Mistaken For His Missing Wife

Reyna's POV "I can't let him die," I kept chanting under my breath, trying to reassure myself despite the loud thumping in my chest. Sweat trickled down my back as I pressed the phone to my ear with a trembling hand, listening to Ivy, while my other hand fumbled around the room for my debit card. “Thank you so much for the deposit, Ivy,” I told her. “If I add what I have left too, it should cover tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll pause my job hunt and find more money.” “It’s fine, Rey. Just don’t take too long.” “I’ll join you soon,” I said, disconnecting the call to continue the frantic search. Just like the mess I had made of the new room Jamie and I shared, my mind was a tangled mess too as I couldn't pinpoint where I kept the card. Why did I delete my bank app? I instantly regretted doing it to control my spending. Suddenly, I heard a sound from Ivy’s bedroom. Panic shot through me. “W-Who’s there?” I stuttered, as I inched toward the door. But there was no response. Just the loud thumping of my own heart warning me to run. But I had to be sure. I twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open. “Who's there?” The room was empty. My shoulders dropped in relief, but before I could turn around, a large hand wrapped around my neck and yanked me back. Terror coursed through my veins as a masked man stepped forward and locked the door. “Please, let me go,” I begged, dropping to my knees. “I don’t have money. My brother is dying in the hospital. Please!” He put a finger to his lips, silencing me. Then, from his pocket, he pulled out my debit card and dangled it in front of me. “Looking for this?” His voice... his gait... it was strangely familiar, but my head was spinning too fast to process. “W-Who are you? What do you want from me?” He chuckled. Then it hit me. “Wait... Jake?” He removed the mask with a sinister smirk. “Yes. Jake.” All my fear vanished instantly and it was replaced by rage. “How dare you show your face after what you did? How did you even get in here?” A gasp escaped me as realization dawned. “So Ivy... Ivy’s one of the girls you cheated on me with? You manwhore!” He chuckled again. “Yeah, I get that a lot. And i won't blame you two for getting shagged by the same man without knowing. Your friendship is barely three weeks old. “You…” I couldn't finish my words as his lips suddenly crashed onto mine, freezing me in shock. He used my daze to deepen the kiss until I snapped out of it and slapped him hard on the face. “How dare you, Jake? How dare you kiss me?” “You see, Reyna, Let’s not waste each other's time,” he said coldly. “That one time we had s*x last week? Our first and only s*x last week was great. Give me that again, and I’ll give you the card. You can go save your brother.” “You’re sick in the head if you think that’ll happen again. The biggest mistake I made was allowing someone like you to disvirgin me. You think I was joking when I broke up with you yesterday? We’re done!” Fury blazed in his eyes as he wrapped his hand around my neck and lifted me in a chokehold. “Give me what I want now, or you and your brother die.” “No—please!” I gasped, struggling not to black out. Then I noticed how close my legs were to his groin. With all the strength I could muster, I landed a powerful kick on his groin. He dropped me Instantly, groaning in pain, his hands cupped between his legs. “You little b***h…” I landed hard on the floor, breaking into a fit of cough as I scrambled to grab the card. As I rushed to the door, he called out in spite of his agony. “I made a secret video of the little romance we just had in your friend’s room. Tell her anything, and I’ll send it to her—and kill her before I come for you and your brother.” I slammed the door and fled into the dark night with my heart in my mouth. ~•~ Whats going on here? I asked in confusion as darkness cloaked the hospital, save for the phone torches that flickered as people ran in different direction. “Rey? Is that you?” Ivy’s voice pierced through the chaos as she approached with her phone’s light. “Yes, Ivy.” She pulled me into a hug. “It took you so long. What happened?” I hesitated, haunted by what had just happened. “No taxis,” I simple said when I remembered Jake's warning. “I had to walk.” We walked toward Jamie’s room. The lights flickered back on. Jamie lay asleep on the bed. The doctor later said he’d be fine for now—if we raised enough for the temporary treatment. But it might get worse soon if he doesn't get a surgery. So we need huge fund. My long repeated sigh was the only thing I heard before we both drifted to sleep. I let out a long sigh and eventually drifted to sleep beside Ivy. ~•~ Footsteps echoed in the hallway at dawn, waking us up. From the window, people moved in hurried steps. “Not again…What kind of hospital is this?” I muttered. “Ivy, will you...” Before I could finish, she was already peeking out the window. “Rey,” she whispered, eyes wide, “some doctors are rushing around like crazy!” Then she darted out before I could stop her. She rushed back in moments later. “Reyna! You won’t believe who’s here.” I sighed. “What now?” “One of the richest billionaire in the city!” “Okay…” I mumbled, more concerned about Jamie than celebrities. “You don’t get it. Asher Stone is here!” she squealed. “Remember the actress I said looks like you?” “Yeah, so?” “His wife was admitted here... and now she’s missing. That’s why everyone’s panicking.” “I hope he finds her,” I said, unimpressed. “Ivy, how does this help Jamie?” “Well… if he wasn’t so angry, maybe we could ask for help.” That caught my attention. “How do we meet him?” “You didn’t see his face, Rey. That man is unapproachable.” Just then, the door burst open. Two strange women rushed in as if hiding from someone. While the older one scowled at me. The younger gasped, excited. “Melissa? Is this really you?” “What…” I muttered in bewilderment. “Why did you put us through that? Where did you disappear to?” the younger one asked. “Stress? What stress?” “There you go, acting again like you’re on set." “Ma’am, I think she needs to rest…” Ivy intervened. The older woman scanned Ivy head to toe, then did the same to me. Her gaze paused on my wrinkled clothes, and she grimaced, as if we were filth. “And who are you?” she snapped. “I’m her friend,” Ivy said, pointing at Jamie. “And that’s my brother.” Jamie, who was awake now, blinked in confusion. Then suddenly, the air shifted as a man stepped into the doorway, surrounded by doctors. Power rolled off him in waves. Asher Stone. My blood turned to ice as his cold eyes locked onto mine. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”