My Husband's Secret Twin

Chapter 8

Chapter 8.

The days following the discovery of the watch felt like a never-ending nightmare. Elara still found it hard to believe Damien's words: that Adrian might be dead. Every time she closed her eyes, Adrian's face appeared smiling softly, saying wedding vows, touching her hand warmly. It all felt so real... until she looked back at Damien.

And that's where her confusion deepened.

Damien insisted on playing the role of Adrian in front of everyone. Every time he had dinner with Evelyn or other relatives of the Vale family, Damien sat up straight, spoke in a calm voice, and even used Adrian's usual phrases. From the outside, anyone would believe that he was Adrian. But to Elara, there were little things that couldn't be deceived.

Like how to hold a spoon, Adrian always held it elegantly, while Damien was rougher, as if not used to the rules of a high class dining table. Or his habit of touching his temple when he thought Adrian often did, but Damien never did. And especially the look in his eyes. Adrian's gaze was always warm and soothing, while Damien's was sharp and haunting, as if it was tugging at Elara's mind every time they faced each other.

The difference made Elara uncomfortable. There were times when she felt sure Adrian was really gone, but there were also times when she seemed to see Adrian's shadow in Damien, making her heart waver.

One afternoon, while walking through the rarely used study, Elara found a stack of documents on the table. Her eyes were immediately drawn to a business contract that had just been signed. The name "Adrian Vale" was clearly written on the last sheet.

However, as her eyes traced the signature, her chest felt tight. The lines were firmer, more rigid, different from Adrian's signature that she was used to seeing on greeting cards or personal letters. Elara well remembered Adrian's writing style as slightly curved, elegant. This one? It looked harder, more rushed.

Her hands trembled as she folded the paper and put it into her notebook. She knew the risk was great, but her instincts screamed something was being hidden from her.

From that moment on, Elara paid more and more attention to her surroundings. The servants in the mansion were all acting strangely. Not a single one showed any confusion or suspicion about Adrian and Damien's differences. They served Damien as if he were Adrian, impeccably.

One night, Elara cautiously tried to ask one of the long-time servants, "Do you... feel Mr. is different these days?" she asked quietly.

The servant just smiled stiffly, then looked down. "Sir is always the same, ma'am. Nothing changes."

The answer was too quick, too neat. It was as if the words had been memorized. They had been trained to accept Damien. There was no room for doubt.

The next day, she desperately searched for the CCTV footage from her wedding day. She knew the house was full of cameras so there couldn't be any footage. If it was true that Adrian disappeared that day, the evidence must be there.

But when she called the security technician, he only said, "The recording files from that date have been deleted. Our system is broken."

"Broken?" Elara could barely contain her anger. "All the footage? It was the wedding day of the Vale family's son!"

The technician stammered, then hurriedly looked down. "It was an order... I can't talk any further."

When Elara returned to the room, Damien was already waiting for her. He sat in a chair casually, but his gaze was sharp.

"Are you looking for CCTV footage?" he asked directly, without preamble.

Elara stiffened, then challenged him. "I have a right to know. It was my wedding day."

Damien sighed, stood up, and walked towards her. "There are things that are safer to keep hidden. Trust me, Elara, the truth won't always save you."

"What do you mean?" Elara looked at her with watery eyes. "You deliberately erased evidence! What else are you hiding from me?"

Damien didn't answer. He just stood very close, looking at her with a cold expression. "You need to stop digging."

That sentence made Elara tremble. But she knew one thing. she couldn't stop.

That night, the house was quieter than usual. Elara was awake, sitting on the edge of the bed with her head full of questions. The night breeze rustled through the window, making the curtains sway gently.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw something.

A shadowy figure.

A person walked slowly down the corridor of the east wing, his silhouette faintly illuminated by the light of the wall lamp. Elara's heart skipped a beat. His body was tall, his shoulders broad, his movements familiar. And although his face was obscured by a shadow, Elara was absolutely certain that it was Adrian.

"Elara..." her lips trembled. Without thinking, she ran out of the room.

Her steps echoed down the long corridor. She chased the shadow around the corner, past the old paintings on the wall. "Adrian!" she called loudly. "Adrian, wait!"

But the figure kept getting further away. Every time he got closer, the body turned the corner, disappearing around the next corner.

Until finally... it completely vanished.

Elara stood panting at the end of the dark east wing corridor, accompanied by the dim light of the chandelier. Her heart was racing. Was it real just now? Or was it just a hallucination due to her longing?

Suddenly, a heavy voice sounded from behind.

"You shouldn't be here."

Elara turned around quickly. Damien stood only a few steps away from her. His face was half obscured by shadows, his eyes dark and unreadable.

"What did you see?" he asked flatly.

Elara bit her lip, holding back the turmoil in her chest. "I... I saw Adrian. He was here. I know it's him!"

Damien stared at her for a moment, then leaned closer. His hand reached out, grasping Elara's shoulder firmly, almost painfully.

"You're wrong." His voice was low, almost a threat. "And I'll say it again, stay out of things that don't concern you."

Elara's eyes widened. Fear and confusion mixed together. But in her heart, there was one conviction that grew stronger and stronger. Adrian was still alive.

And Damien... was clearly trying to hide it.