Married As The Substitute, Fired By The CEO Husband

Start Reading

Forced to marry the powerful Grant Covington after my twin sister eloped, I faced a double life. By day, as his assistant, he was ruthlessly critical. By night, he was a demanding lover, whispering about my sister's shortcomings. When she returned, demanding her life back, Grant fired me, accusing me of seduction.

I left, taking a fortune from them both. Months later, on a beach, my sobbing sister called. Grant wouldn't touch her; she begged me to return and have his baby for them. I hung up, one thought lingering: how was a man as insatiable as Grant surviving three months without it?

Im Grant Covingtons executive assistant.

And Im about to quit.

Who wouldve thought that the same Mr. Covington whos the picture of cold, professional restraint by day, turns into an absolute freak in bed at night.

During meetings, his long, elegant fingers tap against the polished table, his expression sharp, radiating an almost suffocating pressure. All I can think about is how last night, he was wearing my black silk lingerie, hooking a leg around my waist and purring, Baby, come on, faster

June! Ms. Shaw!

A nudge from my colleague snaps me back. Grant is calling my name. I jump to my feet.

Im so sorry, sir. I was just

You were what? Spacing out during a board meeting? Am I paying you a six-figure salary to daydream? His face is a mask of disdain. Do you not sleep at night? You walk in here every day looking like death warmed over. And since when did Apex Global's dress code permit that?

I blink, confused, then follow his gaze. Hes staring at the faint purple mark on my neck, a kiss Id failed to cover completely with my silk scarf.

My cheeks burn. Im sorry, sir. I

I dont want your excuses, he snaps, his voice cutting through the silent room. Let me be clear, Ms. Shaw. If it werent for your sister, you wouldnt have a place here. So you and your boyfriend need to tone it down. I dont want to see this kind of trashy display in my office again. One more time, and youre fired.

He slams a file onto the table, ignoring the humiliation burning its way through me, and declares, Meeting adjourned!

The reprimand stings, but Im too exhausted to feel much else.

I barely slept three hours last night, and my head is pounding. I drift back to my desk in a fog.

When lunchtime rolls around, I stumble out of the building and into the luxury apartment next door. From the walk-in closet, I pull out a designer dress and a breathtaking diamond necklace. Under the dim light, the yellow diamond glows like a drop of solidified amber. Its the one Grant bought for his wife at an auction last month. A ten-million-dollar piece that made the society pages.

And now its in my hands. I tap it against the table, just to hear the sound.

Thats right.

Im the wife he adores.

And Im the assistant he cant stand.

He thinks were twin sisters.

But its always just been me.

The trashy mark on my neck? He put it there himself.

Six months ago, right after I started at Apex Global, my parents summoned me home. My twin sister, Seraphina, had run off with her rocker boyfriend, leaving a void in the arranged marriage with the Covington family.

They wanted me to take her place. To marry Grant Covington under her name.

Your sister will regret this one day, my mother pleaded, tears streaming down her face. We have to leave a path open for her to come back!

June, youve always had it easy, growing up with us in the city. Seraphina was stuck in that small town with your grandparents. She didnt even finish high school. Think of this as paying back a debt you owe her. Please?

She threatened to kill herself. I had no choice but to agree.

I figured it would be a marriage of convenience. Wed be polite strangers, like most couples in our circle, living separate lives. And at first, it was.

But then, it was like Grant was possessed. He became an insatiable demon in the bedroom, clinging to me every night. If I ever said no, his eyes would turn red-rimmed and wounded. Hed wrap his lean thighs around my waist and whisper hoarsely, Baby, dont you love me anymore? Did you find someone else? Dont leave me I cant live without you

What could I do? He was the one begging for it. So, I reluctantly indulged.

At first, it was a thrill. But lately, I just want to castrate him. This past month, Ive been averaging three hours of sleep a night. The exhaustion is making me sloppy at work, and the constant tongue-lashings are grinding me down.

This double lifeworking for him by day, and working for him by nightis killing me.

I run my hands through my hair and collapse onto the bed, my mind a swirling mess. Before I can even begin to think of a way out, Im dead asleep.

An hour later, my alarm shrieks me back to life.

Filled with resentment, I force myself through a makeup routine, pin up my hair, and transfer my takeout into a chic bento box. Then, I head back to the office to play the role of the doting wife bringing her husband lunch.

Hes on a video call, his brow furrowed as he listens to a report from the European division. When he sees me, he gestures for me to come over and pulls me onto his lap.

What took you so long? he murmurs into my neck, a hint of a pout in his voice. I thought you werent coming today.

The formal presentation is still playing from his laptop speakers. Even though his camera and mic are off, my face flushes with heat. I try to push him away gently. Youre still in a meeting. Stop it.

Whats there to be afraid of? Were married. Its not like were doing anything wrong.

Isnt it unprofessional? I shoot back.

He freezes, then his expression darkens. Did your sister complain to you again?

Shes just a young woman, Grant. Being yelled at like that in front of everyone it must have been humiliating. Could you please try to be nicer to her?

Grant goes quiet. After a long moment, he kisses the corner of my mouth. I know you have a good heart, darling, but dont you see? Shes trying to be you.

What?

He unmutes his mic, tells his team to postpone the meeting until the afternoon, then turns back to me. Even for twins, its impossible to have the exact same mannerisms, the same tastes. You love pearls, so she wears pearl earrings every day. You have a bubbly personality, so she practically skips into the office. The way your voice lilts up at the end of a sentence she does that too. Its a deliberate, calculated act.

So youre saying

Shes imitating you to seduce me, Grant says, his voice laced with conviction. Ive seen women like her a thousand times. They use your trust as a weapon to try and steal whats yours. Youre just too kind to see it. Shes always been jealous of you, and your parents always took her side. You have to be careful, darling.

As he speaks, his fingers trace lazy circles on my waist, his tone that of a worldly husband schooling his naive, sheltered wife.

I feel like Ive been struck by lightning.

Are you sure youre not mistaken? I manage a weak smile. June isnt like that.

I knew youd say that, he sighs, his disappointment palpable. Baby, Im the one closest to you. Why do you trust her over me?

I can only force a laugh. I have no words.

Thankfully, he drops the subject, giving me a tender kiss before we start eating, with me still perched on his lap. As I leave, he pulls me in for a long, passionate goodbye kiss.

Im barely out of the Apex Global tower, wiping the sticky residue of his lips from mine, when my phone rings. Its him.

The moment I answer, he unleashes a torrent of abuse.

Are you a child? You get scolded and you have to run and tattle to your sister? And what the hell is this quarterly report? Its riddled with errors! If you cant do the job, then get out! Youre useless!

For a split second, my face contorts into a mask of pure rage.

Then, another call comes through. Fuming, I snap, I said Im on my way back, stop calling

June. The voice is soft and familiar. Its me. Im back.

My relationship with my sister is complicated.

Were twins, but we didnt grow up together. I was with our parents in the city while they built their business; she was left with our grandparents in a sleepy coastal town. Theyve carried a crushing guilt over it ever since. When they finally brought her to the city, they showered her with affection and demanded I give in to her every whim.

Any conflict was met with the same refrain: You stole the love that should have been hers! You owe her this!

Later, when Seraphina failed to get into a good high school, they shipped her off to a boarding school abroad. I stayed home. We were practically strangers.

So, hearing her speak to me with such warm familiarity now feels wrong.

What do you want? I ask bluntly.

Mom told me about the situation with you and Grant. Realizing her sweet act isnt working, she cuts to the chase. Now that Im back, dont you think its time you returned the title of Mrs. Covington to its rightful owner?

So youre back to reclaim your throne? What happened, did the rocker dump you?

Dont push it, June! she hisses, her voice dropping. And dont you forget, the only Mrs. Covington the world knows is Seraphina Shaw. Youre just an imposter. Who are you to act so high and mighty?

She has a point. The daughter the Shaws married off, the wife Grant introduced to the world that was always Seraphina. Sometimes, when Grant was in the mood, hed whisper her name in my ear, calling me Sera or my sweet Seraphina. It made my skin crawl.

But I didnt clean up your mess for free, I retort.

What does that mean?

A million dollars. Or we can go have a little chat with Grant and see who he thinks the real Mrs. Covington is. I say it with a saccharine smile. A million dollars for the Covington fortune. Its a bargain, my dear sister.

Because of their guilt, my parents cut me off financially the moment I turned eighteen, funneling all their resources to her. While I was working three jobs to pay for college, she was living it up in Europe. Im owed a little compensation for my suffering.

But as much as they doted on her, they wouldnt have given her their entire fortune. A million would hurt her. Badly.

She hesitates for a long time. Youre sure? You take the money and you disappear?

If you dont trust me, I could just go see

Dont! Ill give it to you! she blurts out, her decision made. But you have to promise you will never, ever show your face in front of Grant again.

I agree instantly.

Hanging up, my mood lifts considerably. I wipe off every trace of makeup, change into a simple blouse and skirt, and admire myself in the mirror. I think about Grants accusationthat I was imitating her to seduce himand let out a short, bitter laugh. Its absurd, but I dont want any more trouble.

I swap my pearl studs for a pair of sapphire ones and pull a long trench coat from the closet, hiding my curves completely before heading back to the office.

Seraphina wanted me to quit and move to another city.

Not a chance.

This was my first real job, one Id earned after five grueling rounds of interviews. Leaving after only six months would look terrible on my resume. After she failed to persuade me, she resigned herself to just taking my dedicated wife phone. She spent a few days at our parents house, grilling me for every last detail about my life with Grant, all of which I shared honestly.

With my nights finally free, Ive been sleeping like a baby. I feel human again, greeting my colleagues with a cheerful smile and even buying a round of coffee for the team. When I run into Grant in the elevator, I can even muster a bright, Good morning, sir!

He, on the other hand, looks like hell. His face is pale and drawn, a sickly white. He never looked this bad, not even after the all-nighters we used to pull.

Sir? I ask, a flicker of concern rising. Are you feeling alright?

He doesnt look at me, his voice a flat line. None of your business.

...Right.

I have a productive morning, and Im just starting to think about lunch when I see Seraphina gliding into the office, carrying an insulated lunch box. Shes fully embraced the gentle, doting wife persona I created, dressed in a pink Chanel suit with a silver butterfly clip in her hair. Her smile is perfectly serene.

I watch as she disappears into Grants office. Its been a week since she moved back in. Theyve definitely slept together by now and even though I never loved Grant, the thought of Seraphina having what was mine makes me feel like Ive swallowed a bug.

I press my fingers to my temples. Just as Im about to head out, Grants line buzzes. Bring in two coffees.

Grant has a sweet tooth but loves the rich aroma of coffee, so the ratio of sugar to cream is very specific. I prepare them just the way he likes and carry them into his office. Seraphinas syrupy voice fills the air.

Darling, you have to eat. I made all your favorites.

She sees me and falters for a moment, her composure slipping before she plasters on a smile. June, what are you doing in here? My husband and I are having lunch.

Just dropping off the coffee, I say, wanting to avoid a scene. Grant is still at his desk, so I place one cup there and bring the other to Seraphina on the sofa.

She reaches for it, a sly smile touching her lips just as my fingers let go.

Then she deliberately tips the cup, sending the scalding liquid cascading over my forearm.

The skin instantly turns an angry red, blistering before my eyes.

Oh, June, are you okay? she cries, her face a mask of frantic concern. You were so clumsy! Oh, I hope it doesnt scar. She looks like shes about to burst into tears.

Grant rushes over, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Its alright, it wasnt your fault Lets get you to a hospital, he says to me. Ill cover the medical bills.

Oh, darling, youre the best, Seraphina coos, melting into his embrace. I feel so terrible. If June scars because of me, Ill never forgive myself. Hidden in the safety of his arms, she shoots me a triumphant, mocking smirk. The same one she used a thousand times as a child to manipulate our parents.

I just smile back.

I leave the office, quickly treat the burn in the breakroom, and then wait by the elevators. When Seraphina emerges, beaming, I beckon her over with a crooked finger.

I grab her arm, and without a word, I slap her hard across her perfectly powdered face.

You

CRACK. The other cheek gets the same treatment.

Her face is already swelling, her expression a mixture of shock and fury. Howhow dare you

I played along for Grants benefit, but Im not about to take that kind of abuse for free. I cross my arms, smiling sweetly. Add another two hundred thousand to the tab. Have it in my account by tonight. And from now on, keep me out of your twisted little games. You really dont want to piss me off.

Seraphina clutches her face, her eyes burning with a hatred she cant voice. She knows pushing me too far has consequences. She remembers the pool, three years ago. The feeling of my hands on her head, holding her under the water, the burning in her lungs as she fought for air If a maid hadn't screamed, she would have died.

My parents may adore her, but Im their daughter too. Shed never go to the police. Shed just have to swallow it.

Just quit, June, she says, taking a deep breath. The world is a big place. Why are you so obsessed with your sisters husband?

If you cant stand the sight of me, then get away from me. Leave the city. Disappear. Wouldnt that be better for everyone?

It clicks into place instantly. Youve been whispering in Grants ear.

She just gives me that same challenging smile.

I take a deep, shaky breath, a vein throbbing in my forehead. The feeling of being played like this, of being so utterly manipulatedit makes me want to scream.

I shove her, hard.

And then I turn and storm back into Grants office.