My Husband's Secret Twin

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Elara stared at her phone screen for the umpteenth time.

The signal in this house sucked, but it wasn't usually this bad. Every time she tried to call Celine, her best friend, the call was always cut off in the first second. It was as if something-or someone-had deliberately cut the connection.

She bit her lip, holding back her frustration. "Am I being locked up in the golden house?" she muttered under her breath.

Outside the window, night was falling fast. The wind rustled, carrying the faint scent of rain. Elara was about to try calling again, but her steps stopped when she heard a voice from the corridor.

Evelyn's voice.

Her tone was low, almost a strangled whisper. Elara approached the door to her room, holding her breath, trying to catch the words that came out.

"There's no other choice... yes... we have to use Damien."

Elara's heart sank. The words pierced her ears, sparking a thousand questions. Use? Damien? What for?

She backed away quickly, pretending to be busy straightening the blanket when the door opened. But it wasn't Evelyn who entered it was Damien.

She retreated quickly, pretending to be busy straightening the blanket when the door opened. But it wasn't Evelyn who entered - it was Damien.

"Get dressed," he said flatly.

"We have guests tonight, and you need to smile."

His tone wasn't a threat, but it wasn't a request either. It was a command that left no room for refusal.

---

Before long, Elara was standing in a large living room lit by a crystal chandelier. The scent of cinnamon filled the air, but instead of calming, it made her feel nauseous.

In the center of the room, stood a strange man in a gray suit. His body was tall, his hair dark black with a hint of gray at the sides. His eyes were sharp as if he was dissecting every detail of Elara.

"Mr. Rafe," Damien introduced, grasping Elara's hand tightly as if to make sure she didn't run away. "My wife, Elara."

Mr. Rafe nodded briefly, but his eyes didn't leave Elara. That gaze was... not that of a friendly guest, but of a collector assessing an expensive antique before deciding to buy it.

Mr. Rafe nodded briefly, but his eyes did not leave Elara. It wasn't the gaze of a friendly guest, but that of a collector looking at an expensive antique before deciding to buy it.

Damien did not let go of her hand. Instead, he pressed his fingers a little harder, as if sending a message.Shut up. Play your part.

The dinner went on like a gripping performance. Damien kept bringing up light topics, while Mr. Rafe responded with a smile that was too thin to be genuine. After the guests left, Damien didn't sit down or rest. He stood in front of the window, staring at the darkness outside.

"Elara..." His voice was low. "That man is a menace if he knows Adrian is missing."

Elara froze. "What do you mean?"

Damien turned, looking at her with eyes that somehow felt burdened. "You don't understand, Elara. All of this is to keep you alive."

The words hung in the air, leaving a chill running down her spine.

---

That night, Elara didn't sleep right away. Thoughts of her husband Adrian kept circling. Why was everyone acting as if he no longer existed?

She decided to find the answer herself.

Slowly, she walked down the hallway to the rarely used study. The cupboard in the corner was full of old documents and books. There, among the piles of yellowed papers, he found it.

A letter.

Adrian's handwriting. Elara recognized the strokes, the way the letters tilted slightly to the right.

Elara, I know we have a long future ahead of us. I promise to always protect you, no matter what happens.

Her eyes began to tear up. She turned the paper over, and at the bottom, just below Adrian's signature, was a postscript.

Trust Damien.

The writing was different - firm, more masculine, definitely not Adrian's.

Elara's heart skipped a beat. Why would Damien write this on Adrian's letter? What did he mean?

The sound of the door creaking made her gasp. She hurriedly clutched the letter to her chest.

Damien stood in the doorway, his silhouette illuminated by the light from the hallway.

"I see." he said as he stepped inside, "you've found my message."

Elara took a step back, feeling the air in the room thin.

"Why did you write this in Adrian's letter?" she asked quietly but sharply.

Damien didn't answer right away. He just stared at her, for a few moments, as if considering whether or not he was ready to hear her answer. Then, almost in a whisper, he said:

"Because one day you will know that only I can keep you alive."