Chapter 1

1 During my broke years, I impersonated my sister to take care of her blind fiancé for fifty grand. The day he regained his sight, I vanished. We met again at a business interview. I was a nobody intern reporter, while he, restored to his former glory, was the powerful young heir of the Hayes family. He was being interviewed: "We heard that during your illness, you were indebted to your fiancée, Ms. Chloe Williams, for her unwavering support. Are you two getting married soon?" He smirked, raising his hand to reveal a ring: "Yes, Chloe and I are getting engaged." Yet, his gaze, through his glasses, drifted towards me in the corner.

...

Before the interview, the room buzzed with gossip. "The young heir being interviewed today is the head of the entire Hayes empire." "I heard five years ago he went blind and was kicked out of the family. If it weren't for his fiancée’s constant care, he’d probably be dead." "Shh, keep it down―"

I sat to the side, forcing a smile, my nails digging into my palms. Suddenly, Mark, the senior reporter mentoring me, turned: "Hey, Anna, grab me some water, will ya?"

I’d just reached the water cooler by the door when it swung open. A familiar figure filled my vision, my mind blanking. Three years had transformed Ethan Hayes drastically. The once-thin teenager was now tall and imposing, his features sharper. His once-cloudy eyes were now cold and clear.

"Excuse me," he said flatly, his gaze sweeping past me like I was a stranger. He walked onstage, flanked by bodyguards. As he passed, a crisp, woody scent lingered.

I froze, then it hit me. The two years I’d spent with him were Ethan’s darkest. Exiled and blinded by a car accident, of course he wouldn't recognize me. ...Good.

By the time I returned with the water, the interview had begun. Ethan sat onstage, fingers steepled, calmly surveying the room, answering business questions. Suddenly, the side door opened. Chloe Williams entered, smiling at Ethan: "Sorry, Ethan, darling. There was a hold-up on set. I'm late."

She glided to the seat beside him, her champagne gown shimmering. The room hushed, then buzzed with excitement. Mark, sipping his water, looked at me like he’d made a discovery: "Hey Anna, you and Chloe Williams… you kinda look alike."

I forced a laugh. "She's a movie star, Mark. You're too kind."

Of course we looked alike. We were sisters.

"We heard that during your illness, you were indebted to Ms. Williams for her unwavering support. Are you two getting married soon?"

My throat tightened as I watched Ethan. He smirked, revealing a plain silver ring on his left ring finger �C the one I'd bought him years ago to cheer him up. It looked out of place on the wealthy heir, yet he traced it with his finger as if oblivious. "Yes, Chloe and I are getting engaged." He said, his gaze sweeping across the audience, lingering on me for a fleeting moment before moving on.

The microphone was passed to Chloe. "Ms. Williams, we hear you're currently filming Director Lucas’s movie. He rarely casts new actors. Did Mr. Hayes have any influence?"

She smiled, admitting, "Of course. I'm confident in my abilities, but I won't deny Ethan's support. And I absolutely deserve it." Her self-assuredness earned the crowd's approval.

Someone asked, "Could you share any stories of how you and Mr. Hayes supported each other during his difficult time?"

Chloe's smile faltered. In the awkward silence, time seemed to slow. Finally, Ethan chuckled, taking the microphone. "Nothing much to tell. Our memories are for us to keep."

Tears pricked my eyes. I gripped my pen, looking down. Closing my eyes brought back memories. During his downfall, people had harassed Ethan. Once, protecting him, I was shoved down some stairs, bleeding. The attackers ran. I got up, pretending nothing happened, and returned to his side. "Let's go home."

Ethan grabbed my hand. "You're hurt. We're going to the hospital."

"I'm fine―"

"I smell blood!" His voice rose, tears spilling from his cloudy eyes like dust-covered stars. He pulled me close, his thin arms tight. He spoke, but called me by my sister’s name: "Chloe. When I recover, I’ll give you the grandest wedding in the world.”