chapter six
767 Words
Breakfast with Strangers
The first rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains.
Maya opened her eyes slowly.
For a few seconds, she forgot where she was.
Then reality hit.
She was in the Carter mansion.
She was married.
And she was living as her missing sister.
A knock sounded on the door.
"Mrs. Carter?"
It was Margaret.
"You've been invited to breakfast."
"I'll be down in a few minutes."
After Margaret left, Maya took a deep breath.
"One day at a time..."
She whispered to herself.
---
Downstairs, the dining room was already prepared.
Fresh flowers decorated the table.
The aroma of coffee and freshly baked bread filled the room.
Ethan was reading the morning newspaper.
He didn't look up when Maya entered.
"Good morning."
She greeted softly.
Without lifting his eyes from the paper, he replied,
"Morning."
An awkward silence settled between them.
Maya quietly took her seat.
A maid placed pancakes, eggs, fruit, and juice in front of her.
She reached for the orange juice.
At the same moment, Ethan spoke.
"You hate orange juice."
Maya froze.
"What?"
"You've always preferred apple juice."
Her fingers tightened around the glass.
"Oh..."
"I just wanted to try something different."
Ethan finally looked at her.
His expression remained unreadable.
"Is that so?"
She forced a smile.
"Yes."
He didn't respond.
Instead, he folded the newspaper and began eating.
---
Halfway through breakfast, Thomas entered.
"Sir, your grandmother has arrived."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"Grandmother?"
Before he could stand, the cheerful voice of an elderly woman echoed through the house.
"Ethan!"
The elegant woman walked into the dining room with surprising energy.
Her silver hair was neatly styled, and her eyes sparkled with warmth.
She immediately embraced Ethan.
"My handsome grandson."
"It's only been three days."
"I know."
"But I missed you."
Then her attention shifted to Maya.
"So this is my beautiful granddaughter-in-law."
Without waiting for permission, she hugged Maya tightly.
"My dear, welcome to the family."
Maya smiled nervously.
"Thank you..."
"Grandmother."
The older woman beamed.
"Oh, I already like you."
Ethan watched silently.
Sophia had always been formal around his grandmother.
Yet today's bride looked genuinely comfortable.
Another difference.
---
Grandmother Evelyn sat beside Maya.
"My dear..."
"I heard you baked cookies once."
"I've been waiting to taste them."
Maya blinked.
"I..."
She had no idea what Sophia could bake.
Before she could answer, Ethan interrupted.
"Grandmother."
"You'll overwhelm her."
Grandmother Evelyn laughed.
"Fine."
"I'll wait another day."
Maya silently thanked Ethan.
For the second time...
He had unknowingly rescued her.
---
After breakfast, Ethan prepared to leave for work.
He picked up his briefcase.
"I'm going to the office."
Maya nodded.
"Okay."
As he reached the front door, he paused.
Without turning around, he asked,
"What are your plans today?"
She hesitated.
"I don't know."
"You can stay here."
"Or ask Thomas to drive you into the city."
"Thank you."
Again...
Those two words.
Ethan frowned slightly.
Sophia rarely thanked anyone.
---
The moment Ethan's car disappeared through the mansion gates, Maya let out a long sigh.
Margaret smiled knowingly.
"First mornings are always difficult."
Maya laughed softly.
"You noticed?"
"My dear..."
"I've worked in this house for twenty years."
"I notice everything."
Margaret gently touched Maya's hand.
"If you're ever lonely..."
"You can always talk to me."
For the first time since the wedding, Maya felt a small sense of comfort.
"Thank you, Margaret."
---
Meanwhile...
At Carter Group Headquarters, Ethan walked into his office.
Ryan was already waiting.
"So..."
Ryan grinned.
"How was your wedding night?"
Ethan placed his briefcase on the desk.
"We slept in separate rooms."
Ryan nearly dropped his coffee.
"What?"
Ethan ignored his reaction.
Instead, he opened a folder.
Inside was a copy of Sophia Bennett's profile.
Photos.
Personal details.
Favorite foods.
Hobbies.
Everything.
Ryan frowned.
"What are you doing?"
Ethan looked at the photograph for several seconds before speaking.
"I married Sophia Bennett."
He closed the file slowly.
"But the woman in my house..."
"...doesn't seem to be Sophia at all."
Ryan stared at him in disbelief.
"What are you saying?"
Ethan leaned back in his chair, his eyes dark with suspicion.
"I'm saying..."
"I think my wife is pretending to be someone else."
Far away, in a small town several hours from the city...
A young woman wearing sunglasses stepped off a bus.
She pulled her hood lower as she looked around nervously.
It was Sophia.
She took out her phone, hesitated, and whispered,
"I'm sorry, Maya..."
"But I still can't go back."
Someone was watching her from across the street.
And they slowly began to follow.
- Writer
