Chapter 4 M argot "Hurry up. We haven't got all night." Stepmother prods me down the hall with a jabby, almond-shaped fingernail in my back. "Mother, how are all the chores going to get done if the puppy is gone?" Ashley whines like the brat she is. I hold back an eye roll as she continues. "She didn't even finish what she was supposed to do for me tonight." "You'll have to take that up with your father. He didn't ask my opinion before he decided to sell our little Dalmatian off." "How selfish of him," Kristen pouts in her high-pitched, screechy voice. "I need my room cleaned. My friends are coming over tonight." "I'm sorry, my darling. We'll have to get another servant just for you. Don't you worry about it." Stepmother comforts Kristen and Ashley by bringing them into a group hug. "I would never let either of you suffer. "Besides, I wouldn't be surprised if whoever buys Margot wants a refund after their drunken run with her body. Who would keep her when there are so many other options? She's a maid, but not even a good one. I shouldn't have kept her around all this time. Yet, my heart, it's so kind…I took pity on the girl. Hopefully, whoever buys her takes pity, too." My eyes glaze as my stepmother leads me into a guest bathroom. She waves her hand for me to remove my dress, then shoves me into the shower. It isn't one of the nicer showers like some of the others. As the blistering hot water hits my skin, I yelp. Stepmother smiles and adjusts the knob. "Oops." She doesn't mean it. As the water cools, the warmth feels like heaven. I can't remember the last time I got to bathe with warm water, and I relish the moment. She seems irritated by my apparent happiness and snaps, "Shampoo and condition your hair, puppy. There's a razor and soap on the ledge. Remove all hair on your body." "All of it?" I glance between my legs. She raises the corner of her upper lip. "Your father said you must remove all body hair. I would assume that indeed means all of it, idiot." I lather my body with the lightly vanilla-scented soap. I wash everything as slowly as possible without drawing attention to my delay. Next, I run my fingers through my freshly shampooed long blonde hair and work the tangles with lilac-scented conditioner. I carefully shave my legs and armpits, taking care not to nick anything. I don't think making myself bleed will be looked upon very highly by my stepmother, much less my father. She scoffs. "Aren't you done? We haven't got all night. You have to leave in an hour, so stop dilly dallying around." I finish up quickly, wrapping myself in the fluffy white towel Stepmother thrusts into my hand before stepping out of the shower. I dry off in record time. When we reach the front door, Stepmother, Ashley, and Kristen are standing in the entryway. My half-sisters have apparently gotten over the fact that they are losing their servant because they look positively gleeful. "Bye forever, puppy," Ashley says, sneering at me. Kristen can't let it go without chiming in, too. "Hope whoever gets you breaks you in real nice, puppy." My stomach sinks. Either they know more details, or they are trying to scare me. I don't want to think about the first option. Stepmother eyes me as my father opens the front door and walks out, not looking behind. I'm not prepared for her next words. "Like mother like daughter. Maybe you'll see her in whatever hole you end up in." In "CEO's Substitute Wife" by CrushReel, a gripping tale unfolds as a woman steps into her deceased twin's shoes to uncover the truth behind her sister's mysterious demise after marrying a billionaire. Pretending to be the billionaire's wife, she delves into a web of secrets, deception, and revenge in the high-stakes world of CEOs and office politics. Themes of love, betrayal, and family loyalty intertwine as the protagonist navigates the delicate balance between maintaining her charade and pursuing justice for her sister. The modern setting adds a layer of intrigue to this sweet romance, where hidden motives and unexpected revelations keep readers on the edge of their seats. This unique blend of romance, mystery, and suspense sets "CEO's Substitute Wife" apart, offering a fresh take on the classic billionaire trope with a compelling twist. Discover the secrets waiting to be unraveled in this ongoing saga that promises to captivate readers until the very end. Available to read online at CrushReel for those craving a captivating tale of love and intrigue.