Chapter 2 A STRANGER IN HER OWN LIFE

The sun had barely risen when Ariella sat up in bed, the silk sheets puddled around her waist. For a moment, she forgot where she was. The soft golden walls, the chandelier above her, the vintage vanity in the corner-it all screamed luxury.

But it wasn't hers.

This room, this bed, this identity-it all belonged to Sabrina.

And Ariella was merely a stand-in, an actress in a cruel play.

She moved to the window and pulled back the heavy drapes. Below, the Delacroix garden stretched like a scene from a fairy tale-perfect hedges, marble fountains, rose bushes trimmed to precision. But behind the beauty lay tension so thick it could choke her.

Last night's party had been a performance. She smiled, danced, even kissed Xander's cheek for the flashing cameras. The press had eaten it up.

But she had seen it in Xander's eyes-the distrust, the calculation.

He was watching her.

He *knew* something was off.

A soft knock drew her back to the present.

Ariella wrapped her robe tighter. "Come in."

The door opened, and a maid entered with a breakfast tray. "Good morning, Miss Sabrina-uh, Miss Delacroix."

Ariella flinched at the name.

"Thank you," she murmured, taking the tray. As the maid turned to leave, Ariella hesitated. "Wait. Can I ask you something?"

The woman paused, eyes uncertain. "Yes, ma'am?"

"Have you worked here long?"

"Three years."

Ariella nodded slowly. "Then you must've known me... before."

The maid blinked. "Of course. Miss Sabrina was always... lively."

Lively.

That was one way to describe her sister-selfish, loud, charming when she wanted to be, and reckless to the core.

"And now?" Ariella asked softly. "Do I seem different to you?"

The maid hesitated, gaze flicking to the door. "Maybe just... calmer. More graceful."

Graceful. That was Ariella's word, not Sabrina's.

She smiled faintly. "Thank you."

When the door closed behind her, Ariella sank into the armchair and picked at her food. Her stomach churned. Pretending to be Sabrina wasn't just hard-it was dangerous.

The Delacroix family wasn't ordinary.

They were legacy, power, whispers in dark rooms. And Xander wasn't just the heir-he was the enforcer. Cold. Brilliant. Untouchable.

And now, legally, he was hers.

The sound of a firm knock startled her again.

This time, it was him.

"Dress," Xander said without preamble when she opened the door. "You're coming with me."

Ariella blinked. "Where?"

He gave her that unreadable look. "You'll see."

Ten minutes later, she slid into the backseat of his black car, her heart pounding beneath her blouse. Xander sat beside her, suit immaculate, eyes hidden behind designer sunglasses.

Neither of them spoke.

The silence in the car was suffocating.

Eventually, she braved a question. "Is this about the engagement?"

"No."

"Then what?"

Xander turned slightly. "Due diligence."

"Excuse me?"

"You're going to be a Delacroix. That means you'll have access to company information, family estates, confidential matters. I need to know who I'm marrying."

Ariella froze.

"I told you before," she said carefully, "this arrangement was approved by both our families."

He smirked. "And yet you flinched when I touched your hand last night."

"I wasn't expecting it."

"No, Sabrina would've kissed me in front of the crowd. You pulled away."

Ariella's throat went dry. Her mind raced for a cover.

"I changed," she said, meeting his gaze. "I had to. You said it yourself-I'm calmer. More... graceful."

He studied her for a long moment, then looked away. "We'll see."

The car stopped outside a towering glass building downtown.

Delacroix Global.

Ariella followed Xander inside, every eye turning as they passed. She recognized none of them, but they all seemed to recognize *her*.

Or rather, her sister.

They took the elevator to the top floor.

Xander's office was sharp, modern, and cold. Like him.

"Sit," he ordered, walking around his desk.

Ariella obeyed.

He tossed a file in front of her. "Tell me about the Venice deal."

She stared at it, confused.

"Sabrina was briefed on it last month," he said smoothly. "She gave her opinion. Let's see if you still remember what it was."

Ariella's blood ran cold.

She opened the folder and skimmed through it. It was a real estate merger with a major European brand. Technical. Complex.

She had no idea what Sabrina had said about it.

But she had studied business. She wasn't completely ignorant.

"I think the Delacroix brand is strong enough to negotiate better terms," she said slowly, choosing her words. "There's a clause on page four-they'll fold if we press."

Xander raised an eyebrow.

Interesting.

Not the answer he expected.

He leaned back. "You're either very prepared... or very good at lying."

Ariella forced a calm smile. "You decide."

He stood. "Get out."

She blinked.

"You did well. But that doesn't mean I trust you."

"Trust was never part of the deal," she said softly, rising to her feet.

For a moment, their eyes locked. The tension between them thickened.

Ariella turned and walked away.

But as the door closed behind her, she heard Xander's voice, low and almost amused.

"Maybe you've changed... or maybe you're not who you say you are."