The Substitute

Episode 2

Bella's pov

A distant noise echoed in my ears, dragging me toward consciousness, but I clung to sleep, refusing to let go. Sleep was safe. Sleep didn’t hurt. But then

A sharp slap tore me from the darkness.

Pain burned across my cheek, my skin stinging as my eyes snapped open. My head jerked to the side as the room became blurry before it came into focus.

my eyes opened to many faces. My mother. My father ,a room full of relatives.

Their eyes bored into me, filled with accusations.

I inhaled slowly, stretching as if I hadn’t just been slapped. As if my heart wasn’t hammering in my chest. Crossing my arms, I forced my voice to stay calm. "Why did you wake me up?"

But I knew. I already knew.

"Where is Ella?" my mother asked, her voice controlled, measured. "I know you hate her. You must have done something to her." She took a step closer, her lips trembling ever so slightly. "Please. Tomorrow is her wedding, just let her go, she pleaded.

That word "please."

It was weird coming from her. It was the first time in my life she had ever used it with me. But it wasn’t really for me, was it? It was for Ella. It had always been for Ella.

Something sharp twisted in my chest.

I let out a slow, humorless laugh. "How is this my fault? I didn’t ask her to come looking for me. Now she’s missing, and you automatically assume I had something to do with it?" My voice rose, I couldn't hide my frustration again. "Go find your perfect daughter and leave me alone." I yelled .

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Then another slap.

My father this time.

My head snapped sideways, a fresh wave of pain shooting through me. My skin burned where his palm had landed, the force of it making my vision blur.

"Don’t you dare raise your voice at us!" he roared, his face twisted in fury. His hands curled into fists at his sides. "If I had known you’d turn out like this, I would have sold you when I had the chance. Your mother begged me not to. You should be grateful to her!"

Grateful?

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

I turned to my mother, my voice quieter now, almost numb. "Why did you beg him?" My throat felt tight, my breath uneven. "You should have let him sell me." I swallowed hard, ignoring the way my chest ached. "Maybe I would’ve been better off anywhere but here." I took a shaky breath, my hands clenched at my sides. "You’re heartless. You don’t deserve to be called a mother."

For a moment, something flickered in her eyes. Something dark.

Then she lunged at me.

Her hands struck me over and over until my knees buckled and I hit the floor. My ears rang. My face throbbed. But the worst part wasn’t the pain. It was the way no one stopped her. The way they all just watched.

She leaned down, her breath hot against my ear. "Pray that I find Ella," she whispered, her voice dripping with venom. "Or you’ll wish you were dead."

I won't allow you to repeat what you did back then ,you murderer she said.

The air felt thick. My body trembled as soon as she reminded me of isabella , tears streamed out of my eyes .

Then the door slammed.

The lock clicked.

I froze.

No.

I rushed to the door, my hands shaking as I tried the handle. Locked. My breathing quickened. My chest felt tight.

They knew.

They knew that reminding me of isabella could bring back painful memories.

I staggered toward my drawer, fumbling for my medication. My fingers scraped against the drawers.

Nothing.

It was gone.

A cold panic crawled up my spine.

My breath hitched. I pounded on the door, my fists slamming against the wood. "Let me out!" My voice cracked, with desperation. "Please!"

Silence.

The walls pressed in around me. My vision blurred. My throat closed. I gasped for air, clawing at my chest. The floor tilted.

And then darkness.

When I woke, my limbs were stiffed and my throat were sore from screaming.

The lock turned and the door creaked open.

My father stood in the doorway. His expression was unreadable, but his next words sent a chill straight to my bones.

"Ella is still missing, and today is her wedding." His voice was strained. "You’ll have to marry him instead."

I blinked.

The words didn’t make sense.

"What did you just say?" My voice was barely above a whisper.

"Scout can’t find Ella. He wants you to take her place."

I recoiled like I had been slapped all over again. "I can’t! I won’t!"

My mother stepped forward, her expression was calm. "If you don’t do this, our family will be ruined."

A bitter laugh tore from my throat.

"Our family."

"Last time I checked, I wasn’t part of it," I said, my voice sharp and cold.

I turned away, my heart slamming against my ribs. "Find someone else. I will never marry him."

I ran before they could stop me.

The moment my feet hit the street, a black car screeched to a halt in front of me.

The doors flew open.

Three men.

I ran.

They were faster.

A scream escaped my throat as they grabbed me, my body twisting, fighting, desperately,but they were too strong .

I blanked out..

I woke to the sound of quiet breathing.

My head pounded. My body ached.

A man stood before me, his hands in his pockets, his gaze locked onto mine. He looked like he had been waiting.

He was handsome, in the kind of way that made you wary rather than drawn in. Sharp features. Strong physique.

Dangerous.

He studied me for a moment before speaking, his voice low, indifferent.

"Nice to meet you, little substitute."

The mockery in his tone sent anger bubbling in my chest.

I pushed myself up, ignoring the dizziness, and took a step closer. His eyes flickered with mild amusement, as if he had expected fear instead of defiance.

I gave him none.

"Why did you bring me here?" I demanded.

He crossed his arms, smirking. "You’re going to replace your sister."

I scoffed. "And who are you to tell me what to do?"

His smirk widened. "I’m Scout."

I clenched my fists. "Well, Scout, I don’t care who you are. Mind your own business."

He leaned back slightly, watching me like I was some kind of puzzle he couldn’t quite figure out. "You are my business. In a few hours, you’ll be my wife unless, of course, you want to watch your family die."

My breath stalled.

Then I heard it.

"Please don’t kill me!"

My mother’s voice.

My stomach twisted.

I turned sharply, my eyes locking onto the phone.

My parents. Tied up. Helpless.

I hated them. God, I hated them more than anything.

But this…

I couldn’t let this happen.i won't be the reason they died.

Scout watched me, his smirk fading. He knew he had won.

I swallowed, my nails digging into my palms. "Don’t think you can threaten me."

His eyes darkened. "I already did. And you will do what I want."

I exhaled through gritted teeth.

He thought this was over.

But it wasn’t.

I lifted my chin, glaring at him.

"You have no idea who you just messed with."