Married to the wrong sister

Untitled Episode2

Claire’s POV

The car stopped in front of a tall glass building in the heart of the city. My hands were sweating. I wiped them on my jeans before the driver could see.

This was it. Martin’s penthouse.

The driver opened the door for me. I stepped out with my small suitcase. It felt too light for everything that was about to happen.

The building lobby was beautiful. Marble floors. Soft lighting. A man in a black suit waited for me at the private elevator.

“Miss Carter,” he said with a polite nod. “Mr. Brown is waiting upstairs.”

My stomach twisted. He called me Miss Carter. Not Miss Chen. Not Audrey. Did he know? Or was this normal?

I followed him into the elevator. The doors closed. My reflection stared back at me from the shiny metal walls. I looked tired. Plain. Nothing like the woman Martin thought he was marrying.

The elevator went up smoothly. My heart beat faster with every floor.

When the doors opened, I stepped into a huge open space. Floor-to-ceiling windows showed the whole city sparkling below. Modern furniture. Clean lines. Everything looked expensive and cold.

Martin stood near the windows. He was on a phone call, his back to me. His voice was low and firm.

“I don’t care what it costs. Fix it by tomorrow.”

He ended the call and turned around. His dark gray eyes landed on me. For a second, something crossed his face. Not quite a surprise. Maybe confusion.

“You’re here,” he said.

I nodded. My voice felt stuck in my throat.

He walked closer. He was even taller up close. His suit fit him perfectly. He looked like he owned the whole world and knew it.

“Leave your suitcase there,” he said. “The housekeeper will take it to your room.”

I put the suitcase down carefully. My hands were shaking a little. I hid them behind my back.

Martin studied me. His eyes moved over my simple sweater and jeans. I felt small under his gaze.

“You look different from the photos,” he said.

My heart skipped. Was this the moment he realized?

I forced myself to stay calm. “I don’t wear much makeup at home.”

He nodded slowly, like he accepted the answer. But his eyes stayed on me a second longer than necessary.

“Come,” he said. “I’ll show you around.”

He walked me through the penthouse. The kitchen was bigger than my whole apartment. The living room had a grand piano I doubted anyone ever played. There was a home office, a gym, and finally, a large bedroom.

“This is yours,” he said. “My room is on the other side of the apartment.”

I stepped inside. The bed was huge. The closet was already filled with expensive clothes in my size. Someone had prepared everything.

“You will sleep here,” Martin continued. “We share meals when I’m home. You will attend events with me. Smile. Look happy. That is all I need from you.”

His words were clear. Cold. This was a contract. Nothing more.

I nodded. “I understand.”

He watched me again. “Good. Dinner is at eight. Be ready.”

Then he left.

I sat down on the edge of the bed. My legs felt weak. I pressed my hands to my face and took deep breaths.

This was real now. I was living in his house. Pretending to be my sister. Lying every single minute.

I thought about Audrey. Where was she? Was she safe? Did she even care what she left behind?

Tears came. I let them fall quietly. No one was here to see.

Later, I changed into a simple black dress from the closet. It fit perfectly. I brushed my hair and left it down. When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself.

At exactly eight, I walked to the dining area.

Martin was already there. He had changed into a dark shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He looked powerful even when relaxing.

He pulled out a chair for me. I sat down.

Dinner was quiet at first. The food was delicious, but I could barely taste it. My mind was racing.

Finally, Martin spoke.

“You’ve been managing the family business,” he said. It was not a question.

I looked up, surprised.

“Yes,” I answered carefully.

He took a sip of wine. “Interesting. From what I knew of you, I thought parties were more your thing.”

My chest tightened. He was testing me.

“I help where I’m needed,” I said.

He watched me over the rim of his glass. “You fixed one of my subsidiary accounts last week. The work was excellent. Better than some of my own team.”

I froze. I had done that from home, trying to be useful. I did not think he would notice so soon.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

Martin leaned back. “You are not what I expected, Audrey.”

The name felt like a slap. I looked down at my plate. My appetite was gone.

After dinner, he stood up.

“I have work to do,” he said. “You can do whatever you want in the house. Just remember the rules.”

He walked away toward his office.

I stayed at the table for a long time. The city lights twinkled outside the windows. Everything felt unreal.

Later that night, I lay in the big bed staring at the ceiling. Sleep would not come. My mind kept replaying everything.

The way Martin looked at me. The way he said my sister’s name. The way Collins had sounded worried on the phone.

I turned on my side and hugged a pillow.

I missed my small room. I missed my normal life. I missed being Claire.

A soft sound came from the hallway. Footsteps.

I sat up slowly. The door to my room was slightly open. I had forgotten to close it fully.

Martin stood there in the dark hallway. He was watching me.

Our eyes met.

For a long moment, neither of us moved.

Then he turned and walked away without a word.

My heart was racing. I pulled the blanket higher.

What was he thinking?

Why did he come to my door?

I lay back down, but sleep felt even farther away now.

Because something told me this marriage was going to be much more complicated than I thought.

And I was already in too deep to turn back.