower and a woman, I wasn’t sure if it was because of the flower or the woman, but it reminded me of my late mother, li w and I couldn’t take my eyes off it.
beautiful,
You want that!” he asked.
I was about to answer him, to say that even painting
n if I liked it, I didn’t have the means to buy it–and even if I did, I wouldn’t spend that much on a
“Ten million,” he said, raising the number card in his hand.
My jaw dropped.
Ten million dollars!?
Was he out of his mind!
Sold for ten million dollars to Mr. Liam Anderson”
“Liam!” I called out before realizing what I’d done. He stared at me, raising an eyebrow. That’s when I realized I’d used his first name. “I m–mean,
Mr. An-
“What?” he interrupted, his tone bored as he sipped from his glass
you drunk!”
He chuckled. ‘Do I look like one?”
I didn’t hesitate. 1 mean, who in their right mind would buy a painting for ten million dollars? Okay, I’m just not in their leaguet But I guess it’s normal for them to throw around millions like it’s nothing
“Consider that my advance gift to you.”
Aten–million–dollar gift for what?
And what did I even do to deserve a gift from him!
He’s really drunk! Has he forgotten I tried to fool him by pretending to be Collier
*For what?”
He smirked, leaning in slightly. A wedding gift for my substitute wife. What
you think?” he whispered the last words
Is in my
my ear.
What? What do I think!
I think this man is really out of his mind!
“You-”
I
didn’t get the chance to finish my sentence before he raised his n number card again and announced another outrageous bid.
““Thiny million” he said, bidding for a watch. And when they declared it sold to him, he stood up, offering his hand.
“Let’s go
SHOULD I run now!
1 looked at Liam and Hunter outside the car. They were puffing on those cigarettes as if their lives depended on it. Even though they’re not near me, it’s as if I can still smell the unoke
Don’t they know that they’re digging their own graves with every cigarette they light? Increasing their risk of lung diseases, shortening their lives?
Well. I bet they do, but they just don’t care.
11.11 AM m
Chapter 1
Sighing. I glanced at the handle of the luxurious car I was in. I reached for it, but then the driver cleared his throat as if he knew what I was planning to do.
He even gets out of the car and stands by the door, blocking any escape route I might have had.
Right How could I even think I could run away from these people! From Liam Anderson!
I was aware that we were also being escorted by a car full of his security team.
He’s that rich, I guess, that he needs this tight security
1 grabbed my purse when I realized I should call someone!
But whot Who can I turn to in a moment like this! And then it hits me–my father. The man who’s put me in this hellhole in the Erst place.
I bit my nails as I waited for my estranged father to answer. It took a few rings before he picked up
“Finally! Where are you! I want to go back to Hudson. This man already knows I’m not Callie, but he says he wants me to be his substitute wife!”
Just do whatever he wants, Camille. Then you’ll be safe–we’ll be safe
“Father–no. 1 shouldn’t even call you that I say, my voice shaking with a mixture of anger and disbelief. “How could you put me in this situation? Aren’t you even worried about me? I’m still… your daughter, and you want me to marry this man who didn’t even hesitate to point a gun at you?”,
“Yes, you are my daughter, and hard as it is to believe, I’m also worried about you. But trust me when I say this, Camille. Liam Anderson won’t accept ‘no,‘ and he’s not someone you should mess with”
I gasp, my fist clenched so tightly my nail dig into my palm. “You should have thought of that before you put me in this position”
“I didn’t even know he knew Callie well, that he could tell the difference between you and that stupid twin of yours!” His voice rises, snapping at me in frustration. Just marry him, and once your twin returns, you can go back to your normal life.”
“No-
Think of your grandmother, Camille. You don’t want her to witness how dangerous Liar Anderson is… you wouldn’t want that.”
My heart started racing when he mentioned my grandmother. I didn’t even notice when he dropped the call.
I almost jumped from my seat when the door opened, and Liam sat beside me.
He glanced at the phone I was still holding, his expression unreadable. “Who did you call! Your father?” His voice was laced with mockery as if he already knew the answer. It was as though he’d been expecting this–expecting that my father wouldn’t even bother to come for me.
When I didn’t say a word, he instructed the driver to go
“W–where are you taking me?” I stammered my voice barely a whisper.
“Home”
1 bit
my
- p. “You can drop me off at a hotel. I’ll leave tomorrow for Hudson–my grandmother is waiting for me
lip
“Your father told her you’ll stay here so you can bond with him.”
“W–what?”
He umirked. “You’ll stay at my place until we get married, Camille.‘
My lips trembled, and I started shaking my head. “No… please let me go home. I’m sorry for what I did=”
“You know what they always say He leaned back, his voice lowering in a way that sent a shiver down my spine. “You have to pay the price for your actions. This is the cost of your little scheme, Camille.”
“Please Dean’t marry you?”
Hisquestion was sharp, almost mocking-
Turrowed my brows. “What do o you mean, why? Is
I don’t even know you!
ju! I can’t s
be your wife-
“You said you were desperate to save your family’s legacy. I’ll help you with that. I’ll even give you more than what you need–that’s why you decided to fool me with your father What’s the difference between the two, huh?”
11:11 AM c
Chapter 4
e here!
“Completely different! We’re talking about marriage
“You’re just going to be a substitute wife, Camille… once the original comes back. 111 let you go.”
“No=”
Before I could even get the rest of the words out he reached over, grabbed my chin with a firm grip, and pulled me close. I winced from the pain. “I’m still being nice, Camille,” he said in a low, dangerous whisper, his eyes darkened. “Don’t make me lose my temper. You wouldn’t want to see
that
୦
Ө
