From Stand-in to Heiress: The Lies of My Billionaire Husband Exposed by Me novel Chapter 3

"Mr. Blaine, Miss Lamia has been insisting on seeing you."

My hand shook, nearly dropping the phone.

Hearing movement from the bathroom, I quickly put the phone back.

Carter came out and saw me by the window in just a thin shirt. He draped a blanket over me.

"You’re not fully recovered. If you catch a cold, you’ll suffer, and it’ll cost us money."

His words stung.

That night, he handed me a nearly expired glass of milk, made me drink it, then turned off the lights and held me as we slept.

At midnight, once he thought I was asleep, he slipped out of bed and tiptoed to the bathroom.

I opened my eyes and listened.

"Mr. Blaine, Miss Green says her hand hurts and won’t sleep until she sees you."

"Tell Lamia that I’ll go see her as soon as I have time. She needs to be obedient. And make sure her hand is treated by professionals—no scars can be left."

His firm voice felt like a knife to my heart.

He cared so much about Lamia’s minor scratch, yet he wouldn’t let me stay in the hospital after nearly bleeding to death.

So this is the true face of the person I’ve loved for so many years.

"Mr. Blaine, your grandfather’s been asking about your marriage. You’ve tested your wife long enough. Shouldn’t you bring her to his birthday?"

Carter scoffed.

"Lyra Shelton is just a country bumpkin. If I took her to my grandfather's birthday, I’d be ridiculed."

"For grandpa's birthday, I’ll bring Lamia. Send her that one-of-a-kind Parisian gown."

"Only Lamia deserves that dress—and my status. Lyra was just her stand-in. Now that Lamia’s back, she’ll step aside."

The assistant seemed reluctant.

"But you’re already married to your wife. Aren’t you afraid she’ll find out and cause a scene?"

Carter chuckled.

"That's why I hid my true identity and married Lyra. I had all my assets notarized before the marriage, just for this day."

I opened their chat. The first thing I saw was a transfer record: 520,000.

"Lamia, congratulations on landing the lead role in your new drama. This is my reward for you."

"I’ve arranged for our company to invest 100 million in your drama. Focus on your acting, and let me know if you need anything. I’ll always have your back."

The further I scrolled up, the more my hands trembled.

While Lamia was abroad, Carter never stopped sending her gifts—luxury bags, jewelry, even houses, each worth tens of thousands.

And me? In three years of marriage, he scolded me for buying a bowl of spicy noodles.

"Lyra, can’t you be a little more sensible? We can’t afford luxuries like this."

When I lingered by a diamond ring, he’d pull me away.

"Know your place and not covet things that don’t belong to you."

Tears streamed down my face as years of pain poured out.

Suddenly, a new message popped up in his chat.