HER FACE, MY WIFE'S SHADOW

Chapter 2: The Dark Mole

Aria's POV

My life in New York was simple. I worked hard day and night to become the woman I am now. I was good at my job because I believed in facts and logic.

But looking at that wedding photo, logic was dead.

I raised my trembling hand, trying to touch the portrait. But stop in mid-air, folding my fingers in a fist.

The woman in the picture wasn't just a lookalike. She was me. Every tiny detail was there, including the little scar on my chin from when I fell off my bike at seven years old.

"This is some kind of a trick," I said, trying to steady my voice.

"Aria..." Mila whispered next to me. "She has your face."

I looked at the strange man I met a few minutes ago at the airport, trying to create distance between us.

"Isabella Sterling." The way he said the name made my skin crawl. "She's my wife who died five years ago, but that was my thought. Not anymore."

My lips pressed into a thin line.

Is he insane?

Is he trying to claim me as his wife just because I look like her?

I turned to face him, trying to hide how scared I was. "I don't know who this woman is, Mr Sterling. But I am not her. I was born and brought up in New York.”

“I have never been here before today. So please, Mr Sterling, let's focus on why we are here.”

Alexander took a step toward me with his muscular frame. I could smell his perfume, and my head was screaming at me to come closer to him and perceive it well to my satisfaction.

"Isabella had a mole. Right behind her left ear."

His words hit me hard, throwing me off balance. How did he know? Nobody knew except my mom and Mila.

I turned towards Mila, who was staring at me with shock as well.

I steady my feet, turning my head towards him again. "Mr Sterling, anyone can have it."

“Your wife in that photo is wearing a wedding gown, and I don't recall wearing one or making vows with any man, especially to a stranger like you.”

His eyes were dark and intense. "What about her face? Your body? That hasn't changed."

"This is crazy, Mr Sterling!" I snapped at him, forgetting he's my client. “We came here to work and not do this. Please, let us go to our hotel or I'll call the police."

I grabbed Mila's hand, walking towards the door.

Alexander snapped his fingers. Suddenly, four huge bodyguards blocked the doors.

"You are going nowhere," Alexander said coldly.

"You will be my guests until I get answers." He looked at me, and his eyes softened for a second, which was even scarier than his anger.

"James, show the men the guest room,” he ordered. “While the lady will stay in a different room. But Ms Aria... she will stay in the Master Suite with me."

"No way!" I yelled.

“Just because I look like your wife doesn't make me one! I am not her! How many times will I ring it in your ear?”

"You've been dead for five years, Isabella. Don't make me lose you again."

As they pulled Mila and the guys away, I felt a wave of panic. I was alone with this man who thought I was his wife.

No wonder he was staring at me the whole time. I thought he was a pervert.

Haa! What a mess.

I was led up a huge staircase to a bedroom that was bigger than my whole apartment in New York. The bed was covered in white silk, and the room smelt like lilies. It was beautiful, but it felt like a prison.

The door clicked shut, and I heard the heavy sound of a lock turning.

Damn it!

I ran back to the door, turning the knob, but it was already locked.

“Hey! Open this door now!" I hit it for a long time until my palms turned red.

I leaned my back against it, dropping my knee to the floor. My heart was thumping so hard it felt like it was going to burst through my ribs.

Still staring at the blank space, something watery touches my knee. That's when I realised I've been crying.

I wiped my tears with the back of my palm, standing to my feet. I walked over to the massive mirror in the corner of the room.

The gold frame around it was beautiful, but the woman staring back at me looked like a stranger. I pulled my hair back and looked at the skin behind my left ear.

There it was. A tiny, dark mole.

"How come?" I whispered; my voice sounded small in the giant room.

This man, Alexander Sterling, acted like he had memorised every inch of my body.

No. I think it's just a coincidence, or…

Then, that’s when I realised why he was staring at my ear earlier.

That sly fox.

I need to get out of here at all costs.

I sat at the edge of the bed, lost in thought when a weird memory flashed in my head. I heard the sound of crashing water and someone screaming.

"Isabel! Isabel, look at me!"

I gasped, grabbing my head and squeezing my eyes shut. My head throbbed with a sharp pain.