Chapter 1

I never expected to fall for my husband, especially since I married him under false pretenses. My half-sister, Natalie, was supposed to be Alexander Merchant's bride, but she was terrified of him and begged me to take her place. Desperate for money to pay for my mother's medical bills, I reluctantly agreed.

Two years into our marriage, Alexander turned out to be nothing like the rumors suggested. He was loving, attentive, and incredibly clingy. Just before our third anniversary, Natalie demanded I "return" him to her. But as I stood frozen in the doorway, Alexander gently caressed my cheek, his eyes dark with possessiveness.

"Lily," he growled softly, "have I been too lenient with you?"

"Lily," Alexander's low voice called my name. In bed, his husky tone combined with his devastatingly handsome face made him utterly irresistible.

"Alex~" I breathed.

"Relax, Lily. Don't be afraid," he soothed. Alexander was always so considerate in these intimate moments, completely unlike the ruthless, cold-hearted man described in rumors. I could confidently say there wasn't a more perfect husband out there.

But the painful truth was that Natalie, my half-sister, was Alexander's first love. I was just a stand-in.

"Focus on me," Alexander growled, displeased by my wandering thoughts. He nipped at my collarbone, making me wince.

"Alexander, are you a dog?" I complained.

His lips curved into a smile. "Mm, I'm only yours, Lily. If you don't want me, I might just go wild."

I couldn't help but laugh, which only encouraged him further.

"Gentle," I pleaded.

"But you're so irresistible, Lily. I can't help myself," he murmured, his eyes darkening with desire as he pressed me into the mattress.

When I woke the next morning, Alexander was already preparing for work.

"Lily, help me with my tie?" he asked.

Ever since he learned I could tie a tie, he'd asked me to do it for him almost every day. As I carefully knotted his tie, I failed to notice his increasingly intense gaze.

His large hands caressed my shoulders, and I frowned at him. "Don't distract me."

As soon as I finished, he pulled me close and kissed me deeply until my lips were swollen.

"Lily, I want to spend every moment with you," he murmured.

"You scoundrel!" I laughed, shooing him off to work. I didn't take his words too seriously. Around me, Alexander was always the gentle, loving husband, so different from the rumors.

I was about to go back to sleep when my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"It's Natalie. I'm sending you an address. Meet me there. We need to talk." She hung up before I could respond.

The truth was, I wasn't really Alexander's wife. My sister was.