The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

A sharp whisper jolted Nina Summer awake. “Someone’s after you,” the voice hissed, cutting through the silence like a blade.

Her breath caught, heart hammering wildly in her chest. “Who’s there?” she demanded, sitting upright and scanning the cramped confines of her modest apartment. But the room lay empty, bathed in the pale morning light filtering through the window.

Maybe it was just a lingering fever dream from last night, she reasoned, though the voice had sounded so real—like a child murmuring close by. Could this rundown place actually be haunted? Nina muttered to herself, a shiver running down her spine as she glanced toward the windowsill.

There, perched casually, were Chubby and Coco—the two squirrels she’d affectionately dubbed the Squirrel Bros. Their bushy tails flicked nervously, eyes gleaming with a mischievous spark.

No sooner had she opened her eyes than those little scamps stretched their mouths wide, silently begging for treats once more.

Nina’s mind clicked instantly: the Squirrel Bros were hungry again. Her tiny second-floor apartment backed onto an ancient, sprawling tree, whose branches the squirrels used as a highway to her window, hoping for a snack.

Rubbing her throbbing forehead, she checked her temperature—finally, the fever had broken. A wave of relief washed over her, soothing the exhaustion clinging to her bones.

She grabbed a handful of breakfast cookies and offered them to the squirrels. Quick as lightning, the bigger one and the smaller one snatched the treats greedily.

Chubby, the smaller fluffball, stuffed so much cookie into his cheeks he looked like a walking puff of fur. “Thanks, Nina!” he chirped.

Nina froze, her mind spinning. Did that squirrel just talk? Was her fever finally playing tricks on her? She tapped her forehead, disbelief etched on her face.

But the squirrels continued their chatter, munching happily. Chubby chirped, “Coco, these cookies smell so milky and delicious today!”

Coco, whose bright eyes always seemed to hold a hint of wisdom, looked uneasy. “But Nina barely has enough food for herself, and now there’s someone dangerous after her. I’m really worried.”

Chubby’s face darkened as he paused his snacking. “What do we do now? Too bad we can’t call the cops.”

Nina’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be that the mysterious “Someone’s after you” warning had come from the squirrels all along? This was getting crazier by the second.

Leaning forward, she blurted out, “Chubby, Coco, what do you mean someone’s after me?”

The squirrels dropped their cookies, startled. Chubby’s mouth formed a perfect “O.” “Y-you can understand us?” he stammered.

Nina nodded, equally stunned. “Yeah, I know it sounds insane, but after last night’s fever, I suddenly get everything you say.”

From that moment on, the Squirrel Bros’ high-pitched chatter translated directly into her mind, as if they were speaking her language all along.

“Awesome!” Chubby bounced excitedly. “Nina, there’s this guy lurking around your building at night, watching it closely.”

Coco added, “He mumbles stuff like ‘One more kill this month.’ He only leaves when you turn off the lights.”

A chill crept up Nina’s spine. He’s been studying my routine, she realized, heart pounding. “Did you see what he looks like?” she asked, voice trembling.

Coco scratched his head thoughtfully. “He looks like that guy on the posters stuck to trees in the park.”

Chubby’s eyes sparkled. “He must be famous—there are posters of him everywhere.”

Nina’s stomach twisted. Posters? Could those be wanted posters? “Where exactly are those posters? What does this guy look like?” she pressed.

Coco set down his cookie and scampered off to his nest in the tree. Moments later, he reappeared, clutching a crumpled, dirty piece of paper in his tiny mouth.

Nina took it, noticing the worn edges and creases. The bold word “WANTED” at the top nearly made her knees buckle. Panic surged through her veins.

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