A struggling actress takes an unusual job after being hired by a wealthy man’s mother to pose as his girlfriend and sabotage his upcoming wedding. But as she spends more time with him and his fiancée, she questions her actions and the price of her desperation. What will she choose?
Miranda stepped out of the dim audition room, her chest heavy with frustration. The casting director’s parting words, “You’re not interesting enough,” stung more than she wanted to admit.
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With her wallet almost empty, taking a taxi home wasn’t an option, so she trudged along the busy sidewalk, her thoughts clouded with doubt and discouragement.
As she neared a small corner store, a bulletin board tacked outside caught her eye. Among the cluttered ads and flyers, one stood out.
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She stepped closer to read the hastily written note: “Looking for a woman to pretend to be my son’s girlfriend. Will pay well.” Beneath the bold letters was a single phone number. No name, no explanation.
Miranda shook her head and chuckled to herself. “People are wild,” she muttered, brushing it off as she entered the store.
At the register, reality hit her hard. The little she could afford—pasta, cheese, and toilet paper—barely filled a small bag.
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The notice snagged her attention again as she was heading back. Staring at her meager groceries, she sighed, pulled out her phone, and dialed the number.
“Hello, I saw your ad—” Miranda began, gripping her phone tightly.
A sharp voice cut her off. “Meet me at 7:00 p.m. at Bella Luna. Dinner’s on me.”
Miranda blinked in surprise. “Wait, what—”
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The line went dead. She stared at her phone. No name. No details. Just instructions. It felt strange, but with her bills piling up, she didn’t have the luxury to ignore it.
At 7:00 p.m., Miranda entered the restaurant, her stomach fluttering. She scanned the room, unsure who she was meeting.
A middle-aged woman in a tailored suit approached her, her steps confident.
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“Are you the one who called about the ad?” the woman asked, her tone brisk.
“Yes, I’m Miranda,” she replied, offering a polite smile.
“Leslie,” the woman said, gesturing toward a nearby table. “Follow me.”
Once seated, Leslie leaned forward. “Do you have experience with this sort of thing?”
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Miranda hesitated. “Not exactly. I’ve never pretended to be someone’s girlfriend before,” she admitted. “But I’m an actress. I think I can do it.”
Leslie nodded, her expression unreadable. “Good enough,” she said. “Here’s the deal. My son is getting married in a month. I need you to make him fall for you and ruin the wedding.”
Miranda’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me? Your ad said to pretend to be his girlfriend. It didn’t say anything about ruining relationships.”
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“I’m not stupid enough to write that in an ad,” Leslie said, her voice sharp. “His fiancée isn’t good enough for him. She’s only after his money. You’d be helping him, really.”
Miranda pushed her chair back. “I can’t do this. I’m sorry,” she said, preparing to leave.
“Ten thousand,” Leslie said suddenly.
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“What?” Miranda froze.
“Ten thousand dollars if you break up the wedding. Two thousand if you try but fail. That should motivate you,” Leslie explained, her eyes fixed on Miranda.
Miranda’s breath caught. Ten thousand dollars. Two thousand, even. Her landlord’s threats echoed in her head. She needed the money.
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“Honey, I don’t have all day,” Leslie snapped.
Miranda swallowed hard. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
“Good. But don’t slack off. If you do, you get nothing,” Leslie warned, extending her hand.
With a deep sigh, Miranda shook it.
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Leslie had it all mapped out, and Miranda followed the plan step by step. Leslie’s son, Jack, was hiring an assistant for his company, so Leslie helped Miranda put together an impressive résumé.
It was polished to perfection, making Miranda seem like the ideal candidate. Jack didn’t hesitate—she got the job almost immediately.
But getting the job was the easy part. The hard part was getting Jack to notice her.
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Miranda tried everything Leslie suggested. She wore short skirts and fitted blouses, hoping to catch his eye.
Yet, Jack seemed uninterested. His focus was always on work.
Frustrated, Miranda decided to try something different. She began staying late at the office, waiting for moments when it was just the two of them.
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One evening, Jack looked up from his desk and frowned. “You don’t have to stay just because I’m still here,” he said, his tone gentle but firm.
Miranda forced a smile. “I enjoy your company,” she replied, sitting across from him and pretending to organize files.
Over the next two weeks, something shifted. Jack began having longer conversations with Miranda, talking about his life, his goals, and even his favorite movies.
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Yet, the more time Miranda spent with Jack, the harder her task became. She had met Katie, his fiancée, the woman Leslie despised.
Katie wasn’t what Miranda expected. She was kind, thoughtful, and genuinely sweet.
She brought homemade cookies to the office, reminded Jack to eat, and calmed him with a soothing word when he was stressed.
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One day, Miranda watched as Katie laughed over an origami crane Jack had made for her.
The love between them was undeniable. Leslie’s claims about Katie being a gold-digger felt harder to believe.
Still, Miranda couldn’t back out. Her landlord had already warned her about overdue rent, and the clock was ticking. Desperation outweighed her growing guilt.
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One evening, as Miranda stayed late at the office with Jack, her phone buzzed. She sighed, seeing Leslie’s name on the screen. Reluctantly, she answered.
“What’s taking so long?” Leslie demanded. “The wedding is in a week, and he’s still with Katie!”
“I’m working on it,” Miranda replied quietly, glancing at Jack, who was seated nearby, engrossed in his laptop.
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“There’s no time left. You need to sleep with him,” Leslie snapped.
“What?! We never agreed to that!” Miranda exclaimed, her voice rising slightly.
“Then fake it,” Leslie said coldly. “Make it look like you did and send me photos. I’m done waiting.”
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Before Miranda could respond, the line went dead. She stared at the phone, her stomach twisting.
Slowly, she walked back to Jack and sat next to him on the couch, closer than she ever had before.
“Tired?” she asked, her voice softer than usual.
Jack glanced up briefly. “Yeah, a little,” he admitted.
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Miranda hesitated, then placed her hand on his arm. “Maybe we could go to a bar. Unwind a little?”
Jack shook his head. “I can’t. Katie made dinner. She’ll already be upset that I’m late.”
“Does it really matter?” Miranda asked, leaning in slightly. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”
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Before Jack could respond, the elevator doors opened. Startled, Miranda pulled back. The sound of heels echoed as Katie appeared carrying two lunchboxes.
“I thought I’d bring dinner since you’re working late,” Katie said, smiling. She handed one box to Jack and turned to Miranda. “I brought some for you, too. You shouldn’t go hungry.”
Miranda stared at Katie, her heart sinking. Without thinking, she blurted, “I can’t do this anymore!”
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“What are you talking about?” Jack asked, confused.
Miranda took a deep breath. “I’m an actress. I was hired to ruin your wedding. Leslie wanted me to make you fall for me. I needed the money, so I said yes. I’m sorry.”
Jack and Katie listened in stunned silence.
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“I’m so sorry,” Miranda said again, her voice breaking. “I’m a horrible person.”
“No, you’re just someone in a desperate situation,” Katie said, taking Miranda’s hand.
Miranda shook her head. “Who are you? I just admitted I was trying to steal your fiancé, and you’re comforting me?”
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Katie smiled gently. “I know Jack loves me. You wouldn’t have succeeded.”
Jack frowned with a hard expression. “I don’t want my mom to get away with this. Will you help us?”
“It’s the least I can do,” Miranda agreed.
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They carried out Jack’s plan with careful precision. Fake photos of Miranda and Jack in intimate moments were sent to Leslie.
Her response came quickly—she was excited and praised Miranda, convinced the wedding was ruined.
Meanwhile, Miranda saved screenshots of Leslie’s incriminating messages, knowing they would be crucial.
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At Jack and Katie’s rehearsal dinner, Miranda stood before the gathered guests, her heart pounding.
One by one, the photos, the messages, and even the ad that had first brought her into their lives appeared on the screen.
The room fell silent, then erupted in hushed whispers. Guests exchanged shocked glances, their disbelief palpable.
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“This is all lies! I can explain!” Leslie shouted, her face red with anger.
Jack’s expression remained cold as he stepped forward. “Thanks, Mom, but Miranda already explained everything. We know the truth.”
Leslie’s voice rose in desperation. “I only wanted better for you! That woman doesn’t deserve you! She’s not good enough!”
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“She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Jack said firmly. “I’ll never forgive you for trying to ruin that. Now leave. Don’t come back into our lives.”
Leslie’s mouth opened to protest. “But—”
“Leave now,” Jack interrupted, his tone sharp. “Or I’ll call security.”
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Leslie’s face twisted in frustration. She grabbed her bag, muttering under her breath, and stormed out, her heels clicking loudly against the floor.
As the room settled, Miranda quietly gathered her things, preparing to slip out unnoticed. Jack noticed and stopped her. “Wait,” he said.
Miranda looked up, hesitant. “What is it?”
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“I spoke to a friend of mine. He has a role in a theater production. You’d be perfect for it,” Jack said.
Her face lit up briefly but quickly fell. “I can’t. I owe you too much already.”
“Stop,” Jack said firmly. “Actors like you are hard to find. You did spend a whole month pretending you enjoyed staying late at the office with me. And you’ll still get your paycheck for this month as my assistant.”
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Miranda shook her head. “I don’t deserve it. I nearly destroyed your lives.”
Katie stepped forward, her voice calm and kind. “If not for you, Leslie would still be trying to ruin our wedding.”
Miranda hesitated. Katie smiled and added, “Stay for dinner. You’re already here. I’ll be upset if you leave.”
Miranda’s eyes filled with gratitude as she hugged Katie tightly. “Thank you,” she whispered.
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If you enjoyed this story, read this one: Sarah’s life has always revolved around her family, but a devastating call from the hospital forced her to confront everything she had put on hold. As she rediscovers herself and begins living on her terms, a surprising twist changes everything, leading her to see life completely differently.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
One Look at My Niece’s Birthmark Exposed My Husband’s Shocking Betrayal
I was shocked when I saw a birthmark on my niece that looked just like my husband’s. But instead of jumping to conclusions, I secretly decided to get a DNA test to uncover the truth.
Sitting under a tree, I was enjoying the breeze with baby Sofia in my arms. She wasn’t my child but my sister-in-law Fiona’s, though I loved her like she was my own.
My husband, David, always said his family was distant, so it was a surprise when Fiona and Sofia moved nearby. However, their presence made me happier than I expected.
During our picnic, Fiona wanted to take Sofia back, but I playfully refused and said, “No, you clean up first. We’re fine here.” As I changed Sofia’s diaper, I noticed the birthmark on her back. It looked exactly like the one on David’s back. I couldn’t believe it. For a moment, I just stared at Sofia, wondering about the connection between David and Fiona.
I didn’t say anything and tried to act normal, even though my mind was racing with questions.
Later that night, as I helped David after his shower, I kept thinking about his birthmark. It matched Sofia’s perfectly. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. The next day, I collected DNA samples from Sofia and David. I had to know the truth.
When the test results arrived, I was on edge. Fiona’s visits only made me more anxious, and I avoided her as much as possible. One day, David made a comment about Sofia’s first words, and it pushed me over the edge. I stood up and accused them both of hiding the truth. “Sofia is your child!” I yelled. The birthmark was proof, I thought.
Their shocked faces told me everything I needed to know. I ran out of the house, and as I drove away, I felt sick to my stomach, wondering if I might be pregnant. The thought terrified me.
The next day, I took a pregnancy test, and it confirmed my fear. I was pregnant with David’s baby, but I was filled with doubt about our relationship.
I returned home to get my things, ready to leave for good. David tried to explain that Fiona was his sister, but I wasn’t sure I could believe him. When I mentioned the DNA test, David suggested we look at the results together.
At the doctor’s office, the first test mistakenly said David was Sofia’s father. We were all shocked, but the doctor quickly corrected the mistake. The final results proved that David was not Sofia’s father.
Back at home, I apologized to David and Fiona for doubting them. David admitted he should have introduced me to his family earlier, and Fiona explained that Sofia’s father had passed away. We hugged, relieved that everything was finally clear.
Months later, I gave birth to a baby boy named Zack. Our family was stronger than ever, and we were surrounded by love. It was a happy ending to a very difficult time.
Holding him in my arms, I realized how much I had let my suspicions cloud my judgment. Life had thrown me a curveball, but here we were, stronger and more united as a family than ever before.
When I brought Zack home from the hospital, I was greeted with a sight that took my breath away. There were cars lined up outside our house, and family members—both from David’s side and mine—had gathered to celebrate the arrival of our son. I didn’t expect such a warm welcome. I turned to David with surprise in my eyes, whispering, “I didn’t know your family was this excited about a new baby.”
David smiled, wrapping his arm around my waist as he looked down at Zack, who was peacefully asleep in my arms. “I guess they were just waiting for the right moment to show up,” he joked, kissing me on the forehead. Behind us, Fiona stood holding Sofia, her face beaming with happiness. The tension that had once existed between us had vanished entirely.
As we stepped inside, I saw faces I hadn’t seen before, and it struck me that David’s estranged family wasn’t as distant as I had thought. They had simply needed time, and maybe a little encouragement, to come together. Fiona had been the first bridge, and now, with Zack’s arrival, they had all come to embrace our growing family.
One by one, relatives came up to greet us, offering gifts and words of congratulations. It was overwhelming, but in the best way possible. I felt a deep sense of belonging, a warmth that filled the house as laughter and chatter echoed through the rooms. This was the family I had always dreamed of—full of love, support, and understanding.
Later that evening, after everyone had gone home and the house was finally quiet, I sat in the nursery with Zack cradled in my arms. David joined me, pulling a chair close to mine as we both stared down at our son, marveling at how perfect he was.
“You know,” I said softly, “I almost lost everything because I didn’t trust you.”
David took my hand and squeezed it gently. “We’ve been through a lot, but that’s behind us now. What matters is that we came through it together. And now, we have Zack, and our family is stronger than ever.”
I nodded, tears welling up in my eyes, but this time they were tears of happiness. “I’m sorry for doubting you. For not believing in us when things got hard.”
David wiped a tear from my cheek and smiled. “You don’t need to apologize anymore. We’ve both learned from this. And I promise, from now on, I’ll be better about making sure you never feel left in the dark again.”
His words filled me with hope and comfort. I knew that our journey wasn’t going to be perfect. There would still be challenges, misunderstandings, and moments of doubt. But I also knew that we had built a foundation strong enough to weather those storms. We were in this together, and nothing would break us apart.
As I rocked Zack in my arms, I glanced over at David and smiled. “I can’t believe how far we’ve come,” I whispered. “There was a time I thought I was going to lose everything—our marriage, our family—and now look at us. We’ve grown, we’ve learned, and we’ve made it through something that could have destroyed us.”
David leaned over and kissed the top of my head. “That’s what love does,” he said softly. “It endures. It heals. And it makes us stronger.”
As Zack stirred in my arms, I knew deep down that the road ahead, though uncertain, was one we would walk together. And this time, there would be no more doubts. No more secrets. Only love, trust, and the promise of a future where our family would thrive.
In the weeks that followed, life returned to a peaceful rhythm. David and I were busy adjusting to life as parents of a newborn, and Sofia, as always, was a joy to have around. Fiona visited regularly, and our bond grew stronger with each passing day. There was no more awkwardness, no more unspoken tension between us. We had confronted the past and come out on the other side, closer than I ever thought possible.
Zack’s birth had not only brought new life into our home, but it had also brought healing. The arrival of our son had erased the scars of mistrust, and his presence reminded me every day of the power of love and forgiveness. I no longer carried the burden of doubt. Instead, I felt gratitude—gratitude for my family, for the love that had survived even the toughest trials, and for the future that now stretched out before us, filled with hope and promise.
As I stood at the window one evening, looking out at the sunset while holding Zack close, I smiled to myself, thinking about how life can sometimes throw unexpected challenges our way. But through those challenges, we grow, we learn, and in the end, we find ourselves stronger, more connected, and more in love than ever before.
With David by my side, Sofia laughing in the background, and Zack sleeping peacefully in my arms, I knew that no matter what lay ahead, we would face it together as a family—unbreakable and filled with love.
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