Chapter 1

In my third year of playing the surrogate for my fiancé’s "girl-bro," she finally returned.

The moment Harper saw me, she let out a cold, condescending scoff.

"Carter, is this really your taste? She’s my replacement?

Does she have half my chill? How could a painted doll like her ever be one of the guys?"

Carter’s brow furrowed immediately. "Harper, watch your mouth. Chloe is my fiancée, and we’re getting married soon. She’s nothing like you—she was never meant to be my 'bro.'"

My expression darkened on the spot. If I’m a man, why the hell couldn't I be his bro?

Hearing me mutter that I was a guy, Carter pointed at my chest, exasperated.

"Chloe, are you out of your mind? If you’re a man, what are those?"

I looked down at the soft curves of my chest, completely dazed.

Wait... hadn't my parents spent my entire life telling me I was a man?

"Carter, can't you see she's totally nuts? She’s not even in your league."

While Carter and I were locked in a staring contest, Harper stepped up, her face twisted with irritation.

I seized the moment and spoke up. "Miss Miller is totally right. I’m not in Carter’s league, and I don't deserve to be your stand-in. I'll take my leave now."

With a casual wave, I turned on my heel and walked out like a boss.

By the time they snapped out of it, I had already vanished into thin air.

When I got home, I told my parents that Carter was actually in love with me.

They practically wept tears of joy. "Really? Carter actually fell for you?!"

Seeing the greedy excitement in their eyes, I frowned.

"Why are you so happy? I’m a man, and Carter is a man too!"

Hearing this, my parents sighed with sheer exhaustion.

"Chloe, what kind of psychotic episode are you having now? How on earth are you a man?"

I looked down at my hourglass figure again.

Sure, I looked like a woman, but wasn't I supposed to be a man?

If I wasn't, why had they drilled it into my head since childhood:

‘Chloe, you’re the only man in this household. You have to carry this family, do you hear me?’

They were the ones who brainwashed me into believing I was the son.

They even screamed at me whenever I sat down to pee.

Now that I had finally accepted being a man just like they wanted, why were they pissed off?

Humans really are impossible to please.

Thinking of this, I scoffed coldly. "Whatever. I’m not marrying Carter."

I turned around and headed straight to my bedroom.

I was planning on taking a nap, but Carter’s call blew up my phone.

I hit decline without hesitation.

A few minutes later, my parents rushed in with their own phone, looking panicked. "Answer it right now!"

Seeing their terrified expressions, I didn’t need to guess who was on the line.

I frowned, taking the phone. "What do you want?"

"Get over to the downtown VIP lounge. That commercial project your parents have been begging for? I’ll hand it over to the Vance family."

"Promise?"

"Hurry your ass over here."

I knew Carter was a man of his word, so I happily threw on some clothes and headed out.

The moment I stepped into the private room, I saw it was packed with his usual clique.

A huge banner hung across the wall: 【Welcome Back to Our Bro, Harper!】

"Haven't seen you guys in years, but none of you forgot our pact, right?" Harper smirked arrogantly at the crowd.

The guys chimed in eagerly. "Of course not!"

"Good. So it's settled—no ditching your bros just because you got yourself a girl." As she spoke, Harper's gaze locked onto Carter's face.

Those words were meant entirely for him.

Before Carter could even reply, I kicked the door open, completely ruining the mood.

"Well, well. If it isn't my replacement 'girl-bro.' Didn't you swear you’d never marry Carter, Miss Vance? Regretting it now? Typical woman—always saying one thing and meaning another."

The next second, I stepped forward and ripped Harper’s top clean off.

Staring at her lacy bra, I furrowed my brows in confusion.

"Aren't you supposed to be his bro? Why do you have boobs? And why are you wearing lace lingerie? I thought only women wore this crap."