CHAPTER NINE

Penelope's POV

Everything around me faded into a dark, empty void.

Madison is dead.

The words rang like a relentless echo, piercing through my fragile illusion I had been trying to maintain. My knees buckled. The phone slipped from my trembling fingers, clattering onto the pavement. My vision blurred immediately, the hospital's bright lights melting into streaks of white. My breath hitched—too fast, too shallow.

Then, nothing.

When I opened my eyes, everything was too bright. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed faintly, the antiseptic scent of disinfectant lingering in the air. I blinked against the throbbing in my skull, my entire body sinking into the stiff mattress beneath me. My fingers twitched, brushing against the unfamiliar fabric of a hospital gown.

I was in a hospital room.

A sharp, rustling sound made me turn my head.

And there he was.

Evan Harper. My husband

Sitting stiffly beside my bed, his arms crossed over his chest, his dark eyes burning into me with a glare so intense I swore it could peel the skin from my bones.

His dirty blonde hair, always ruffled, is neatly styled in a middle-centre style, and his expression is grim.

"You've got some nerve, Madison," he said, his voice mixed with quiet fury.

I stiffened. The air in the room felt thick, suffocating. My mind scrambled to piece everything together—why was he here? What did he know? Why would he be so bold with Madison? My sister?

Evan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Penelope has been missing since last night," he continued, his voice cold. "Stormed out of the house like a lunatic, and she never came back. Not even a damn call."

I swallowed, my throat dry. "And why would you think I know where I—where she is?" I corrected hastily, trying to stay in character.

His jaw clenched. "Because I found Penelope's phone near the California Dream Hotel. And guess who was the last person she spoke to before she disappeared?" His gaze darkened. "You."

A frigid wave of shock slammed into me. My mind reeled back to last night—to the call I received from Madison. To the moment I answered her phone in the bookstore.

He had found my phone. Near the hotel where Madison had been attacked.

Shit.

My pulse quickened, but I kept my expression neutral. "I don't know where she is," I lied smoothly. "Maybe she just left on her own."

Evan let out a low, humourless chuckle. "You expect me to believe that?" His eyes gleamed with something unsettling. "You two weren't close. You never cared about her, but suddenly, you're the last person she speaks to before she vanishes? That's a hell of a coincidence, Madison."

I clenched the sheets beneath my fingers, my heartbeat hammering in my ears.

"I'm not making a deal about it right now," he continued. "But if she doesn't show up in the next twenty-four hours…" He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "I'll make sure you regret it."

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Evan wasn't just suspicious. He was waiting—watching for any sign of a lie. And if I slipped, even once, he would tear through my deception like a sharp object through silk.

I forced myself to exhale. "She'll turn up," I said calmly. "She might need to clear her head."

Now, why would I even say that? What if he suspects something.

He held my gaze for a moment longer, then scoffed, standing up. "For your sake, I hope so."

Without another word, he turned and walked out of the hospital room, leaving me frozen in place, my pulse still erratic.

What was that all about? Why was he so furious with me‐ Madison? As if he knew she was capable of causing my disappearance? Why would he even think that? And, he looked so terrifying. It was the menacing expression I had ever seen on him. This was more than just me missing. Something was fishing.

I was still trying to process everything when Madison's phone buzzed beside me. The screen lit up, displaying the contact name:

Mine ❤️

A cold dread settled in my stomach.

Julien.

I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the screen before I forced myself to answer.

"Hello?" I breathed.

"Where are you?" His voice was smooth, calm—but there was an underlying authority beneath it. "I've been waiting for you since last night. I slept off while waking, and I just woke up and realized you were not in."

I swallowed. "I… wasn't feeling well. I stayed in a hotel because I was too tired to walk back home."

A long silence. My heart pounded.

"That is why I asked to have the driver take you." 

I swallowed. Another stretched silence.

"Are you okay, though?" His gruff tone asked.

"Y-yes. I just got up as well."

"Should I come and pick you up?"

"No!" I quickly shot out, panic rising in my chest.

"I mean, it's fine."

"So, you can come over yourself? We have to leave in three hours."

Leave? To where? Oh God, what again?

"Uhm. Leave?" I asked, hoping it wasn't something crucial that had slipped my mind. Or Madison, rather.

"Wait, you forgot?"

Oh, shit. I can't get figured out now.

"Jesus, Mad. I know you are busy with LauRiot launching, but how can you seriously forget?"

LauRiot launching? What the hell is that again? Goodness, it's not too late to drop this act and go back to Evan.

I should. This is wrong, but then, those stack of bills glimmering in the vault flashed through my mind again, and then, I'm back to act.

"Yes, m-maybe. I'm so sorry." I murmured.

"It's fine. Just make it on time. Mom's birthday is scared - show up late, and she'll unleash her wrath. Let's make this day count for her, okay?"

I froze. "Birthday", "Mom". An horrible combination for an imposter like me.

"Uhm, is it going to be a trip?" I asked, trying to hide the terror in my voice. 

"Yes, it has always been. A three-day trip. Baby, are you sure you are quite alright? You've been acting different since last night. Is something wrong?"

Yes! I'm in deep trouble, that's what is wrong.

A trip to the Laurent family estate meant hours—days—of pretending to be Madison in front of people who knew her better than anyone.

I wasn't ready for that.

"You didn't say anything about leaving today," I said carefully, trying to keep my voice even.

Julien hummed. "Didn't think I had to. Mom has been wanting to see you all weekend."

My stomach clenched.

This was bad. This was really, really bad.

"I'll send in a driver shortly. You don't sound okay, and you keep worrying me. But, since you don't want to talk about it, it's fine."

"Trust me, Julien, it's fine."

Julien chuckled, the husky sound vibrating through the phone, into my skin.

"I know you are not. You address me by my full name when you are down. It's fine, like I said. You can speak to me whenever you please. I'll send Rocky to you. Be ready in 30."

"Okay." I murmured.

"I'll see you soon, love."

The line went dead before I could even respond.

I stared at the screen, my fingers tightening around the phone.

Madison was dead. Evan was suspicious. Julien expected me to meet his family.

And if I made one wrong move, I wouldn't just lose my chance at the safe—I would lose everything.

Including my life.

I exhaled shakily, my mind spinning.

I have to do this. Whenever I think I should back down, I recall the safe and what it could do to me if those bills get on my hand. I could leave Evan and live the life I'd ever wished for. I know this is a betrayal to Madison, and I feel very sorry for her, but all she had ever done is lived for herself. It was time I did the same. 

I'm sorry, Madison, and rest in peace, but I can only mourn you better when I'm no longer in a wretched life. 

I had to think. I had to prepare.

Because one thing was clear.

The game had just begun.