The moment I heard Jack Ray's ex-wife was back, I had my bags packed and was out the door within two minutes.

Okay, not exactly on the spot—I'd been ready to bolt for a while.

Half a year back, when my career was in the dumps, I ran into my high school heartthrob, Jack. He was already running his family's enterprise and, get this, secretly married.

He eyed me, a mischievous smirk curling his lips.

"You look just like my lady."

I was about to make a dash for it, but then he threw me a curveball, "My lady's vanished. How's five million to play her double?"

Honor's one thing, but money talks—I wasn't about to fuss over it.

So, I moved into the Ray mansion and stepped into the role of the ever-dutiful wife.

I never snooped around his whereabouts or checked his phone.

But I was clear on my part: just the understudy, always prepped to exit stage left.

These are my rules: no drama, no strings, no looking back!

Time to cut and run!

After rolling my suitcase out the door, I went back in to make one last sweep of the place.

Satisfied that I'd left not a trace, I finally breathed easy and flagged down a cab.

All the while, I couldn't help but think, "I'm one hell of a stand-in!"

Dozing off in the back of the cab, I was snapped awake by a text from Jack.

"The lady's back. Come with me to pick her up."

It hit me like a ton of bricks.

And those bricks should've struck him, not me!

The real deal's in town and he wants a decoy for company? Man, that's cold!

It tore me up inside.

My high school dreamboat, my once-shiny knight—how did he end up like this?

I blocked Jack right then.

No one was going to taint my pristine memories of him—not even him!

By the time he rang again, I was already at the airport.

He dialed from an unknown number since I'd blocked all known contacts.

"Sophie Morris, where the heck are you headed?"

"Get back and we will talk!"

I exhaled deeply.

Falling for a fill-in isn't just for novels, turns out it's real life too.

Real life's more of a soap opera than any book!

"The lady's back, so it's my cue to bow out."

"Jack, let me go. Live your life well with your lady!"

I've got my principles. His ex is back, and I won't play the mistress!

Silence on the line, then Jack finally spoke, "Sophie, come back. You two might hit it off, maybe even like each other."

I was confused, "What?"

"Jack, what's that supposed to mean? You can't possibly want us both?" I snapped.

Jack just grunted.

My blood pressure skyrocketed, "You think you're some king, wanting a whole harem?"

I hung up and took a sip of my bubble drink.

Oh, the agony—when did my shining moonlight dim so much!

I pocketed my phone to go check-in.

After half a year with Jack, between his random gifts and the initial five million, I had racked up $6,200,000. I was set to retire somewhere nice!

Yet, before I could check in, someone scooped me up and carried me right out of the airport.

"Jack, put me down! I've got my ticket all ready!"

"With the real lady back, why keep me? Isn't that awkward?"

I struggled relentlessly.

But for Jack, I was nothing but a feather.

With his gym-honed muscles, he easily carried me away.

He dumped me in the car, and the driver peeled out before I could even ask to get off.

"Jack, how can you do this to your ex?" I exploded.

Jack turned to me, his eyes stormy.

"Is this why you're ditching?" he asked.

I nodded firmly.

He looked me over seriously, then unexpectedly laughed.

"Go back and check. If you don't like her, I'll send my lady packing," he said.

My face was a mask of confusion and shock.

Seriously, what was he thinking?

I was steaming mad the whole ride home.

At dinner, Jack tried to perk me up with my favorite—braised pork—but I just couldn't stomach it.

"Babe, the lady's almost here. You gotta eat up if you wanna keep up with her," Jack said, furrowing his brow.

At that moment, I seriously considered just dropping dead. Who's got the appetite?

Oh, Sophie, you were dazzled by dollar signs, now you're in too deep!

As Jack wolfed down his meal, I got this twisted idea.

Want both the real lady and the stand-in? When she shows up, I'm blowing the lid off everything and taking her with me!

By 7 PM, a cat's meow announced the door opening.

I stretched my neck but after the secretary cleared out, it was just the cat—no sign of Jack's ex.

"Where's your lady?" I asked.

Stroking the cat, Jack looked up, "She's right here in my arms."

I was rendered speechless.

"This is Lady, she's three and a half," Jack added.

I smirked, biting back a curse.

Lady, the little white cat in Jack's lap, elegantly flicked her tail.

Jack caught my eye with a smug glint as he petted her.

He'd known I'd misunderstood all along and was getting a kick out of it.

"Fine, I don't care, I'm out of here!" I declared, hands on my hips.

Just then, something furry brushed against my foot.

Looking down, there was Lady.

Those big, shiny eyes and tiny paws gently tugging at my pants.

And her sad look was irresistible.

Three seconds later, I found myself on the couch, playing with Lady until I was out of breath, and she still wasn't done with me.

Meanwhile, Jack was buried in his laptop, handling business.

A stomach rumble loud enough to echo through the living room interrupted us.

Jack glanced over, "See? Should've eaten more. Now you're too wiped out to play with Lady."

He put aside his work and stood up, heading for the kitchen.

Was that a hint of affection in his voice just now?

But I'm just a stand-in, a stand-in for a cat, at that!

I remember bragging to my friends when I first took this gig.

[I'm the stand-in for Jack Ray's ex. She must have been quite something. Here I am, Sophie Morris, honored and all!]

Now, holding Lady as she cuddled up to me, I sighed. This wasn't what I'd signed up for.

With Lady back, the house felt livelier, and I found a new delight: cat-cuddling.

When Jack and I duked it out over who got to pet her, rock-paper-scissors decided. I usually won, leaving Jack to the glamorous job of changing kitty litter.

Naturally, Lady grew more attached to me.

She'd bring flowers from the garden or share her toys, making us the best of buddies.

Three days after Lady's return, I went all out and got a bunch of cat toys.

When I got back, I found Jack shirtless, cleaning up a vase Lady had knocked over.

His muscles caught my eye, and I had to swallow hard.

Definitely just back from the gym—that was just plain cheating!

As we locked eyes, I quickly grabbed a trash bin to look busy.

"I'll clean this up, you go shower," I muttered, feeling my cheeks blaze.

Walking around shirtless, was he trying to get me to sin?

Jack nodded and headed off, reminding me to be careful with the glass.

I pretended to focus on cleaning, but as soon as he turned away, my gaze wandered back to his toned shoulders and slim waist.

Man, that waist is a crime scene—wonder who's the lucky gal!

"Meow~"

Lady's call snapped me back to the present, and I quickly tidied up the mess.

Exhausted, I stretched out on the couch, only for Lady to leap up beside me.

I was really too beat to play.

Yet, she meowed insistently and tossed a pair of boxer shorts onto my face.

My goodness!

Picking them up, I suddenly found a second wind.

They were Jack's boxers, of all things!

"Lady, you really shouldn't be giving these to me!"

"Meow~" Lady being all cute.

I facepalmed.

"We gotta hustle and get these boxers back while Jack's still in the shower!"

I sneaked to Jack's room, Lady quietly tagging along.

Just as I was about to drop the boxers back on the bed, Lady leaped up and swung the bathroom door open.

"Lady, you traitor!"

I freaked.

Even more shocking was seeing Jack in the bathroom, fresh from the shower, droplets glistening on his skin.

Those broad shoulders, that narrow waist, the long legs, and defined abs.

They made me feel like I was standing in an inferno.

The boxers in my hand felt like they were on fire.

I quickly covered my eyes, flinging the boxers which smacked right into my face.

I could hear Jack's footsteps getting closer; my nerves tightened, and I was rooted to the spot.

Inside, I was cursing Lady over and over.

So annoying, I wasn't even into him, but Lady made it look like I was some creep!

"I swear, I wasn't trying to steal your boxers, nor did I send Lady to peek!"

"It's all a big misunderstanding, believe me?"

I blurted out, still covering my eyes.

My heart was racing, terrified of being misunderstood, but Jack hadn't made a sound for ages.

I was tempted to look, yet afraid of seeing too much—though I had already seen plenty.

As I was panicking, a warm breath whispered in my ear, sending tingles down my spine.

"Of course, I believe you, Sophie. I trust everything you say," he teased, his chin nearly resting on my shoulder.

Being so close, I could slightly feel his chest muscles through his shirt.

I, speechless, just blinked, utterly lost for words.

Complete nonsense—he clearly didn't buy it.

Obviously, he was enjoying watching me squirm!

"Really, even if it wasn't a misunderstanding, it's fine. We are legally married, after all!"

He paused, then whispered in my ear once more.

His words made me shiver, and my legs nearly gave out.

Luckily, he caught me in time, or I'd have really made a fool of myself.

His strong arms enveloped me, the sensation of his muscles against my skin overwhelming.

I trembled, shoved the boxers into his hands, avoided eye contact, and fled the room.

Lady followed me out, but I slammed the door before she could catch up.

I patted my burning cheeks, then clasped my chest.

Sophie, Sophie, it was just a peek at a hot guy—why the meltdown?

To avoid Jack the next day, I holed up in my room until nine.

But as soon as I opened the door, there he was in the living room.

I was startled, and almost slammed the door, but then Jack's voice stopped me.

"It's Sunday."

Sunday was supposed to be family dinner day at Jack's parents'.

And it was already nine—I was still in my pajamas!

"Why didn't you wake me earlier!" I exploded.

Jack looked hurt.

"I thought you were up late last night," he replied.

I was livid.

Sure, he's got a killer body, but he doesn't need to be so cocky!

Though, admittedly, last night was all about his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and those abs...

Feeling my cheeks heat up, I hastily shut the door.

I rushed through my morning routine and then followed Jack to the car for the ride to his folks'.

As I settled in, Jack reached over, startling me so much that my head hit the window.

I glared at him mournfully.

Jack frowned, then handed me a piece of bread and a milk carton.

"Eat something to settle your stomach, buckle up, and..."

"And what?" I asked.

He tapped his nose, chuckled, and quipped, "And your face is pretty red."