The Billionaire’s Substitute Bride

Elle “Did you hear anything I said?” I could hear the irritation in her tone. “I..” I started before taking a deep breath. “ I did but I ca..” “You can and you will.” Leah cut me off and said firmly. My mother, or at least the one who had given birth to me had just told me the craziest thing ever. I felt intimidated by her but I did all I could to appear unshaken. I stood up straight before speaking. “ I’m sorry but I can’t do it. I barely have time to visit my mother while working shifts at the store. I really can’t do it.” Leah scoffed while her eyes sized me up. She seemed amused. “ What in God's name was that? Was that an attempt to stand up to me?” I couldn’t bear to look at her anymore so my eyes darted everywhere but her face. “I can’t pretend to be Sera. We are very different.” I said again. “Personality wise, maybe. But looks wise, you’re one and the same.” Leah looked around the poorly maintained hospital in disgust. “ If you do this, your ‘mother’ will be transferred to a much better hospital and will be well taken care of. I mean take a look at her. This hospital is doing a better job at worsening her condition than helping her get better.” As much as I hated to admit it, she was right. I looked at my mom lying frail on the hospital bed. Dad passed when I was seventeen and almost immediately after, mom had heart failure and was diagnosed with a hole in her heart. She has been in and out of the hospital ever since. They were the best things to ever happen to me. I would do anything to help her get better. “Sera’s fiancé might be able to tell.” I said, after considering the possibility that I could take over my twin sister's life for God knows how long. “If I didn’t know better, I would think you were her and I gave birth to you two. More so Daniel.” She replied flatly. My eyes darted to her in disbelief. Could she really not tell us apart? I haven’t seen her since dads funeral years ago and until then I hadn’t seen her and Sera since we were four. And now the audacity for her to show up and ask me to not only take Sera’s place but also get married to her fiancé Dan, and basically live Sera’s life for her. I noticed she had ignored every question involving where Sera was and why I had to do this. “Why now? Does Sera know I’m doing this?” She stared back at me, her expression cold, as if she was deciding whether to tell me the truth or not. “Listen.” She started then took a few steps towards me, almost closing the gap between us, before she continued. “Sera relapsed. She relapsed and had to go into rehab. Just weeks before her wedding. Do you understand how bad that is for me, Elle? Do you?” She sounded very frustrated as she walked towards my mother’s sickbed. “She completely disregarded how hard I’ve worked to get both of us to where we are now. What will everyone say when she doesn’t show up to her wedding?” She laughed, no hint of amusement in her voice as she stared down at my sick mother. “Hmm. So nice of her to take in another woman’s child.” She said in a low voice but I heard her loud and clear. “You can either do everything I’ve asked of you. Or do otherwise. And I’ll either get your mom the best hospital care in the country. Or make sure even the worst, cheapest hospitals reject you. Your choice.” The way I see it, I have no choice. If I refuse to do this. I know what she’s capable of. She’ll make sure I lose in every way. I was tired of seeing my mother get worse with each passing day. I was losing hope and I know exactly what she needs. A very good hospital. “ I’ll do it.” “Oh please. Quit sulking. If anything I’m doing you a favor. You’re going to be living in a mansion. Living a luxurious life. Breathing the same air as Daniel Carlton. Don’t think I don’t know how much medical debt you’re in. You get a win-win. And well, what exactly do I get?” I couldn’t even bring myself to form words. She was a cruel woman with no feelings. She was asking me to completely abandon my life for her daughter's life. I say that like I’m not her daughter also. “ Let’s go. We have a lot to put in place.” “What? Now? I couldn’t leave just like that.” I was sort of panicking because I knew somehow, she would win this argument and I would end up leaving my mother at the hospital to go with her to God knows where. “Your mothers transfer papers have been processed. She’ll be moved before the end of today. And I don’t know if you’re blind. But she’s clearly asleep. Do you intend to wake her? I bet not. We’re leaving. Now.” I walked over to my mother and gave her a quick goodbye kiss on the cheek before leaving the hospital with Leah. My nerves were all over the place, as Leah and I made our way to Dan Carlton’s home. Daniel Carlton. Even though it was never officially stated, he was often tagged the most eligible bachelor in Chicago. Every man and woman wanted him, up until he proposed to Sera, three months ago. It’s not weird that I follow Sera’s life from social media and magazine covers. Right? It’s safe to say I’m very irrelevant and invisible that no one ever mistakes me for her. Even though we looked exactly alike. Except for the hair color. We’re both natural brunettes. But Sera had ‘natural’ blonde hair, and so Leah made sure my hair was dyed blonde. I unconsciously patted my new hair-do as I tried not to trip while we made our way into Dan’s home. “Isn’t this breaking and entering?” I asked. I heard Leah hiss angrily under her breath.” Do not ruin this for me. What do you mean breaking and entering?” Leah opened the door to what seemed like Sera’s room. “Daniel’s home is Sera's home. And you’re Sera.” She said carefully like I was a child. I bet she manipulates and deceives people all the time which is why she thinks this is normal. I’m going to be deceiving a whole lot of people very soon, especially Dan Carlton. Not to mention the fact that I’ll be the one signing the marriage papers and other legal documents and if this ever gets out, I’m pretty sure it’s illegal. “This is Sera’s room.” Leah gestured to the huge room with a walk-in closet. “This is your room.” She said again with a knowing look. I nodded in response. “Good. I want to believe you remember everything I’ve told you abo…” She stopped abruptly. ”Listen, you’re going to have to fix that posture. And that desperate look you always have in your eyes. Sera doesn’t give that.” I straightened up in defense. Our attention was piqued when we heard a faint, deep male voice approaching. I wiped my sweaty palms on the skirt I had on to which Leah responded with her face scrunched up in disgust. Another thing Dan Carlton stood out for was his authoritative deep voice that could be heard from practically the other side of the country. I saw Leah put on a fake smile and reach for the door knob before speaking so cheerfully. “Daniel!”