Deception and Desire

unding headache that makes me wince. I groan, fumbling to turn off the alarm. Another day stretches

y sixteen-year-old sister has a talent for turning ordinary mornings into coffee-scented bliss. "One day, I'll

shuffle to the kitchen, still r

anessa!" two small vo

n to kiss Colby and Collins on their cheeks. The twin

out a childlike drawing of a family- stick

like this. She'd pin them on the fridge and call them her treasures. Tears prick my eyes as I thin

emains. I've been their stand-in mom for a year now, ever

Colby's small voice pu

. "I'm fine, sweetheart

t I ruffle their hair and kiss their foreheads.

relief washes over me, e

offee. Her voice is soft, but her sharp eyes don't m

cing a sip. "It's jus

me, but the concern

y missed calls flash across the screen, all from Dave. My stomach twists.

aits beneath

erday. Please let me explain. Me

lete it, to ignore him the way he ignored my pain. But another part, a wea

let the water wash over me, washing away the dou

s down my back and spritz on Mom's favourite perfume. The reflection staring b

oys? I need to go out for a b

lift, but she nods.

a hug, and I step

***

e we used to laugh and share dreams feels empty now. Minutes

ns to pour, soaking through my dress and ruining my makeup. Tears mix with

streak through the glass. I feel foolish for coming, fo

my face and pick up my bag, ready to leave. As I'm about to leave

hair, golden-brown eyes, and a jawline so sharp it could cut

e?" I ask,

eyes flicking to my dress. "You men

les. What is he

wrong person," I begi

sincere. "Please, don't go. I know I'm late

wning. He thinks I'm some

y he looks at me like I'm someone worth waiting for, it feels g

be, this mistake is

his eyes locked on me as if he can't bring himself to look

say, my voice steady, though my h

mooth and confident. The waiter arrives promptly, holding o

oo perfect-charming, considerate, and generous in a way I've never experienced before. I let ou

e. "Wow, Jane, your beauty exceeded

tell this man I'm not Jane, but Vanessa? The coincidence of both of us wearing red

s, sipping his wine as if everything a

t's... good," I stammer, just as the waiter arrives with our food

mean, being an event planner can be ve

ly quickly, trying to play along. My mi

s feels heavy, like there's more he wants to say. Finally,

curiosity fl

t completely honest on the app," he admits. "I've been

king to Jane from a dating app, a blind date arranged without photos. And because I'

ur wife," I say, my voice f

but kind. "I know you probably didn't expe

him. "Age is just a number," I say

-year-old daughter, who's away at boarding school, and his demanding job as the CEO of a tech compan

amily?" he asks, le

have told him? I don't want to contradict her story. "

efore it goes too far. I place my napkin on the table and smile ap

polite but warm. "Thank you for

ome," I reply

eed to tell you something else. "I deleted the app on my way here because I didn't thin

scribble my number on a napkin and hand it to him. "Al

save for you?" I as

yful glint in his eyes. "O

oftly. "Rich

he asks, his tone sudde

aten-up Toyota. "My car broke down, so I took a cab,"

so sorry to hear that. Let

Phantom parked in the lot. His driver opens the door for us, and I

chat lightly, and I do my best to keep up the illusion. When we pass the estate where my frien

in soon." Then, to my surprise, he leans