Chapter 24
After that night, Matthew faded from our lives like a ghost at sunrise.
Nathan and I dove headfirst into love, unashamed and unapologetic in our passion for each other.
Life moved forward our company expanded to Manhattan, with Sarah and I leading the project. Then, almost inevitably, Nathan and I married.
The wedding was a fairytale, perfect in every detail until the moment I hadn’t let myself think about – Matthew’s appearance,
He was the groom’s twin, after all. Some roles can’t be rewritten, even in fairytales.
Two years had transformed him. While Nathan and I built our life together, Matthew had been wandering, learning the hard way what privilege had hidden from him. Cut off from the family fortune, he’d been forced to discover who he was without his safety net. The world had smoothed his rough edges, though that trademark charm still lingered in the corners of his smile.
When the family presented him to me, he played his part flawlessly: “Sister–in–law.” Two words that carried the weight of our complicated history.
Throughout the reception, I’d catch glimpses of his gaze following me – a reminder of what might have been. But maybes and might–have–beens had no place here.
Even if some part of him still harbored feelings, they belonged to a story that had already ended.
I found myself gripping Nathan’s hand tighter, though whether to reassure him or myself, I wasn’t sure. The twins shared DNA, but their souls had taken drastically different paths. One had played with hearts like toys; the other had risked everything – his arm, his principles, his heart – for love.
–
Under the soft glow of crystal chandeliers, surrounded by the warmth of celebration, I knew with absolute certainty that I’d chosen right.
It wasn’t just about choosing between identical faces.
It was about choosing the man who’d crashed through a fire door without hesitation.
The one who’d loved me from afar before I knew he existed. The one who’d orchestrated an entire company acquisition just to see me again.
As Nathan drew me into our first dance, Matthew’s presence faded into background noise.
Some might call it karma – the player finally losing at his own game.
15.10%
Chapter 24
But I preferred to think of it as destiny finding its path.
I’d fallen for the same face twice, yes.
But only one man had earned the right to keep my heart forever.
