When My Fiancé Married My Imposter

After my grandmother passed away, I returned to the city of Aethelburg from our familys country estate, ready to finalize my wedding plans.

But when I arrived at the luxury event planning company, poised to book the most lavish wedding package they offered, the consultant informed me that the groom was already married.

Dominic Blackwood, the eldest son of the Blackwood Corporation and heir to a fortune, had married three months ago. The bride was his childhood sweetheart, Ava Vaughn, the daughter of the Director of the Capital Commission.

I stood in front of the Blackwood familys sprawling villa, my brow furrowed in confusion.

The thing is, I am Ava Vaughn.

The Blackwood familys butler wouldnt even let me through the door.

Mr. Blackwoods orders, he said, his voice dripping with condescension. He said, and I quote, How dare someone impersonate my wife? My wife and I grew up together. As if I wouldnt recognize her.

My younger cousin, Bea, had tears welling in her eyes. Ava, what is going on? Why are they saying youre an imposter?

Werent you and Dominic betrothed since you were kids? Werent we supposed to be planning your wedding?

I put a finger to my lips, silencing her. I had come back to Aethelburg ahead of my parents to get a head start on the wedding preparations, knowing how overwhelming the logistics could be. They were tied up with work and would join me later.

But at the wedding planners office, just after Id finished outlining my vision to the head designer, she had paled at the sight of my fiancs photo on my phone.

Miss Vaughn isnt this isnt this Mr. Blackwood?

Yes, Id said. Hes my fianc.

The designers face had crumpled as if shed bitten into a lemon. But, Miss Vaughn, Mr. Blackwood got married three months ago. Our company planned the entire event

For the past five years, ever since my grandmothers health began to decline, I had put my life in the city on hold. Id moved back to the countryside to care for her, a full-time granddaughter, and hadnt set foot in Aethelburg that entire time.

It was only after Grandmas passing that my mother called me back, urging me to prepare for the marriage to the Blackwood family. The betrothal had been set in our childhood, and if we delayed any longer, wed both be pushing thirty.

Upon learning the truth, my first instinct was to demand an explanation from the Blackwoods, only to be met with this.

The arrogance of his family, Dominics dismissive scorn I had to laugh. He wouldnt recognize me?

Hed better hope he wasnt mistaken.

I took Bea on a shopping spree that covered every high-end boutique in Aethelburg, and I had every single bill sent directly to the Blackwood residence.

After all, the name signed on every receipt was Ava Vaughn, daughter of the Director of the Capital Commission.

By noon, a crowd had gathered in front of Dominic Blackwoods corporate headquarters. Representatives from Aethelburgs most exclusive luxury brands were all there, either to deliver merchandise or to collect payment.

Mr. Blackwood, the signature is clearly Mrs. Blackwoods. You cant possibly refuse to pay.

Everyone knows Mrs. Blackwoods name! Who would dare impersonate her?

Mr. Blackwood, your wifes purchases at our boutique total one hundred thousand dollars. Well need you to settle the account.

Mr. Blackwood, if youre a bit short on cash, perhaps you could ask Mrs. Blackwood to hold off on her shopping for a month? Or at least return the black pearl necklace. Another client is waiting for it, and its sixty thousand dollars.

Exactly. If you cant afford it, dont let your wife run around town charging things to your name. What kind of behavior is that?

We allowed her to take the items based on your reputation, Mr. Blackwood. Surely a man of your standing wouldnt default on his wifes bills.

I watched the chaos unfold from a nearby caf, sipping my coffee with a faint smile. A thin sheen of sweat had appeared on Dominics forehead as he stared at the throng of people at his doorstep.

Let him deal with it. He married Ava Vaughn? Then he could bear all the consequences that came with her name.

Just then, a woman emerged from the building. She was dressed head-to-toe in designer labels, but she looked so frail a gust of wind could knock her over. Her eyes were red-rimmed as she looked at Dominic. Honey, whats going on?

It was the current Mrs. Blackwood, the woman his staff now called Ava Vaughn.

She looked at the receipts in the hands of the sales representatives, at the signatures, and shook her head. I didnt sign these, she said to the crowd. Someone is impersonating me.

One of the sales associates scoffed. And were just supposed to take your word for it?

The woman replied confidently, I grew up abroad. I can speak the language, but I never learned to write it properly. That is not my handwriting.

It was too late for Dominic to stop her. A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd.

The daughter of the Director of the Capital Commission cant write her own language?

Didnt she just auction off a piece of her calligraphy at a charity gala a few months ago? How is that possible?

Mrs. Blackwood will say anything to get out of paying a bill, wont she?

Dominic quickly interjected, My wife misspoke in her haste. She simply injured her hand recently and is unable to write. She grew up in the Vaughn household, surrounded by art and literature. Of course she can write. Shes known for her beautiful, delicate script.

Then let Mrs. Blackwood write her name for us, I said, stepping forward from the back of the crowd. I smiled at him. Wouldnt you agree, Mr. Blackwood? That would clear everything up, wouldnt it? And everyone would be satisfied.

The Directors wife is a renowned calligrapher, and the Vaughns are a family of scholars. Their daughter could write by age three, and her calligraphy was winning national awards by five. Everyone knows this.

The crowd nodded in agreement. Yes, just have her write her name. Well see for ourselves.

Dominic glared at me. Who are you? This has nothing to do with you. This is a private family matter.

I took a step back. Im just speaking up for whats fair. Is that not allowed?

The new Mrs. Blackwood hid behind Dominic. Honey, I cant write. Then, remembering his excuse, she added, I my right hand is injured. I cant hold a pen.

I laughed. Miss Vaughn was famously taught to be ambidextrous. If your right hand is injured, your left hand can write just as beautifully. Please, Mrs. Blackwood, dont be shy. We would all recognize your script, even written with your left hand.

Thats right! someone in the crowd shouted. You cant have injured both hands! I saw you carrying something when you came out.

Tears welled in the womans eyes.

I took another step forward. Bea, bring me a pen and paper. Mrs. Blackwood, if you please.

I once acquired a small piece of Ava Vaughns work at an auction, I announced, pulling a folded piece of paper from my purse. It was a piece I had written myself at the caf just moments before, and it was perfect for the occasion. This is her handwriting. Lets hope there are no discrepancies.

The paper was passed around, and the crowd saw that the elegant script matched the signatures on the receipts perfectly. All eyes turned to the woman hiding behind Dominic.

Mrs. Blackwood, a voice called out. Its your turn.

Dominics face was dark with anger. He turned his fury on me. Who the hell are you? Do you know where you are? Stop causing trouble and get out of here. This doesnt concern you.

Bea stepped in front of me, her voice ringing out. What are you doing, Dominic Blackwood? My cousin is just speaking up for these people. Are you trying to intimidate her because you dont want to pay your bills?

Is there no justice in this city? Is there no law?

The crowd surged forward, creating a protective barrier around me. Thats right! Pay up! Or do you want to settle this in court?

The woman finally broke. Stop shouting! Fine, Ill write it!

A pen and paper were produced. She shakily scrawled two words: Ava Vaughn. The handwriting was atrocious.

The crowd looked from her clumsy attempt to the elegant script on the paper I had provided. Is that from the same person? someone asked, bewildered.

I let out a sharp, derisive laugh. Mrs. Blackwood, youll do anything to avoid paying a bill, wont you? Who are you trying to fool with that scrawl? Unless Mrs. Blackwood isnt Ava Vaughn at all. Then who are you?

The womans face contorted in alarm. She stumbled backward, her voice rising to a shriek. Nonsense! If Im not Ava Vaughn, then who is? I am the daughter of the Director of the Capital Commission and the wife of Dominic Blackwood! Who are you to come to my husbands company and spread such lies? Security! Get her out of here! Dont let her filth up our property!

Security guards rushed out like wolves, ready to throw me out.

Bea threw herself in front of me and was shoved violently to the ground.

Dominic stood by, his voice laced with menace. Causing a scene at my company for no reason. Im very interested to find out what your real motive is.

The false Mrs. Blackwood advanced with the guards and ripped the mask from my face. When she saw me, a flicker of jealousy flashed in her eyes.

Bea was restrained by several guards, shouting, Let my cousin go! Do you have any idea who she is? When my uncle gets to Aethelburg, he wont let you get away with this!

The woman slapped Bea hard across the face. You little bitch. You have no right to speak in my presence.

I tried to get to Bea but was blocked. Rage surged through me. Mrs. Blackwood, isnt the Vaughn family known for its discretion and humility? Isnt Ava Vaughn known for being cultured and reasonable? So this is what that means? Baseless accusations and physical assault?

A smug smile played on her lips. I am Mrs. Dominic Blackwood. And who are you? Ill be sure to have a talk with your parents about how they raised you. Have they taught you no manners at all?

Since they havent, Ill have to teach you a lesson on their behalf. She took a step forward. I tried to move, but a guard pinned me from behind.

The next second, a stinging slap landed squarely on my face.

My cheek immediately began to swell. My entire life, my parents had never so much as laid a finger on me. And now I had been struck by this imposter?

Beas eyes were red with fury. Mrs. Blackwood, do you know who you just hit? You will pay for this!

The woman leaned in close, her voice a low hiss. Pay? Youve got a big mouth. What could you possibly do to me if I decided to carve it up right now?

I recoiled, shouting for all to hear, Youre a fake! I am the real Ava Vaughn, and Im calling the police!

The crowd erupted.

Dominic, who had been watching from the sidelines, finally reacted. His expression changed as he grabbed the womans arm. I took the opportunity to break free from the guards, stumbling back a few steps.

Mr. Blackwood, you have a marriage contract with Ava Vaughn, yet three months ago, you married this woman and passed her off as me.

I have one question for you. When you got your marriage license, was the name on the certificate Ava Vaughn?

Dominics face went white, and he took another step back.

The woman stepped in front of him protectively. My husband and I grew up together. What does any of this have to do with you?

I laughed coldly and pulled out my ID card. It had my photo, but more importantly, it had two words clearly printed on it: Ava Vaughn.

Im calling my lawyer, I announced. Im suing you for identity theft, for using my name to fraudulently marry into a wealthy family.

The onlookers exploded.

No wonder her handwriting was so ugly! I was thinking, how could anyone not know how to write their own name?

And now that I think about it, the Vaughn family wasnt at their wedding. I thought that was strange at the time.

The wedding was so small and cheap, too. I heard they only invited a few friends. I remember wondering why the heir to the Blackwood fortune would have such a low-key wedding!

The false Mrs. Blackwood dabbed her eyes with a silk scarf, tears streaming down her face. Our families were joining in marriage. I didnt want to be too ostentatious and attract negative attention to my fathers reputation. I never imagined that would become a weapon for you all to use against me

It doesnt matter what I say now. Youll only believe this this random woman.

Or maybe, she said, her voice turning accusatory, youre secretly in love with my husband and youre trying to ruin my reputation so Ill be forced out with nothing! Miss, do you have any idea how important a womans reputation is?

No one will believe me now. It seems the only way to prove my innocence is to die. With that, she threw herself toward the glass doors of the building. The crowd gasped.

Darling, what are you doing? Why would you do something so foolish over some stranger who just appeared out of nowhere? Dominic cried, catching her in his arms. She collapsed against his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

Dominics eyes blazed with fury. He roared, Security! Seize this woman who is spreading rumors and ruining my wifes good name! I want to see just how bold she really is!

Bea broke free from the guards and threw herself in front of me again, only to be struck down by two burly men. One of them pinned her to the ground, slapping her face over and over. You crazy bitch! How dare you cause trouble at the Blackwood estate!

Two other guards moved to grab me. I pulled out a fountain pen and pressed the sharp nib against my neck. Anyone who touches me is making a mistake. I am the real Ava Vaughn. If anything happens to me today, my father will be here in three days, and he will not let any of you off the hook.

The guards hesitated, afraid of causing a serious injury, and looked to Dominic for direction.

Dominics face was livid. If I dont teach you a lesson today, people will think Dominic Blackwood is a pushover! My wifes reputation will be in tatters!

What are you waiting for? Grab her! If anything happens, Ill take full responsibility.

Several men swarmed me at once. They seized me, and the pen scraped my neck, drawing blood.

You little girl, you have some nerve causing a scene in front of our house, one of them snarled as he twisted my arm.

The pen clattered to the ground. The force they used nearly broke my wrist.

I struggled against them. Dominic Blackwood, if you so much as touch a hair on my head, my father will make you pay when he arrives! Im not slandering her! She is an imposter!

A cruel smile touched Dominics lips. Lets see if your father gets here in time to save you.

Slap her, he commanded. Slap her hard. Lets see if she dares to spread rumors again!

Oh, thats too much. Shes just a young woman.

Quick, record this! Post it online and show everyone how the Blackwoods operate above the law!

What are you all standing around for? Call the police!

That poor girl looks so delicate. This is going to be brutal.

I fought with all my might, but it was useless. Two guards held me fast. Hit her, Dominic ordered.

Smack. Smack. Two sharp slaps landed on my face, and it immediately began to burn and swell.

Bea, her face pale, screamed, Dont you dare hit my cousin!

My mouth was covered, and I could only make muffled, desperate sounds.

Dominic stared at me, his eyes cold. You need to be taught a lesson. Hit her!

Two guards raised their hands, preparing to strike me again. Just as I braced for the blow, a powerful voice thundered from a distance.

Stop! Id like to see who dares touch my daughter!