004
1382 Words
YOU’RE NOT MY WIFE
“What's wrong, Ms Lucy?”
Ariana panicked, her breath trembling. She leaned closer to Ms. Lucy and whispered, “It’s not me, it’s them. If you want to help Anna, then help me expose them.”
Immediately, Adrian’s shadow loomed over them. He was already standing beside the two women, his sharp eyes darting between them. “What’s wrong, Lucy?” he asked, his tone calm but heavy with suspicion.
Lucy’s lips parted, but no words came out. She froze under his piercing gaze.
Julie stepped forward, her voice rising. “What is it, Lucy? Do you recognize this woman as an impostor?”
Lucy quickly wiped her tears and shook her head. “Ms. Julie… Anna and I were just talking about her late father,” she said shakily. Tears rolled down her cheeks, her voice breaking. “That’s why… I can’t stop crying.”
Adrian’s brow arched. “Oh, that’s it?”
Ariana turned to him with a sweet smile, masking the storm brewing inside her. “What else do you think we were talking about, hubby?”
Suddenly, a deep bark broke the tense air. The sound startled Ariana for a second.
Adrian’s lips curled into a knowing smirk. “Do you remember Striker?” He gestured toward the approaching dog. “My mean-ass dog. Whenever strangers step onto the property, we trained him to tear them to pieces.”
The powerful dog rushed straight toward Ariana, its growl echoing through the hall. Julie and Adrian tensed, expecting an attack.
But instead, Striker stopped at Ariana’s feet, wagged its tail, and pressed its head against her hand. Ariana crouched, stroking its fur gently. “That’s a good boy! You missed me, huh?” she said softly.
Julie’s face drained of color. “It… it can’t be.”
Ariana looked up at them, her smile sharp. “Strange. You both looked like you wanted Striker to maul me. But a pooch always knows its owner.”
Adrian’s confidence faltered. Doubt gnawed at him. Could she truly be Anna? He forced a chuckle, covering his confusion. “I invited Striker to greet you. He’s missed you so much.”
“Aw, you’re so sweet, hubby,” Ariana replied, her voice dripping with false affection.
Before Adrian could respond, a sharp, furious voice cut through the room. “Where the hell is she? Why didn’t you stay dead?”
Everyone turned. Elizabeth, Adrian’s mother, stood at the doorway, her face twisted with fury. Beside her, Adrian’s sister, Lydia, sneered with venom in her eyes.
“You made a fool out of my poor brother,” Lydia spat.
Ariana’s expression darkened. She looked at them with disgust, her thoughts raging. So this is the wicked family my sister married into. A cold-blooded sister-in-law. A plotting mistress. And a dangerous husband.
Forcing a smile, Ariana stood tall. “As you can see, I didn’t die.”
Elizabeth stepped forward, trembling with rage. “You dare come back here with an attitude? You need to be put in your place!”
Her hand rose to strike Ariana. But before she could touch her, Ariana grabbed Elizabeth’s wrist and twisted it back, then slapped her across the face.
“You crazy b***h!” Lydia screamed, rushing toward her.
But Ariana was faster. She slapped Lydia hard across the cheek, the sound echoing through the hall.
Adrian blinked in disbelief as Lydia clutched her face, wailing. “Adrian! Your wife slapped me!”
Ariana glared at her coldly. “Lydia, I’m the lady of the house. You’d do well to remember that.”
Julie’s voice trembled. “You’re not Anna Caldwell… she never fought back like this.”
Ariana’s lips curved into a sharp smile. “You know what they say, don’t you? What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
“Enough!” Adrian roared. He turned to his family. “Mother, Lydia, Anna had just come home. Stop this nonsense.”
He looked back at Ariana, his voice softening. “Why don’t you go inside, darling? Get some rest.”
Ariana returned his smile, playing along. “Great idea, hubby. I’ve got to be fresh for tomorrow’s board meeting.” She turned gracefully and walked upstairs.
The moment she disappeared from view, Elizabeth’s eyes burned with hatred. “Son, did you hear what that b***h just said? She still wants to keep the company from you.”
“Be quiet, Mother,” Adrian snapped, his patience thin.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a strand of hair, handing it to Julie. “Take this to the lab. Have a DNA test done.” His voice was low and dangerous.
Julie nodded, gripping the hair tightly.
Adrian’s jaw tightened, his eyes dark. “We’ll find out the truth soon enough. And at the shareholder meeting tomorrow, I’ll expose that fake b***h myself.”
The next day at the company meeting, all the shareholders gathered. Ariana walked in beside Adrian, her steps confident even though her heart pounded under her calm expression.
After she sat down, she smiled at the board members. “I’d like to start by thanking the board for minding the company during my absence. Your loyalty would make my late father very proud. I especially want to thank my dear husband, Adrian, for keeping a brave face while his heart was breaking.”
She paused, letting her words sink in. “Alright, let’s get down to business. First item on my agenda…”
One of the shareholders suddenly cut her off. “Prove that you’re Anna Caldwell.”
The room fell into silence.
Ariana tilted her head slightly, her eyes sharp. “And why would you even doubt me?”
The shareholder straightened his glasses. “Anna Caldwell’s suicide was all over the news. And then, out of the blue, a look-a-like shows up, claiming to be our CEO. I, for one, refuse to put this company at risk, and my millions in stock options, until we have solid proof you are Anna Caldwell.”
Ariana’s lips curved into a small smile. “Well, your tone has certainly changed since the funeral. I wonder why.” She leaned forward. “Just out of curiosity, what type of proof are you looking for, exactly?”
Adrian, who had been sitting casually with his legs crossed, suddenly leaned forward and placed both feet on the ground. His smirk widened. “Funny you should ask.”
He gave a quick signal with his fingers. Immediately, two guards entered the boardroom, struggling under the weight of a large steel safe. They placed it firmly on the table in front of Ariana.
Adrian rose to his feet, his voice steady and commanding. “Do you recognize this?”
Ariana glanced at it, keeping her face unreadable. “It’s a safe.”
“That’s right,” Adrian said smoothly. “From the CEO’s office. It contains the bylaws, governing documents, and account codes to all of Caldwell Company’s holdings across the globe. And there’s only one person in the entire world who knows the passcode.” He let the silence drag for a moment before finishing. “It’s Anna Caldwell. So please, if you would indulge the board and open it. That should prove who you really are.”
The board members murmured among themselves, leaning forward in anticipation.
Ariana sat very still, her expression calm but her thoughts racing.
Julie smirked from across the table, leaning in. “What’s the matter? You’re not scared, are you?”
Ariana’s eyes narrowed. She turned her head slowly to face Julie. “That’s no way to speak to your CEO. But I’ll let it slide, just this once.”
Her gaze returned to the safe. This is the first step to avenge my sister, I must think like Anna Caldwell.she said in her thoughts.
She lifted her hand, her fingers to press the keyboard But before she could press a single button, Julie’s phone rang loudly, cutting through the thick tension in the room.
Julie picked it up, “I have the DNA test results.” the caller said. Julie lips curling into a smile as she listened.
Her eyes locked with Adrian’s, her grin widening. “Perfect timing. Bring it up here.”
- Writer
