Summer's POV

I glanced at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time that morning.We were officially late for work, and I was deliberately making us even later.

"Brandon. I can't find my blue portfolio," I called out, pretending to search through my already perfectly organized bag.

"It's on your desk," Brandon replied from the doorway, car keys dangling from his fingers. His voice was patient, completely unfazed by my obvious stalling.

"Right," I mumbled, grabbing the portfolio. "And I need to change my shoes...these don't match."

Brandon just leaned against the doorframe, watching me with that infuriating calm of his.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" I finally demanded.

"About what?"

"About the fact that I'm making us late on purpose!"

Brandon's smile widened slightly. "Why would I be upset about that?"

I stared at him, deflating. "Because normal people get mad when other people deliberately waste their time?"

He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "You're not wasting my time. You're showing me you care." His voice dropped. "If you didn't care at all about Lyanna, that would worry me more."
I flushed. "I don't care about her." I insisted stubbornly. "I just don't want
to go to work today."

"Mmm-hmm."

Brandon picked up my bag and handed it to me. "We should go. Unless you'd prefer to call in sick?"

The temptation was real. I could curl up in bed and avoid the whole Lyanna situation entirely. But that wasn't me. I'd never been one to run from my problems.

I might not be the most aggressive person, but I wasn't a pushover either.If Brandon's grandfather thought he could intimidate me by bringing in some ex-fiancée, he had seriously misjudged the situation.

"Let's go," I said firmly. "I've kept you waiting long enough."

"You can drop me off right at the entrance," I instructed as we approached Stark Group headquarters. "I know you usually use the underground parking,but today let's make an exception."

Brandon raised an eyebrow but complied, pulling the Bentley up to the main entrance where dozens of employees were streaming in. Heads turned immediately at the sight of the CEO's car.

"Perfect," I whispered, satisfaction coursing through me. By lunchtime,everyone would know I'd arrived with Brandon.

I gathered my things. "I'll see you later?"

"Wait," Brandon said, reaching behind his seat. He handed me a small paper bag-the cookies I'd baked for him. "You forgot this."

"That's for you!" I protested.
"I know," he said, the comner of his mouth quirking upward."But you were in such a rush this morning you forgot to actually give them to me."
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. Clearly, my little performance hadn't fooled him.

"Go on," he said, nodding toward the building. "You're already late."

"Oh! Right!" I fumbled with the bag. "I should head up then. You should come up soon too!"

I could feel dozens of curious eyes on us as I climbed out of the car.The whispers started immediately.

I was still riding the high of my dramatic entrance when I reached the project department. The stares and whispers followed me, but they felt different than I'd expected-more intense, almost unsettling.

"Summer, you finally made it!" Heather Bell practically pounced on me the moment I entered. Her eyes were wide with excitement and apprehension.

"What's going on?" I asked. "Why's everyone acting so weird?"

Heather pulled me into the break room. "Where were you yesterday? You missed all the drama!"

"I was working from home," I replied cautiously. "What drama?"

"Oh my God," Heather lowered her voice. "The company got a new addition yesterday-some drop-dead gorgeous woman who's working directly with Mr. Stark!"

I kept my expression neutral. "I know. What about her?"

"Wait, you already know? Okay, but... don't get mad when I tell you this
"Why would I get mad? What, does she have three heads or something?"

"No, she doesn't have three heads, but.." Heather glanced around nervously. "She looks exactly like you. And I mean 'exactly+. It's freaky.Summer. Like looking at twins."

The room seemed to tilt. I'd known about Lyanna coming to work here.but this part? The part where we looked identical? Brandon had conveniently left that detail out.

"What did you just say?" I managed, my voice sounding distant.

"Summer? Are you okay? You look really pale."

"I'm fine," I said automatically. "I just remembered I need to check something. If Leo asks, tell him I'll be back soon."

I headed straight for the executive elevators. I needed to see Brandon.Now.

As the elevator doors closed, I leaned against the wall, trying to organize my thoughts. We looked alike? Was that why Brandon had been attracted to me? Was I just a replacement for the woman his family wanted him to marry? Had our entire relationship been built on some twisted attempt to recreate what he'd lost?

*Stop it*, I told myself firmly. *You're jumping to conclusions. Just talk to him before you spiral.*

But the seed of doubt had been planted. I thought about all those times people had commented on how unusual it was for Brandon to be interested in someone like me. Had they been trying to tell me something?

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. I stepped out, still lost in
my thoughts, and collided hard with someone. The cookie bag flew from my hands, scattering across the floor.

"I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking " I started, then froze.

It was like looking into a mirror, but not quite. The woman had my height.my build. even similar facial features. But her hair was longer, her makeup more dramatic, and her expression was one of complete shock.

"You..." she breathed, taking a small step back.

I recovered first, frantically trying to regain my composure.

"Ms. York!" I exclaimed, my voice coming out stronger than I felt.

Her eyebrows rose. "You know who I am?"

I straightened my shoulders. "Not just anyone can come up to the 27th floor where CEO Brandon Stark works. And while Mr. Stark has several secretaries, I'm at least familiar with most Stark Group employees.You're the only face I don't recognize." I smiled slightly. "I heard that yesterday,Mr. William Stark personally brought in a MIs. York to work as an intern secretary. I was away on business yesterday and didn't have the pleasure of meeting you immediately."

I studied her face, noting her discomfort. "Are you feeling unwell, Ms.York?"

"No!" she replied quickly.

"That's good to hear," I said pleasantly, extending my hand. "Summer Taylor, from the project department."

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Taylor," she replied, taking my hand briefly.Her eyes flickered to my left hand, lingering on the wedding ring Brandon had given me. "Miss Taylor.., are you married?"
? ###Chapter 297: Are You Here to Question Me

Summer's POV

A cold smile curved my lips. "Indeed. Ms. York. How observant of you to notice my wedding ring! I've been married for quite some time now.yet hardly anyone at the office has paid attention to it. You must have quite an eye for detail."

I watched as the color drained from her face. She looked almost ghostly now, her perfectly made-up face unable to conceal her shock.

"Are you sure you're feeling alright, Ms. York?" I pressed, my voice dripping with false concern. "You look terribly pale. It would be such a shame if you fell ill on your very first day. That wouldn't reflect well on Stark Group's image, would it?"

"You..." she began, seemingly struggling to find words. I could practically see the thoughts racing behind her eyes-confusion, disbelief,perhaps even anger.Whatever information she'd been given about me clearly didn't match the reality standing before her.

"Oh my, look at the time!" I exclaimed, glancing at my watch. "Chatting with you has been so distracting, I almost forgot I came up here to see Brandon about some urgent business. You'll have to excuse me."

Without waiting for her response, I stepped around her and headed toward Brandon's office, the remains of my shattered cookies clutched in one hand. I could feel her eyes boring into my back as I walked away.

Standing outside Brandon's office door, I took a deep breath and tried to steady my nerves. My heart was still racing from the encounter with Lyanna.Seeing her-seeing us-side by side had been jarring in a way I hadn't anticipated. Brandon had warned me about her return, but he'd
conveniently left out the part where we could practically be twins.

I knocked on the door, more firmly than usual.

"Who is it?" Brandon's voice called from inside.

"Brandon, it's me! Summer from the project department!" I called back. my voice sounding unnaturally formal even to my own ears.

"Come in!"

I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Brandon was at his desk.absorbed in some document. When he looked up and saw me,he immediately set down his pen and rose to his feet. His eyes fell to the crushed cookie bag in my hands, and his brow furrowed slightly.

"What brings you up here?" he asked, then his expression shifted as he read something in my face. "You've met her."

It wasn't a question.

I remained standing just inside the doorway, not moving closer when he approached.When he reached for me, I took a deliberate step back. His hand hung awkwardly in the air for a moment before dropping to his side.

"Are you here to question me?" he asked quietly, resignation in his voice.

"Should I be?" I countered, my voice cooler than I intended.

Brandon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're upset. I get it.But think about it-right now, I'm clearly in the wrong here. Doesn't that give you the upper hand? Why not take advantage of that?"

I almost laughed at his attempt to lighten the mood. Instead, I held out the crushed bag of cookies.

"These were for you," I said flatly. "They're yours to eat, even if they're
Cuapter 297.A0 00co ueston e:

broken now."

Brandon took the bag. looking down at the crumbled contents."What happened?"

"I bumped into your ex-fiancée. Literally." I crossed my arms over my chest. "Why didn't you tell me that we look exactly alike, Brandon?"

When he didn't immediately answer. I felt something crack inside me."Brandon,answer me!"

"What kind of answer are you looking for?" he asked, his voice measured."Yes, there's a resemblance between you two, but you're not identical. Not by a long shot."

His eyes locked with mine, unflinching. "Why not just ask what you really want to know? Did I mnarry you because you look like her? Because you were a convenient replacement when she wasn't available?"

I felt my throat tighten. That was exactly the question burning inside me,the fear that had taken root the moment I'd seen her face.

"I thought I made myself clear yesterday," Brandon continued. "I told you not to believe anything anyone else says. Remember?'

"What about what you say?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper."Cana I believe that?"

"Do you trust me?"

I stared at him, caught off guard by his directness. "I don't know how to answer that question. What I need to know is whether you married me just for me-not because I reminded you of someone else."

The corner of Brandon's mouth lifted in a slight smile. "Just for you. Only for you."
I wanted to believe him. God. how I wanted to believe him.

"Fine." I said finally. "I'll trust you on this. But if this is a lie, make it a lifetime one. If you can't keep up the pretense forever, just tell me the truth now. I'm not the type to cling to someone who doesn't want me.You know that,right?"

"I know," he said simply.

I nodded and turned to leave, but Brandon caught my arm.

"Everyone seems to think you two are identical," he said softly. "What about you? Do you see yourself in her?"

I met his gaze steadily. "No."

"Exactly," he replied, his grip on my arm relaxing. "You should know,Summer-I would never compromise myself for anyone. If I had felt anything for Lyanna, I wouldn't have married you or stayed with you all this time. You're not a replacement for anyone. And no one could ever replace you."

"You'd better remember what you said today," I warned him, though the ice in my voice was beginning to thaw.

"I will," he promised. "Fo the rest of my life. Some things can't be seen with your eyes-they need to be felt with your heart."

"I'll try," I told him honestly. "But I'm only human, Brandon. Don't lie to me."

Outside Brandon's office, I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes,trying to steady my breathing. The encounter with Lyanna,followed by the confrontation with Brandon, had left me emotionally drained. I needed a moment to compose myself before heading back to my own department.
Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

I'd handled things better than I'd expected. No tears, no shouting, no emotional breakdown. I'd stood my ground and spoken my mind. Yet the image of Lyanna's face-so eerily similar to my own-lingered in my thoughts.

We're not the same person. I reminded myself firmly. I am Summer.She is Lyanna. And Brandon chose me.

With one final deep breath, I pushed myself away from the wall and headed toward the elevators. Whatever game William Stark was playing by bringing Lyanna back, I wasn't about to let it break what Brandon and I had built together.

As the elevator doors closed, I caught a glimpse of Lyanna watching me from down the hallway, her expression unreadable. I straightened my shoulders and held her gaze until the doors slid shut between us.

The battle lines had been drawn. And I had no intention of retreating.