Mistaken Identities

All hope is gone

Olivia's POV

Looking into his intense eyes, I experience a confusing blend of fear and curiosity. This unsettling attraction has held me since he pulled me out of that mansion. His eyes, icy but captivating, hold secrets I urgently want to discover.

What is his game? What does he stand to gain from keeping me captive? Is this a cruel ploy, or does he genuinely believe I’m this Isabella Marino he's fixated on?

Despite his dark, imposing presence, he’s undeniably magnetic. His eyes, a striking shade of blue, cut through me, and his voice, deep and resonant, sends a shiver down my spine. How could any woman run from a man like this? Is it his dangerous allure, or is there something more sinister?

I’m terrified of him, yet I can’t stop watching, hoping to decipher his intentions. Part of me clings to the hope that once we reach our destination, Isabella’s parents will recognize the mistake and set me free.

Though my previous life was far from perfect, this new reality in New York City is filled with uncertainty. I might miss watching him, but at least I'd escape the constant, heart-pounding fear.

I’m not Isabella. I’ll be free after tonight.

Embarrassment washes over me as I recall my wig slipping off earlier. He didn’t even notice. Engrossed in his massive phone, he's oblivious to my presence.

What kind of life does he lead? Is he a billionaire? A business titan? That would explain the grand mansion and the opulence. The car we’re in is like nothing I’ve ever seen, and the men in black suits surrounding him are imposing, like shadows of danger. They resemble the menacing figures from crime dramas, the kind who abduct and terrorize.

He’s wealthy, that much is clear. But if this is a ransom scheme, it’s doomed. I have no one to call for help. If ransom is his goal, I’ll be here forever.

I shake my head, trying to dispel the dark thoughts. I will be free tonight. Isabella’s parents will see the truth.

A sigh of relief escapes me just as the car halts abruptly. He steps out, and I glance around, realizing we’ve arrived at another mansion, smaller but still grand. A fountain sparkles under the courtyard lights, a stark contrast to the dark, foreboding ambiance of his home.

Everything about this man is terrifying.

A sharp knock on the car door jolts me. “Come out, will you?” His voice is a command.

I don’t need a second invitation. I step out, feeling uncomfortable in the elegant dress the maids chose. I feel like an imposter, awkward and out of place.

“Do I need to tell you every single thing to do, or do I have to drag you to see your parents?” he snaps, irritation etched on his face. He balls his fists, bites his lip, and points toward the front door. “Move!”

My body trembles, but I’m getting used to his constant orders. Is this his true nature? If I weren’t mistaken for Isabella, would he be kinder? Is he still angry at her for leaving him?

As I walk, my heels clack on the pavement, and he strides ahead, reaching the door first. I try to keep up, but it’s impossible to match his pace.

When I finally reach the door, the man holding it open offers a sympathetic smile. I step inside, only to find my captor waiting, arms crossed, his gaze lethal. He looks like he could kill me.

“Angelo?” A woman’s voice breaks the tense silence. He turns, revealing a face marked by sorrow. She looks ready for bed, not the glamorous woman I expected.

Her gaze shifts to me, and she gasps, covering her mouth. “Isabella?”

The relief I felt evaporates as my abductor’s smile deepens. Tears well up in my eyes as the full weight of my situation hits me. My future, once filled with hope, now looks bleak and uncertain.