THE PRICE OF BETRAYAL: A TWINS TALE

THE PAINFUL LOVE BETRAYAL Anna was in the car together with her husband, who was softly singing for her while driving, just to make her smile. She placed one hand gently over her tummy, the other holding Adrian’s hand. Her lips curved into a sweet smile as she gazed at him. “Where are you taking me, Adrian?” she asked with curiosity in her voice. He gave her a quick glance and smiled. “Aw, patience, darling. It’s a surprise.” Anna smiled warmly, her heart filled with joy. In her thoughts, she whispered to herself, I have a surprise for you too, Adrian. Our baby is growing inside me. And I was going to name you the new Caldwell Company CEO. When Adrian reached their destination, he parked the car and covered Anna’s eyes with his hand. Laughing softly, he guided her step by step. “Careful, almost there…” Finally, he removed his hand, and Anna slowly opened her eyes. Her breath caught. “You brought me to Lover’s Point?” she gasped, smiling with delight. Adrian smiled back, his voice smooth. “Happy fifth anniversary, darling.” Anna’s heart swelled with happiness as she looked around at the breathtaking view. The hilltop was stunning, the wide sky painted in golden light as the sun sank. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered, her eyes sparkling. Then she lifted her gaze to the night sky beginning to appear. “You know… some say that after death, people turn into stars. Do you think my dad is one of those stars, looking down on us right now?” Adrian stood silently behind her, his expression unreadable. Then his voice cut sharp through the quiet. “Why don’t you ask him yourself?” Anna froze and turned, staring at him in confusion. “What?” Adrian’s face was cold, his smile gone. “It’s time for you to die, Anna. And as your grieving widower, I’ll be taking over the Caldwell Company.” Her smile faded instantly, her chest tightening with shock. “What? So… your surprise is that you’re going to kill me?” Anna looked around quickly, realizing where they were, on the edge of the dangerous hilltop. Her voice broke as tears filled her eyes. “Adrian… I was going to share all my inheritance with you.” He leaned close, his words cutting. “I don’t share.” Anna sobbed, panic rising. “Adrian, please… no. Don’t do this. I’m pregnant with your baby.” Before Adrian could answer, another voice cut in from behind him. “So am I.” Anna’s eyes widened in shock as Julie stepped forward. “Julie?” Anna’s voice trembled in disbelief. Julie didn’t even glance her way. Instead, she walked straight to Adrian, slid her arms around him, and pressed her lips to his as Anna stared, frozen in horror. Then Julie pulled away and stepped closer to Anna, her green eyes sharp with hatred. “I’m also pregnant with Adrian’s child. So the one in your belly can go ahead and die with you.” Anna shook her head, unable to believe what she was hearing. “You're supposed to be my best friend. And you’re sleeping with my husband?” Julie laid her head on Adrian’s chest, smirking. “We’ve been doing it right under your nose, you stupid bitch.” “Enough talk!” Adrian snapped, his voice fierce. “Get on with this, Julie.” Julie reached into her bag and pulled out a small bottle. She sneered, her voice dripping with venom. “You know what I hate most about you? That beautiful face of yours.” Before Anna could react, Julie threw the acid. The burning liquid splashed across Anna’s face. She screamed in unbearable pain, clutching at her skin as it seared. Desperate, Anna stumbled forward, reaching for Adrian. But instead of helping her, he shoved her away. Anna’s body toppled backward, slipping off the cliff. Her scream echoed through the night as she fell off. In London, Ariana, Anna’s identical twin sister, jolted awake in her bed. Her hand clutched her racing heart, her body drenched in sweat, her breath ragged. Her eyes were wide with fear. “Oh my God,” she whispered, trembling. “Something is wrong with Anna.” Seven days later, the press was all over the Caldwell company. Cameras flashed like lightning storms, and reporters pushed forward with microphones in hand. “Is CEO Anna Caldwell really dead?” one shouted. Adrian stood at the podium, his eyes red and full of tears. Julie stood firmly at his side, her hand resting delicately on his arm as though she were the grieving widow instead of him. “I don’t want to believe it either,” Adrian said with a trembling voice, lowering his gaze to the papers before him. “Since my father-in-law passed three months ago, Anna has been emotionally unstable. If I had only been with my wife that night instead of… at work, maybe I could have stopped her from jumping.” The crowd gasped, voices rising in a murmur. “A suicide?” someone whispered. “Such a tragedy.” “Anna Caldwell… one of the richest women in the world.” The weight of the words fell heavy in the air. Among the crowd, hidden beneath a cap that shadowed her face, Ariana Caldwell stood motionless. Her heart ached as if pierced by a thousand knives. Her hand pressed against her chest, holding back the storm of grief and rage swelling inside her. Anna… my twin sister. Twenty-three years we’ve been apart, and now this? They want me to believe you killed yourself? Never. I know you better than anyone. You will never end your own life. Her eyes shifted to Adrian, who wore the mask of a broken man, and then to Julie clinging to him like a faithful shadow. Ariana’s jaw tightened. Already the jackals circle. Adrian may be the worst of them all. Without hesitation, Ariana slipped her phone from her pocket and dialed a number. Her voice was low, almost a whisper. “Give me all the intel you can gather on Adrian William. Everything.” On the stage, Adrian’s gaze swept the crowd, and he froze. His breath caught in his throat. For the briefest moment, his eyes locked on Ariana. The resemblance was undeniable. His heart thundered in his chest. Anna? His mind screamed. No, it couldn’t be. He shook his head sharply, his inner voice hissing. Impossible. I killed her with my own hands. Before he could react, Julie drew all attention back to herself. She pulled a silver pin from her dress and pressed it against her own neck. Gasps erupted across the room. “Julie!” Adrian lunged toward her. “Just let me die!” Julie’s voice cracked, her eyes brimming with fake tears. “Anna was my best friend. I can’t live without her!” “Don’t do this,” Adrian pleaded, trying to wrestle the pin from her. Julie’s hand shook, but her thoughts were far colder than her trembling act. Anna, I’m going to suck Adrian off in your bed tonight. Rest in peace, my dearest friend. Adrian finally pried the pin away and wrapped his arms around her. He turned to the crowd, his voice hoarse. “This press conference is over. Please… respect our privacy while Ms. Julie and I grieve for Anna.” The reporters reluctantly began to disperse, their whispers filling the air like restless bees. Ariana, still masked by her cap, made her way toward the exit. Her heart raced, her thoughts on fire. Her phone fell down, and she bent to pick up her phone, but Adrian reached it before she could. “Is this yours?” he asked, extending the device. Ariana froze, her head lowered. Her breath hitched. For one terrifying second, she thought he might recognize her.