"You're getting married today! It is your duty to your family! You must!" Claire's mother said as she held on to her daughter's hand while a veil was being fixed on her head. "Married! You must be joking mum! I'd rather jump off a cliff!" "Everyone is waiting Claire! You have no choice!" Her mother snapped at her and Claire snatched her hand away from hers in annoyance. "Why must I be forced to suffer for Charlotte's mistakes?!" Charlotte and Claire Branson are identical twins but have lived separate lives ever since they were born. Charlotte, being the perfect daughter and the better sister, was betrothed to marry Henry Laurent, the son of their long time friend and business partner. On the day of the wedding, the Bransons arrive in Charlotte's room to meet a note, Charlotte has eloped with their chauffeur, leaving her parents distraught. Quickly, her family moves to save themselves from public embarrassment and get Claire to stand in line for her sister. Claire refuses at first, but has no choice as she is pushed into the waiting arms of Henry Laurent, an unwilling partner of the marriage who had thought he was getting married to the 'better' sister. Claire is determined to hate her new husband, but this doesn't turn out as planned.
View MoreClaire planned to spend the next couple of days working from home like Henry advised. At least till the whole gossip died down. Their parents had been angry nonetheless but she had apologized appropriately and Henry had even taken part of the blame when he had nothing to do with the issue in the first place. He was sweet, so sweet. Claire continued working on her project, she was desperate to finish it before the next summer. She wanted to open it during the summer, she believed that would be the best time to open it. She was in talks with a few other people about the place, it was going to be awesome. For the first time in a long time, she felt fulfilled. She was working on something, something that she had always wanted to work in and it seemed like things were going according to plan. Splendidly well if she would add. She finally had a project to work on, something she could call hers, something that was growing. It was a wonderful feeling. It kept her occupied. She also didn't
"What the fuck?"Claire thought as she looked at the article that Kendall sent her, someone had taken pictures of her at the party, picture of her dancing with a guy and a stupid blog had carried it and titled it, 'Trouble in paradise? Claire Branson Laurent newlywed seen in a club dancing with another guy' It was her, it was unarguably her. But why though?She thought as she rolled her eyes. If her parents or Henry found out she was going to be in a lot of trouble. They already had enough dealing with Charlotte eloping.She started texting Kendall, hoping to get the article taken down as soon as possible before it garnered more attention. People were already sending her the links to the article on her social media asking her if she was the one in the pictures, she left their messages unread. She would reply them after determining the best way to handle the situation.She was still freaking out when someon
The next few days went by in a blur, Claire and Henry barely saw each other. Henry left early for work, so Claire didn't get to see him and Claire stayed out so late that when Henry was back he was fast asleep. They didn't have breakfast together and they certainly didn't have lunch with one another. Claire spent her days working on her new project and her nights partying with her friends, sometimes, she'd stay late enough at Kendall's place just so she wouldn't have to meet Henry when he was coming back from work. It was already their routine and Claire was comfortable with it. Henry looked at the watch, it was almost time for lunch break, he was leaving work early, mostly because he had planned to see Allison. They were going to have lunch together and catch up. He had forgotten all about it till she called him two days ago to follow up on the statement she made. He agreed, he did need a break. Henry had been working at his f
"Poor Claire.""I can't imagine how she'd be holding up."Macey said as she took a small bite out of her macarons. She closed her eyes to savor the test. She had not had macarons in a long time and the bakery had some. Even though she had been very hesitant to try anything, she made sure that she tried the macarons."Her family is shitty for pulling such a stunt." Kendall said as she took the last puff of her weed and dumped it in the ashtray, she had gone to the bathroom for a quick smoke.Macey waved her away.She looked at the menu again, she supposed she could try something else. But everything looked sickeningly sweet. She wasn't sure she was in the mood for any more sugar. "Tell me why you plan on getting high so early this morning?"Kendall shrugged."It helps with my stress. And I'm very stressed out this morning.""I'm not really worried about Claire. Knowing her, she's probably planning her own escape."Kendall added and Macey nodded.
The best part of the party for Henry was seeing his brothers. He had barely seen the, before the wedding and when they came for the wedding, he was so caught up in his own problems that he couldn't catch up with them.They had a lot to catch up on and then his parents had invited some of his old friends over and they were drinking and talking and having a blast. He had thought having a party was a terrible idea, but he was enjoying it and he understood why his parents threw him a party. They wanted to make him feel happy and comfortable, after everything he had been through.He felt a little guilty because he promised Claire that they would leave after making an appearance but in his defense, he had looked around and didn't find Claire and he had assumed she was having fun or talking to his family. She must be at the bar, he thought as he looked around again. He was still talking to some friends when Allison Parker walked over to him. She looked every bit as beautiful and
The dinner was just what she was expecting, over the top, too much champagne and some unfamiliar faces. Not her usual scene either.One thing was certain, the Laurents knew how to throw a party, a totally unnecessary one though. Claire thought as she sttuggled to keep her cool. Henry was next to her being as charming as always, he didn't seem to mind. Meanwhile Claire was bored and tired. "Claire! Claire!"Someone called and she turned around and saw an unfamiliar blonde woman waving at her, she turned to Henry for help and he smiled. "That's my mother. You met her at the wedding remember?"Honestly Claire couldn't be too sure, she had too much to drink during the wedding party that the events of the day and the people she saw were all hazy in her mind. She couldn't remember her."Oh. I'm sorry, I'm not really familiar with her. I only saw her one during the wedding and..."She trailed off. Henry squeezed her hand in comfort."It
They were back in San Diego. After one more day in Bora Bora they had left the beautiful breathtaking island. Back to real life!Claire thought as they arrived in front of Henry's estate. It was stunning, like most of the houses in Rancho Santa Fe.Someone came to help them with their bags while Henry decided to give Claire a tour of the place."This is stunning."She commended and he nodded as they walked in. "I bought it a few months ago."The house had a kind of sophisticated elegance and welcoming ambience to it that emanated throughout the impeccably maintained and pristine five bedroom residence."Impressive! Did you redecorate?"Henry shook his head."I kept the original design. It has more charm."Well it certainly did, Claire silently agreed. The double doors revealed a two story foyer with impressive chandelier and grand staircase.The living room was dramatic in Claire's opinion, it featured a stately f
"Us?""I don't understand."Claire said as she turned to him and he nodded. "I know. I know, but we need to talk about us.""You know the kind of situation we're in. And we both know that we aren't willing particpants to this marriage."Claire nodded."It was either I get married or go broke. I didn't have much of a choice."Henry chuckled and then nodded."We can still live happily together, even with nothing between us."Claire raised her eybrow, she liked the sound of whatever he was suggestuing,But was was he even suggesting?"I am going to need you to elaborate further for me Henry."Henry nodded."I'm just saying, we should make things a little but easier for ourselves. We don't have to force feelings or anything. We can live separate lives while staying married.""Discretely of course."He added and Claire nodded.Hnery gulped hard, it was hard to gauge Claire's reaction when she was giving him
"Henry..."Charlotte said and Henry nodded. One could see the pain that was in his eyes, it was hard to miss. "I called you so many times, left several messages, the least you could have done was given me an explanation.""I am so sorry?"Henry chuckled."See, that's the thing. I don't know what you're sorry for, for getting caught or for jilting me and leaving me at the altar.""You could have said no, I would have been rational about it, I would have understood. You didn't.""You just kept stringing me along while you had your devious plan in mind.""I'm so sorry Henry, I didn't mean for it to happen this way..."Claire watched uncomfortably, the way he talked, the strain on his face, he had loved her sister. Or still loves her by the looks of it. Was that why he was cold to her? Distant?Seeing her must have reminded him too much of Charlotte. Claire walked away, the conversation was too hard for her to listen,
"Here!!"Claire said out loud as she hurriedly tried to put on her earrings while the cab stopped in front of her parents villa. She picked up her coat and quickly shrugged it on, it was quite a chilly morning."Here? Oh Oh! You live here?"He asked as he looked back and Claire shrugged."Unfortunately."She glanced at the huge monstrosity that was their family home and smiled, she did miss it.She groaned as she dragged her purse with her immediately the cab came to a staggering halt in front of the pretty wrought iron gate."Thank you so so much! You are a lifesaver!"She muttered as she handed a couple of hundred dollar bills to the driver as he came out of the car to help her with her luggage.She was late, very late. She could only imagine what her mother and her father would be scolding her about the moment she walked in.How could you be late to your own sister's wedding! Why didn't you arrive a week
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