Swapped in for My Brother and Married the Real Deal

The pilled gray four-piece bedsheet set had been swapped for a warm yellow set, and a plate of still-steaming pork chops with greens sat on the kitchen counter.

The old, dim bulb had been replaced with a new one, its warm light filling the 300-square-foot basement.

In this freshly made-over "home", I was standing on a stool, changing the curtains. When I heard the door, I turned my head and gave Savannah a small smile.

"You're back. Dig in while the food's hot. The boss at the market gave it to me for free. These things didn't cost much, either. They're all bargain finds."

Savannah's eyes turned slightly red as she scanned the room over and over, taking in every object. The large blocks of yellow filled her eyes, and the strong visual impact made her chest rise and fall. Her eyes grew even redder.

I seized the moment and continued, "Sorry. I went ahead and decided on warm yellow without asking you first. I just figured it was something you would like. I changed your pillowcase, too. See if you like it."

She lowered her head, staring straight at the pillowcase as she walked toward it. All of a sudden, she stepped on something and lost her balance, falling backward.

I rushed over and caught her firmly before she hit the floor. She instinctively grabbed the front of my shirt, and I used that momentum to lean in closer to her.

I saw the look of relief in her eyes. "Thanks, Chase."

I let out a breath, but my gaze slid down along the loose collar of her T-shirt, tracing the hollow of her chest. I swallowed.

"Savannah." It was my first time calling her name in such a low, husky voice. "Can I?"

She bit her lip, her cheeks flushing red. She buried herself against my neck. "Yeah."

I'd guessed right. She liked "being saved", especially when it was a typical "knight in shining armor swooped in to save damsel in distress" sort of situation.

That night, Savannah and I went from being husband and wife only on paper to being a real couple in every sense. I didn't change my hairstyle, and once the lights were off, it was my name that she called.

In the middle of the night, I woke up to silence.

Morgan had bombarded my phone with messages.

"Why aren't you answering me? Don't tell me you've slept with that piece of trash, Chase!

"Get a grip! There's no way Mom and Dad will ever agree to you marrying her. If you don't want them to hunt you down, then divorce her and come home. Look at the five women I offered to introduce to you—any one of them is better than Savannah!"

The last message sounded panicked. "You'd better do the smart thing and stop being so ungrateful. If you don't come home, don't blame me for not covering for you if Mom and Dad show up!"

Savannah's steady breathing fanned over my chest. The twin bed couldn't fit two people, so we had no choice but to press tightly against each other.

There was no way she'd truly fallen in love with me in just one week. Having someone stir the pot was actually a good thing.

I replied, "I'm not going back. I love her. Even if Mom and Dad disapprove, I'm going to spend my whole life with her."

…

A few days later, I rented a stall in a busy part of town to sell crepes.

At first, I didn't tell Savannah. I still went to my day job as usual, then braved the freezing night wind to run the stall. I made sure I was home on time to cook for her.

She was still busy with her own things. She told me she was job-hunting, but the comments said she was still trying to find a way to redo the paternity test.

[The Reed family is looking everywhere for their real heiress, but the female lead is still grinding this hard. With that kind of drive, no wonder she will become the richest woman in the future.]

The richest woman, huh?

I paused halfway through flipping a crepe and almost laughed out loud.

…

Half a month later, Morgan sent me a photo of me at the stall. "Found you. You're done for."

Perfect timing. I almost burst out laughing again.

That night, I deliberately returned home an hour late. As soon as I stepped in, I let out a weary yawn. Then, I pushed up my sleeves, revealing the ugly, angry chilblains on both hands.

"Sorry I'm late. It was pretty busy at the… convenience store. I'll go make dinner now."