VIVIEN FOREVER
53
AGE 26
Ifeel nothing at first when the news breaks that Simon Lancaster is dead. For once, he did something to ruin a special occasion for the right twin. It feels long overdue. I let the dust settle for a few months, planning how I want this to play out before I contact Carson Park and tell him I want to meet my twin. I’m well aware the NDA I signed survives Simon’s death, but the solicitor I consulted doubts it would hold up in a court of law as most NDAs have to include reasonable time restrictions and given that it’s not guarding a trade secret it would most likely not be upheld. When Park readily agrees to reach out to Reeve, I take that as confirmation he is of the same opinion.
The day after Park confirms Reeve wants a meeting, I remove my contacts and change my hair back to its natural color. I’m as pale as a ghost as I stare in the mirror, more than a little freaked out by the resemblance. Although there are noticeable differences, and my ink and piercings give me a much edgier vibe, I still look way too much like my twin. I hate it and wonder how long I can keep this look before I thoroughly despise myself.
I’m too busy staring at my reflection to notice my sister come into the room.
“Holy fuck, what did you do?” Ash blurts, her eyes popping wide as she drinks in my drastically altered features.
“Thought I’d try out a different look.” I don’t look at her as I lie. This is all part of my plan to fuck with Vivien’s head. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when the realization dawns. My hair color isn’t quite the same as Reeve’s and I wonder if I should’ve asked Chris to add some blond highlights so we’re an exact match.
“Let me see.” Ash tugs on my arm, forcing me to turn around.
“You look so different without your signature hair.”
I shrug before burying my hands deep in my pockets.
Creases line her forehead as she scrutinizes me.
“What?” I ask, gulping over the sudden anxious lump in my throat.
“Nothing. I—” She chews on the corner of her mouth. “I wonder what your fans will think.”
Their reaction is not the one I’m most interested in.
A few days later, we’re all having dinner at my place when Ash jabs her finger in my direction, her eyes blazing with self-righteousness as she practically vibrates in her seat. “I’ve got it!” Her cutlery drops to her plate with a loud clang.
“Got what, love?” Jay asks as concern instantly washes over his face. Ash’s mental state has taken a battering this past year, and I love how protective my best mate is. He has jumped through hoops to support Ash through her grief when his own was considerable too. I’m embarrassed I ever thought he wasn’t good enough for my sister. Jamie Fleming has more than proved himself, countless times, over the years.
“It’s been bugging me ever since you took out the contacts and removed the hair dye.” I can almost see the gears turning in her mind, and I sense where this is going. “I couldn’t put my finger on it, but now I know.”
“You’re sounding crazy, just so you know,” Ro mumbles, spearing a piece of chicken like he’s murdering it. He’s been very down since Clo took Emer back to Ireland. While he hasn’t said much, I suspect things are not going great between them.
“You look like Reeve Lancaster!” Ash blurts, and I hope no one notices how all the color has just drained from my face.
“What the fuck, babe?” Jamie’s gaze bounces between Ash’s and mine, and I see the incredulity written across his face. He can’t believe she’s just said that.
I knew changing my appearance was risky. That my family might spot the resemblance or someone in the media might pick up on it. The latter is something that could work to my advantage; the former is definitely not. Ash was always the concern, and I need to nip this in the bud right now.
I can play this a few different ways. Get pissed off. Or laugh it off. I go for a mix of the two.
I crack up laughing. “Are you seriously trying to piss me the fuck off, Ash?” I say after I’ve stopped laughing. I’m desperately trying to quell the panic sluicing through my veins. Gripping the edge of the table hard, I lean forward, pinning narrowed eyes on my sister. “Why on earth would you even say that?”
“Don’t tell me I’m the only one who sees the resemblance?” Her eyes bounce around the table.
Ro’s brows knit together as he stares at me. “Now that you mention it, I can’t unsee it.” He sits back, rubbing a hand over his chin as he stares at me like I’m a puzzle he wants to solve. “You do look like him. Maybe that’s why she was so drawn to you.”
I instantly see red. I’m lunging for him before I’ve even processed the motion, sending plates crashing to the floor as I drag Ro across the table. “Take that back! You fucking take that back!”
Jamie wrangles me away from my little brother as Ash runs around the table to help Ronan.
“Jesus Fucking Christ, Dillon!” Ro hisses, brushing food particles off his shirt as he straightens up. “What the hell has gotten into you?”
“Drop it,” Jamie barks. “I know you didn’t mean it, but that was hurtful, Ro.”
