Chapter 1

* * * * * * * * THE VINCE MANSION * * * * *

Lian's scream echoed through the mansion as he stumbled upon his sister Mei's lifeless body. The silence that followed was only broken by the sound of his own ragged breathing.

"Mei, no... please wake up! Open your eyes it's me lian" Lian's desperate cry shook his entire house. He was holding the limp form of his sister whose body was already cold and looked pale. She was identical to him. The only difference was that her hair was longer and she was dressed in a feminine clothes.

His parents rushed into the room, their faces frozen in horror. "Mei! Oh God, no!" his mother wailed, collapsing beside Mei's body checking her pulse.

Her eyes widened in horror because she could feel a single pulse on her.

Lian's father stood paralyzed, his eyes fixed on Mei's lifeless form. "This can't be happening," he whispered, his voice trembling.

Lian clutched his mom, Mrs Vince, tears streaming down their faces, As they watched the guards take away mei body.

Lian felt numb, his mind reeling from what just happened. He couldn't process the devastating reality. Mei was gone.

As the silence continued, Lian's father suddenly stiffened. "The contract," he whispered, his eyes wide with fear. "What are we going to do?"

Lian's heart skipped a beat. What contract? And why did it matter now, when Mei was gone?

Lian's mother turned to his father, her eyes wild with panic. "We can't tell Cheng about this," she whispered urgently. "What do we do?“ Mrs Vince asked in panic. But her husband wasn't even looking at her so she traced his eyes to where he was looking.

“Honey, we have a serious issue. Why are you staring at Lian that way?“ she asked in anger.

“We have to find a way to... to replace Mei,"Mr Vince said.

“But how?“ Mrs Vince said just then realisation dawned on her.

Lian's mind was filled with so many thoughts. Replace Mei? Why?How could they even suggest such a thing, what's the contract all about?

His father's eyes locked onto his. "Lian, you're Mei's twin," he said, his voice low and even. "You're the only one who can take her place."

Lian felt a chill run down his spine. Take Mei's place? What did that even mean?

"But... but shouldn't Mei be taken to the hospital there is a possibility she is still alive?" Lian asked, his voice shaking.

His father's expression turned cold and hard. "It's too late for that, Lian," he said. "Mei is gone. And we need to focus on damages ahead."

Lian's mother nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. "We'll take care of the... arrangements," she said. "But for now, let's just get through this before tomorrow."

“We have no choice but for you to take her  place .“ lian's father said with no single emotion in his face.

Lian's heart sank in from the words of his father.

His mind raced as he tried to process what was happening. His sister was dead, and his parents were talking about replacing her like she was some kind of interchangeable object.

"What do you mean, 'take her place'?" Lian demanded, his voice shaking with anger and fear.

His father's expression turned cold and hard. "You'll find out soon enough," he said. "For now, just remember that you owe us. We've given you everything, and now it's time for you to repay us."

Lian felt a chill run down his spine. What did his father mean? He is just making his mind more messed up.

Before he could ask any questions, his mother stepped forward. "Lian, come with me," she said, her voice soft but firm.

Lian hesitated, unsure of whether to follow her. But his mother's expression gave no room for argument. He reluctantly followed her out of the room, leaving his father.

As they walked, Lian's mother's silence was oppressive. Lian couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

They finally arrived at the garden.

"Sit down, Lian," his mother said, her voice softly.

Lian hesitated, but his mother's expression brooked no argument. He sat down, his heart racing with anticipation.

“I don't know how you will handle this, but this is the truth, i wanted to tell you and mei on your next birthday but I've already told you it 's just you i haven't told yet.“

“You see, Lian, you and me were never my children. Mrs julia started with a warm tone.

“wh…what does mom mean?“ lian asked in a panic voice.

“You and your sister were abandoned and your parents were nowhere to be found, so I and your father decided to take the both of you home and take care of you like our own children,” Mrs Julia continued.

Lian just sat there staring at her in disbelief, he opened his mouth to speak but the words seemed stuck in his throat.

“Your father took a big loan from cheng and in return Mei has to marry him but now Mei is dead you have to replace her.“ she continued.

“So this is why mei killed herself, mom how could you do this?“ Lian asked as tears dropped falling from his eyes.

“Your father's company is going bankrupt and if we don't pay, you wouldn't want all of us dead would you?“ Mrs Julia asked as she stared right into Lian's eyes.

“No mom, I wouldn't, but isn't there another way?“ lian asked with a little hope in his eyes.

“No lian, there is no other way.“ “You look exactly like your sister so Cheng won't notice anything. You have to replace her or we will all be dead.“ mrs julia said.

“The engagement is tomorrow.“ Mrs Vince said in a low tone.

“What!!!“ Lian screamed as he stood up.“How could it be tomorrow, mom??“

“I can't do this.“ lian said.

“You have to lian or else we would b dead. after all Cheng doesn't know mei has a twin.“

“But what if he finds out I'm not mei, What if he finds out I'm a boy, he would kill me wouldn't he mom?“ lian asked in panic as stared at his mom worriedly.

“You don't have to worry about that, I can reassure you that he won't find out.“

“You should go to your room and have more sleep, it's late.“ Mrs Vince said already tired of answering his questions.

Lain walked back to his room, his mind still trying to process all that happened today.

The death of his sister, he will replace his sister, his getting engaged tomorrow, his going to pretend to be a girl.

He walked into his room and collapsed on the bed, he tried to sleep hoping he would wake up and find out it was all a dream.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

THE NEXT DAY

Lian stared at his reflection, horrified. His mother had just finished styling his hair and applying makeup, transforming him into a perfect replica of his sister Mei. This was the  day he was going to be his engagement with his unknown fiance and he will live there forever with him.

"I look exactly like Me?" Lian whispered, his voice trembling.

His mother's expression was unyielding. "You'll make a perfect substitute, you must make the voice light like that of a female." she said. "Cheng will never know the difference."

Lian felt a wave of nausea wash over him. This was insane. He couldn't just pretend to be Mei Forever.

"Let's go," she said, holding him as they walked out of the room.

Lian stumbled after her, his heart racing.

As they reached the entrance hall, Lian saw a limousine waiting outside. His mother pulled him toward the door.

The door opened and Liam's father was already seated.

“What took you so long?“ he asked, his face visibly angry. Neither of them replied to him.

"Get in," she said. "Your fiance is waiting."

Lian's blood ran cold. Their words  made me feel like puking.

As Lian hesitated, his mother's grip on his arm tightened. "Don't disobey us, Lian," she hissed. "Get in the car."

Lian felt a surge of fear. He didn't want any of  this. But his parents' determination was clear.

With a sense of resignation, Lian climbed into the limousine. His mother followed, settling into the seat opposite him where his father was.

As the car pulled away from the curb, Lian caught a glimpse of his father's mansion receding into the distance. He felt a pang of sadness. Would he ever see his home again?

The journey was silent and tense. Lian's mother stared out the window, her expression unreadable. Lian tried to break the silence, but she ignored him.

As the hours passed, Lian's anxiety grew. What would Cheng look like? Would he discover his true identity?