SIXTY DAYS WITH THE IMPOSTOR

CHAPTER THREE

Marlowe

“You want me to… pretend to be him? Your dead husband?” Dimitri Brow furrowed his eyes and squinted in shock.

“He isn’t dead!”I cut in my tone rising, “He’s just…missing.”

“That still doesn’t change the fact that you’re asking a stranger, a nobody to step into the life of one of the most influential men in New York City.”

I raised my hand in mock surrender, forcing a shaky laugh “I know, I know how insane this sounds. But this is the only way. There’s so much at stake...and you also need the money, remember? Sixty million for sixty days,”

Dimitri poured a drink for another customer, then he turned to face me.

“That’s… a crazy suggestion ma'am, I can’t just… wear someone else’s skin. People would notice, doesn’t he have family? What if someone finds out?”

I leaned closer holding his hands, they were rough and hard, different from Dominic’s.

“No one will. And I know about your sister, I know she has a serious medical condition and needs help. Do this for her.”

He shook his head, “With all due respect, you don’t know me, stop acting like you’re acting like you’re doing this in my best interest.”

I swallowed hard, “Fine, fine, maybe I’m using you. But you’re also walking away with sixty freaking million dollars. Just think of what it could change, for both of us .”

Dimitri gazed at me as if thinking hard on this offer but I knew he had no choice.

“I’ll accept… on one condition.” He said calmly, setting the glass down. His eyes fixated on me.

“Which is?” I asked, trying to hide my excitement.

“My sister gets her surgery done immediately,” he said, “and… you don’t fall in love with me.”

I let out a scoff, shaking my head. “The former, I can handle. But the latter? That’s… outrageous. I’m a married woman. You don’t need to worry about that.”

He smirked, a spark of amusement in his eyes. “Married, huh? That explains the desperation.”

I rolled my eyes, but my pulse quickened. “Desperation has nothing to do with it. I’m trying to survive here. And you… You’re my only way.”

He leaned forward, elbows on the counter, studying me like I was some experiment.

“Alright,” he said finally, “I’ll do it. But I want clear rules. I won’t just be a shadow. I need guidance. Boundaries. And… full honesty.”

“Agreed,” I said, relief washing over me. “I’ll make sure you have everything you need to act like him. His mannerisms, his schedule, everything. You’ll be perfect.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Perfect? You think I can be perfect?”

I let out a laugh, low and unsteady. “He was perfect, so you can be.”

*

*

The week that followed was brutal.

I barely slept or even left the penthouse. I was busy teaching Dimitri Williams how to become Dominic Ashford.

At first.. I doubted he could do this.

“Stop stuttering!” I snapped in frustration one morning, “ Dominic doesn’t stutter, he speaks slowly yet powerfully, and he doesn't put his hands in his pockets like an insecure man, his presence controls the room! He sets the tone!”

“I’m trying, okay?” Dimitri muttered, frowning hard.

“Well, trying isn’t enough, we need more than trying hard to convince his family, trust me, they are a hard nut to crack,” I said, walking over to grab his shoulder, straightening his posture. “Chin up, chest out shoulders relaxed. Can you do this or not?”

He lifted a brow, “Do I have a choice? I already accepted the deal. Damn, Marlowe, you’re terrifying when you’re pissed.”

“Focus, Dimitri,” I barked, though my inner thigh tingled at the way he said my name. It was different from how Dominic would say it, but it was… better.

By the second week, Dimitri had greatly improved. He had learned even the impossible things like Dominic’s walk, his voice, his gestures, and even the ropes of the company. But I knew one slip could rat me out and these days of practice could all go to waste.

That morning came, when Dimitri would finally make his first appearance as Dominic in the boardroom.

I knotted his tie carefully as he stared at himself in the mirror as if he couldn’t recognize himself. He looked powerful, just like my husband but there was this missing spice that made him Dominic and I hope no one notices.

“Don’t let me down, remember, there’s so much at stake!” I whispered in his ear.

We drove in my Range Rover to the tall glassy building of Ashford Maritime. When we arrived, reporters were already outside, waiting for my presence.

As we pushed into the building I could see the shock on their faces,

“Mr. Dominic is back!” I heard them say.

I didn’t stop to say anything instead Hand in hand I led him to the boardroom and when we stepped in my heart skipped a beat. I was scared for him, all eyes were on him. And it was at this time that I realized my fate was decided. One wrong move and this facade would be exposed.

All eyes were on him now. It was as if they’d just seen a ghost. Harlan's expression was golden; his eyes were widened with shock and suspicion.

“This can't be real!” Harlan gasped.

Dominic sat at the head of the table, he cleared his throat and instantly silence returned to the room, “I understand my absence has caused so much confusion, “ he began, “ but let me be clear, Ashford Maritime moves forward and I remain in charge and Marlowe remains my CFO.”

A smile spread across my face, and one by one the board members began to clap everyone standing on their feet including Harlan.

“Welcome back, brother!” Harlan said to Dominic who just gave him a slight nod.

I exhaled quietly, and for the first time in weeks, I realized that maybe… maybe I could be in control.