No Longer a Stand-In

Sarah's POV

The next day, James didn't show up at the office. News of him refusing the arranged marriage spread like wildfire through the company.

Everyone was whispering, "I heard Mr. Carter already has someone he loves - that's why he refused the arrangement."

"I heard he's not at work today because he's preparing to propose to the person he loves!"

"Oh my God, that's so romantic..."

Remembering James's words from yesterday, my heart started racing involuntarily.

Could he be planning to surprise me today?

I waited until evening when James finally called:

"Sarah, I forgot some documents. Could you bring them to my house?"

"Of course, I'll be right there."

After hanging up, I immediately took a taxi to James's villa.

Standing before the familiar door, thinking about what might happen next, I couldn't help taking deep breaths to calm myself.

If he opens the door and proposes, should I say yes immediately or play it cool...

Ding dong~

"Coming~"

A familiar feminine voice answered. Suddenly, my whole body went cold.

The door opened to reveal a beautiful woman in sleepwear.

Seeing me, her eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, you must be James's secretary Sarah! Wow, we really look alike!

"Even our fashion sense is similar!

"No wonder you've been his secretary for eight years."

The woman before me had a face similar to mine. I felt panic rising.

Seeing the kiss marks on her neck, my blood ran cold. I felt dizzy, barely able to stay upright.

So she was the one James loved?

I spotted a pair of heels by the entrance - identical to the ones James had given me.

In that moment, everything clicked... I was just a stand-in for hert.

She enthusiastically pulled me inside, acting every bit the lady of the house.

"I'm so sorry you had to come all this way for such a small thing.

"Sarah, if we walked down the street together, people would think we're sisters!" She laughed, pulling me to stand in front of James.

"Don't you think so, James?"

James didn't even glance at me, smiling as he pulled her into his arms. "You're more beautiful."

"Stop it~" Emma Leonard turned away playfully, then grabbed my hand warmly. "Thank you for taking such good care of James all these years. I'm grateful on his behalf."

Before her natural confidence, I felt like the other woman.

I finally understood - I'd imagined it all. I thought James's kindness meant love, but it was just his affection for another woman transferred onto me.

Yesterday, when James chose a restaurant I liked, I thought he was finally going to make me his girlfriend.

Instead, it was our last dinner together.

He called me here today to make me understand my place, to stop my unrealistic fantasies.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Oh Sarah, you're such a fool.

You gave him your heart completely, wasted eight years, only to become a complete joke.

"I need to get back to work," I mumbled, keeping my head down as I tried to leave.

Perhaps because I was so heartbroken, I didn't watch my step and twisted my ankle on the stairs.

A sharp pain shot through me, and I nearly collapsed.

"Wait, Sarah..." James saw me stumble and started to reach out, but Emma called him back.

"James, I want your homemade pizza. Make it for me~"

"Of course, anything you want." He withdrew his attention from me completely.

The door closed behind me as I stood awkwardly under the streetlight. My last shred of feelings for James died right there.

When he was with me, James couldn't even boil water. Now he makes pizza. How laughable.

James didn't come to the office for the next few days.

Knowing he was probably busy with his true love, I quietly left my resignation letter on his desk and started packing up my things.

"Oh? Sarah, are you transferring departments?"

"No, I'm resigning."

"What?" My colleague looked shocked. "So suddenly? Did Mr. Carter say something to upset you?”

"Not at all," I smiled and shook my head. "I'm going home to get married."

Everyone was surprised by this news, especially since I'd always been so dedicated to work, practically living for it, and now I was suddenly announcing marriage.

To bid me farewell, several close colleagues arranged a dinner after work in our group chat, planning to drink and chat together.

After years of being James's personal caretaker, I hadn't relaxed like this in ages. After a few drinks, I felt truly free.

We lost track of time, and it was late night when we left the restaurant.

I stood alone on the street trying to get a taxi, but none came.

A group of thugs at the corner of the alley kept looking my way. My knuckles turned white from gripping my phone.

As they drew closer, their predatory stares made my blood run cold.

Scared and desperate, I called James. When he answered, I hesitated.

"Hello? James, could you..."

Emma's voice came through, "Hello? Who is this?"

I fell silent. Either James hadn't saved my number, or Emma was just pretending not to know.

Hearing my silence, she gave a soft laugh. "Sarah, you really don't know your place, do you?

"James never saw you as his girlfriend, yet you kept throwing yourself at him.

"How pathetic can you be?"

"And what about you?" I shot back. "What does it say about you, wanting a man who slept with me for eight years? How does that make you any better than me?"

"You! Hah..." She laughed scornfully. "At least I'm not unwanted like you."