The Double ( or More ?) Life of The Fake Heiress

Aimee snapped back to reality, shaking off the fleeting sense of familiarity. She flashed a warm smile at Mirabella, whose coat had fallen open slightly to reveal the emblem of Parkside High School on her uniform. A flicker of surprise crossed Aimee’s eyes.

Glancing at her son Vincent, who was seated beside the girl, Aimee couldn’t help but ask, “Are you two schoolmates?”

Vincent stood up from his chair, and after a brief pause, he replied, “Yeah, we’re in the same grade but in different classes.”

Aimee was taken aback by this revelation. Her son had always been rather aloof, known for his

straightforward nature and academic brilliance, which unfortunately resulted in a sparse circle of friends, let alone female classmates.

‘The girl must be quite the scholar, Aimee thought to herself.

After exchanging a few more words with Mirabella, who seemed rather reserved, Aimee decided not to press further.

Once dinner was finished, James and Mirabella didn’t linger at the Mendoza household. They bid Knox farewell and departed.

With the guests gone, Aimee finally found a moment to sit down, massaging her sore shoulders and arms. She turned to her son, who also looked exhausted, and said with a hint of pride, “Vincent, you did really well today.”

Vincent, leaning back with his head against the chair, managed only a feeble wave in response to his mother’s praise.

Aimee took a sip of water from a glass nearby and casually inquired, “By the way, what’s the name of that girl you sat next to?” Although she had chatted with Mirabella, Aimee had not asked for her name.

Vincent straightened up and looked at his mother, perplexed by the sudden question. “Why do you want to

know?”

“What’s wrong with being curious?” Aimee retorted with a raised eyebrow.

Vincent touched his nose. “Her name’s Mirabella Davis.”

“Mirabella?” Aimee echoed, then probed further, “Which Davis family is your classmate from?”

Vincent paused, taken aback.

“I mean, what’s her family background?” Aimee clarified.

Guests invited to Knox’s birthday party were usually from well–known families or influential figures. Aimee assumed Mirabella was the child of one such family, as there were several prominent households with the Davis surname in Radiant Ridge.

Vincent realized what his mother was asking and replied, “I haven’t paid much attention to that. Not sure.”

“Oh,” Aimee responded, dropping the subject.

After dropping Mirabella off at the Davis family’s gate, Mirabella remembered she had something for

10:07

James and said, “Wait for me. I’ll get the incense for you.” James wanted to say there was no rush, but Mirabella had already walked away. He held his tongue. Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

Minutes later, Mirabella reemerged, holding a nondescript plastic tube. She passed it through the car window. “Let me know if you need more.”

James quietly looked at her for a moment before responding. “Will do.”

“Bye, sweet dreams,” Mirabella said cheerfully, waving at James.

Once Mirabella’s figure vanished from sight, James turned his gaze back to the plastic tube on the seat adorned with a cookie brand’s label, and his lips twitched. In the past, she might have used a wooden box, which, while not fancy, at least looked proper. Now… it seemed even the pretense was gone.

Shaking his head, James instructed Wyatt to drive next door.

Donald hadn’t gone to bed yet. He was in the living room, engaged in a game of chess with Curtis.

Curtis, who had been thoroughly trounced most of the evening, sprang to his feet as James entered. It was like a man seeing a lifeline.