Chapter 1

1.

"Ms. Hayes, as you requested, we have prepared a body identical to yours. It will be delivered on time to your wedding with Mr. Vanderbilt in ten days."

Hearing the confirmation from the person on the other end of the line, Vanessa Hayes tightened her grip on the phone. The tension that had been coiling in her chest for days finally loosened, just a little.

"Thank you. Your service has been excellent."

"This is what we do. Rest assured, the body's realism is sufficient to pass a preliminary visual inspection by a coroner. It will not raise any immediate suspicion."

...

Before ending the call, Vanessa went over a few more details with them, confirming every last point. Only then did she push the door open and walk back into the private club's VIP room.

The room had been filled with the loud, brash laughter of young money. The moment she pushed the door open, it was as if someone had hit a mute button.

Benedict Vanderbilt, who was sitting at the head of the table, stood up immediately. He took her hand, his eyes full of concern, and quickly signed in ASL.

"Sweetheart, what took you so long? Are you feeling unwell? Let me take you home to rest."

He was already putting an arm around her waist, ready to leave.

Vanessa looked at his deep blue eyes, which held only her reflection, and a bitter ache rose in her throat. She shook her head gently, mouthing her reply. "I'm fine. Stay with your friends. I don't want to ruin the mood."

Benedict double-checked with her several times before he finally led her back to her seat beside him.

The room's atmosphere heated up again. A man named Parker lifted his whiskey glass, grinning widely at Benedict.

"Hey, Benedict, you and Vanessa are about to tie the knot. So what are you going to do about that little assistant you've got stashed in your downtown apartment?"

Vanessa's nails dug silently into her palms.

The man next to Parker elbowed him in the ribs.

"Dude, watch it. Vanessa is sitting right here."

Parker just shrugged, not caring at all.

"What's the big deal? It's not like she can hear us. I'm just curious. I want to know how our Wall Street golden boy plans to handle his little pet."

Everyone at the table turned their eyes to Benedict.

"I'm keeping her."

Benedict used his fork to expertly shell the lobster tail on Vanessa's plate, arranging the snow-white meat neatly in front of her before he continued, completely unhurried.

"She's nothing but a bit of fun. The only woman I love is Vanessa."

"But if Vanessa ever found out, she would leave me. So I've kept it well hidden. Even after we're married, she will never find out."

He then swept a warning glare around the table. "All of you―keep your mouths shut. If anyone breathes a word of this in front of Vanessa, don't blame me for erasing you completely from New York's social circle."

These men all moved in the same circles of wealth and privilege. The "a wife at home and a mistress on the side" routine was nothing new to them. Hearing Benedict's words, they just clicked their tongues in amusement.

"Man, you must be exhausted, having to hide a mistress like that. My wife stopped caring what I do in Palm Beach a long time ago."

"You think Benedict is like you, spreading it around everywhere? The man's just keeping things fresh, get it?"

One of them, eyes bright with gossip, leaned in closer.

"Benedict, since Vanessa can't hear―have you and your little assistant ever, you know, in that penthouse of yours on the Upper East Side..."

He trailed off, leaving the rest to everyone's imagination.

Benedict let out a short laugh, twisting the engagement ring on his finger as he answered casually.

"Of course. It's very― stimulating."

The room erupted in loud wolf whistles and applause as everyone at the table gave him a thumbs-up.

"You're the man!"

"I bet you've christened every corner of that apartment, haven't you, buddy?"

"Looks like marrying Vanessa won't slow down your 'private projects' with that assistant one bit."

The flattery poured in one after another. Not a single person noticed that Vanessa's knuckles were white around her knife and fork.

No one knew that her surgery in Switzerland had been a complete success. Her hearing had been restored for a while now.

And even more, no one knew that she had already decided to leave. She was never going to marry Benedict Vanderbilt.

On the day of the wedding, all that would be left for Benedict was a "body" that looked exactly like her.

Out of the corner of his eye, Benedict saw the untouched lobster meat on her plate. He immediately signed.

"Sweetheart, why aren't you eating?"

Vanessa looked up at the man before her, at his eyes full of concern, and forced a stiff smile. She signed back.

"What were you all talking about? You seemed so excited."

Benedict smiled tenderly. He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her skin.

"They were admiring us. They were saying we'll be the most loving couple in all of New York, that our wedding will be the legend of the social season."

He made the sign for "I love you," his gaze focused and deeply affectionate.

The other people in the room exchanged meaningful looks. Vanessa saw the mockery in their eyes as clear as day.

Her heart felt as if it had been dropped into a glass of martini, full of ice. Bone-chillingly cold.

They were clearly talking about his dirty affairs with his mistress, yet he could look her in the face and say they were admiring their love.

Benedict, I never knew you could lie without even blinking.