Three Years as the Substitute

Chapter 3

Adrian scoffed, as if Elena had asked an utterly absurd question. "If you don't, then why have you stayed with me for three years, without a name or status, doing whatever I asked? Elena, your body gives you away."

Elena regarded his smug expression and said nothing.

She answered only in her heart: 'But the truth is, I don't love you.'

At that moment, Sophia approached, holding a champagne flute out to Elena. "Elena, thank you for covering for me last time by drinking in my place. Please accept this."

Seeing the malice in Sophia's eyes, warning sirens blared in Elena's mind.

This drink was undoubtedly poisoned.

Her instinct screamed to refuse.

"What? You won't even accept a drink from me?" Sophia pouted and turned wounded eyes toward Adrian. "Adrian, have I done something to offend Elena?"

Adrian's brow furrowed slightly.

Elena knew she had no choice. Unless she drank, Sophia would never relent—and Adrian wouldn't slight Sophia for her sake.

She needed to get out of there immediately.

She accepted the glass and drained it in one swallow.

"Mr. Blackwood," she forced down the burning in her throat, "I'm feeling unwell. Might your assistant, Daniel, escort me home?"

Adrian glanced at her pallid face and had barely begun to nod when Sophia gasped dramatically, pretending to twist her ankle as she limply fell into his arms.

"Adrian, my foot hurts terribly..."

Adrian immediately caught her, his attention fully captured, Elena's request forgotten.

Elena's heart sank like a stone.

While her mind remained clear, she staggered away, desperate to leave.

But the drug took swift effect. Her vision blurred, her limbs failed, and she crumpled in a corridor corner beyond the banquet hall.

As consciousness faded, she felt slick hands grasp her and a disgusting snicker whisper in her ear.

*****

When she woke again, she was in the hospital.

The sharp smell of disinfectant stung her nose.

Elena opened her eyes. Her body ached as if she had been crushed by a truck. Her wrists were bandaged as memories slowly returned.

'That disgusting man...'

Dragged into a room, she had smashed an ashtray on the table and slashed her wrist with the shards in desperation. The spurting blood finally scared him off, allowing her to escape and seek help.

The TV broadcasted the news, the host reporting in an envious tone, "Last night, Mr. Adrian Blackwood, president of Blackwood Corporation, put on a custom hour-long fireworks show for Ms. Sophia Vale, just to make her smile. Utterly romantic."

"Wow, how romantic," murmured the nurse, changing her bandages, catching the news with admiration. Then she glanced at Elena and froze. "Huh? Miss, you look just like that Sophia on TV! You..."

"You have the wrong person," Elena said calmly. "I'm her twin sister. I have absolutely no connection to Mr. Blackwood."

"Absolutely no connection?" A man's icy voice cut in from the doorway.