Gabriel Carson was my ex-husband. The man who had cheated on me.
Weeks slipped by, and I had no choice but to embrace my new identity as Kristie Gray. Wearing another woman's face, slipping into her life—it was suffocating. But Dr. Chelsea had made it clear: this was the only way forward. Her daughter, the renowned supermodel Kristie, was gone. And now, I had become her shadow.
Every day was training. Dr. Chelsea drilled me on Kristie's habits—how she moved, spoke, and carried herself. It felt less like learning and more like losing myself to a stranger. But the fire inside me kept me going. Revenge was the only thing that kept me from drowning.
One afternoon, while I was practicing the poised, effortless walk of a supermodel, Dr. Chelsea’s phone buzzed. Her face darkened as she glanced at the screen before stepping away to take the call. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but her sharp, hushed voice was impossible to ignore.
When she returned, her expression was unreadable. "An opportunity has come up."
I wiped my damp palms on my dress. "What kind of opportunity?"
"Gabriel is hosting an exclusive auction. Private guest list. My assistant, Calvin, secured a VIP pass for you. He knows everything and can be trusted."
Hearing Gabriel’s name made my stomach tighten. I already knew what she wanted. "And you expect me to go?"
She met my gaze, unwavering. "You're Kristie now. He won’t be able to ignore you."
---
The night of the auction, I arrived in a deep blue gown that shimmered under the chandeliers. Every inch of me—my posture, my makeup, the tilt of my chin—had been designed to be flawless. I no longer felt like myself.
I felt like her.
As I stepped inside, murmurs rippled through the crowd, whispers trailing behind me. Ignoring them, I scanned the lavish room until my eyes locked onto him.
Gabriel Carson.
He was effortlessly charming, his smile perfectly curated as he entertained his guests. The sight of him made my blood boil. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to lash out.
Then, he turned and saw me.
For the briefest moment, shock flickered in his eyes before he masked it with feigned confusion. I steadied my breathing, lifted my chin, and strode toward him.
“E-Kristie?” His voice faltered, barely above a whisper.
I let a smirk play on my lips. "You look like you've seen a ghost, Gabriel."
He swallowed, his polished exterior cracking. "I… I wasn’t expecting you."