Liv sat at the edge of the bustling café, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her coffee cup. The world outside moved in a blur of people hurrying about, their faces etched with the stress of modern life. But here, in this quiet corner, Liv could momentarily forget the reality she was living in—the reality of being someone she wasn't.
She had always dreamed of a life of excitement, adventure, and freedom. But now, as she watched the world pass by, she couldn't help but wonder if she'd made a huge mistake.
Her phone buzzed on the table, breaking her thoughts. The message was from her friend Emma:"The wedding's in two days. Are you sure you're okay with this? We can back out if you're not ready."Liv read the message twice, her fingers hovering over the keys. Could she really back out? Could she walk away from the carefully planned life Emily had laid out for her? The woman whose life she was now pretending to live? She had already come this far, and to back out now would mean ruining everything.
Not an option, she thought, pushing the phone aside. She took a deep breath and focused on the reality ahead.
She wasn't Emily. Not really. But no one needed to know that. Not even Alex, the man she was about to marry.
Alex had been Emily's fiancé for the past year. He was everything Emily's parents had wanted—a successful businessman, charismatic, and connected in all the right circles. But Emily's unexpected disappearance had forced Liv into a life she wasn't prepared for.
It had all started with a call from Emily's frantic mother. Emily had gone missing without a trace, and Liv, who had been working as her personal assistant, had been the only one who could step in and fill her shoes. It had been a mad scramble—fitting into Emily's life, pretending to be her, going through all the motions while trying to maintain the illusion.
But now, with the wedding only days away, Liv felt trapped. She couldn't undo it now. She couldn't go back to her quiet life as a secretary with no responsibilities and no connections. This was her reality now.
A part of her wished she could call everything off, confess to Alex and Emily's family that she wasn't the real bride, but another part of her told her that the stakes were too high. The more she thought about it, the more she realized she was in over her head.
Two days later, Liv found herself standing in front of a full-length mirror, adjusting the delicate lace of the wedding gown she was expected to wear. It was stunning—every detail was perfect. The gown was everything Emily had dreamed of, or at least that's what Liv had gathered from the countless conversations she'd overheard. But standing in the gown, Liv felt anything but beautiful.
She felt like a ghost, someone wearing someone else's skin. She looked at her reflection, seeing only a faint resemblance to the woman she was pretending to be. The weight of the dress was like a constant reminder of the lie she was living.
As she was lost in thought, a soft knock echoed from the door, followed by a voice.
"Liv?" It was Alex, his voice low and careful. "Are you ready?"
Liv's heart skipped a beat. She had spent so long convincing herself that she could pull this off, that she could be Emily for the sake of her family and the reputation that had to be maintained. But now, standing here, she questioned everything. Was this worth it?
She opened the door and smiled as best she could. Alex stood there, his hands in his pockets, his gaze sweeping over her with that intense look she had grown used to over the last few weeks. But today, it felt different. It felt like he was seeing through her, as if he could tell something wasn't quite right.
"Wow," he said quietly, his eyes lingering on her. "You look…"
"Stunning?" Liv finished for him with a nervous laugh. She gave him a shaky smile, trying to push the anxiety down.
Alex stepped closer, his gaze still fixated on her. There was something about the way he looked at her that made her stomach flip. Was it guilt? Was it admiration? Or something else entirely?
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softer now. "You seem… distant."
Liv's smile faltered for just a moment. Distant. It was the perfect word for how she felt. She wasn't here. Not really. Not as Emily, at least.
"I'm fine," she said quickly, brushing her hair back from her face. "Just… nervous."
Alex nodded, his expression softening. "I get it. It's a big day."
They stood in silence for a moment, and Liv couldn't help but wonder if Alex had figured it out—that she wasn't Emily. The thought gnawed at her.
The wedding ceremony was everything Emily's family had envisioned. The guests were elegant, the atmosphere filled with luxury, and the venue—an extravagant ballroom—was fit for royalty. Liv found herself moving through the motions with a practiced smile, nodding, speaking, and interacting with people as if she were Emily herself.
But the closer she got to Alex, the more the weight of the situation pressed down on her. She was about to marry a man she barely knew, a man who trusted her completely, all while she was living a lie.
As the ceremony drew to a close and the reception began, Liv caught a glimpse of Alex across the room. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and in that fleeting second, Liv felt the strange stirrings of something she couldn't quite place. Was it guilt? Was it something deeper? Her heart raced as she quickly turned away.
What am I doing? "Sigh"
The question lingered in her mind as the night continued, but Liv knew one thing for certain: She couldn't back out now. The lie had taken on a life of its own.
And as much as she wished things were different, there was no turning back.