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Chapter 22

Author: MayorGeorge
last update Huling Na-update: 2025-01-05 06:28:56

Sarah’s POV

Adrian Blackwood had always seemed like a playboy without a care in the world, but tonight, he had let me glimpse a fragment of the man behind the walls. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to change my perspective of him and make me want to fight for him, even when he was adamant about keeping me out.

The ride back to the penthouse had been quiet, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. It was the kind of quiet that carried weight, a shared understanding that didn’t need words.

As we stepped out of the car and into the garage, I caught him glancing at me, a faint smile tugging at his lips. It was fleeting, but it was there.

“Are you done packing?” He asked as we got into the elevator.

I shook my head. “Not quite, I have a little left to do.”

“Okay. We should leave early tomorrow so we can prepare the apartment before we go to the hospital for Nora. I sent a caretaker there already but I'd like to make her room ready.”

My heart melted with the thought he was putting into ma
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  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 23

    Adrian’s POVSarah didn’t realize it, but she was becoming the glue holding me together. I had gotten so used to no one caring for me that when Sarah entered my life, her attention began to thaw at my walls.I hadn’t expected this arrangement to change anything about my life other than the legalities and appearances. It was supposed to be simple—help her care for Nora, and secure my position in the company. Yet, here I was, doing things I’d never done before.I caught myself glancing at her as we drove toward my apartment, her fingers absently twisting the hem of her sweater. She was nervous, though she tried to hide it. I wanted to say something reassuring, to tell her it would all work out, but the words felt too personal. Too real.Instead, I tightened my grip on the wheel and focused on the road.For as long as I could remember, I’d kept people at arm’s length, letting them see only the version of me I wanted them to see. It was easier that way—no expectations, no attachments. But

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-06
  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 24

    Sarah's POV I looked up to see a man walking past Nora's room. Adrian had gotten her transferred to the VIP section immediately we got married. A little girl ran into his arms and he carried her up, twirling her in the air. “uncle Gabe!” Her tiny voice screeched.Adrian had his pen frozen mid-air as he watched the scene play out. “Adrian, are you okay?”He cleared his throat at the sound of my voice and handed the discharge papers to the nurse who had been waiting patiently.“Of course, I'm fine. I just thought I saw someone, nothing serious.” He responded. I left Nora's side as her caregiver changed her out of the hospital garment into one of the dresses we had gotten her on the way here. “Are you afraid Julian may show up and cause trouble?” I whispered to him so Nora wouldn't hear our discussion. “Why would I be afraid of my younger brother?” he replied flippantly. “I saw your reaction to that man's statement. You must have thought it was Julian.”He glanced at Nora. “I just

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-06
  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 25

    Adrian’s POVThe thrum of music pulsed in my ears as I leaned back in the plush booth, gripping the tumbler of whiskey in my hand. The dim lights of the club blurred faces into shadows, and it was just what I needed—or so I kept telling myself.The truth was, I wasn’t here to drown my troubles or escape from some business deal gone wrong. I was here because of her.Sarah.I’d thought the contract marriage would be straightforward. A transaction. But Sarah wasn’t just a name on paper. She was real—vividly, painfully real. Her laugh, her stubbornness, the way she cared for me like I actually mattered to her. She’d crept into my life, into my head, and now I couldn’t stop thinking about her.And that terrified me.I downed the rest of the whiskey, the burn in my throat barely registering. Nora’s excited chatter about her new room, Sarah’s soft “thank you” as she squeezed my hand—those moments had felt right. Too right.I wasn’t supposed to feel this way. I couldn’t afford to.Another gla

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-06
  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 26

    Sarah’s POVMy eyes were bloodshot from staying awake all night. The morning felt like a fragile thread I was trying desperately to hold onto. Cooking with Nora was my attempt at normalcy, but the moment Adrian walked through the door, the tension in the air became palpable.He looked tired — haggard, even. His shirt was wrinkled, his tie loosened, and his eyes held something I couldn’t quite place. Guilt? Regret?I wasn’t sure I cared.I’d spent the better part of the night staring at that picture. Adrian at the club, drink in hand, with a woman clinging to him like she belonged there. A part of me had wanted to call him, demand answers. But another part, the part that still clung to the terms of our so-called marriage,told me it wasn’t my place.This was a contract. Nothing more.And yet, the ache in my chest told a different story.“Do you want some?” I’d asked him, my voice carefully neutral as I flipped a pancake.When he nodded, I turned back to the stove, grateful for the mome

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-07
  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 27

    Adrian's POV The soft hum of the dishwasher filled the silence as I stood in the kitchen, absently wiping my hands on a towel. My mind, however, was far from the task at hand.Sarah’s frosty demeanor lingered in my thoughts, gnawing at me like an itch I couldn’t reach. She had smiled, nodded, even apologized, but her tone and body language betrayed her. Something was wrong, and I had no idea what it was.Through the window, I could see Nora playing on the lawn, her laughter carrying through the crisp morning air. Sarah sat on the porch, knitting, her eyes occasionally lifting to check on Nora.She looked serene, but I knew better. The tension from breakfast was still thick enough to cut with a knife.I glanced at the table where Sarah’s phone lay. Its screen lit up with a notification, momentarily catching my attention. I didn’t mean to look, but the image on the screen froze me in place.It was me.At the club.With the lady who had followed me back to the penthouse.My chest tighte

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-07
  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 28

    Sarah’s POVThe soft creak of the porch swing was the only sound breaking the stillness of the late morning. My hands moved rhythmically, knitting a scarf for Nora, but my mind was elsewhere.The photo on my phone haunted me. Adrian at that club, the woman draped over him like an accessory—it was a scene I couldn’t unsee, no matter how hard I tried.Nora’s laughter floated across the yard as she twirled in the sunlight, clutching a flower she had picked. I forced myself to smile as she bounded toward me.“Mommy, look! Isn’t it pretty?” She held up the delicate flower, her excitement contagious.“It’s beautiful, sweetheart,” I said, gently tucking the flower into her hair.But even as I tried to be present for her, the weight of my thoughts dragged me down. Adrian’s complete turnaround from the caring man he had been for the past few days to the man he had been before we signed the contract. “Are you okay, Mommy?” Nora’s small voice broke through my reverie, her eyes searching mine.I

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-07
  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 29

    Adrian’s POVThe Black Orchid’s private dining room was a study in excess, with its shiny mirrors, soft candlelight, and pristine table settings that screamed exclusivity. Rome sat at the head of the table, a smug expression plastered on his face. Every time I dealt with him, I was reminded of why I hated playing these games.Tonight wasn’t just about business, it was a chessboard, and Rome was positioning himself for the ultimate checkmate.Sarah stood beside me, her posture perfect but her unease palpable. The dress I’d chosen for her hugged her figure, drawing a few lingering stares from Rome and his cronies. My jaw tightened, but I placed a protective hand on her lower back, guiding her forward.Rome rose as we approached, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes spreading across his face.“Adrian,” he said, his voice smooth but laced with venom. “It’s always a pleasure.” He turned to Sarah, his gaze lingering far too long. “And you must be Sarah. You’re even more stunning in person.”

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-08
  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 30

    Sarah's POV Adrian drew in a sharp breath bedside me, drawing my attention. Unable to keep up my anger, I turned to him. “Are you okay?”He glanced at me and turned off his phone, shoving it in his pocket. “Yeah, I'm fine.” He replied, not meeting my eyes. “Okay.” I drawled, turning back to the window. “We are here, Mr Blackwood, Mrs Blackwood.” The driver announced as he pulled into the driveway, killing the engine. Without a word, Adrian jumped out of the car as though he was being chased. I wondered what was up with him. “Have a good night.” I said to the driver as I stepped outside. He muttered a reply before driving the car to the garage. I took a deep breath and pulled my coat tighter around me. The chill in the evening air wasn’t the only thing making me uneasy. As I climbed the steps to the house, the grand front door loomed ahead like a cage. Adrian had already disappeared inside, leaving me alone with my thoughts.I pushed the door open and stepped into the warm glo

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-09

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  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 161

    Sarah’s POVThe smell of grilled chicken filled the air, mingling with the faint sound of cartoon laughter from the living room. Emily stood beside me at the kitchen island, chopping vegetables like a pro while I stirred the pot on the stove. The kitchen was warm, lively, and full of the kind of chaos I had grown to cherish.“I swear, if Nora teaches Alex one more dramatic line from those princess movies, I’m telling her you and Adrian will leave her alone for a week,” Emily said, tossing sliced peppers into a bowl.I laughed. “She probably learned it from you. You’re the one who let them watch Frozen three times in one day.”Emily rolled her eyes. “That was self-defense. They ambushed me before coffee.”From the living room, we could hear the kids yelling excitedly about who was winning their game of “magic couch lava.” Their laughter echoed off the walls, blending seamlessly into the cozy rhythm of the evening.The front door opened and shut, followed by the unmistakable sound of tw

  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 160

    Adrian’s POVThe boardroom was finally empty.I leaned back in my chair, the quiet hum of the city drifting through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Blackwood Tower. The meeting had gone exactly as expected—formalities, final signatures, and an overuse of the word “legacy.” It was official now. The handover ceremony was set for next week.I’d thought I’d feel relief.Instead, I felt... still. Like the moment before a storm breaks or the silence that follows a gunshot. This wasn’t just a transition of power. This was a final blow to the people who tried to destroy everything I stood for. Rome. Daniella. The chaos they’d tried to bury us under—it was about to come to light.And I wasn’t sure if I was ready for the mess that would follow.A smile tugged at my lips as I recalled Sarah's text. She always knew how to ground me. Just a few words from her had a way of steadying the war going on in my head.I stared at the screen a second longer before locking the phone and rising to my feet. M

  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 159

    Sarah’s POVThe house was quiet when I woke up the next morning. Adrian had left early for work, and Nora was already off to school. I stood at the kitchen counter, sipping my coffee, the warmth of the mug comforting as the cool morning air drifted in from the open window. It felt like the calm after a storm, the kind of peace I hadn’t realized I was craving.Emily was sitting on the couch when I walked into the living room, her legs tucked underneath her, a blanket draped over her lap. The silence between us was still new as we'd only really started getting to know each other.“How are you holding up?” I asked, setting my coffee mug down on the table and sitting across from her.She gave a soft, almost relieved sigh. "I don’t think I ever really knew what peace felt like until now," she said, her voice low but steady. "I spent so many years just... surviving. And then, when the divorce happened, I thought I’d lose myself in it all. But now, being here, having time to breathe, I feel

  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 158

    Adrian’s POVSleep didn’t come easy.Not because I wasn’t tired—I was. Bone-deep and soul-weary in that quiet, post-confession kind of way. But something about tonight stirred everything in me. Her words echoed through my head on repeat.“You make it feel safe.”That did something to me. Cut through layers I didn’t even know I still wore.I watched her breathing even out, her lashes fluttering slightly, one hand curled beneath her cheek. She looked peaceful. Like something sacred. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I didn’t have to earn the right to breathe beside her. I just could.I slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to wake her. The floorboards creaked under my weight, but she didn’t stir. I pulled on my hoodie—the same one I’d worn on our walk—and stepped out onto the porch.The night hadn’t changed. Still full of stars. Still wrapped in that quiet, velvet stillness.But I had changed.I ran a hand over my face and sat on the steps, elbows on my knees, staring

  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 157

    Sarah’s POVI couldn't sleep.The atmosphere was too beautiful to waste on sleeping, so I struck up a conversation just as I felt Adrian nodding off beside me.“Do you want to go for a walk? The moon looks nicely bright,” I whispered in his ear.He stirred, turning slightly toward me. “Now?”“Just for a little while,” I said. “Please.”He opened his eyes, gave me a groggy but indulgent smile, and nodded. “Give me two minutes.”I slipped on my sweater and socks while he pulled on a hoodie and sneakers. We crept out of the cabin like teenagers sneaking out after curfew, careful not to wake Nora. The air outside was crisp but gentle, and the sky was a velvet canvas scattered with stars. The moon hung low and full, casting silver light across the lake.We walked in silence at first, the sound of leaves crunching beneath our feet the only interruption. I took his hand and he gave mine a reassuring squeeze.“I used to dream about places like this when I was little,” I said quietly. “Peacefu

  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 156

    Adrian’s POVI hadn't expected Sarah to leave the house so early on a Saturday morning but when she said she had to see Dr. Monroe, I didn't stop her. That morning, breakfast was a quiet affair without Sarah and Julian around, and with things still being a bit awkward between Emily and I. After breakfast, Emily offered to take the kids to the park. I helped her get them ready, packing a basket for a little picnic while they were there. Once they left, the house was empty for the first time in a long while. It reminded me of the days before I met Sarah. They were dark and lonely days which blended into each other. Sarah had been the beacon of light I didn't know I needed. I made my way to my study to get some work done. Operations at the company had continued without supervision while the chaos about who would be chairman went on which meant I had a lot to cover now that it was mostly over. I briefly thought about Dad who was now on permanent bed rest in his home. If he had his w

  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 155

    Sarah’s POVThe house was quiet.Emily and her kids were asleep, and Julian was staying the night out.Nora had fallen asleep in Adrian’s arms during bedtime stories, and he'd tucked her in like always—soft smile on his face, even after everything that happened earlier. I was curled up on the couch now, knees hugged to my chest, a blanket draped over me. My hair was still slightly damp from a quick shower, but the ache in my chest had nothing to do with fatigue.Adrian came into the room with two mugs of chamomile tea. He handed one to me without a word and sat beside me, close enough that our knees touched.For a few minutes, we just sat there in silence, the weight of the day slowly settling.And then, softly, I said, “I thought I was going to break again.”He turned toward me, eyes gentle. “But you didn’t.”“I know,” I whispered. “That’s what’s strange. I thought seeing him would send me spiraling like last time. That the fear would come back… the shaking, the flashbacks, the guilt

  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 154 

    Adrian’s POVIt was finally Friday, the day I'd been dreading all week.It was the day Sarah chose to meet with Michael. The moment I saw his name flash on the private security log, I felt something cold settle in my chest.Michael.I hadn't seen him since that day in the motel—the day he barged back in Sarah's life and sent her spiraling into a seizure. The day I had looked him straight in the eye and told him to never come near her again.And yet… here he was. Again.I glanced at Sarah sitting beside me in the private lounge we’d secured for this meeting. She was tense, shoulders rigid, hands clasped so tightly her knuckles were white. Julian had wanted to be in the room. I told him to wait outside—but close.She shouldn't have had to see him again. I hated myself for even allowing this meeting to happen.But she said she wanted closure. Not answers—because Michael had none—but closure. Finality.The door opened. He walked in like he hadn’t thrown our lives into chaos the last time

  • FAKE HUSBAND, REAL TWIN   Chapter 153

    Sarah's POVThe weight of Michael’s message lingered long after Adrian left for his study. Even now, as I sat beneath the jacaranda tree, my mind spun with memories I had long buried.I barely registered the sound of footsteps approaching until Adrian sat beside me. He didn’t speak right away. He just waited—like he always did when he knew I needed time.I exhaled, the words sitting heavy on my chest. “You heard.”He nodded. “Emily told me. What did he say?”My fingers tightened in my lap. “He… he wants to see Nora.”Adrian’s jaw tensed, his entire body stiffening. “Did he say why?”I swallowed. “He says he’s changed. That he wants a chance to be in her life.”Adrian scoffed. “Now? After all these years? After everything he put you through?”I felt my throat tighten. “I don’t know what to do, Adrian.”He reached for my hands, gently prying them apart so he could hold them in his. “You don’t owe him anything, Sarah. He has no rights to Nora.”I hesitated. “I know. But… he’s her father.

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