A Stand-in Bride

Chapter 23

Zhan

The sound of knocking wakes me and I blink, disoriented, my gaze dropping to Yibo next to me. I didn’t think we’d ever find ourselves in this position… waking up together, married.

Another knock sounds on the door and I sit up, letting the sheets bunch around my waist. “Yibo,” I murmur.

“Hmm?” He blinks lazily and turns toward me, sighing as his eyes flutter open. “Zhan,” he whispers dreamily. His eyes leisurely roam over the black lace nightie I’m wearing, lingering on my breasts for a moment. He didn’t come to bed until I fell asleep and I wasn’t sure he’d be next to me this morning at all. It wouldn’t have surprised me if he spent the night on the sofa. It can’t have been easy for him to have me in his bed when it’s my sister he wants.

“Yibo sweetheart,” Donna calls. “There’s… there’s someone at the entrance.”

I tense and let my eyes fall closed. “Cheng Xiao,” I whisper. Guilt hits me hard, followed by intense shame. “What are we going to tell her?” I ask, my voice trembling.

Yibo sits up and turns towards me, exposing the blue checkered pajamas he’s wearing. Cheng Xiao has matching ones. The mere sight of him makes me feel sick to my stomach. Did he wear them because he misses her or is she so deeply entrenched in his life that he can't detangle everything they were?

Yibo stares at me for a moment, no doubt noting my anxiety. “What do you want me to say to her?”

I look down at my hands and inhale deeply before speaking. “I want you to tell her what you told me at the altar. You told me you’d give me your all Yibo. I’m asking you to keep that promise. I know how much you love her but I won’t let you cheat on me — nor will I let you embarrass me. I demand the respect I’m due as your wife, the respect you would’ve shown Cheng Xiao if she hadn’t left you at the altar yesterday.”

He looks away and nods sharply. “Understood,” he simply says. I look up in surprise to find him smiling at me reassuringly, as though he can read the fears I try so hard to hide.

“Let’s get ready,” he tells me. “She’ll want to speak to both of us, I’m sure. I’ll leave you to use our ensuite bathroom and I’ll head over to the bathroom in our gym.”

I nod and slip out of bed, a thousand different worries running through my mind. I don’t want to see them together. Somehow, I’ve been existing in this fictional world that Cheng Xiao isn’t part of it. I’ve been convincing myself that I could outrun her and that I’d get away with taking her place.

I knew I couldn’t run forever.

I’m surprised to find Ares sitting on his bed when I walk out of the dressing room, a towel pressed to his wet hair. I  thought he’d have gone to speak to Cheng Xiao in private, yet here he is, waiting for me.

His eyes roam over the dress I’m wearing and then he looks away. “Ready?” he asks as he stands up.

I shake my head. “No,” I admit. I know what my sister is like. She’s always been a talented actress and not even I can withstand her skills. I’m scared that my resolve will crumble once I come eye to eye with her.

Yibo smiles at me but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “It’ll be okay. Let’s go.”

I nod and follow him into the living room where Cheng Xiao is waiting. She jumps up from her seat and rushes up to Yibo, throwing herself into his arms. He hugs her tightly, he closed his eyes as pure torment takes over his expression. It’s obvious how much he’s missed her and I’ve never felt more like an intruder than I do at this moment.