"Please, Eva. Just this once. I need you to go." Ava leaned against the doorframe, eyes pleading she clasped her hands together. "It'll be easy, just like always.”Eva stared at her twin sister, her belly twisting. "I don't know, Ava," she muttered. "This... it's getting out of hand. He still doesn't know it's me, and every time I go, I feel like I'm lying to him.”Ava waved a hand dismissively. "You really are worrying too much. Shawn's practically into me already, there's no risk. Besides," she added, grinning, "you've been having fun, haven't you? Getting out of the house, meeting people, finally enjoying yourself a bit?"“It's not that simple," Eva said, refusing to look at her sister. Fun? Each date with Shawn had left her exhilarated, yet guilty, a feeling she could not tease apart. She knew she was enjoying his company far too much, more than she could admit to herself. But what was also more difficult was pretending to be Ava night after night. "What if he finds out?”"He won'
"You did what?" Ava's voice cut through the silent quiet of their bedroom. Wide-eyed with shock, her tone was ice-cold with anger. "Eva, I told you to go and keep him company-not accept his proposal!”Eva stumbled backward, her heart racing in her chest, as if she'd been punched. She did her utmost to steady her voice. "I-I didn't mean to, Ava! He just…he asked and I couldn't bring myself to hurt him like that."“Hurt him?" she exclaimed, throwing her arms up for emphasis. "You're telling me you couldn't say one word? No, Eva. That's all you had to say. Instead, you made him think that he was proposing to me, and now I have a fiance who I don't even care about?”"'I thought you cared,' Eva snapped back, her angry flush reaching to meet Ava's. “Or at least I thought you cared about keeping him around for business. Isn't that why you wanted me to keep going on these dates in the first place? To make sure he stayed close?"Ava curls her lips up in a sneering smile. "Fine, fine, Eva. Don'
"Ava, what are you doing?" Eva's voice shrill, echoing off the walls of the bridal suite. She stood in the doorway, staring in incredulous horror as Ava hastily gathered her things, the fragile wedding dress left ignored on the mannequin beside her. “Where are you going?”Ava whipped around to face her, her features set in a determined glare. "Anywhere but here. I'm not going through with this, Eva."“What?" Eva's heart was racing, her mind refusing to believe what it was hearing. "But everyone's here, the guests, our families. Shawn's waiting.""Well, I didn't ask them to wait on me, did I?" Ava snapped, the bitterness ripe in her tone as she crammed another dress into her suitcase, her eyes never straying to her sister. "This is all your fault, you know.”Eva's breath caught, the pang of guilt tight around her heart. "My fault? Ava, I went on that date because you asked me to. I did it to help you, you literally beg me to go on every date with him.”"Precisely," Ava retorted, her ey
As she came onto the plush carpet, circling her arm around her father's, the heels echoed against the polished marble floor. A chandelier of a thousand glittering diamonds seemed to hang above the crowded guests of this ornate hall in a warm, golden glow. Delicate white roses and ivy adorned the aisle as every step brought her closer to the altar. Shawn was standing there, with his well styled short black hair, poised in his white suit, fitting his athletic build perfectly. She couldn't look at Shawn; who was throwing a bright smile in her direction, she couldn't bear all the love and trust in his eyes, knowing what she had done."Dad… I'm scared," Eva whispered, shaking from the heaviness of her thoughts.He smiled proudly and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You look perfect, my darling. You'll do great. Shawn's waiting for you, he's a good guy. You have no reason to be scared, dear."She forced a smile, the words like an emptiness in her mouth. They reached the front, and then,
Mrs Wadsley walked through the door of the private room at the wedding venue, behind Eva. "What's this? What are you doing, Eva?" She asked immediately when the door clicked shut. The moment she met her mother's eyes, Eva felt her heart drop. Her hands shook while her fingers trembled on a hem of her wedding dress, forcing a bright smile over the rising panic."Mom," Eva stuttered. Her voice was just above a whisper. "It's not what you think.” Mrs. Wadsley's eyes slitted her face hardened. "Really? It looks exactly like what I think it is. What's going on?"Eva opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came out of her lips. Her mother moved closer to her, lowering her voice while she looked around, conscious of whether anyone was listening in.Eva," she spat, razor-sharp. "Come on, be honest with me. Is that really you?”Eva's lips parted, and her breathing became shallow. "Mom, listen, I can explain -""Oh my God," her mother echoed, shaking. "It's you! What have you done? Where's
Soft clinking of utensils echoed in the large dining hall, warm chandelier lights casting golden reflections on the polished table. The air was permeated with aromas so rich that perfectly cooked dishes could only hope for a fraction of their depth. Shawn set his fork down and locked eyes with Eva to such a degree that Eva had to stop right in the middle of her bite."Ava," he said lightly, but his eyes gleamed with interest. "I've been meaning to ask you.” Eva's heart jerked. She made her eyes lock on his and smiled wryly. "What is that?Shawn leaned back in his chair, expression straight. "Eva. I didn't see her at the wedding today. I never knew your twin sister could miss your wedding. I thought you guys were inseparable. I really would have thought Eva to be front and center on such a big day."The knife slipped from Eva's fingers, clattering against her plate. She jerked at the sound, the shield of composure she struggled to hold in place splintering just for that one moment.S
“We are going to Paris," Shawn said, handing her the tickets to the flight while smiling at her. "The City of Love. I figured, what better place to celebrate our honeymoon?" Eva stared at him in a blink, with her lips parted in shock. "Paris? You mean… we're leaving today?""Yeah," Shawn corrected; his eyes danced with excitement. "I wanted it to be a surprise.”Guilt pulled at her chest, but voicing her protests was impossible as the pure joy on Shawn's face sated her head. "Oh my God, Shawn, I've always wanted to explore that city…”She paused in an instant and quickly recovered from her emotions, remembering that Ava had gone to Paris a few times for business trips. “I mean, I've been there for business meetings, but I've never gotten the chance to really explore the city.” "Good," he said, hauling her into the circle of his arms. "Then this will be one to remember. Pack your bags, Mrs. Darlington. We have a plane to catch."“Aye aye, Mr Darlington.” they both let out a heartfel
"You don't look like someone who just came back from Paris," Shawn teased, leaning against the kitchen counter the next morning to watch Eva awkwardly trying to make coffee.Eva smiled weakly, concentrating on not messing up the task. "And what does a person returning from Paris look like, exactly?""Relaxed, glowing, still floating on air of romance," he said, demonstrating with his hands. "Instead, you look like you are carrying the weight of the world upon your shoulders.""I'm just readjusting to being back," she replied-her voice light, though her mind weighted down with secrets.Shawn leaned in, his fingers curling over her chin to tilt it upwards. His touch was warm, his eyes soft. "Yeah, you have a new home now.” His expression was replaced by a smirk, “And you have to get used to seeing this handsome face everyday.”Eva burst out laughing, “You flatter yourself too much.” Shawn joined in the laughter. “Well, if you want to put it that way.” He shrugged. “But anyways, welcome
Sitting at the corner of an upscale café, Ava stirred her cappuccino absent-mindedly as the aromatic richness of newly brewed coffee wafted in the air. Other than the incomprehensible murmur of conversations from its patrons, it was fairly silent there, accompanied only by delicate clinking among the porcelain cups. She looked toward the entrance just as Samantha walked in-she was one of those elegant people who were comfortable with everything, even when an overcoat was slung over her shoulder.Samantha scanned the room quickly, her eyes locking onto Ava before making her way to her with a warm smile. "Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long.""Not at all,"* Ava said, gesturing for her to sit. "It's been a while since we did this, huh?"Samantha smirked as she slid into the seat across from her. "Having coffee together or plotting our way back to the top?"Ava chuckled softly. "Both."And then the two women just looked at each other, a silent moment passing between them. Actually, t
Sitting at the corner of an upscale café, Ava stirred her cappuccino absent-mindedly as the aromatic richness of newly brewed coffee wafted in the air. Other than the incomprehensible murmur of conversations from its patrons, it was fairly silent there, accompanied only by delicate clinking among the porcelain cups. She looked toward the entrance just as Samantha walked in-she was one of those elegant people who were comfortable with everything, even when an overcoat was slung over her shoulder.Samantha scanned the room quickly, her eyes locking onto Ava before making her way to her with a warm smile. "Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long.""Not at all,"* Ava said, gesturing for her to sit. "It's been a while since we did this, huh?"Samantha smirked as she slid into the seat across from her. "Having coffee together or plotting our way back to the top?"Ava chuckled softly. "Both."And then the two women just looked at each other, a silent moment passing between them. Actually, t
"Unwanted." That was the first thing Ava felt the instant she stepped into the grand dining room of Shawn's mansion, huge and beautiful but cold-a place she wasn't meant to be in.She had expected the transition to be hard; she had steeled herself against Shawn's animosity but hadn't prepared for the silent war waged by a housekeeper named Madam Tess.Ava turned to the older woman standing at the far end of the room, setting the table with a precision bordering on mechanical. She'd hardly spoken to her since she'd arrived; when she had, it was clipped, forced, full of disapproval.She had heard how Madam Tess used to fawn over Eva, treat her just like the perfect lady of the house. And now, Ava-her twin, the real Ava-was nothing but an unwanted presence.She wasn't welcome here."Dinner is ready," Madam Tess finally said. Her voice was cold.Ava hesitated. "Is Shawn coming down?”Madame Tess didn't even look up to finish aligning the utensils. "Mr. Darlington has requested not to be
"What is it, Shawn?Shawn sat inside his car, his fingers clasping onto his phone as his father's voice filtered through the receiver. The reality weighed on him heavily and inescapable."The results are out," Shawn said flatly.A pause. Then Henry Darlington's voice was firmer this time, "And? What did they say?"Shawn blew hard, running a hand down his face. "What do you think?"His father said nothing for a moment, then blew hard. "So, the baby is yours." There was no hint of a question. It was a statement. Confirmation to something dreaded yet, somehow, expected.Shawn laid his head against the car seat and closed his eyes. "Both tests came out the same."Henry sighed on the other end. "Come home, Shawn. Let's talk about this. The deed that has been done, there's no escaping from it. It's time to take responsibility.”But Shawn didn't utter a word. He simply hung up and flung his phone onto the passenger seat.He suddenly felt weak and defeated.***********The huge doors of Wadsl
"What the hell is wrong with you, Eva?"Shawn's voice whipped through the small apartment, sharp and relentless, his eyes dark with frustration, staring at her in a mixture of disbelieving anger as his chest rose and fell with rapid breaths while his hands clenched at his sides.Eva's fingers curled over the large hem of the extra-large hoodie she wore; it was Ryan's hoodie; her heart hammered in her chest, but she made herself hide it as Shawn seemed to take up the space in the room with tension."Why are you here?" he said, his voice low and lined with barely checked anger. "Do you know how worried everyone is? You leave without a single word for more than three days, you think that it is okay?" Eva's nails dented her palms as she hitched her chin up in that old, truculent tilt. "I don't have to explain myself to anyone, especially not to you."Shawn's face clouded. "You don't owe an explanation for making your family go out of their minds with worry? For making people think someth
“Mr Wadsley.” Shawn's voice cut like a razor-sharp blade laced with urgency and frustration through the grand Wadsley mansion. His body was stiff and fists clenched, and he stood in the middle of the luxurious living room, scanning faces. The detective who stood beside him silently observed, but Shawn was a little out of patience; he needed answers, and he needed them right now.Ava sat up straight on the velvet couch, head whirling in his direction. Her mother, Eleanor Wadsley, let out a soft gasp, hand pressed against her chest, face furrowed with exhaustion and concern.But first to speak was Richard Wadsley.The Wadsley patriarch did not stand; his face impassive, belied the stiff leanness of his frame, and his cold eyes fixed hostilely on Shawn. When he finally spoke, he sounded really angry."You really have a whole lot of guts coming here, Shawn."Shawn's teeth clamped shut, but he didn't cower. "I came to help find Eva."Richard let a dry huff out and leaned back in his chair
"Going somewhere?” Eva froze; the fingers wrapped around the car keys instinctively clenching as she turned around. Ava just stood at the front door with her arms across her chest. Her expression said nothing. Their mother, Eleanor, stood in between them; her eyes darting unceasingly from daughter to daughter.The moments ticked by, neither uttering a word. The air just hung there between them, heavy in lead, so thick and full of words left unsaid that it bubbled to the surface beneath the resentment of years.Eva's fingers fluttered but refused to yield to be the first to break such a weighted silence.Ava arched a brow, curling her lips into what was almost not a smirk. "I'm sorry, okay. I didn't know it would turn out this way.” She said in the most casual way without any emotion.Eva gritted her teeth. At this moment, she would have told them anything to blot that smug expression from Ava's face, but it was never uttered as Eva denied her the satisfaction.Eleanor cleared her thr
"What exactly are you doing, Shawn?" Ava's voice cut through the silence; as she stared at him with wide eyes filled with surprise, he definitely caught her off guard and she stood frozen at the doorway into the second doctor's office. Shawn had actually just asked for a paternity test as if they weren't just done with taking one.Shawn didn't even look at her, his eyes nailed to the doctor as he faced him foursquare. "I need more accuracy," he said coldly. "I will not depend upon one doctor's opinion solely."Ava clenched her fists into her palms at her sides, her nails scoring her skin. "So? You're saying that's what I might have bribed Dr. Callahan to forge the results or something? That this is some kind of lie to deceive you?”Shawn finally turned his eyes to her, his face unreadable. "Yes, Ava," he said slowly, "I think I've learnt a lot about trust, thanks to you and your twin. And I don't want to take any chances this time.”A bitter laugh burbled up Ava's throat. "You don't t
All eyes watched as Eva ran out of the room. Shawn knew she was hurt but it wasnt his fault. She had no right to be angry; he was the one who was made a fool of.Harsh exchange of words and murmuring filled the room from both parents."Enough!" Shawn's voice cut through the murmurig. Sharp, and commanding, his voice came as he straightened up. He wasn't going to go through this ridiculous show anymore.Everybody in that room turned towards him, but his eyes had one destination: Ava. "We are going to the hospital. Now. I want this paternity test done today."Ava’s throat bobbed as she swallowed, her fingers twisting together in her lap. She looked like she wanted to say something, but instead, she gave a small nod."I’ll come with you," Eleanor said, rising from her seat, her voice firm but carrying an undertone of concern."And so will I," Diane added, standing beside her son. Her expression was unreadable, but there was no mistaking the tension in her posture.Henry blew loudly, turn