Lynette's POV
A knock at the door stirred me awake.
I checked the time—11 a.m.
I stretched, feeling unusually refreshed. I couldn't remember the last time I had slept this long. If it were a weekday, I'd be up early, searching for jobs. If it were Saturday, I'd already be off to one of my part-time gigs.
Slipping on my flip-flops, I grabbed a nightgown since I had slept without one after my bath last night.
Another knock.
"I'm coming," I called as I made my way to the door, my hair a tangled mess.
I opened it to find Abigail standing there in a crisp outfit—a white chiffon blouse tied neatly at the front, a black skirt, polished flat shoes, and her signature bright red lips curved into a smile.
"Young Miss, forgive me for disturbing your sleep. I woke you too early," she said.
"It's fine," I replied.
"I could have woken you earlier if we'd stuck to the original schedule for the conference. However, your older brother, Young Master Axton, changed things. Now, you have a documentary to attend at noon.
The production team is already waiting in front of the main residence," she added.
Her presence reminded me of Kevin Gael's text—the one I never expected to receive. I hadn't given him my number, yet somehow, he had it.
At the party, he hinted that Abigail might be willing to talk if enough money was involved.
If that was true… then she wasn't just loyal. She was a money-grubber.
And Abigail gave him my number because it could not possibly be Azaelea,Daniella,Arian or my parents.
"Miss, you have to let me in now so I can pick what you should wear. And you, my dear, should be in the shower or bathtub by now—time is ticking," Abigail said firmly.
Without hesitation, I stepped aside, allowing her in.
She moved swiftly, as always, heading straight for the closet to select my outfit for the day.
I removed my nightgown, preparing to take my bath, when my phone suddenly rang.
Frowning, I walked to my bed and picked up my phone, glancing at the screen.
The same number.
Kevin Gael.
The one who had texted me last night.
I hesitated, considering ignoring it. But curiosity got the better of me—I picked up the call.
Neither of us spoke.
Silence stretched between us.
Then, finally, his voice cut through.
"The fake one."
Annoyance flared in my chest. I had a lot to say, so I carried the phone with me into the large, luxurious bathroom.
"You… Why are you tormenting me?" I snapped. "Seems like you weren't drunk last night after all when you addressed me as someone else, but it turns out you clearly have a problem."
A low chuckle came through the receiver.
"So many words, Young Miss Daelan. So many words," Kevin mused.
"If I were standing in front of you, you wouldn't say half as much.
Or rather…
You would speak, but only to sound confident.
However…
I can smell your fear already."
My breath caught for a second.
"I never smelled fear from Lynette Daelan before. This is going to be hard for you."
A chill ran down my spine.
What is he? Some kind of creature?
How could he tell? I had made sure I impersonated perfectly.
"Have you asked about your husband from different sources?" Kevin Gael's voice cut through the silence.
I had almost forgotten about that question. My mind had been elsewhere—lost in the moments I had shared with Arian.
"You have nothing to say…" He let out a quiet scoff. "I see you're very comfortable in a place that doesn't belong to you. Too bad. Cheap things suit you."
Anger sparked inside me.
"Listen to me, Kevin Gael, I—"
But he was quicker.
"Meet me at my hotel—Mystique. Room 207. Exactly 10 p.m." His voice was deliberate, cold. "Don't be late. Don't be early."
I scoffed, crossing my arms.
"I'm not coming. What business does a single man have meeting a married woman in a hotel at that hour?"
Then, with a sharper edge, I added, "Do you like me? Do you want to slide into my pants, Mr. Gael?"
Silence.
Then laughter.
A sharp, knowing laugh that chipped away at my pride.
And before I could say another word, the line went dead.
"It's too early to be bothered by bastards,"
I muttered, tossing my phone onto the drawer.
Turning on the shower, I exhaled, but the lingering thoughts of Kevin Gael made me restless.
His confidence unsettled me. He was too sure that I wasn't the real Lynette.
How?
I retraced my steps from last night—and now.
It couldn't be Daniella. She had no reason to expose the truth; if she did, she would drag herself down with me.what could she possibly gain?
Arian?
No. It wasn't possible. I met Kevin before Daniella saw him at the event.
Then… who?
The first time I met Kevin in this dimension was in the boutique and he didn't say anything.
Or does he have someone beside him—someone who knows me from the other dimension?
The thought lingered as I stepped out of the shower, drying off before slipping into my bathrobe.
Seated in front of the mirror, I let Abigail apply light makeup.
She handed me the outfit she had picked—a casual blouse, palazzo trousers, and sleek two-inch black heels.
Yet, my mind wasn't on the outfit.
It was on Kevin Gael.
Should I still meet Kevin? Would it be a mistake? And what would he do if I didn't show up?
Something in my gut told me not to trust him.
But he knows something.
Something dangerous.
Something that could ruin everything.
I glanced at Abigail.
Before I dealt with Kevin Gael, I needed to learn more about Arian.
I already knew he was orphaned—that was a start.
I straightened slightly. "Miss Abigail, you have my bank card, do you not?"
"Yes, I do," she replied, her tone composed. "Is there anything you need with it?"
"Yes," I said, my voice firm.
"I need $10,000."