Chapter Four
1123 Words
ANASTASIA
The mansion loomed in front of me like something out of a dream—or a movie. Tall gates had opened to reveal a stretch of pristine cobblestone driveway lined with manicured hedges and statues that probably cost more than my entire childhood home. I swallowed hard, trying not to look too amazed as our car pulled up in front of the grand entrance.
My first step into the O’Brien estate was like entering another world—one made of polished marble floors, golden chandeliers, and walls that seemed to hum with quiet, intimidating wealth. Everything about this place screamed power. My heels clicked softly on the floor as I followed one of the housekeepers up a spiraling staircase, past watchful guards stationed like statues in every hallway. Their expressions were hard, unreadable. Cold, like him.
The housekeeper led me to a massive room—so big I could do cartwheels across the floor if I wanted to. “The bath is ready,” she said with a small curtsy. “And everything you’ll need has been prepared by Mr. Christian.”
I gave her a forced smile and nodded, though my stomach twisted. This was Christian’s room. Our room. The place I’d be sharing with a man who clearly wanted nothing to do with me.
Once she left, I slipped into the bathroom, needing the warmth of the tub to calm my nerves. As I sank into the hot water, surrounded by bubbles and the soft scent of lavender, my mind began to spiral.
This shouldn’t be my life.
How did I go from being invisible—always second to Aubrey, the shadow twin—to becoming Mrs. Christian O’Brien?
I should’ve said no.
But Aubrey was lying in a hospital bed, still and silent. And someone had to protect the family’s secret. Someone had to take her place.
I closed my eyes, remembering Jace—my ex-boyfriend, my first heartbreak. He dumped me on our anniversary like I meant nothing. Maybe I never did. And now here I was, pretending to be someone else just to protect the same people who never truly saw me. Including Aubrey.
The water started to cool, and I stepped out of the tub, wrapping myself in a towel. I padded quietly toward the closet, planning to dress quickly before Christian came back.
But fate had other plans.
I didn’t even notice the towel catch on the doorknob.
“Oh my God!” I gasped as the towel slipped from my body and pooled at my feet. I scrambled to cover myself, my face burning with embarrassment.
That’s when I saw him.
Christian.
He stood by the bed, staring at me with those piercing blue eyes. His suit jacket was off, his shirt unbuttoned halfway, exposing a chest sculpted like it belonged on the cover of a magazine. The tension in the air was thick, and when he took a step toward me, I instinctively took one back.
My breath caught as he moved closer. His hands—strong, veined—reached for me, brushing against my arm. My skin tingled where he touched me, betraying the emotions I wasn’t supposed to feel.
“Wh-what are you doing?” I asked, my voice trembling.
He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he leaned in, his breath warm against my ear.
“Drop the act, young lady. Even if you were the last woman on earth, I still wouldn’t want you,” he whispered, his words sharp enough to slice through my pride.
My heart cracked—again.
I should’ve been relieved that he wasn’t going to touch me. But instead, I felt rejected. Humiliated. Like a fool.
He walked past me, his expression unreadable, and disappeared into the bathroom. I was left alone, naked, not just in body but in soul.
⸻
A soft knock on the door pulled me from a restless sleep.
“Come in,” I mumbled, sitting up slowly.
A young girl entered the room, her eyes bright and posture straight. “Good morning, my lady,” she said with a respectful nod. “I’m Alexa. I’ve been assigned to take care of you.”
She couldn’t have been older than me, maybe twenty or twenty-one. There was something comforting about her presence—friendly, not judgmental like the others.
“It’s time for breakfast. Everyone’s already waiting,” she added.
I glanced at the clock on the wall. I’d overslept.
“Thank you, Alexa,” I said, swinging my legs off the bed.
“You don’t have to call me ‘my lady.’ I’m Aubrey,” I told her, giving her the best smile I could manage.
“Alright. Aubrey,” she replied with a playful grin. “Let’s get you ready.”
⸻
Downstairs, the dining room was already buzzing with conversation. Or, rather, strained politeness wrapped in silence. The O’Briens were the picture of high-society composure, sitting around the long table like royalty. Mr. O’Brien’s face lit up when he saw me.
“Good morning, my dear,” he said warmly. “I told Christian not to wake you. You needed the rest.”
“Thank you,” I replied, glancing at Christian. He didn’t even look at me.
Cold as always.
Bianca, his stepmother, sent me a glance sharp enough to draw blood. Carolyn, her daughter, sat beside her, quiet and unreadable. She hadn’t said much since I arrived, but she didn’t seem cruel—just distant.
“Here’s some sauce,” Carolyn offered, sliding the bowl toward me with a hint of a smile. Maybe she didn’t hate me. Or maybe she pitied me.
I was about to thank her when Mr. O’Brien spoke again. “And here are some strawberries. You loved them so much as a child.”
My stomach twisted.
Aubrey loved strawberries. I didn’t. In fact—I was allergic.
Panic began to rise in my throat. I couldn’t eat them. But refusing would raise suspicion.
Just as I was about to awkwardly respond, Christian spoke without looking at me. “She’ll have them later.”
My head whipped toward him, confused.
He leaned slightly toward me and muttered, “Don’t bother thanking me. I just don’t want a rash-covered woman sleeping in the same bed as me.”
What a jerk.
“Now that we’re done with the wedding,” Mr. O’Brien said, dabbing his mouth with a napkin, “it’s time to get into the real business.”
“What business?” Christian asked, clearly uninterested.
Mr. O’Brien’s eyes twinkled with amusement.
“Children, of course. It’s time you two start working on giving me great-grandchildren.”
I nearly choked on my orange juice.
Christian froze.
And the entire table went silent.
- Writer
