All Chapters of The Heir’s Impostor Bride: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

The Night I said YesIsla POV I stepped out of that elevator like I owned the building, shoulders back, chin up. Tonight I was Lauren Cassidy. The black cocktail dress clung to my body. The fake diamond pendant rested cool against my collarbone. Five minutes. That was all I had before security rotated and this whole job went to hell.“Naomi, you still with me?” I whispered, fingers brushing the earpiece hidden behind my hair. “I’m here,” she answered, voice tight. “Mark’s on the fourteenth floor. We have only five minutes.” “Excuse me.” A security officer called.I turned and faced him. He studied my name tag and identity card for a moment then looked up. “Sorry Miss Lauren. We have been expecting you.”I gave a brief nod and kept walking .“Isla.” Naomi’s voice came back through the earpiece, restless now. “It feels too easy.” “Relax. It’s your mind playing tricks.” I turned the corner without breaking stride, heels clicking sharp against the marble. “I’m almost there.”Suite

The First LieIsla POVMy heart pounded so hard I could feel it in my throat as I followed Lila down the long hallway. The gold bracelet on my wrist felt like it weighed ten pounds with every step.“Remember,” Lila whispered, glancing back at me. “He’s been asking for you every single day since he woke up. When you walk through that door you are the only thing keeping him together. Don’t give him a reason to doubt that.”“I know,” I muttered. “I’ve got it.”Lila stopped outside a heavy wooden door and gave me one last nod before stepping back. “Good luck.”I wiped my sweaty palms on the soft cream dress, took a slow breath, and pushed the door open.Elias Hargrove sat propped up in the hospital-style bed, morning light falling across his face. He looked pale and tired, with messy dark blond hair and warm blue eyes that lit up the second they landed on me. Monitors beeped softly beside him. A breakfast tray sat untouched on his lap.“Celeste?” His voice came out rough, like he hadn’t u

The Man They Didn’t Warn Her AboutIsla POVI couldn’t sleep after hearing that name. Cassian. It kept circling in my head like a warning I couldn’t ignore. I lay in the silk sheets staring at the ceiling, replaying Elias closing his door and the way Vivienne’s voice had sharpened.Nobody had mentioned him in any file or briefing. That alone told me he mattered.Morning came too early. I went straight to Elias’s room and knocked softly before stepping inside. He was already awake, sitting up with a book in his lap that he clearly wasn’t reading.“You came early,” he said. His voice sounded distant.“Couldn’t sleep.” I sat on the edge of the bed and searched his face. “What happened last night? You seemed upset.”He shook his head. “Nothing you need to worry about.”“Elias, talk to me.” I reached for his hand. “You shut me out. If something’s wrong, I want to help.”He pulled his hand back gently and stood, moving to the window. “I just need to be alone today. It’s not you. I promise.”