Chapter 3 Lily

Adrian's house wasn't a house. It was an estate.

The car drove through iron gates and up a winding driveway lined with trees. The mansion appeared like something out of a movie three stories of white stone with columns and balconies and windows that glowed warm in the evening light.

I felt sick.

This wasn't my world. These people weren't my people. What was I doing here?

The driver opened my door. "Mr. Wolfe is expecting you, miss."

I climbed out on shaky legs, smoothing down my only decent dress. It was black, simple, bought on clearance three years ago. Next to this house, I looked like I'd wandered in from the street.

The front door opened before I could knock.

A woman in her sixties stood there, gray hair pulled back in a bun, wearing a cardigan and slacks. She had kind eyes and a warm smile.

"You must be Emma," she said. "I'm Margaret, the housekeeper. Come in, dear. Don't be nervous."

Too late for that.

The inside was even more impressive. Marble floors, a grand staircase, artwork on the walls that probably belonged in museums. Everything was pristine, perfect, cold.

"Mr. Wolfe is in his study," Margaret said. "But first, I thought you might like to meet Lily. She's in the playroom."

My heart jumped. "Is that okay? I don't want to surprise her."

"She knows someone is coming for dinner. She's excited." Margaret's smile widened. "She doesn't get many visitors."

That made me sad. A five-year old should have friends, birthday parties, playdates.

Margaret led me down a hallway and stopped at a door painted pale pink. From inside came the sound of humming and the clatter of toys.

"Go on," Margaret encouraged. "She's friendly."

I opened the door.

The playroom was huge, filled with every toy imaginable. A kitchen set, a bookshelf overflowing with picture books, stuffed animals, art supplies. And in the middle of it all, surrounded by puzzle pieces, sat a little girl.

My breath caught.

Lily Wolfe had dark curly hair and her father's gray eyes. She wore a purple dress with a unicorn on it and mismatched socks. She looked up when I entered, and her whole face lit up.

"Hi!" she said brightly. "Are you the dinner lady?"

I couldn't help but smile. "I guess I am. I'm Emma."

"I'm Lily. I'm five and three-quarters." She held up her hands to show me. "Do you like puzzles? I'm making a butterfly but I can't find the blue piece."

I sat down on the floor beside her, not caring about my dress. "Let me help you look."

We searched through the scattered pieces together. Lily chattered the entire time, telling me about her nanny Miss Rebecca, her stuffed elephant named Peanuts, and how she wanted a puppy but Daddy said no.

"Why doesn't your daddy want you to have a puppy?" I asked.

Lily's face fell. "He says he's too busy. He's always busy." She said it matter of-factly, but I heard the loneliness underneath.

"Well, puppies are a lot of work," I said carefully. "But maybe we could ask him again sometime."

"We?" Lily tilted her head. "Are you staying for a long time?"

The question hit me hard. This little girl had no idea what was happening. No idea that I was here to replace her mother. The thought made me feel sick.

"Maybe," I said softly. "Would that be okay?"

Lily studied me seriously, her gray eyes too knowing for a five-year old. "You look like Mommy."

My heart stopped. "You think so?"

"Uh-huh. Same hair. Same eyes." She touched my hand gently. "But you're not Mommy."

"No," I whispered. "I'm not."

"That's okay." Lily smiled. "Mommy's in heaven. Daddy told me. She can't come back. But you're nice. I like you."

Just like that. Simple, honest, devastating.

I had to look away so she wouldn't see the tears in my eyes.

"Found it!" Lily held up a blue puzzle piece triumphantly. "See? Now the butterfly is all done."

We finished the puzzle together. Then Lily showed me her books, her art projects, her collection of hair ribbons. She was smart and funny and so achingly sweet that it hurt.

By the time Margaret came to get us for dinner, I knew I was in trouble.

I was already falling for this kid.

Dinner was served in a dining room with a table that could seat twenty. But only three places were set, clustered at one end.

Adrian stood when we entered. He'd changed into dark slacks and a gray sweater that made his eyes look even more intense. When he saw Lily holding my hand, something flashed across his face. Pain, maybe. Or hope.

"Daddy!" Lily ran to him, and he scooped her up easily. "Emma helped me with my puzzle and she knows all about butterflies and she's really nice."

"I'm glad you had fun, princess." He set her down in her chair, then looked at me. "Miss Carter."

"Mr. Wolfe," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt.

We sat. Margaret and another server brought out food roasted chicken, vegetables, fresh bread. It smelled incredible and I realized I hadn't eaten all day.

Lily dominated the conversation, telling Adrian about her day with Miss Rebecca, a bird she saw in the garden, and how Emma was the best puzzle helper ever.

Adrian listened patiently, cutting her chicken into small pieces, reminding her to use her napkin. He was gentle with her. Attentive. Nothing like the cold businessman from his office.

"Can Emma come back tomorrow?" Lily asked suddenly.

Adrian's eyes met mine. "That depends on Emma."

"Please?" Lily begged, turning those big gray eyes on me. "We can play dress-up. I have lots of princess dresses."

"I'd love that," I said honestly.

Lily beamed.

After dinner, Adrian took Lily upstairs for her bath and bedtime routine. I waited in the living room, studying the photos on the mantle.

There were dozens of Lily at different ages—as a baby, a toddler, blowing out birthday candles. And there, in the center, was a wedding photo.

Adrian looked younger, happier. And beside him, in a white dress, was Sophia.

I stepped closer, my hands trembling.

It was like looking in a mirror.

We didn't just resemble each other. We could have been twins. Same face shape, same nose, same smile. The only difference was her eyes looked more alive than mine, like she'd never known what it meant to struggle.

"Unsettling, isn't it?"

I spun around. Adrian stood in the doorway, hands in his pockets.

"Why?" I demanded. "Why do I look exactly like her?"

He walked to the mantle, picked up the photo. "I've been asking myself that for six months. That's how long I've been looking for you."

"Looking for me?"

"I hired investigators. Gave them Sophia's photo, told them to find someone who looked like her. They found three candidates. You were the closest match." He set the photo down. "And you needed money. That made you perfect."

The coldness in his voice made me angry. "So this is all just a sick game to you? Replace your wife with someone who looks like her?"

"It's not like that"

"Then what is it like?" I stepped closer. "Because from where I'm standing, this is twisted. You're using me to play dress-up with your dead wife's face."

His jaw clenched. "You don't understand."

"Then make me understand!"

We stood there, anger crackling between us. Then Adrian's shoulders sagged.

"Lily barely remembers her," he said quietly. "She was three when Sophia died. Already her mother's face is fading. She looks at old photos and doesn't recognize her own mother." His voice broke. "But when she saw you tonight, she smiled. Really smiled. For the first time in months."

Oh.

"You're not replacing Sophia," Adrian continued. "You're giving Lily something to hold onto. A connection to the mother she's forgetting. Does that make me selfish? Probably. But I'd do anything for my daughter. Anything."

I understood that. I'd do anything for my mother too. That's why I was here.

"What about Sophia's family?" I asked. "Won't they notice I look like her?"

"They'll think I chose you because of the resemblance. That I'm obsessed with my dead wife. It'll make them look sympathetic in court." He smiled bitterly. "Which is fine. Let them think I'm crazy. As long as I keep Lily."

There was so much pain in his eyes. So much guilt and grief and desperation.

"I met with my lawyer today," Adrian said. "The custody hearing is in three months. We need to be married before then. Show the court we're a stable family."

"Three months." My voice sounded hollow.

"I know it's fast. But there's no other way." He pulled an envelope from his pocket. "The updated contract. Read it. Think about it. But I need an answer by Monday."

"Monday? That's two days."

"I don't have more time to give you, Emma." He said my name like it hurt. "I'm sorry."

I took the envelope with numb fingers.

"There's a car waiting to take you home," Adrian said. "Unless you'd like to stay. We have plenty of guest rooms."

"No. I should go."

He walked me to the door. Before I left, I turned back.

"She's a wonderful little girl."

Adrian's expression softened. "I know. She's the only good thing I have left."

The car ride home was silent. I clutched the envelope and stared out at the city lights, my mind spinning.

This wasn't what I thought it would be. Adrian wasn't a cold villain. He was a father trying to protect his daughter. And Lily sweet, lonely, heartbreaking Lily needed someone.

But was I really the right person?

I looked like her dead mother. I'd be living a lie. And somewhere in all of this, there was a mystery no one was talking about. Why had Sophia died? What really happened that night?

When I got home, I opened the envelope and read the contract again.

At the bottom was a handwritten note in sharp, precise handwriting.

I know you have doubts. I know this is asking too much. But Lily needs you. And despite everything, I think you need her too. Sometimes broken people find each other for a reason.

I folded the note and pressed it against my chest.

He was right.

I was broken. Had been for years, ever since Dad died and left us with nothing. I'd forgotten what it felt like to be needed for something other than paying bills.

Lily made me feel like I mattered.

And that was dangerous.

Because I was already attached to a little girl I barely knew. And I was starting to see Adrian Wolfe as more than just a cold billionaire.

I was seeing him as a person.

That wasn't part of the contract.