Pretending to Be a Heiress

Chapter 3: The Rift of Identity

Emma woke up abruptly, faintly hearing the sound of drawers being slammed in the living room. She blinked, realizing that it was Lily frantically packing her things, and a surge of anger surged within her.

Opening the door, Emma saw Lily tossing clothes and makeup haphazardly onto the sofa and floor, as if desperate to escape. Emma’s voice was cold, laced with sarcasm. “Running away, Lily? That's your grand solution?”

Lily rolled her eyes, not bothering to stop what she was doing. “You’ll never get it, Emma. You don’t know a thing about men, can’t even seize an opportunity. No wonder you’re stuck in this dump, rotting away with your worthless dreams.”

Emma’s fury flared, her chest heaving as she fought the urge to pounce on Lily. She scoffed, pointing at Lily. “How many times have I covered the rent for this crappy apartment? You still owe me for this month. Pay up before you go licking some man’s boots!”

Lily dropped her clothes, turned to Emma, and sneered. “You’re an i***t, Emma. Think you’re better than everyone? Get real. Do you think you’re something special? I saw right through you ages ago.” She stepped closer, her voice dripping with disdain. “At least with Ethan, I can get into high society. And you? A boring little lamb, clueless about the real world. Cry when life finally beats you down.”

Emma’s rage nearly shattered her composure. She took a deep breath, clenching her fists. “Wow, Lily, your speech sounds like a high-class escort’s manifesto. I hope you enjoy your ‘high society’ days before you start to rot.”

A flash of anger crossed Lily’s eyes, and she yelled, “I’m done with this shitty life! Working dead-end jobs, borrowing money, and dealing with my gambling dad and drunk mom. At least I’ve got the guts to change things, to get what I want! And you, Emma? You just hide on your moral high ground, clueless like a little fool.”

Emma stared at Lily’s furious face, feeling a dull ache in her heart. She spoke softly, “At least I don’t betray my friends. Maybe I have nothing, but I know what real value is.” She thought of the contract she signed yesterday, still feeling the cold, hard touch of the paper, stirring a sense of unease and resolve.

Lily scoffed and went back to rummaging through her things. At that moment, the doorbell rang.

***

Lily yanked the door open, and two people stood there—one impeccably dressed woman in a perfectly tailored black suit, her professional smile radiating a cold, commanding aura. Beside her was a tall, imposing bodyguard, his expression as unyielding as stone.

The woman nodded politely, her expression flawless. “Good morning, I’m Vivian Green, Miss Carter’s assistant. Is the young lady available to meet now?”

Lily froze, her mouth slightly agape, eyes filled with disbelief and confusion. “Personal assistant? Whose? Emma’s?”

Vivian maintained her perfect smile, unperturbed by Lily’s reaction.

Emma stood at her bedroom door, her heart tightening as she saw Vivian and the bodyguard. Everything about Vivian exuded a calm professionalism; her unflawed smile and elegant suit seemed to remind Emma that she had been pulled into a completely foreign world. A strong sense of unease welled up inside Emma, and she gripped the door handle tightly. Though she knew the moment she signed the contract that this was the start of something drastic, seeing Vivian felt like the final tolling of a bell, bringing both excitement and dread.

“Good morning, Miss Carter,” Vivian greeted with a slight bow, her tone respectful. “Your adventure in the outside world has come to an end. It’s time to return to the family. However, I believe you’ll need a transition period, so I’ve arranged all the details for you. Please rest assured; these trivial matters are for me to handle.”

Emma was caught off guard. Although she knew the contract had taken effect, she didn’t expect things to move so quickly. “I… I’ll just go pack my things,” she stammered, turning to head back to her room.

Vivian gently shook her head, her face showing an exaggerated expression of concern. “Miss, you learned such simplicity while out in the world; it’s truly commendable and might even earn some favor with the elders. But now, as a member of the Catherian family, such modesty is no longer necessary. Just bring your ID and a few meaningful mementos; everything else will be taken care of by us.”

Emma hesitated. “Then… should I get my phone?”

Vivian gave a faint smile, stepping into the room with precision, not a step more or less than needed. She glanced around the apartment, her eyes briefly resting on the cluttered furniture and piles of items. She smirked slightly but didn’t show obvious disdain or contempt; this restrained elegance only amplified her air of superiority.

She pulled out a sleek, black custom phone and handed it to Emma, her gaze filled with subtle determination. “This is a satellite phone, pre-set with the family’s emergency contacts. Please keep it on at all times to ensure that the family can reach you under any circumstances.” Vivian’s tone carried an undeniable command, though her voice remained gentle.

Emma instinctively took the phone, feeling the cold metal bite into her palm. She nodded, but a wave of indescribable pressure surged within her. She felt an invisible chain gradually tightening her freedom, sparking a flicker of regret and doubt.

Vivian continued, “The family places great importance on the safety and performance of every member. Your actions in the outside world will be closely monitored, which also serves as your protection.”

Emma suddenly felt a sense of suffocation; she realized that her every move would be scrutinized by invisible rules and eyes. She looked at Vivian, searching for a hint of warmth or understanding, but found only the cold detachment of a professional.

Lily stood by the door, her gaze flitting between Emma and Vivian, trying to piece together what was happening. Her face was pale as paper, her voice tinged with anxiety and fear. “Emma, what is going on? What are you doing?” Her tone cracked with shock.

Vivian turned to Lily, offering a courteous smile, though her eyes carried a chill. “Thank you for ‘taking care’ of Miss Carter during this time.” Her tone was polite, yet laced with subtle contempt and warning. “The family is aware of certain… matters between you and Miss Carter. We highly value Miss Carter’s feelings, so what happens next will be entirely up to her.”

Lily immediately became flustered, her face showing embarrassment and fear. The implication in Vivian’s words was unmistakable, like a heavy blow that struck Lily’s core. Her spine stiffened as if her facade had been instantly stripped away. She stammered, “I… I just…”

Vivian raised her hand slightly, cutting her off. “No need to explain. Just remember, Miss Carter is a treasured member of the family. We will never allow anything to harm her. I hope you understand.” She smiled gently, a quiet menace laced in her politeness, sending a chill down Lily’s spine.

Emma watched as Lily’s arrogance crumbled into bewilderment, feeling a surge of mixed emotions. She could have flaunted her new status in front of Lily—cars, designer clothes, custom gadgets, and of course, a personal assistant and bodyguard. But now, it all felt pointless. Who was Lily, anyway? Did she still deserve Emma’s attention?

Emma turned and followed Vivian and the bodyguard out of the apartment. She didn’t look back, didn’t spare another glance at the small space she once shared with Lily and Ethan, nor at the statue-like, rigid Lily.

***

Lily stood there, stunned as if struck by a heavy blow, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. Her world seemed to collapse in an instant, the reality hitting her so hard that she could barely breathe. In a frenzy, she stumbled back into her room, frantically searching for her phone. Her trembling hands could barely grip the screen as she repeatedly dialed numbers, anxiously watching each unanswered ring, every failed connection feeling like a death blow.

Tears blurred her vision, and her fingers finally stopped on that familiar name—Ethan. Lily stared at the screen, hoping that name could offer her some support or an escape. But deep down, she knew Ethan was just another stepping stone she hoped to climb.

Lily called out to Ethan desperately, her voice filled with frustration and despair. Her cries echoed in the empty room, as if losing Ethan meant she truly had nowhere else to turn.

The name on the screen kept flashing, but no one answered. She sank deeper into hopelessness, her emotions a torrent that threatened to drown her completely.