The substitute bride: The Cold CEO's beloved

The soft rustle of silk whispered through the air as Ellie Temple stood before the grand mirror, her reflection both foreign and unnervingly familiar. The white gown clung to her form, delicate lace tracing her figure like vines of imprisonment. A bride's dress — a vision she'd never imagined wearing under such circumstances. This was supposed to be her sister's day, her sister's life. Yet, here she was, suffocating under the weight of a lie that would soon unravel. Ellie stared at the gown, the symbol of a future she had never asked for. She was the substitute. A stand-in for her elder sister, the golden child who had always been her family’s pride. The one who was supposed to marry the cold and powerful CEO, Liam Hayes. But her sister had fled, choosing freedom over duty, leaving Ellie behind to pick up the shattered pieces. Her family had begged. No, demanded that she step in. The once-glorious Temple family was drowning in debt, and the marriage was supposed to be their lifeline. Without it, everything would collapse — their reputation, their wealth, everything. So here she was, sacrificing her own future for a family that barely acknowledged her unless they needed something. A knock at the door pulled Ellie from her thoughts, her heart pounding in her chest as the door creaked open. Her mother, Rebecca Temple, entered, her face tight with both anxiety and determination. "Ellie," her mother's voice was stern, but beneath it, there was a tremor of desperation. "Are you ready?" Ellie swallowed hard, her throat dry as she turned to face her mother. "Is this really what you want?" she asked softly, her voice barely a whisper. "For me to live her life?" Rebecca's gaze hardened. "We have no choice. Your sister is gone, and this family needs to survive. You know what this marriage means for us." Her mother’s words were sharp, a reminder of the weight Ellie had to carry. With a heavy sigh, Ellie nodded, her heart sinking further into the pit of her stomach. There was no escape. No way out. The Temple family’s survival now rested on her shoulders, and she was about to enter a marriage with a man who didn’t even know her name. The ceremony was a blur. Ellie barely remembered the vows, the soft murmurs of the guests, or the weight of the ring as it slid onto her finger. All she could think about was the man standing next to her — Liam Hayes. Tall, imposing, and distant, Liam was every bit the cold-hearted CEO the media had painted him to be. His black suit was tailored to perfection, a symbol of his immense wealth and status. His sharp features and icy blue eyes made him seem untouchable, as if he were carved from stone. There was no warmth in his gaze, no sign of joy or excitement. To him, this marriage was a transaction, a business deal, nothing more. He hadn’t spared her a single glance since the moment she walked down the aisle. And why would he? He didn’t know her. He thought she was her sister, Suzie, the one who was meant to stand beside him. How long could she keep up this charade before the truth came crashing down? As the officiant declared them husband and wife, Liam leaned in, pressing a cold, formal kiss to her cheek. Ellie barely felt it. It was as empty as the rest of the ceremony, a hollow gesture to seal a hollow union. Her heart clenched painfully. What had she gotten herself into? Later that evening, Ellie found herself standing alone in the vast, intimidating halls of Liam's mansion — no, their mansion now. The house was like a fortress, its cold marble floors and towering walls reflecting the man who lived within it. She had only been here for a few hours, and already, the suffocating loneliness of this place had begun to seep into her bones. Liam had disappeared shortly after the ceremony, leaving her to fend for herself in this foreign, hostile environment. No explanations, no apologies. Not that she had expected any. As she wandered through the endless corridors, the weight of the day finally caught up with her. She paused by a large window, staring out into the night. The city lights blinked in the distance, so far removed from her world of uncertainty and fear. Suddenly, a low voice interrupted her thoughts. "You look lost." Ellie’s breath caught in her throat. She turned to see Liam standing in the doorway, his expression as unreadable as ever. His dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he had run his hands through it in frustration. His eyes were piercing, cold blue pools that seemed to see right through her. "I…" Ellie struggled to find her voice. "I’m just trying to get used to everything." Liam’s gaze hardened. "Don’t bother. This is a marriage of convenience. You don’t need to get used to anything." His words were like a punch to the gut, sharp and cutting. Ellie bit her lip, trying to keep the tears at bay. She knew this wasn’t going to be easy, but hearing him say it so bluntly still hurt. "You don’t have to worry," Ellie said softly, her voice trembling just slightly. "I won’t get in your way." Liam stared at her for a long moment, his jaw clenched. "Good." Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Ellie alone once again. She pressed her hand against the cool glass of the window, feeling the overwhelming weight of the situation crashing down on her. This was her life now — married to a man who didn’t want her, living in a house that felt more like a prison than a home. And worst of all, she was living a lie. Liam thought he had married Suzie, not her. How long could she keep this secret before it destroyed everything? The days that followed were painfully slow. Liam was hardly ever home, and when he was, he barely acknowledged her presence. They lived like strangers, sharing the same space but inhabiting entirely different worlds. Ellie spent her time exploring the mansion, trying to adjust to the luxurious but hollow life she had been thrust into. But no amount of wealth or extravagance could fill the emptiness that gnawed at her. Every night, Ellie lay awake in the cold, empty bed, staring up at the ceiling and wondering how long she could endure this. She missed her old life, the simplicity of it. She missed the freedom she had taken for granted. But most of all, she missed feeling like she belonged somewhere. One evening, as Ellie sat in the massive dining room, alone once again, she heard the front door creak open. Her heart leaped into her throat. Liam was home early. That was unusual. He usually stayed late at the office, drowning himself in work to avoid her. She listened to his footsteps echo through the hall, growing closer. A moment later, he appeared in the doorway, his expression as cold as ever. But there was something different in his eyes tonight — a flicker of something darker, more dangerous. "You haven’t touched your food," he said, his voice low. Ellie glanced down at the untouched plate in front of her. "I… wasn’t hungry." Liam’s gaze narrowed. "You need to take care of yourself. I don’t need a sick wife on my hands." His words stung, but Ellie held her ground. "I’m fine." Liam stepped closer, his eyes locked on hers. "Are you?" There was something unsettling in the way he looked at her, as if he was seeing her for the first time. Ellie’s heart raced, but she refused to back down. She wasn’t going to let him intimidate her. "Yes," she said, her voice steady. "I am." For a moment, they stood there in silence, the tension between them thick and palpable. Then, without another word, Liam turned and walked away, leaving Ellie to wonder what had just happened. As the weeks passed, Ellie slowly began to uncover more about the man she had married. Liam Hayes was a mystery, a fortress of secrets and scars. He rarely spoke about his past, but from the little she had gathered, it was clear that he had suffered in ways she couldn’t even imagine. His icy exterior was a shield, a way to protect himself from the world that had hurt him so deeply. But beneath that shield, Ellie sensed there was more to Liam than met the eye.