Jake carefully parked the car by the side of the road. Then, he led me to a hidden spot nearby. As we arrived, I found myself gazing out at the breathtaking panoramic view of the city. To my surprise, Jake was absolutely right. The magnificent scenery before me had a mesmerizing effect. It was as though the world paused, and for that moment, I temporarily forgot the weight of my concerns and the turmoil in my mind. I took a moment to pause, closing my eyes and allowing the gentle breeze to caress my face like a warm embrace. With each deep breath, I felt a sense of peace and calm wash over me, as if all the troubles of the world had momentarily faded away. In the midst of this serenity, Jake remained silent, understanding the need for this quiet moment. He stood behind me, a reassuring presence, allowing me to immerse myself in the peaceful embrace of the city's spectacular beauty. As I sorted my scattered thoughts, I began to reflect on everything that had transpired. It dawned o
I anxiously glanced at Bella and then at Jake, unsure of how he would respond to Leo’s question. We hadn’t discussed it in advance. Bella gave me a reassuring smile while Jake calmly provided an explanation. "I saw her on the street, looking quite unwell,” Jake began. “And when I learned she was experiencing stomach pain, I thought it would be best to get her checked out. Unfortunately, the nearest hospital to your villa had so many patients in the emergency room, so I called Bella and decided to bring her here instead." He elaborated. I quickly chimed in to support Jake's story. "That's right, Leo. I thought a short walk outside the villa might help ease my stomachache, but it only got worse." "Next time, call me immediately if you're not feeling well or need any help, okay?" Leo instructed then he glanced at Jake, conveying his expectations. Understanding the unspoken message, I nodded in agreement. After collecting the prescription, Leo helped me up, and we exchanged farewell
Three days later, I found myself running low on toiletries, so I decided to make a quick trip to the mall to restock. As I entered the mall, I was pleasantly surprised as I spotted Jake among the shoppers. With a warm smile, I waved at him. I had become comfortable around him since we had been together, especially when he offered to help me. If I could call it help. Well, I was hoping that he might have realized he was wrong to accuse me of pretending to be Angela. Besides, I found it wise to maintain a friendly connection with him, as I wasn't entirely sure whether he was a friend or an enemy. If he happened to be an enemy, it was better to keep him close and observe his actions. "Jake, it seems like you're always wandering around here. I keep running into you," I remarked gleefully, my eyes fixed on him as I waited for him to draw near. A mischievous smile graced his lips while his eyes twinkling playfully as he approached me. "Well, it's either a coincidence or fate." He resp
The receptionist continued to blatantly disregard my request, leaving me feeling increasingly frustrated. I wasn't sure how to proceed when suddenly, an elegantly dressed woman in her thirties, entered the lobby. The receptionist's attitude seemed to change instantly as she greeted the woman with a friendly smile. "Good morning, Ma'am. How can I assist you today?" the receptionist inquired, her tone noticeably more affable. The woman reciprocated the smile and replied, "Hi there, I'm here to drop off some documents for Mr. LK." The receptionist, now eager to assist, asked, "May I have your name and your appointment time with Mr. LK?" Then, she turned towards her computer to check. "I'm Camille Shaw, and unfortunately, I wasn't able to schedule an appointment. However, he's expecting these documents," the woman explained before requesting, "Could you help me with this, please?" The receptionist warmly nodded and said, "Of course, Ms. Shaw. Please sign in here, and I'll inform th
Brimming with excitement, I hurried back upstairs and took a quick shower before I changed into a fresh dress. Every moment counted now. So, I didn’t waste any seconds, I dashed to the nearest drugstore to purchase a pregnancy test. As I arrived at the drugstore, my palms felt clammy as I reached for two pregnancy test kits on the shelf. I then approached the cashier, my nerves making my voice quiver. The cashier offered me a friendly smile and politely asked, “Is there anything else you'd like to purchase, Ma’am?” I replied anxiously, "Just these, please. Here’s my debit card." The cashier smiled. Then, she efficiently scanned the barcode and processed my payment. However, my heart sank when I heard Jake's voice from behind me. “Angela?” he asked, sounding genuinely surprised. With the small paper bag in hand, I turned to face him. "Hey, Jake. It’s you again," I remarked, beginning to wonder if our constant encounters were more than mere coincidence. Jake grinned, his eyes fi
It was the photo of Jake and me, taken during our visit to the city view spot, precisely capturing the moment when he placed his hand on my shoulder. My frown deepened, and I gritted my teeth in frustration as I grappled with the intrusion into my personal life. "Where did you get those pictures?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued as I pondered who might have sent them such misleading images. “That’s none of your business!” Bernadette snapped in response. After drawing in another deep breath, I asserted, "In that case, I don't owe you any explanations. You may leave now." Aunt Ofelia looked stunned by my dismissal, prompting her to mutter, "How dare you throw us away? You flirt! We were right from the start. We knew this day would come. Your true colors are finally showing!” "We'll make sure Grandpa hears about this, and we’ll see where you’ll end up when he learns the truth," Bernadette threatened before they turned and left. As soon as Ofelia and Bernadette departed, I was sudd
As time passed, I couldn't help but wonder why Leo hadn't mentioned anything about Aunt Ofelia and Bernadette's false accusation. The weight of their allegations still lingered in my mind, so I decided to visit Leo in his library, where he often worked. "Leo," I called out as I knocked gently on the door. "Come in," his voice replied. Upon entering his library, I found him seated in his swivel chair, engrossed in his work on his laptop, wearing a pair of eyeglasses. When he noticed me, he removed his glasses and swiveled his chair to the side. "Sit here," he invited, extending his arms toward his lap. I walked over and settled on his lap, seeking comfort and closeness. He inquired with a grin, "Do you need anything?" "About Aunt Ofelia and Bernadette," I began, a slight crease forming on my forehead. “What about them?” He asked, his forehead furrowed. “Did they call you already?” Puzzled, I asked, "Why would they call me?" "Well, I talked to them last night," Leo explained. "
"Where do you think you're going, my special present?" Mr. Scott inquired, his tone sending shivers down my spine. “What do you mean by 'special present'?” I asked anxiously, struggling to understand his disturbing words. “Do you think I would easily agree to marry my daughter off to that orphan without receiving something in return? Of course not. It's because, in every agreement, there’s a hidden endowment. And I must confess, I'm delighted that it turned out to be you," he divulged with a malicious glint in his eyes. I was stunned upon hearing his statement, a sinking feeling gnawing at my gut. Nonetheless, I kept my composure and looked at him straightly in his eyes. "I have no idea what you're talking about. So please, just let me leave," I uttered firmly, my voice unwavering. But he continued as though he didn’t hear what I said, "You know, I couldn't help but admire you earlier during dinner because your beauty has this captivating innocence," he stated, his gaze sweeping
The thought that Jake might notice my deception, filled me with dread. Hence, I decided to run upstairs. I heard Angela calling me twice, but I didn’t dare to look back, completely ignoring my twin sister’s call. I gasped for air as I finally reached the guest room, my back leaned against the door, and my heart was pounding like a relentless drum in my chest. The sudden arrival of Sarah and Jake had caught me off guard, leaving me entirely unprepared to face them. And as I caught my breath, I couldn't help but question myself. Why had pretending to be someone else felt easier than now when I had to face them as my true self? Then, I realized that I really didn’t pretend to be someone else. I just used my twin sister’s name. But everything that I showed them was real. My personality and feelings towards them were all real. That’s why it was so difficult for me now to face them and make a different impression of me. I released a deep sigh. After a while, I decided to send a messag
My heart pounded in my chest as Leo’s scrutinizing gaze lingered on me, his jaw clenched in anticipation of my reply. Indeed, my twin sister had transformed as though she was now a completely different person. And that realization hurt me deeply. ‘Can a head surgery really alter someone’s personality?’ I wondered silently. Then, I nervously wiped my mouth with the table napkin as I contemplated how to respond to her statement. For a moment, I hesitated about denying her words. Despite everything, she was still my twin, and I held love and respect for her. Choosing to give way and let go of my feelings for Leo was a decision made out of that love. However, I was not martyr enough to let her tarnish my reputation with lies. Putting down the table napkin, a thin smile graced my lips as I prepared to reply. "I'm sorry, Anj. But I couldn't recall. And why would you text me that fact as if we had a good relationship before? Didn't you mention earlier that I was yet to accept you as my
I really wanted to ask Angela if she could leave and let things be as they were, with me as Leo’s wife. I believed she could repay me that way. However, I was fully aware that she would not agree. Moreover, just like what she told me before, I didn’t wish to become her rival as well. Thus, I decided to give way, acknowledging that I had no rightful claim in the first place. And I confirmed her displeasure when I witnessed her expression darkening upon hearing my words. It was evident in her eyes that she didn’t like what I said. Since her return, I noticed a significant change in her. She was no longer the gentle and sweet Angela I once knew. Aside from taking back her real identity, she set clear boundaries between us, emphasizing that my role was merely a substitute, without any regard for my feelings as her twin. "What did you say?" She asked bitterly while crossing her arms and raising her brow. "I said, I would like to leave, Angela. Maybe tomorrow," I repeated, amending my w
Angela and I were sitting on the plush couch in the living room, our anticipation heightening with each passing moment as we awaited Leo's entrance. This time, however, I was the one wearing the wavy, long wig and eyeglasses. Yes, it was the moment when Angela and I exchanged identities, restoring everything to its rightful place. As I sat there, I drew in a deep breath, mentally preparing for the upcoming encounter with Leo, where I would meet him for the first time as the real me–no longer Angela, but Ashley. The suspense in the room peaked when Leo finally stepped through the doorway. I could feel the atmosphere charged with tension as his gaze shifted between Angela and me. And as Leo's eyes met mine, a flicker of astonishment danced across his face. The seconds that passed between Leo's entrance and the interactions that followed seemed like an eternity, each tick of the clock resonating with heightened anticipation. With a mixture of nervousness and curiosity, I couldn't br
I made the decision to confess everything to my twin sister, believing in the strength of our bond and hoping for her understanding of my complex situation. I was silently hoping that she would understand, especially considering the tiny life growing within me. However, just as I was about to begin sharing, her attention shifted to the necklace adorning my neck. "Wait, Ash. Your necklace looks beautiful. Is that the one Leo gave you on your second month together?" Angela asked cheerfully, holding the pendant and gazing at me with anticipation. "Hmm… Yeah," I reluctantly confirmed. With no one else to share my feelings with, sending short messages to Angela became my hobby, updating her on my excitement and disappointments, thus finding a release for the emotions that overwhelmed me. Angela's radiant smile widened, and she eagerly made a request that caught me off guard, "Can you put the necklace on me?" "Huh?" I mumbled, my heart quickening its pace as a wave of emotions surged t
I stared at my phone, my mind unable to process the name that had unexpectedly appeared on the screen. ‘Impossible,’ I muttered to myself, furrowing my brows as I continued to gaze at the screen. Shortly thereafter, my phone chimed again, abruptly pulling me from my daze. Suddenly, a wave of goosebumps rippled across my body as I read the sender's name on my screen. "A-Angela?" I stammered in disbelief, my voice barely audible. It was a message from my twin sister, and the sheer surprise left me speechless. I couldn't believe that I received a text message from her. With trembling hands and a heart pounding like a drum, I pressed the screen to reveal the message. My hands continued to tremble as I read the message. ‘Ash, surprise? I just arrived here in Southland. Let’s meet. I miss you so much!’ I stood frozen in my spot feeling as though a bucket of ice-cold water had been poured over me. "How is this possible?" I questioned myself as a paralyzing shock surged through me.
"Is Mr. Scott's claim true, Angela?" Grandpa queried coldly, his gaze fixed on me, intensifying the gravity of the moment. The room fell into a heavy silence as everyone turned their attention toward me, waiting for my response. I cleared my throat, preparing to reply, but before I could speak, Aunt Ofelia abruptly interjected, her tone accusatory and skeptical. "Dad, why are you even asking Angela? Do you think she would agree with what Mr. Scott says? I mean, no one in their right mind would admit to such a shameless act," she remarked, her words laced with insinuation, clearly aimed at undermining my credibility. “I did nothing, Auntie,” I responded fearlessly, my frown reflecting my resistance. Aunt Ofelia's subtle insinuations continued, "Oh, I didn't say anything, Angela. But I do wonder, what were you doing in Mr. Scott’s room?” I clenched my fists as frustration and anger welled up within me, sensing Aunt Ofelia's attempt to discredit me and strengthen Mr. Scott's false
"Where do you think you're going, my special present?" Mr. Scott inquired, his tone sending shivers down my spine. “What do you mean by 'special present'?” I asked anxiously, struggling to understand his disturbing words. “Do you think I would easily agree to marry my daughter off to that orphan without receiving something in return? Of course not. It's because, in every agreement, there’s a hidden endowment. And I must confess, I'm delighted that it turned out to be you," he divulged with a malicious glint in his eyes. I was stunned upon hearing his statement, a sinking feeling gnawing at my gut. Nonetheless, I kept my composure and looked at him straightly in his eyes. "I have no idea what you're talking about. So please, just let me leave," I uttered firmly, my voice unwavering. But he continued as though he didn’t hear what I said, "You know, I couldn't help but admire you earlier during dinner because your beauty has this captivating innocence," he stated, his gaze sweeping
As time passed, I couldn't help but wonder why Leo hadn't mentioned anything about Aunt Ofelia and Bernadette's false accusation. The weight of their allegations still lingered in my mind, so I decided to visit Leo in his library, where he often worked. "Leo," I called out as I knocked gently on the door. "Come in," his voice replied. Upon entering his library, I found him seated in his swivel chair, engrossed in his work on his laptop, wearing a pair of eyeglasses. When he noticed me, he removed his glasses and swiveled his chair to the side. "Sit here," he invited, extending his arms toward his lap. I walked over and settled on his lap, seeking comfort and closeness. He inquired with a grin, "Do you need anything?" "About Aunt Ofelia and Bernadette," I began, a slight crease forming on my forehead. “What about them?” He asked, his forehead furrowed. “Did they call you already?” Puzzled, I asked, "Why would they call me?" "Well, I talked to them last night," Leo explained. "