Chapter 1

My twin sister, Lilian Sterling, was arranged to marry Ethan Goodman. It was a merger disguised as marriage. Instead, she ran away in the middle of the night to reunite with her childhood sweetheart, Henry Smith.

Before she left, she begged me through tears, "Vivian, just three months. Pretend to be me until Henry fixes his company issues and comes for me."

I stared at our identical reflection in the mirror and nodded before I could stop myself.

From that day on, I lived as Lilian. I slept beside Ethan every night.

Ethan was gentle and attentive, with a body that felt sculpted from marble and hands that knew exactly where to touch; even his kisses left me breathless.

I began to believe I could keep this stolen life, this stolen happiness, forever.

Then Lilian returned. "Vivian, I want my life back. Henry was only using me. I finally know who really cares about me."

She rushed into Ethan's arms, while I was pushed aside, left like some invisible fool, someone who didn't even deserve to be seen.

That night, I packed my bags, planning to leave quietly. But as I turned around, I found myself staring into Ethan's bloodshot eyes.

He squeezed my chin, his voice rough and terrifying. "Think you can run away after having your fun?

"You think putting on Lilian's dress and pretending I'm her husband could ever hide you from me?"

*****

When Lilian caught me by the wrist, the first summer storm was pouring down outside. Lightning tore through the night sky, lighting up her face and making it pale as death.

She tightened her grip to a death lock, her nails almost breaking the skin. Her tears fell hard and fast, matching the rain outside, darkening a small patch of the floor beneath her. "Vivian, please."

Her voice shook violently, like a candle flame in a draft, flickering, almost dying, then flaring up again.

I stood there, gazing down at her.

For twenty-two years, I'd stared at this face. Same eyes. Same shape. Same teardrop mole by her right eye. Not one difference.

When we were little, our mom could never tell us apart in the bathtub. She'd tie a red string around Lilian's wrist and a white one around mine.

But now, looking at her, it was like staring at someone I barely knew.

"Just three months." Lilian looked up, tears trembling on her lashes, her eyes pleading.

"Henry's company is in trouble. He needs time to sort things out, and once he's done, he'll come get me. Just three months, Vivian. Please, take my place for three months, will you?"

Another flash of lightning lit up the night, and thunder crashed so hard it made the windows shake.

I didn't move.

"You know how Mom's health is," Lilian continued, her voice trembling with urgency.

"If she ever found out I ran off with Henry, it would break her. And Dad. He put everything into making this marriage happen. If it all blows up, you know how he gets. Vivian, can you really let our family be ruined?"

Could I let this happen? I didn't know.

All I knew was that three months ago, Lilian had been curled up in my bed with my pillow, talking about Henry.

She told me they grew up together, that he was the love of her life. "Vivian, you don't even know how gorgeous his smile is."

Back then, her eyes shone like she had stars trapped inside.

"But what about Ethan?" I finally managed to say, my voice so dry it barely sounded like my own. "Does he know?"

Lilian froze for a second, then shook her head, a bitter smile twisting her lips. "He doesn't know, and honestly, he doesn't need to. Our marriage is nothing but a business arrangement. All he wants is a Sterling heiress. To him, it doesn't matter if it's you or me."

As she spoke, she stood up and guided me to the full-length mirror, holding my hand.

Two identical faces appeared in the reflection, staring back at us.

Lilian stood behind me, resting her chin on my shoulder, like she did when we were kids.

Her cheek pressed against mine, her breath warm and even. "See? Who could tell us apart?"

I stared at my reflection, at the face that was indistinguishable from Lilian's.

For twenty-two years, I'd lived in her shadow.

I wore her clothes, used her books, and even her name was more beautiful than mine.

Lilian was the melody. I was the backup singer. Lilian was silk and satin. I was the echo.

All my life, I'd heard it. "Vivian, your sister is so beautiful. Vivian, why can't you be more like her? Vivian, if only you had half her spark."

I was used to Lilian picking out clothes first, used to her being the one everyone noticed, used to our mom always looking past me to her, used to her getting the best of everything.

But this time, she wanted to let me take her place, even in marriage.