Chloe Anderson nicknamed "The Mute Bartender" is a silent girl with steel in her spine, ice in her gaze, and a resolve to save her sick brother and escape the life that has held her captive. What she doesn't know is that she was born into something much bigger, a legacy written in secrets, betrayal, and blood. Savio Revardez is careless, rich, and about to lose it all. When a chance meeting with Chloe turns into an obsession, he makes her an offer she can't resist; pretend to marry him, and he'll fund her future. She takes it, thinking she can handle the heat. But she hadn't expected the fire. Their fake love is messy, magnetic, and maddening. But just as Chloe starts to see the man behind the mask, a woman who is her twin appears in the spotlight. Cleo, had the same face, a darker history, and a necklace that's the same as hers. As secrets are revealed and identities converge, Chloe and Savio are thrust into a complicated battle of power, trauma, and redemption. Just when it looks like things can't get more complicated, the girl he had sex with that night, Trisha appears with vengeance and a courtroom. The truth hits like a storm; he thought it was Chloe that night. It wasn't. Everything now hangs in the balance. Reputation. Freedom. Family. Love. Three women. One man. A broken past. And a future to be rewritten. He thought he could call the shots.But the real story? He had little or no control.
Chapter 1 Chloe's pov
"You don't have to go to the bar today if you feel sick. You're always working." Mum pleaded but I ignored her and started putting my work clothes on.
"Chloe, honey, you're overworking yourself and it's bad. You can spend some time with us for the night. We'll catch up on your favorite shows if you want." Dad joined her.
I turned and found both of them staring at me with pity and guilt in their eyes. I knew what they were thinking, their only daughter was working too hard to provide for the family.
"Mum, dad, it's fine. I'm fine. It's only a slight headache. I'm sure I can handle it, you don't have to work about me. I'll buy something for us to eat on my way back." I responded.
A sudden ache hit my head again, making my eyes spin. I almost lost my footing but I was able to grab my shaky closet before I could fall. Mum and dad jumped out of their seats and rushed to my side.
Mum was sniffing back her tears while dad tried to hold me steady.
"I won't allow this. Yell, protest, cry all you want, you're not leaving this house today, young lady and that's final." Dad instructed with a stern face.
I wanted to protest and argue but my head was spiraling, I was starting to see things in double, every part of my body throbbed hard with pain.
"Oh my goodness! My baby, I'm so sorry we're doing this to you." Mom cried with anguish.
"I'm fine, I can do this, I'm fine!" I wanted to yell and crash out but the words were stuck at my throat. With every passing second, my vision became blurry and I found myself slowly falling into unconsciousness.
"I'll go get Doctor Maven. Stay here with her, honey." I heard dad say before walking out of the room.
No, no, we can't afford a doctor. If we get the doctor, we won't be able to pay the electricity bill. My mind spun round and round as I tried to fight against the force weakening my bones.
"Stay calm for goodness' sake, Chloe. Please let us take care of you." Mum's tears dropped on my face. She held my hand gently, caressing and humming a sad tune. The minute I tried to touch her, a huge force hit my head, sending me into darkness immediately.
The next time I woke up, my ears caught light, squeaky sounds close to my head. I tried to turn but my head felt like it would snap if I made any attempt to do so.
"Mum? Dad?" I called out. My heart was beating fast, almost slamming into my ribcage. I tried to open my eyes and was hit by a bright, sunny ray of light seeping through the window. I knew I had no choice but to stare at the ceiling while my mind spiraled.
"What happened to me? Why am I in bed and not at work?"
Hold on- Work!
All I could think of at that moment was my boss yelling at me and going crazy because I missed a day of work. We're meant to host a special party tonight at the bar and missing it would mean hell for me.
"I'm taking it out of your pay!" I imagined her loud, shrill voice.
No, no, I can't let that happen. Losing my pay would mean that I can't pay for Marion's monthly medication and that would spin into having him admitted at the hospital, which would make him miss school and send me back into the arms of loan sharks.
I forced myself up, pushing the pile of clothes off my bed. I almost fell over the first time but my hands caught the bed stand before I could tip over, then the door opened, with a loud, squeaky noise as usual.
"What are you doing, Chloe? Why are you up?" Mum's shrill voice resounded in my head. She had pure terror in her eyes as she stared at me.
"Mum, it's fine, I'm fine. I only got dizzy for a second. I'm heading out to work now." I ignored the tears in her eyes and took slow and shaky steps towards my closet.
"The doctor instructed that you stay in bed all night. You can't go to work, your father won't allow it." I didn't need help to know she was panicking terribly and while I wanted to assure her that I'll be fine, I knew doing that would make her coerce me into going back to bed, which would be a disaster.
"Mum, it's fine, really. I have to work tonight if we want to pay the doctor. The landlord is coming for the rent soon and if we can't pay, he'll kick us out. I can't just stay in bed all day." I pushed. Taking a quick glance at her, I knew she wanted to argue but couldn't.
"Promise me you'll be fine, honey." She muttered, her voice low and shaky.
I found my apron and hung it over my shoulder. My head was still aching terribly but I pushed the pain aside, focusing on my mother. I let out a small, painful smile.
"I'll be fine, mum. I'll be back before dad gets back so you don't get into an argument." I said to her, making for the door.
"Chloe." She called my name and I turned to her with a forced smile.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered with tears falling out of her eyes. I wanted to respond, hug and tell her that I didn't mind working all my life to give our family a good life but my heart was aching terribly. Turning once would shatter me so I broke our eye contact and stepped out of the room.
"When will this ever end?" I asked myself.
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