Chapter 2
Roger couldn't help but chuckle, like he'd heard a joke. "Are you kidding? This was her idea."
Roger took me for a full-body spa session, including skin rejuvenation. He made sure even my toes got the royal treatment.
Staring at my reflection, I almost didn't recognize myself. My skin was flawless and radiant, my eyes lively, cheeks softly blushed.
Dressed in a luxury pink blazer and skirt combo, with glittering crystal heels, I looked nothing like the delivery girl I once was.
I took Roger's offer. He was right. There was no need to overthink things.
With that 150 thousand dollars, my aunt finally had the money to save her life, and I could let go of all the burdens and finally live my own life.
The Glover family sent someone to pick me up. As soon as I got in the car, the cedar scent was so strong it made my head spin.
My dad handed me the notes Helen had carefully prepared about her relationship with Austin.
I'd memorized every detail right before getting in, but now, all that stuck with me was the last thing she wrote.
She wrote: [Don't covet what doesn't belong to you!]
The pen had cut right through the paper. She must've pressed down with all her strength.
When we arrived at the Glover Mansion, the driver opened the door for me. Waiting to greet me was an energetic man in a black suit, looking distinguished and full of life.
"Hello, Miss Shelton. I'm Mr. Glover's butler. You can call me Piers," Piers Weber said.
I followed Piers, my whole body tensed up as I took in the classic, imposing mansion.
Piers passed on some things Austin's mother, Madge Glover, wanted me to know, then made sure I had a spacious guest room all set up for me.
"Miss Shelton, don't stress yourself out. Remember, you're here to help with Mr. Glover's treatment," Piers said with a reassuring smile.
Piers was one of the few people who knew I was impersonating Helen.
"Thank you, Piers," I said sincerely.
I didn't care if this was moral. I was here to fix Austin's memory loss.
With that weight off my shoulders, I felt so much lighter.
Piers looked at me in surprise for a moment, then quickly hid it.
He told me I was free to explore any room in the mansion, except for the collector's room at the far end of the second floor.
After Piers left, I sat nervously on the couch, thinking I'd meet Austin soon. But he never showed up, not even at dinner.
I breathed a sigh of relief, but deep down, I still felt unsettled, like everything was hanging in the balance.
Lying in bed, I kept reading through Helen's diary of her romance with Austin.
One day, she made fried fish for Austin, but she accidentally put in too much salt. He took a bite, frowned, but still smiled and told her it was delicious.
Another time, in the car, Helen finally worked up the nerve to reach for Austin's hand. He didn't look at me, but quietly squeezed her hand back.
One time, Austin finished every bite of the food she put on his plate, even though he had germaphobia.
*****
Early the next morning, a tall man in a black suit walked into the mansion.
His posture was upright, radiating a commanding presence. As he slipped off his jacket, he handed it to Piers, who bowed slightly to take it.
Like a predator sensing an unfamiliar presence in his domain, the man looked up, his piercing gaze shooting straight at me.
I stood frozen on the stairs, locking eyes with him from across the room.
The chilling authority and overwhelming pressure he exuded made my breath hitch, my heart thundering in my chest.
He was Austin, the man Helen was supposed to marry.
I swallowed hard. There was no turning back now.
Whether I needed to help Austin recover his lost memories or stay by his side until Helen got better, I had to give it everything I had if I wanted that 150 thousand dollars from Roger.
I clenched my fists, forcing a smile. Helen's notes were full of simple, everyday moments between her and Austin. All I had to do was recreate them perfectly.
Imitating Helen, I called out in a sweet voice, "Austin."
My voice trembled, and the forced cuteness sounded so awkward. like I was trying way too hard to act cute, but it came out like a startled sheep.
His brows furrowed instantly.
Ever since the accident, he'd been suffering from insomnia. The missing memories were causing him relentless headaches.
The harder he tried to recall, the more the woman's face in the driver's seat faded from his mind.
He'd reached out to the Shelton family several times, hoping to see Helen, but they always brushed him off, claiming she was still not fully recovered.
Now that he finally saw her in person, Austin wasn't nearly as excited as he thought he would be.
In fact, his doubts were only deepening.
He wondered if she was really the girl he loved.
She did not match the shadow in his memories at all.
"Are you Helen Shelton?" Austin's piercing gaze shot straight at me.
My heart suddenly skipped a beat. panic flooding through me.
"Yes," I managed, barely getting the word out.
"Do I like you?" Austin asked.
I swallowed hard and nodded. "Of course you do. Don't you remember? We caught feelings for each other in Styriaglar and kept it a secret for more than a year."
Austin was suspicious.
He raised his brows and seemed to have caught a clue. His icy gaze locked onto me.
He seemed calm, but had a hint of suspicion lurking beneath.