The small face, barely the size of a palm, was coldly beautiful. Her skin was flawless like porcelain, and her eyes glistened like fresh spring water.Sophie looked radiant. Ethereal.
The scar that once marred her cheek?Fake.
With her disguise wiped clean, she stepped out and made her way toward the master bedroom.
She was going to sleep with Ethan Lancaster. Again.Only this time, she had to pretend to be Emily.
She had thought that night was a one-time accident—an unfortunate intersection between two strangers. But now, she had to return to his side, wearing another woman's name.
The memory of Ethan's tall, intimidating figure and the sharp warning in his voice echoed in her mind. Sophie drew a long, quiet breath... and pushed the door open.
Ethan was already in bed, lying against the headboard.
Sophie climbed in carefully, slipping onto the far edge, as far from him as possible.
Ethan was in a foul mood. He didn't even know if it was because of that maid—the one with those haunting eyes, so pure yet sharp. She had dared to provoke his nephew with that bold little note, but those weren't the eyes of a flirt. No, they were deeper than that.
He shut that thought down.
And turned to glance at the woman next to him.
She was practically hanging off the edge of the mattress.
"Why are you sleeping all the way over there? Come here," he ordered, voice low and irritated.
Sophie flinched, then scooted closer.
A subtle, captivating fragrance drifted over.
That scent.He caught it the moment she approached. A sweet, floral warmth that felt... familiar. And addictive.
"In my arms," he said, his tone firm.
Sophie stiffened. She didn't want to. But if she hesitated, he'd start asking questions—and she couldn't afford that.
So she turned and lay stiffly in his arms, barely breathing.
Ethan pulled her close, his strong arms wrapping around her slender shoulders. He buried his face in her hair and inhaled.
That scent again.Soft, soothing, and dangerously tempting.
"You never did tell me," he murmured near her ear, his breath warm, "what perfume are you wearing?"
"I'm not wearing perfume," Sophie said quietly.
He paused."So... it's your natural scent?"
His voice was low, teasing. It curled around her like smoke. Sophie's cheeks turned pink.
"That's not what I meant, Mr. Lancaster."
"Mr. Lancaster?"Ethan frowned. He reached out and gently tilted her chin up."Why did you call me that?"
Sophie's heart skipped a beat. Damn. She forgot to call him the right thing.
His dark gaze sharpened.
"That maid called me 'Mr. Lancaster' too."
Panic prickled her skin. She forced a nervous laugh.
"It's... it's just nerves. This is my first time... sleeping next to you," she murmured, voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan stared at her face.
He knew Emily was beautiful, but right now... this woman looked different. Better.
Her skin looked smoother. Paler. Her lips were a natural rose, and her eyes—those dark, shimmering eyes—were almost too enchanting to look away from.
Emily never looked like this.
Still unaware of the truth, Ethan chalked it up to lighting or mood—or maybe just the contrast from that horrendous rose perfume earlier.
He smirked and ran a calloused thumb along her jaw.
"You seem nervous now," he whispered. "But you weren't shy when you climbed on top of me."
Sophie froze.
"That night... I was drugged," she explained, barely audible.
He raised an eyebrow. "Then tell me—what should you be calling me?"
Sophie's brain screamed Run! but there was nowhere to go. His hand was still on her chin, his grip firm but not painful.
"Call me," he said again, lips brushing her cheek. "Like you did that night."
Sophie swallowed hard.
"H-Husband..." she whispered, then quickly buried her face in his chest.
She could barely believe what she'd just said.
If he ever found out he was holding a maid in his arms—A maid pretending to be his wife—
What kind of storm would that bring?
But Ethan didn't seem angry.
In fact, he looked... amused.
A slow, dangerous smile curved his lips as he tightened his grip around her waist.
That one word—"Husband"—echoed in his mind, soft and sweet, more intoxicating than anything he'd ever known.