Chapter 1

Ava's POV :

"Ava…!!" I heard mom calling out of frustration.

"Why are you dressed up like a nun?? Where's the gown I brought for you?? And the jewels??" My mom, Emma John, was busy judging my taste.

I rolled my eyes inwardly and turned around to see mom in a beautiful designer gown and she had more jewels than she needed. Of course,  can't say it loud. Even though she is our mom, she looks just like my elder sister. Her beautiful long blonde hair and hazel eyes were shining beyond beauty. I used to envy Eva, as she was blessed with mom's beauty. Even though we are identical twins, our eyes and hair colour are different. I got blue eyes with Auburn hair. Dad used to say I got it from his grandmother only. 

I sighed and turned around. The long peach colour satin gown with limited diamond jewels was more than enough for me. But, I know, I can never satisfy my mom. I mean NEVER... It was always Eva for them. I didn't want to drop my mood. So I plastered a smile and went to mom.

"It's okay mom. It's not my marriage, so don't worry." I took her hand in mine.

" Yeah, it's not yours. But I want you to be equally beautiful as Eva, even though that's not possible. Anyways, you should change this gown and wear the one I brought for you. Because there's a high chance that we will find a groom for you here. Eva's future husband is filthy rich and his relatives are wealthy too. Even though he is arrogant towards others, he is too good with us. Maybe, if you dress up well, you would get lucky if you could catch anyone's eyes…"

I couldn't believe she was saying this to me. She will never change. Eva got not only her beauty but her character too. She is exact copy of mom in that sense.

Our family is also rich, but not as filthy rich. But, recently as Eva started looking after Dad's business when I was away, she almost made our company go bankrupt. If only her fiance didn't support us, then I don't know if our company could ever come back from that position. That's why Mom is ignoring her mistakes and praising her even when she did the worst.

 I know there's no use of arguing with her. What she doesn't know is, after this wedding, I will fly back to New York, where a highly paid reputed job is waiting for me.

"Okay, mom. But, is there that much time left?? I am sure she will have other close friends to be her bridesmaid. So…"

"Whatever, you will never listen to me. And that's why you're still single like this. Anyways, let's check on Eva. I am sure my princess would be so beautiful that no one could take eyes off her…" 

I smiled and went with her. We met her close friends in the adjacent room, they were getting ready to be bridesmaids. 

"Girls… Is Eva ready??" Mom asked them 

"She should be. Because about an hour ago, she got in with the makeup artist. After that, they haven't opened the door. "

"Okay, we will check on her then. I am sure she will be ready."

And when mom knocked on the door there was utter silence. Mom called her several times and then I saw her panic.

"Oh Jeez, Did she faint or something?? But, what about the makeup artist?? What should we do now??" She held my hand in tension.

"Mom, don't panic. Do you have the spare key for this room?"

"Yes, it's in my room cabinet. Go and bring it…"

I nodded and ran towards her room in the floor-length gown. And finally, I was back with the key and she opened it. And… The scene in front of us made us flabbergasted…

There was no sign of Eva, and the makeup artist was tied up in the chair. And her mouth was shut with plastic tape.

"Oh Jeez…!!" I rushed to her and opened the tape from her mouth.

"Oh my God… The Hayes is going to kill me, not only me… But, you all too… That girl, … she ran away tricking me…" she said in one breath.

"No… You're lying… Where's my daughter…??" Mom seethed in anger and jumped at the girl.

"Upon Christ, I am telling you the truth… Your daughter has fooled everyone. She had left a letter on the table for you…"

Mom was on the verge of a breakdown and rushed to read the letter, while I untied the girl in the chair. When I looked at Mom, I saw her break down into tears. And I went to support her.

"Mom, what did she say?? Why did she leave at the last minute??"

As an answer, mom handed over me the letter.

"Dear Mom, 

I am sorry, I had to leave. I don't know how to escape from this marriage in another way. I was not sure about this marriage till now. It's the biggest decision of every girl's life. And I can't do this, mom. I am sorry. If I stay there, I know you will force me to do it. That's why I am leaving.

I know, you will be shattered by the news. But, think about it, mom. I am sure you will find a way to escape from this situation.

Love, 

Eva…"

As soon as I finished it. I had the gut feeling that she was targeting me as a scapegoat. By the time I came back to my senses, mom had already caught my hand. And this time her eyes were like pleading at me.

"Mom… Really??..." I could only utter those two words.

By that time Dad came.

"Emma, where's Eva?? And her crazy make-up artist blubber something to me. I think she went crazy. So, I had locked her up in the next room." Then his eyes fell on the crying mom.

"Emma… So it's true?? How am I going to face him now?? Because of your pretty little princess, we are going to face his wrath... He will ruin us for sure… " Dad cursed.

"John, we still got time. And I have found a solution to this. They are identical and you see now Ava has also put on weight that she looks exactly like Eva, except for hair and eye colour, which we can manage..." She paused and looked at me. Then, Dad's eyes also fell upon me.

"No… Dad, please don't…"

Before I could say something, Dad came to my side and took my hands in his.

"Please, Ava. Can't you see the depth of this trouble your sister pushed us into?? You haven't met her fiance. He is a ruthless businessman. If he came to know about this, he would ruin us. And the reputation we have built over the years will get ruined as well. Please, Ava. If there was another way, I wouldn't ask you this…" he pleaded. But, all I could hear was their selfishness.

Why should I sacrifice my marriage for someone who had never cared about my existence much?

"I am sorry, Dad. I can't do this. It's all because of Eva. There's still time, find her…"

"She must have left an hour ago. And if I am right, she was planning it for some time. That must be the reason why she wasn't happy with the marriage thing and she blamed it on mood swings… We can never find her in this short time..." Mom explained.

"Hm… it's fine, Emma. Let's not force Ava to do this for us. She has a life over there in New York and I am sure she will go there soon. It's only us who is going to get affected by this. But, I am not ready to take the humiliation from all sides. It's better that we can die together than living without respect.

.." he hugged mom and she was crying on his shoulders.

Somehow his words touched me. Did he really mean it??

"Ava, you should go now. When the news spread like fire, maybe Eva's fiance would even get revenge on you. You go, my girl. And be happy…" Her words hurt me so much.

How can I be so heartless and leave my parents to die??

I am not Eva to do this… I can't be that selfish.

"Mom… Dad… I agree. But, upon one condition. I am not going to lie to anyone. Dad, you must talk the truth with the groom's parents. If they all agree to accept me, Ava. Then, I will marry. All this life, you thought I wasn't like or good enough as Eva. You were right, I am not Eva. And I will never be Eva."

Then I saw them relaxed. He agreed to my condition and went to meet his parents. As there was little time, mom came back with the makeup artist.

"Everything is settled. Now, you should get ready. Thank God, you put on weight, otherwise…" I glared at her and she stopped talking. The makeup artist started her work, but I was in a different world. I can't believe that I was getting married to a person I don't even know or had ever seen before. 

Within half an hour, I was ready. As I suggested for minimal makeup, I didn't look like a painted-up doll. I was ok, I guess. When I looked at my image in the mirror, I remembered Eva's words when she called me to invite her marriage, 

"You should come, or else there won't be any marriage…!!"

She did it purposefully… like in my childhood she always blamed me for her mistakes. And everyone trusted her words.

But, what I didn't expect was, that she must have hated me so much to push my life at stake… and that thought hurt me the most…

I cleared my glistened eyes. Dad came to my side with a happy face and thanked me again before going to the aisle. As soon as I stepped in with him, I didn't look up. I was a nervous wreck. And the thick veil supported me to avoid all those gazes. And finally, I was in front of the altar, next to the man to whom I am going to get married to. My fingertips felt like ice with the tension I was having.

I don't know what happened there because everything was a blur. I even said, "I do" when I felt someone tapping from sidewise. It was mom. Hm… 

And when the priest announced my breath got hitched,

"And from now on, I announce Christian Hayes and Ava John as husband and wife… You may kiss the bride…!!" And the veil was lifted off my face.

That name… Struck my memories… How can I forget that name… The bully I hated the most…

But, It can't be him, right?? 

"By the way, it's Eva, father…" I heard him say and he turned around to face me. I went pale after seeing the worst bully of mine. This can't be true. 

"It's.... You…!!" That was the last thing I heard before darkness engulfed me.