I Took My Sister’s Place to Care for the Blind Heir

The year I was at my poorest, I impersonated my sister to take care of her blind fiancé in exchange for one hundred thousand dollars. On the day he regained his sight, I left without a word. When we met again, it was during a business interview. I was a nameless intern reporter. He had returned to his rightful status as the heir of the influential Hughes family. During the interview, the host asked, "We’ve heard that during your illness, your fiancée, Miss Dawson, stayed by your side through thick and thin. The two of you are about to get married?" He lifted his hand slightly, revealing a ring, and his lips curled into a faint smile. "Yes, we’re getting engaged soon." Yet, his gaze, through the lens of his glasses, landed—intentionally or not—on me, standing in the corner. Chapter 1 Before the interview began, the room buzzed with hushed discussions. "The young gentleman being interviewed today is the head of the entire Hughes family. "I heard he went blind five years ago and was even kicked out of the family. If it weren’t for his fiancée sticking by his side and taking care of him, he might not have made it." "Shh, keep your voice down—" I sat to the side, barely maintaining a smile, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Suddenly, Wade Jones, the senior colleague who had brought me along, turned his head. "Chloe, go get me a glass of water." Just as I reached the water dispenser by the door, the entrance suddenly swung open. A familiar figure came into view, and my mind went completely blank. In three years, Liam Hughes had changed drastically. The once slender boy had grown tall, his features sharper and more defined. His eyes, which used to be clouded with mist, were now cold and piercing. "Excuse me." His voice was indifferent as his gaze swept past me through the lenses of his glasses, like he was looking at a stranger. Ther wasn’t even a moment of hesitation. Surrounded by bodyguards, he walked up to the stage. As he passed me, a faint, crisp scent of wood lingered in the air. I stood frozen, taking a few seconds to react. For those two years by his side, Liam was at his lowest. He was cast out of the Hughes family after going blind from the car accident, so he had no idea what I looked like. Maybe that was for the best. By the time I returned with the glass of water, the interview had already begun. Liam sat on the stage, fingers interlaced, resting against his chin as he calmly surveyed the audience. He was answering business-related questions when, suddenly, the side door of the stage swung open. Linda Dawson walked in, smiling as she complained to Liam, "Sorry, Liam. There was a bit of an issue with the production team, so I got here late." Lifting the hem of her elegant champagne-colored gown, she gracefully took a seat beside him. For a brief moment, the entire room fell silent before the atmosphere quickly turned heated and suggestive. Wade, holding his glass of water, glanced at me out of the corner of his eye as if he had just made a groundbreaking discovery. "Chloe, you know, you actually look a bit like Linda Dawson." Pressing my lips together, I forced a smile. "She’s a celebrity. You’re giving me too much credit." Of course, we looked alike. Because she was my sister. … "I heard that during your illness, Miss Dawson stayed by your side without wavering. Are the two of you about to make it official?" My throat tightened as I looked at Liam on stage. He curved his lips slightly and raised his left hand, revealing a simple silver ring on his ring finger. It was the same one I bought years ago with my part-time earnings, just to cheer him up. For someone of his status, wearing such a cheap ring seemed completely out of place. Yet, he brushed his fingertips over it as if he didn’t notice. "Yes, we’re getting engaged soon.” As he spoke, his gaze swept over the audience, pausing, intentionally or not, on me in the far corner. Just for a few seconds before pulling away. The microphone was then handed to Linda. "Miss Dawson, I heard you're currently filming a project with Mr. Reed. He rarely works with new actors—did Mr. Hughes have anything to do with that?" Chapter 2 She admitted with a smile, "Of course, I’ve always been confident in my own abilities, but I won’t deny that Liam has done a lot for me. And I completely deserve his devotion." Her poised and self-assured response earned the admiration of the crowd. Someone asked, "Could you share a story about how you and Liam supported each other during tough times?" Linda's smile suddenly froze. A strange silence filled the air, stretching time thin. After a long pause, Liam let out a soft chuckle and took the microphone. "There’s nothing to talk about. Our memories are just for the two of us." A sharp sting rose in my heart. I tightened my grip on the pen, lowering my head in a flustered attempt to hide my emotions. The moment I closed my eyes, the past came rushing back. Back when we were younger, Liam’s rebellious nature made him plenty of enemies. After he fell from grace, some of them came looking for trouble. I tried to shield him and was shoved down the steps, landing hard, covered in scrapes and blood. The sight must have rattled them, because they quickly scattered in a panic. I gritted my teeth, forced myself up, and pretended nothing had happened as I walked back to him. "Come on, let’s go home." But Liam suddenly grabbed my hand. "You’re hurt. We’re going to the hospital." "I’m not…" "I can smell blood!" His voice suddenly rose, and tears slipped from his clouded eyes, like fallen stars covered in dust. With arms that weren’t particularly strong, he pulled me into a tight embrace. But the name he called out wasn’t mine. "Linda, when I recover, I’ll give you the grandest wedding in the world." … By the time the interview ended, the sky had darkened. Outside the venue, rain fell in a fine, steady curtain. Wade patted his pocket before turning to me again. "Chloe, I left the memory card inside. Go grab it." I stepped onto the damp pavement and jogged back. The elevator display counted down to the first floor and when the slid open, I came face to face with the two people inside. Linda stood slightly turned, chatting with Liam about some trivial on-set matters. Though his expression was indifferent, he listened patiently. The closeness between them was undeniable. The moment Linda saw me, her face twisted into an ugly scowl. "Sorry." Mumbling an apology, I turned away and headed for the stairs instead. Liam's voice rang out behind me. "Hold on." I froze. "Aren’t you taking the elevator? Go ahead." I slowly turned back, deliberately lowering my voice. "Thank you, Mr. Hughes." He told me to take the elevator, yet he didn’t move aside. Instead, he just stared at me. "You’re one of the reporters covering today’s interview? Why didn’t I hear you ask any questions?" I lowered my gaze. "I just graduated and recently returned from studying abroad. I’m only an intern—I don’t have the qualifications to ask questions." "I see." His response was flat, as if he were lost in thought. Beside him, Linda shot me a sharp glare before speaking up. "We should go, Liam. We’re meeting with Mr. Reed tonight." At last, Liam looked away. "Let’s go." … I stood alone in the ascending elevator, staring blankly ahead. After my parents' divorce, my father took Linda with him and married into the Dawson family, securing his place in the Dawson family through the marriage. For as long as I could remember, I had never seen Linda until five years ago, when she suddenly came looking for me. "I’ll give you one hundred thousand dollars. Take my place and look after someone for me." At the time, my mother had passed away from illness, leaving behind a mountain of debt. I had no other choice but to agree. It wasn’t until I met him that I realized the person she wanted me to care for was Liam. He was the Hughes family's heir and Linda’s fiancé. They just got engaged before tragedy struck. "Who would be willing to take care of a blind man, who was abandoned by his own family.” Chapter 3 She looked disgusted. "If it weren’t for my public image, I would’ve called off the engagement long ago." At the time, Linda was just starting her career. She had landed a decent role, and her future was on the rise. Afraid of being labeled heartless, she handed the burden over to me instead. Liam had lived eighteen years without a hitch, then suddenly, everything fell apart. His temper turned awful. In the beginning, when I first started taking care of him, he would lash out at me with cold, cutting remarks. I was paid to do a job, so I never talked back until that one particular day when I went to visit my mother’s grave and returned a little late. That was all it took for him to unleash his anger again. "Linda, drop the act! Don’t think I don’t know that you’re just putting up with me because you’re afraid of what people will say. Deep down, you can’t stand—" The rest of his words never made it out because I suddenly leaned in and kissed him. It was my first kiss—messy, unpracticed, and fueled by frustration. It was less like affection, but more like a reckless bite between wild animals. Liam fell silent. Even the tips of his ears turned bright red. "You—!" With a hint of mischief, I bit his lip again. Then I pulled back just enough, bracing my hands against his shoulders, breathing hard. "Did you feel that? Do you still think I can’t stand you?" … I took the memory card downstairs to find Wade. He looked pleased. "Chloe, you’re pretty diligent. Perfect timing—there’s a dinner tonight. I’ll take you along so you can meet more people. Connections are everything in journalism." I quickly thanked him. But when we arrived, I spotted a familiar black Rolls-Royce in the parking lot. I froze. "Mr. Hughes… he’s here tonight too?" Wade glanced back at me and winked. "Of course. The dinner I’m bringing you to is with Mr. Hughes himself. Don’t underestimate my connections, Chloe." It was too late to back out now. I had no choice but to brace myself and follow him inside. Thankfully, the private dining room was spacious. People like us—small-time reporters—weren’t seated anywhere near Liam’s table. Wade introduced me to several senior figures in the industry. "This is our company’s newest recruit. She’s a sharp girl. Her name is Chloe Burns. Come on, introduce yourself." As the newcomer, I had no choice but to drink my share of toasts. By the end, my head was spinning. I barely managed to mumble an apology before rushing to the restroom, hand over my mouth. I threw up until my stomach was empty. After rinsing my mouth, I splashed some cold water on my face and stepped out. The hallway lights were dim and in the shadows by the window stood a familiar figure. My heart pounded hard. I wanted to pretend I hadn’t seen him and just walk away. But as soon as I took a step, Liam spoke. His voice was low, deliberate, and laced with emotions I couldn’t quite decipher. "Chloe Burns." I froze mid-step. Swallowing hard, I heard the sound of slow, steady footsteps approaching. I instinctively shut my eyes. Then he stopped right in front of me, his familiar presence pressing in inch by inch. When I opened my eyes, I met his deep, unfathomable gaze. “Mr." Hughes. My throat tightened with nerves, and I spoke quietly. "How do you know my name?" He didn’t answer right away, just studied me for a long moment before straightening up. "Your senior had you toasting at every table. By now, everyone in that room knows your name." Thinking of Wade’s booming voice, I suddenly felt my face heat up. "Sorry, he’s been really kind to us newcomers—maybe a little too enthusiastic. If we disturbed you, I apologize." I carefully chose my words, worried about dragging Wade into this. But Liam didn’t respond. Under the warm glow of the lights, he narrowed his eyes slightly, watching me with an unreadable, almost amused expression. Chapter 4 "In Miss Burns' eyes, do I seem like someone who holds grudges?" I kept my head down and mumbled, "That’s not what I meant." The next second, a gold-embossed business card was placed in front of me. "You're still an intern, right? There’s a job opportunity—interested?" By the time I returned, my head was still spinning. The moment I stepped inside, Wade grabbed my arm. "You okay, Chloe?" I pressed a hand against my aching stomach and muttered, "Sorry, Wade. I had surgery on my stomach before, so I can’t really handle alcohol." He frowned, about to say something, when his gaze dropped to the business card in my hand. His eyes widened in shock. "Is that Mr. Hughes’ personal card?!" I nodded. The scene from earlier flashed through my mind. It was the kind of card people would go to great lengths to get their hands on—the kind that gave direct access to him. Something for nothing never sat well with me. I raised my guard and lowered my voice. "Why would Mr. Hughes offer such a valuable opportunity to an unknown reporter like me?" He smirked faintly. "Maybe… he just finds you pleasing to the eye." That did sound like something Liam would say. Back when I took care of him, we slowly grew familiar with each other. He had his moments—his sharp tongue, his rebellious streak. And at times… I bit my lip, swallowing the quiet sound threatening to escape, and tugged at his hair. "You can’t see, so stop moving around." In the dim light, he tilted his head slightly. The soft strands of his tousled hair brushed over his unfocused eyes. He licked his lips, fingers pressing lightly against the curve of my neck, his touch firm but careful. His voice was barely above a whisper. "The other parts of me are still working fine. So, be louder. Let me hear you." Snapping back to reality, I hastily made up an excuse to brush Wade off. The next day at the office, my supervisor called me in. With an easy smile, he said, "Chloe, there’s a spot open on that popular dating reality show. Get ready—you’ll be joining as a special guest commentator for the next episode." I didn’t think much of it until I started preparing for the job. The next episode’s featured guests were Linda and Liam. After that interview, their engagement had made headlines, dominating the trending topics. As part of the show’s pre-broadcast promotion, the comment section was already exploding with fan reactions. "They went through hardships together and now reunite at the top. What a perfect love story." "I heard the Dawsons’ company was barely staying afloat, but with the Hughes Group’s backing, they’ve made a full comeback." "Power couple goals! If you don’t support them, you have no soul!" Skimming through the comments, I quickly closed the page. The host, Emma Young, skimmed through the script while casually chatting with me. "If we can dig up details about those two years Liam spent with his fiancée, the show’s ratings would skyrocket." I tightened my grip on my pen and gave a quiet nod. No one knew those two years better than I did. But I couldn’t say a word. With the backing of the Hughes family, Linda rose to the top, now one of the most sought-after actresses in the industry. By the time the show started, the live stream was already flooded with millions of viewers. Under the bright stage lights, I heard Emma’s voice ring out. "Liam and Linda, since you’re already discussing marriage, could you share the journey that brought you here?" Linda turned to him, her smile soft and composed. "I never once believed the awful rumors about him. In my eyes, Liam has always been the one I love most." She gazed at him with an affection so deep, it practically dripped with warmth. However, Liam simply lowered his lashes and let out a faint laugh. "Liar." "When I first lost my sight, have you already forgotten how much you despised me?" Chapter 5 Linda hesitated for a moment. Her gaze flicked toward me, a sharp glint of malice flashing in her eyes. But with the cameras rolling, she had no choice but to keep up appearances, forcing a smile. "I don’t really remember. I guess our love just kept growing stronger, and now all I recall are the sweet moments." I glanced at the live comments flashing across the screen behind me. "So sweet!" and similar remarks flooded the chat. Setting down my cue cards, I tightened my grip on the microphone and turned to Liam. "It seems like your perspectives don’t quite match. Could there be more to the story? Maybe you could share how the two of you learned to understand each other?" I hadn’t expected him to answer. But after a brief silence, Liam spoke. "When I first lost my sight, I was a mess. Bitter at the world. And I didn’t like her. She was constantly running around, juggling work and taking care of me. "One day, she was so exhausted that she completely lost track of time. She had a pot of stew simmering on the stove and stepped out to grab some seasoning… but forgot to turn off the burner." "By the time she got back, the kitchen was on fire." Something lodged in my throat. In a daze, the memory resurfaced. I could still feel the lingering heat from that evening—the suffocating smoke, the crackling flames. I dragged Liam out of the room, grabbed him by the collar, and slapped him across the face. Then, trembling, I had yelled, "Are you trying to die?" Both my body and my voice had been shaking. For once, he hadn’t fought back. But instead, he stayed silent for a long, long time. Then, in a hoarse voice, he asked, "Wouldn't it be better if I just died? Wouldn’t that be a relief for you too?" It was in that moment that I suddenly realized the once untouchable heir of the Hughes family was now nothing more than a lost, beaten-down stray, baring his teeth out of habit but too tired to truly fight. So, still gasping for breath, I shoved him back into the room. The walls were scorched black from the flames. One by one, I unbuttoned his shirt, my voice barely above a whisper. "I didn’t get to eat dinner. You’ll have to make it up to me." Something flickered in his expression. "Are you sure—" Before he could finish, I silenced him with a forceful kiss, swallowing his words. "Liam, you were never a burden to me." That night, the world felt upside down like nothing existed beyond us. But now, as he casually brought up the past, his fiancée sat right beside him, the picture of intimacy. To the rest of the world, those memories belonged to them. A sharp, suffocating bitterness exploded in my heart. His closeness enveloped me in a scent both familiar and distant, seeping in before I even realized it. It was everywhere, overwhelming. But it no longer belonged to me. He paused for a moment, letting the applause from the audience settle before speaking one last time. "I will always remember the moonlight that night—so bright it illuminated everything. I couldn’t see, but I listened to her talk the whole night." My grip tightened around my pen as I hurriedly lowered my head. A sharp sting burned in my eyes. … Because I had improvised some of my questions, digging up details no one had ever heard before, the interview was a massive success. By the end of the show, the live stream’s viewership had surpassed ten million. For the first time, the public had gotten a glimpse into the hidden past of the Hughes family’s powerful heir. Excitement buzzed through the air. Backstage, Emma clapped me on the shoulder. "You’ve got some wits for a journalist. That last-minute question? It was brutal enough that he had no choice but to answer." But as she turned her head, she suddenly froze. Liam and Linda were walking straight toward us. She suddenly fell silent. Liam’s gaze swept over me, cool and unreadable. "Did you come up with today’s questions?" I nodded. Linda’s voice was sweet, but her words carried thorns. "Miss Burns, you certainly know how to hit where it hurts. But let me remind you—basic professional ethics matter. You shouldn’t covet things that are out of your league." I didn’t say a word. Chapter 6 But then, her gaze shifted back to Liam. Appearing cold and unreadable, Liam spoke calmly. "Miss Burns is highly capable. From now on, she’ll be the primary media liaison for our company." Linda’s head snapped toward me. Her eyes were filled with barely concealed fear and resentment. Later, when no one was around, she cornered me, her expression tense with both suspicion and disgust. "Chloe Burns, you really are insatiable. You took the money back then, so why are you here now?" I met her gaze calmly. "I graduated. I came back to work." It was a simple statement. "Work? Do you think I’m stupid?" Suddenly, she snapped, swinging her handbag at me in a fit of rage. "Get lost! Go tell him you’re stepping down from this job, or I swear, you won’t have a single peaceful day ahead!" Her Hermès bag hit the floor with a heavy thud, the chain snapping open and spilling its contents everywhere. I didn’t react. I just turned and walked away. Linda kept her word. Suddenly, roadblocks appeared everywhere. Several assignments that should have been mine were reassigned at the last minute. Then, one evening before I left work, my supervisor called me into his office. "There’s a major annual conference next month. You’ll be hosting it." I hesitated for a moment before he added, "Mr. Hughes specifically requested you." After work, I stepped outside—and there, parked across the street, was a very familiar Rolls-Royce. The car window rolled down, revealing Liam’s indifferent expression. "If you’re so curious about my past, Miss Burns, why not ask me directly?" I lowered my head. "I wasn’t prying into your private life, Mr. Hughes. It was just part of my job." "Even if it was for work, I gave you my personal card. You could have contacted me instead." I pressed my lips together. "There was no need for that." Because at that moment, it struck me—three years had already passed. He was no longer the reckless, sharp-tongued boy who lashed out, only to turn around and cling to me for comfort, demanding kisses as compensation. Now, he was the CEO of Hughes Group, the man who held all the power. The Dawsons were no longer what they used to be. Without Liam’s silent approval, Linda would never have dared to target me so openly. Maybe, to him, that part of the past was nothing but an embarrassment, something best left buried. I turned to leave. But Liam's voice stopped me in my tracks. "Hold on." The car door swung open, and with one long stride, he blocked my path. "Miss Burns, why don’t we talk?" I tightened my grip on my bag and asked, my voice slightly hoarse, "What exactly does Mr. Hughes want to discuss?" Liam's lips curved slightly. His gaze held a trace of something else now—resignation. "Can we talk about work?" … Over the next couple of weeks, Liam sought me out twice more. Each time, it was to go over key decisions that would be announced at the upcoming conference. During our last meeting, as if just remembering something, he handed me a document. "This major tourism project hasn’t been publicly disclosed yet. It’s a direct collaboration with the state. You can announce it at the conference—as an exclusive scoop you uncovered." I hesitated for a moment before taking the file. "Thank you," I said quietly. When Wade heard about it, he was quick to nudge me. "Seems like Mr. Hughes thinks highly of you. Maybe you should subtly bring up how Linda’s been making things difficult for you?" I adjusted my speech notes and smiled. "There’s no need. Do you really think he’d go against his own fiancée for the sake of a reporter he barely knows?" … On the day of the conference, the venue was packed. The center seat, where Liam was supposed to be, was empty. Under the glare of countless flashing lights, I stood on stage, announcing Hughes Group’s upcoming major collaborations. Then, suddenly, a voice cut through the room. A stranger, a reporter I didn’t recognize, stood up and pointed at me. "This classified information—where did you steal it from?"