chapter seven
655 Words
The Woman in the Shadows
Sophia tightened her grip on the strap of her bag as she hurried through the crowded streets.
She could feel it.
Someone was following her.
She didn't dare look back.
Not yet.
Her heart pounded as she turned into a narrow alley between two buildings.
The footsteps behind her grew louder.
Faster.
Sophia broke into a run.
"Stop!"
A man's voice echoed behind her.
She didn't stop.
She couldn't.
Finally, she reached the back entrance of a small café and slipped inside.
Panting, she looked through the glass door.
The man stood outside for a moment, scanning the street before walking away.
Only then did Sophia allow herself to breathe.
"I'm not safe..."
She whispered.
"If they find me..."
"They'll ruin everything."
---
Back at the Carter mansion...
Maya spent the morning wandering through the enormous house.
Every room reminded her that she didn't belong there.
She entered the library.
Rows upon rows of books covered the walls.
She smiled.
"I could stay here all day."
As she reached for a novel on the highest shelf, she stretched onto her toes.
The book slipped.
Before it could hit the floor, another hand caught it.
Maya gasped.
"Ethan?"
He handed her the book.
"I forgot an important file."
"I came back to get it."
She let out a nervous laugh.
"You scared me."
"You scare easily."
He noticed the title of the book.
"Pride and Prejudice."
"You like classic novels?"
Maya smiled.
"They make me believe people can change."
Ethan studied her quietly.
Sophia hated reading.
She often joked that books made her sleepy.
Another difference.
Another piece of the puzzle.
---
Later that afternoon...
Grandmother Evelyn invited Maya to have tea in the garden.
"My dear," she said with a smile, "tell me something."
"What is it, Grandma?"
"What made you fall in love with Ethan?"
Maya nearly dropped her teacup.
"I..."
"I..."
She searched desperately for an answer.
Before she could speak, Grandma laughed.
"Oh, don't be shy."
"I already know."
"You softened that stubborn grandson of mine."
Maya smiled weakly.
"If only that were true..."
---
At Carter Group Headquarters...
Ryan sat across from Ethan.
"I still think you're overthinking this."
Ethan placed a file on his desk.
"Read it."
Ryan frowned.
It contained details about Sophia's likes and dislikes.
"What am I looking at?"
Ethan spoke calmly.
"The woman I married thanked the servants."
"So?"
"She likes reading."
"People change."
"She drinks orange juice."
Ryan sighed.
"Still normal."
Ethan leaned forward.
"She also signed her name differently."
Ryan's smile disappeared.
"What?"
"The signature on our marriage certificate doesn't perfectly match Sophia Bennett's previous signatures."
Ryan's expression turned serious.
"You think someone impersonated your bride?"
"I don't know."
"But I'm going to find out."
---
That evening...
Maya stood alone on the mansion's balcony.
The city lights sparkled beneath the dark sky.
She took out her phone again.
Still no message from Sophia.
She whispered into the night,
"Please..."
"Wherever you are..."
"Just be safe."
Behind her, Ethan stepped onto the balcony.
"I've been looking for you."
Maya quickly wiped away her tears.
"Is something wrong?"
He walked closer until only a few feet separated them.
"I have a question."
Her heart raced.
"W-What is it?"
He looked directly into her eyes.
"When did you stop loving roses?"
Maya blinked in confusion.
"I don't understand."
He folded his arms.
"Before we got engaged, you always said roses were your favorite flowers."
"This morning, Margaret placed fresh roses in your room."
"You asked her to replace them with lilies."
Maya's face turned pale.
She loved lilies.
Sophia loved roses.
She had forgotten.
Ethan took one more step closer.
His voice was calm.
But his eyes were sharp.
"So tell me..."
"Who are you really?"
Maya's breath caught in her throat.
She had no answer.
And for the first time...
The truth was only one mistake away from being exposed.
- Writer
