ll. The smell of antiseptic burned my nose, sharp and clean. I tried to open my eyes

, flat and tired. There was a pause. "No, he's not

something I couldn't

some woman named Sophia. Honestly, the drama with this one never

. It was a hospital room. White walls, a single window, a beeping machin

she said, her voice low. "Just tell him his

Mr.

meant not

ed, her expression souring

ne as sterile as the room. "Don't try to get u

I whispered. My thro

ily. We've met. A dozen times, in fact. Usually af

atten

articularly difficult puzzle she didn't want to solve. "Are you go

hand had a simple, elegant wedding band on it.

asked, a cold dread

s 2025, Mrs. Vance. Now stop the

0

ered was graduating from architecture school.

d," I said, my voice sh

ed myself up with my good arm, my whole body aching. I caught my r

thin, her eyes shadowed with a deep, settled sadness. There were fine lines aro

ked, which was a small miracle. My gallery was filled with photos I didn't recognize.

en when he was smiling for the camera. He was handsome in a way that felt dan

I found a folder labeled "Personal." In

e for marrying him and acting as his wife for public appearances, I would receive a generous settleme

I stil

feeling growing in my stomach. Des

se come ho

ur favori

ust talk

for everything. Just

eplied. Scrolling back further, I fo

You're just a substitu

days ago. Then, a memory

with a sweet smile and cold eyes. Sophia Miller.

ou were just a placeholder un

a sudden, hard shove. The shock of cold water en

ist, at the bruises peeking out from under the

n, this stranger,

e woman who had lived those seven years was gon