Chapter 1
Charlotte had been married to Edward for two years when she decided it was time to start trying for a baby.
She went to the relevant office for a consultation, and after filling out her personal information form, the staff member typed a few things into the computer.
Then she looked up at Charlotte with this weird expression on her face. "Ma'am, the system is showing that your marital status is single."
Charlotte froze for a second, then laughed it off. "That can't be right. My husband and I have been married for two years now. Could you check again, please?"
The staff member went through everything carefully one more time, and when she looked up again, she actually seemed embarrassed. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but there really isn't any marriage registration for you in the system."
Charlotte frowned. "Then could you look up my husband's record?"
"Your husband's marital status is also showing as single."
Charlotte felt like someone had stuffed cotton in her ears, and everything around her started buzzing.
The entire city knew she was the woman Edward treasured above all others. They'd shared a bed for three years, and now someone was telling her that neither of them was actually married?
*****
Charlotte Monroe stumbled home in a daze, desperate to confront Edward and get some answers. But as she reached the master bedroom door, she heard a voice that stopped her cold—Diana Harrington, Edward's adopted sister.
"Edward, do you actually have feelings for Charlotte now?" Diana's voice trembled with a hurt Charlotte had never heard before, each word breaking on a barely suppressed sob.
"You told me I was the only one in your heart, but now you're trying for a baby with her. So what does that make me?"
Charlotte's feet froze mid-step, and she could barely process what she was hearing.
What did he mean he'd actually fallen for her? What did he mean Diana was the only one in his heart?
Were they more than just siblings?
Inside the bedroom, Edward stayed quiet for a moment before taking Diana's hand. "Diana, stop this. Charlotte and I are at that age now, and it's natural for us to think about having a baby."
Diana immediately pulled away from his embrace, and her eyes turned red as her voice caught in her throat. "Then what am I to you? You expect me to just stand by and watch you play happy family with her and your kid?"
He said, "You're still the most important person to me."
"I don't believe you!" Diana's emotions spiraled. "The way you look at her is different now. You cook for her, you remember everything she likes, and you even get nervous when she so much as frowns. You can't tell me you don't—"
"Diana!" Edward cut her off, his voice low but gentle. "I still care about you, but it's the kind of affection you have for a sister."
The light from the crack in the door shifted, and Charlotte saw it clearly—two silhouettes tangled together inside the room.
"You're lying." Diana threw herself into Edward's arms, tears streaming down her face. "Edward, I know you're only with her so she can be our cover."
She kept going. "I know you're only pursuing her because being with me would raise too many questions, and that's why you went through with this fake marriage. I know everything. Just hold me, please. Hold me. You promised you'd only ever love me."
Charlotte's blood turned to ice, and a bone-deep cold spread through her entire body.
She swayed on her feet and reached out blindly, her hand finding the wall beside her.
So Diana was the one he loved.
The truth tore through her like a dull knife carving into her heart, and the pain brought tears to her eyes.
She'd fallen for Edward the moment she saw him, so when he pursued her all those years ago, she'd said yes without hesitation.
For years now, he'd told her he loved her almost every single day. But it had all been a lie. Every kind word, every gentle touch—it was all just part of his plan to love someone else.