Chapter 1: A Shattered Dream

Two sweaty bodies lay next to each other. Emily Brooke sighed contently and hugged her fiance, Jacob Jefferson. There was a month left before their wedding day, and they spent time that night in his apartment as he started asking her three months ago. 

At first, Emily hesitated to make love with Jacob, since she had never done it. However, Jacob convinced her they would get married soon, and nothing he wanted more than to prepare her to be his wife. She was in love with him, and finally, after considering it for a while, Emily said yes and gave her virginity to him. 

Since then, there were countless times Emily and Jacob made love to each other in his apartment at the ELS (East Luxury Side). She agreed because they would marry. Besides, Jacob was always sweet and attentive to her.

Jacob kissed Emily’s forehead and smiled at her. “You always make me happy, Amy.”

Emily smiled, but then she frowned and froze. Did she misheard what Jacob said? Jacob called her Amy. Could it be it just slipped off the tongue? Amy Hoffner, or Amy Brooke before she married Samuel Hoffner, was Emily’s distant cousin. Samuel was one of the ten eligible billionaire bachelors in their country and also in the continent before marrying Amy. Unfortunately, Amy was also Jacob’s ex-fiancee.

“What did you say?” Emily asked, unsure if she heard him correctly. 

“Hmm?” Jacob yawned and stared at Emily while his hand stroked her right cheek. “I said you always make me happy, honey. Why?” He didn’t realize he mentioned a wrong name.

Emily bit her lower lip and shook her head, then she smiled. “Nothing. I may be too stressed because of the preparations for our marriage.”

“You need to relax, baby.” Jacob stroked her rosy cheek again and kissed her lips. “I can’t wait to be your husband.” 

Then he started kissing her neck, an exquisite, slender, and long column like marble, with a skin as spotless and gentle as the finest white silk. He paid attention to her generous bosoms, showered  each with a long attention and care. She reached to him, rewarding him with a kiss as he stirred up her fire. 

He placed his hand on her nape and deepened his flirtation with his touch. Each time he lifted her passion higher and higher until finally the heat was unbearable and consumed both of them as one. With each sighing and moaning their satisfaction to each other, he ended their lovemaking with a sweet kiss on her forehead.

After resting for five minutes, Emily giggled. She thought she heard Jacob wrongly. Amy and Emily were almost similar names. She had to be wrong. So, she only sighed, enjoying how he satisfied her. 

“Thank you, darling. You satisfied me.” Jacob hugged his fiancee. 

Emily leaned her head on Jacob’s chest. “Same here. I’m content with you too.”

He hugged her more tightly with a hand and caressed her back. Then he halted his move, as if he remembered something. His other hand headed to her flat stomach. He rubbed her belly tenderly and smiled. 

“What?” she asked. 

“Nothing.” 

She didn’t ask further, and after a while, the couple went asleep, still hugging each other. An hour later, a ring from his phone woke him. He rubbed his eyelid and reached out to grab the phone. Seeing the name on the screen, Jacob immediately sat on the bed, rejected the call, and turned off the phone.

He rushed to put on his clothes. Then, taking the phone with him, Jacob walked to the balcony. Before closing the door, he turned his body to stare at Emily who was still asleep. He took a deep breath and closed the door without a sound. 

Afterward, he sat on a chair there, enjoying the night breeze for a minute or two. Then, he turned on his phone and called back to the one who had called him before. “Mother? Why did you call?” he muttered, as he didn’t want to wake Emily.

“Is Emily with you?” Tanya asked. 

“Yes, she is asleep. Why?”

Tanya let out a sigh. “No, I’m happy to know everything goes smoothly as we expected. Emily is a sweet girl. I hope you will treat her well after marrying her.” 

“For sure, Mother.” 

“Remember, her mother is a wonderful fashion designer, and she has helped me a lot to expand our fashion house.”

Jacob wanted to end the conversation because he was tired of talking with her mother. Even after thirteen years passed by, her mother remained the same. He could only shake his head. It was useless to argue with his mother. 

“Mother, without her to support you, my wealth is more than enough to help. You don’t need to worry about your fashion house anymore.”

“I know you are now one of the youngest billionaires in our country. When I even heard your name is listed on ten of the most eligible billionaire bachelors in the country, even in the continent, I can’t be a prouder mother!”

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Jacob said, “Sure, and no thanks to you, Mother. It’s because of Amy and Samuel who helped me. Without them, there would be no today.”

Tanya waved her hand, as if she brushed aside what Jacob said. “Forget about them. You will marry Emily in a month. She is everything you want and need. Emily is even sweeter than Amy back then.”

He massaged his throbbing temple. It was always like that when he dealt with his mother. “I know. It’s why I agreed to your arranged marriage, but you know the other reason.”

“Jacob, don’t! It’s time you forget the past!” his mother said. “Nothing good can come from visiting the past. From what I heard, Amy just delivered her baby again. It’s the fourth child. It’s time for you to focus on Emily and give me a grandchild soon.”

“I’m working on it, Mother, but I can’t forget Amy. Each time I’m with Emily, it’s as if I got a second chance with Amy. Since their faces are a little similar, I can’t help but see her in Emily.”

***

Emily awoke and shivered because Jacob’s warm body wasn’t next to her. Usually, he would hug her, and then they would make love again. She glanced around to see Jacob wasn’t in his room.

So, she took a pink silk kimono robe and wore it. When Emily would leave the bedroom to find him, she heard a slight voice from the balcony. 

She smiled. Her fiance was on the balcony. She wanted to surprise him and asked him to return to the bed. So, she walked on foot and opened the door to the balcony with no sound, as she wanted to surprise him. He sat on a chair and turned his back on her. He didn’t notice she was behind him. 

“Feelings are not like a switch, Mother. I can’t forget Amy.” He shook his head. “I know it has been thirteen years, but she is everything I want. Everything I need. I accept Emily because she is her replacement.”

“You can learn to love Emily too.”

Jacob bent his head. “Maybe. I need more time. It’s possible I can, but for now, each time I’m with her, I feel as if I were with Amy.”

“It’s up to you. It’s your life anyway. But I want a grandchild soon.”

“I want to have a son or a daughter too. As soon as Emily is pregnant, I’ll let you know.”

“Good! Besides, if she is pregnant now, your position is stronger. She will love you more.”

“Maybe.” Jacob laughed a little. “I can’t wait to hear the good news from her. She will be an excellent mother. I’m sure of that.”

Emily covered her mouth with a hand. Her face was pale after hearing Jacob’s conversation with his mother. It shattered her dream of a happy life. At first, she thought Jacob wanted to marry her because he loved her. The reality was harsh. Who would have thought he wanted her to be her cousin’s replacement? 

She moved backward and closed the door carefully so there wasn’t any sound. Her eyes were wet with tears. She didn’t know what to do. Her parents left all the marriage decisions to her because they loved her. She agreed to the marriage because Jacob was her first love. However, knowing the truth now, what would she do?