Celine's POV
On Friday night, I was in my room preparing to sleep when my door swung open.
“Celine, you have to take your sister’s place tomorrow,” my father, Mr. Morris Mason, said as he stormed into my room with my mother.
“Dad, I don’t understand. Why would I have to take Clara’s place tomorrow? Where is she?” I asked. I knew Clara had gone to her bridal shower—how could she just flee on the eve of her own wedding?
“Something came up, according to Clara, and she had to take care of it,” my father replied. I sighed, standing before my parents. I hadn’t attended the extravagant bridal shower of my twin sister, Clara Mason.
Clara and I are identical twins. We’re both 25. I’ve heard many of Clara’s friends whisper that I’m jealous because she’s getting married before me, but that isn’t true.
I’m in a relationship with Martin Enzo, a construction worker. But Martin wasn’t the groom my father wanted, so he rejected him.
Everyone adores my twin sister. She’s the apple of everyone’s eye—even our older brother, Luca. But I’ve always been the opposite.
I own a bakery in this part of the city. Last month, I pleaded with my parents to let me marry Martin, but my father refused, insisting only a rich man could marry me.
Despite my pleas, my parents turned Martin and his uncles away when they came to ask for my hand. Because of that, I refused to attend Clara’s engagement party or her bridal shower. And now she’s disappeared on the eve of her wedding, expecting me to take her place.
“Dad, how can Clara just disappear without explaining anything to her fiancé? To the wealthy groom you all wanted?” I asked my father, who stood in the doorway with my mother.
My father has a dark complexion, while my mother is fair-skinned—like Clara and me. We’re her exact replicas.
“Celine, I know this is hard to believe,” my father said, “but Clara told us she’s worked too hard to miss this modeling shoot—it could lead to a Stars Award nomination. Please, you’re her twin sister. Jace Augustus will never find out.”
I stared at him in horror. “Dad, I can’t do it. You and Mom need to call Clara back right now. Where’s my phone?” I stepped backward toward my bed, grabbed my phone, and called my sister.
She owed me an explanation for this sudden disappearance.
How could she expect me to stand in for her on her wedding day? Is she crazy? I’ve covered for Clara before—so many times that people often mistake me for her. Fans even visit my shop, take photos of me, and tag me as Clara online. But I’m not my sister. Dammit.
“Clara!!!” My voice boomed with anger as soon as she answered.
“Hey, Celine. I’m so sorry I didn’t call sooner. Please, can you stand in for me tomorrow? Please, please, sister,” Clara begged in that sweet, seductive voice of hers that always leaves me speechless.
I’ve always been ready to do anything for my crazy twin—if it makes her happy or helps her chase her dream of becoming a top model.
“Clara, I don’t think I can do this. How can you expect me to stand in for you? Wait—during the ceremony, the priest will ask you to exchange vows and kiss. How can you trade your wedding day for work?” I couldn’t understand her. I needed an explanation.
“Celine, I wish I could explain, but my battery’s about to die. Please—after this, I’ll never ask you to cover for me again. Please, help me out,” Clara begged once more, and again, I was speechless.
“Clara, are you saying I should kiss your groom? What if he realizes I’m not you? You know I’m not as talkative as you, and I’m not close to him. Did you already tell him it won’t be you?” I asked, wanting clarity. Jace Augustus and I aren’t close.
Jace is my twin sister’s fiancé. He shows her off to his friends and fellow politicians as his lover. Clara’s incredibly popular—she has over ten million followers online.
“No, Celine. Please, don’t tell Jace. You have to act like me—pretend you’re me. You know how I behave, so mimic me perfectly,” Clara replied. I sighed heavily.
“This is too risky. What if Jace finds out and locks me up? What do I tell him? You need to explain things so we don’t kiss—or worse have sex. I don’t even like your fiancé. I can’t do this, I’m sorry!” I was ready to hang up, but she begged again.
“Please, Celine. I’m begging you in the name of the moon goddess. If you don’t help me, then we’re no longer sisters.”
“Clara!” I was tongue-tied. This was her usual threat.
“I don’t think I can do this,” I replied. She was already sobbing. “Then don’t call me again,” she threatened.
The call ended. I looked at my parents’ worried faces, especially my father’s—it was filled with dread.
“Celine, you have to stand in for Clara at tomorrow’s wedding. If the Augustus family finds out your sister is missing on her wedding day, we’re doomed!” My father went as far as to kneel down.
I guess this is the price I pay for being born a twin. My sister uses me for her whims and sends me to clean up her messes, always threatening to disown me. And now—her wedding.
“Fine. I’ll try. But let’s hope Jace Augustus doesn’t find out. If he does, I won’t go down alone,” I warned my parents, and they shivered.
“No one will know, Celine. You’ll smile and act like Clara until she’s back. Besides, this isn’t your first time taking her place,” my mother chimed in. I sighed heavily.
“That’s fine, Mom. I’ll give it a try. You guys should excuse me—let me get some sleep. It’s past midnight,” I told them. They smiled with relief, wished me goodnight, and left.
I shut the door and muttered, “I hope I can do this.” Later, I went to bed, but my heart was full of dread.