Chapter 1

I, Claire Bennett, and James Carter, the heir of the Carter family in Ristarville, were basically forced into an engagement by our families when we were kids.

Because of that arrangement, I'd always treated him like my personal project and kept a closer eye on him than anyone else.

Every time I got too controlling, he'd glare at me and warn, "Claire, mark my words. One day, I'm getting out of this stupid engagement."

Then out of nowhere, I found out I was actually a fake heiress, like, switched at birth.

The second I learned the truth, I tucked away my sharp edges and decided to lie low.

I stopped chasing after his schedule. I stopped forcing him to do all those mandatory couple things with me.

About two weeks after I backed off, his friends threw James a party to celebrate.

James completely lost it and yelled at them, "I told you that you guys don't need to meddle in. Happy now? She's already got another guy. She's done with me."

*****

"Claire, James is hanging out with his friends again," my best friend, Emily Parker, leaned in close and murmured in my ear at the bar.

The bass was so loud that it made my ears buzz. Distracted, I took the phone she handed me.

On the screen, James was leaning against a sports car in a flashy burgundy shirt, a thin red cigarette hanging from his lips.

Around him were a bunch of troublemakers, each with a hot girl in his arms.

I watched the whole video without changing my expression, and then handed the phone back. "It's fine. Let him do what he wants."

Emily frowned. "Are you sure you're okay with that? Why don't you seem to care as much as you used to?"

She reached over to touch my forehead. "Are you sure you're not possessed or something?"

I glanced at her. "Emily, do you want me to remind everyone about that embarrassing thing you did when you were seven?"

After I said that, I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.

I understood why Emily was surprised.

Ever since I was eight and got engaged to James, I had always been the one telling him what to do.

But now, I wasn't sure about anything anymore. Soon, I might not be his fiancée.

Three days ago, I accidentally found out that my parents weren't my biological parents. I was the baby who got switched at the hospital.

Before long, the real Bennett heiress would come home, and my life as a fake would be completely exposed.

All these years, I used my status as the Bennett heiress and James's fiancée to push people around, and I've made plenty of enemies along the way.

There were plenty of people in Ristarville waiting to watch me crash and burn. James was at the very top of that list.

Ever since the engagement was set, I'd kept James on a tight leash. His grandfather, George Carter, had always backed me up, so James had no choice but to listen.

Even after he turned eighteen, I laid down three rules for him.

First, no smoking, no drinking, no fighting, and no running around with those troublemakers.

Second, no sleeping over anywhere else. He had to be home by midnight every night.

Third, he had to fulfill his duties as my fiancé and spend time with me at least three times a week.

Every time I pulled the reins tighter, James would glare at me and warn, "Claire, mark my words. One day, I'm getting out of this stupid engagement."

I never took his threats seriously.

But now, everything has changed.

Marriages between wealthy families were all about balance.

No matter how much George favored me, there was no way he would let his grandson marry someone who couldn't help the family.

This engagement never had a real chance.

Once everyone found out I was a fake heiress, James would probably use the chance to kick me while I was down.

All I could do now was protect myself, back off, and stop interfering with his choices.

That day, instead of waiting around to ambush him like I usually did, I headed back to the Bennett residence early.

Just as I reached the door, James showed up at the same time.

When I heard movement by the entrance, I looked up without thinking and locked eyes with him.

He clearly felt guilty. He tried to look away but couldn't, and I kept my gaze fixed on him.

He lifted his chin and made sure everyone could hear him. "Claire, I admit it. Today, I partied with my friends, and I smoked and drank too."

I didn't argue with him like I used to. Instead, I gave a quiet "got it" and got up to go to my room.

"Claire, wait." James caught up to me and grabbed my wrist.

His eyes locked onto mine, and he seemed a little annoyed. "I said, I smoked and drank today."

"I know," I said. I looked at him, my voice flat. "You don't have to tell me. Do whatever makes you happy."

"Drop the act, Claire," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips.

He looked sure of himself as he continued, "I know you're still upset with me.

"I was wrong for not going to that party with you last time. You've been ignoring me for three days now."

"It's not like—" I started.

"It's fine. You can stay upstairs tonight," he interrupted. Then he started unbuttoning his shirt.

Honestly, his body was incredible. He had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and clean, sharp lines that made him look like he was carved out of pure strength.

I used to climb all over him when we were younger, straddling him and sliding down like he was a jungle gym.

He grabbed my wrist and pressed my palm flat against his tight abs.

Then he turned his head to the side, looking a little embarrassed, and the tips of his ears turned pink.

"Lucky you," he said. "Tonight, you can feel me up all you want."

I glanced at the date on my phone and suddenly remembered that it was our "Rivalry Day" today, the one day we set aside every month to mess with each other.

I always had to remind him about it, but this time, he was the one who brought it up. That was weird.

"James, I'm not in the mood today," I replied.

Then I turned around and ran straight back to my room.