Chapter 1 After pretending to be her sister and married with Cadoc for three years , Emma Jefferson can finally leave him now . " Your sister will be back in a month . Until then , you have to keep pretending to be her , " her mother , Zoey Jefferson , said coldly over the phone . " Once that's done , I'll transfer five million to you . Then you're free to do whatever you want . " " Okay , " Emma replied softly , her voice calm . After she hung up , she stared at the giant wedding photo on the wall . Cadoc looked handsome in his suit , and she was in a stunning gown , smiling softly . " It's been three years , " she whispered , brushing her finger across the photo frame . " It's finally over . " Three years ago , the marriage between the Fitzgerald and the Jefferson families made headlines . Her twin sister , Ella Jefferson , had been chosen as the Fitzgerald family's future daughter - in - law . But on the eve of the wedding , she left a note and vanished . " Dad , Mom , I don't want to be tied down by marriage , but I know it's my duty . Just give me three years to live freely . I'll come back after that . " To keep the deal between the two families alive , Zoey and her husband , Dylan Jefferson , had no choice but to bring Emma back - the twin daughter they'd left behind in the countryside since she was a kid . Emma had never even been allowed at family events , but she became a substitute bride under Ella's name . " Cadoc doesn't like your sister , " Zoey said coldly the night before the wedding . " He's hung up on a poor scholarship girl . Marrying him won't be easy , but just stay in line and get through these three years pre- tending to be Ella . " Emma had only nodded back then . Of course , she knew who Cadoc was . His face was always in finance magazines . He was the most pres- tigious nobleman among the elites , with socialites practically throwing themselves at him . She had also heard the story about Sophie . 0.0 % 11:47 Chapter 1 288 Vouchers Sophie was a struggling student sponsored by the Fitzgerald family . She attended a top university on scholarship . Cadoc loved her deeply and wanted to be with her , even against his family's wishes . But Sophie , proud and distant , couldn't accept a relationship without anyone's approval , so she chose to end things and go overseas . The Fitzgerald family was overjoyed and rushed to arrange Cadoc's marriage . Married life turned out to be way harder than Emma thought . Cadoc's study was covered in photos of Sophie . He flew to Paris every week just to see her secretly . Meanwhile , Emma wasn't even allowed to enter the main bedroom . She had to sleep in the guest room at the far end of the hallway . She was cautious and tried her best to act like Ella . To make sure the partnership between their families ' companies wouldn't fall apart , she did everything she could to stay on Cadoc's good side . If he worked late , she'd leave the lights on and wait by the door . When his stomach acted up , she'd wake up at five every morning to make oatmeal . He liked a quiet house , so she stayed as silent as possible . Eventually , people started saying she was crazy in love with him . But slowly , the way he looked at her began to shift . The photos of Sophie vanished from his study . His Paris trips stopped . He started remembering Emma's birthday , came home early when she was sick , and even began sleeping with her . Emma almost believed that genuine love had somehow come from that substitute marriage . Then , three months ago , Sophie returned . Everything flipped back . Cadoc's attention was on Sophie again . He stopped coming home , and Sophie's photos were back in his study . People mocked Emma like she was some kind of joke . But she never made a scene . She just smiled . The truth was - she never loved him . She only stayed for the money and freedom her parents promised . If Cadoc had fallen for her , great . If not , she wouldn't care . Nobody knew that Emma and Ella might have shared a face , but their lives were nothing alike , Zoey nearly died giving birth to Emma . Since then , she looked at Emma with nothing but disgust . Dy- lan doted on Zoey so much that he treated Emma like a jinx . 22.2 % 11:46 Chapter 1 At age five , Emma was shipped off to live with a nanny in the countryside . 1288 Vouchers She still remembered that one freezing winter . The heater broke , and she was shaking in the cold with- out even a proper coat . Meanwhile , Ella was snug in a fancy villa , wrapped in designer clothes , being showered in love . After 18 years of being treated like she didn't matter , Emma had stopped expecting family affection . With just a month left , she'd finally get the five million promised for pretending to be Ella . Then , she could leave this place and live life on her terms . While she was in a good mood , her phone buzzed with a call . It was Cadoc . Emma took a breath and picked up . " Hello ? " He hung up before she could respond . Emma stared at the phone , already knowing who they were for . He said coldly , " Bring sanitary pads to the Nightfall Club . Night ones . You've got 20 minutes . " Outside , the rain was pouring . The drive from the Fitzgerald's villa to the Nightfall Club usually took at least 40 minutes . Still , Emma grabbed an umbrella and left . Traffic was awful . With just 12 minutes left , she checked the time , gritted her teeth , and jumped out of the car , running through the rain . The rain quickly drenched her clothes , and her high heels kept slipping on the slick pavement . She lost her balance and crashed into a puddle , pain searing through her knees . But she kept going . She finally made it to the club at the 19th minute . Before knocking on the private room's door , she overheard people laughing inside . " Mr. Fitzgerald , are you truly asking Ella to come out in this storm just to drop off pads ? It'll take at least 40 minutes from your place . " " Sophie is hurting , " Cadoc replied indifferently , " Ella will figure it out . " " Well , that's right . Everyone knows how deeply Ella loves you . For the past three years , even though your heart belonged to someone else , she's stayed by your side without a single complaint , " Someone teased , " Come on , man . Are you sure you weren't tempted by that beauty who's been by your side all these years ? " 47.9 % 11:47 Chapter 1 There was silence . Emma held her breath . After a pause , Cadoc said , " Between Sophie and Ella , I'll always choose Sophie . " 288 Vouchers His words didn't hurt . Instead , she felt relieved . She waited until the laughter stopped , then knocked on the door . When she walked in , everyone looked stunned . " Wow , right on time ! " " Ella , why are you drenched ? " Cadoc got up , frowning . " Why are you in a mess ? " Emma handed over the well - protected pads . " You said 20 minutes . I didn't want you to worry , so I ran the rest of the way . " She didn't bring up the fall or the pain . Cadoc's expression shifted slightly . He took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders . " Wear this . " Then , he motioned toward the pads . " Take those to the ladies ' room . ' Emma nodded and walked off . At the restroom , she knocked . A soft voice answered , " Who is it ? " " I brought the pads . " ་ ་ There was silence for a few seconds , then the door opened slightly . Emma handed them over without a word and left . Back home , she took a hot bath . Her scraped knee stung . Lying in bed , she finally felt at peace . Freedom was so close she could taste it . But before she could sleep , the door burst open . Cadoc stormed in , grabbed her wrist . " Get up ! " Before Emma could react , he yanked her out of bed and dragged her toward the stairs . " Cadoc ? What are you- " 72.0 % 11:47 Chapter 1 1288 iVouchers Before she could finish speaking , he shoved her hard , knocking her backward . The back of her head struck the step hard as she tumbled down the stairs . Severe pain exploded through her whole body . Lying at the bottom , she struggled to move . Her vision was fuzzy , blood trickling down her face . " Why ... Why are you doing this ?! " Cadoc stood above her , his face shadowed . His voice was chillingly cold . " Did you push Sophie ? " Emma stared up , confused . " What ?" " Drop the act ! " He stepped closer . " You've been acting all generous just waiting for a chance , right ? You shoved her out the window . She's broken all over and almost died ! " " I didn't ... " She shook her head weakly . The movement aggravated the wound on her head , making her feel lightheaded and dizzy . Cadoc squatted down , grabbing her chin . " Ella , have you started thinking I care about you ? We're only married , not in love . " He leaned in and emphasized , " I'll never love you ! " Emma felt pain all over . But instead of crying , she almost laughed . She never wanted his love in the first place . 87.5 % Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!