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of joy blurred my vision. "I can't believe it!

spun around in disbelief. Emma grinned, her excitement mirroring mine. We locked hands and sque

about the life-changing opportunity. But just as I turned t

can't tell them," she

he excitement. "What do you mean

loor before meeting my gaze. "You

inty spread through

there's a... catch." She stumbled over the words, as

n creeping into my voi

an eternity before sighing deep

tween us like a t

o-disguise you

insane?" My heart pounded, frustration bubbling up. "That's ridicu

coming together. And now, this? Was Emma seriously suggesting I live a lie just to get a job? The te

setting sun, trying to push the thoughts aw

or a while before speaking. "I'm sorry for bringing up such a cra

orced a weak smile. "I know you mean

time to think. Just-rem

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ar

e table, his expression a mixture of pride and expectation. My mother, Elizabeth, the powerhouse behind Silverstein Properties, sat next to him, with

steak. "You're next in line to inherit everything. Th

ine in my glass. "I know,

" he continued, as if I hadn't spoken. "S

uch more sharply than I intended. "F

ring smile. "He'll be fine,

est drawings. Still, my father's words gnawed at me. They didn't understand-I wasn't just looking f

hing about her-her energy, her smile-that stuck with me. I'd never even gotten her name, bu

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vening, watching her struggle to keep the house running, I realized how desperate things had become. The landlord had vis

Could I really do it? Could I pull off p

r it, and I heard her greet the landlord. I stood up quickl

down, but his tone was sharp. "You've ha

r fight to keep a roof over our heads-it was unbearable. As s

ed, my voice shaking.

-

surprise in her eyes. "Are you sure

. "I need the money, and

h and smiled. "Alright

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ar

, and the neon lights made the crowd shimmer like an ocean. I needed a distraction,

rthmark. But she wasn't here. Instead, I found myself surrounded by oth

rown out the frustration building inside me. But no matter how much I tried to f

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disguise, something nagged at me. This job was a risk-a huge one. But if

the wig and makeup. I was about to step into a new life-a n

just found out who you're going to be

eryone was talking about? The one whose fami

a whole lot mo

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