The Wrong Twin
764 Words
Sophia returned from the kitchen carefully balancing a wooden tray filled with food and medicine. The scent of herbs still clung to her fingers from changing Alexander’s bandages earlier. She pushed the door open quietly, not wanting to disturb him if he was still resting.
But the moment she stepped inside, she froze.
Alexander was awake.
Relief rushed through her so suddenly that her knees nearly weakened. For days, she had feared he might never open his eyes again. She had stayed awake through long nights cleaning his wounds, helping the healer replace bandages soaked with blood, and praying silently beside him whenever his breathing turned uneven.
Yet now, instead of looking at her…
He was looking at Isabella.
Her twin sister sat beside him comfortably, laughing softly at something he had said. Alexander leaned slightly against the wall behind him, weak but alert, his dark eyes fixed on Isabella with clear interest. The tension that usually surrounded him seemed lighter around her.
Sophia stood quietly by the door, unnoticed.
“Then you should’ve seen the healer’s face,” Isabella said dramatically, making Alexander let out a low chuckle.
The sound startled Sophia.
It was strange hearing laughter from a man who looked so dangerous.
Even injured, Alexander carried an overwhelming presence. His sharp jaw, dark hair, and piercing eyes gave him the appearance of someone born to command fear. There was power in the way he sat, even while wounded.
And yet Isabella spoke to him so easily.
Sophia lowered her gaze.
That was how Isabella had always been. Fearless. Outgoing. Bright like sunlight. People naturally gravitated toward her warmth and confidence. Whether it was strangers, neighbors, or visitors passing through the village, Isabella could speak to anyone effortlessly.
Sophia was the opposite.
Quiet. Reserved. Hidden behind silence.
While Isabella attracted attention without trying, Sophia spent most of her life fading into the background.
“Oh, Sophia,” Isabella suddenly said after finally noticing her. “You’re back.”
Sophia forced a small smile and nodded as she walked into the room. Alexander’s eyes shifted toward her briefly, and her breath caught in her throat.
“Thank you,” he said simply.
His deep voice sent an unexpected shiver through her.
She quickly looked away and placed the tray down carefully. “You should eat,” she murmured softly.
Before the awkward silence could stretch further, Isabella spoke again with a grin. “He finally told me his name.”
Sophia looked up slowly.
Alexander’s gaze swept across the room before he spoke, calm and confident.
“My name is Alexander Ricardo Genovese.”
The room felt strangely heavier after the words left his lips.
Sophia’s mother exchanged nervous glances with Isabella, sensing there was more behind the name.
Then Alexander continued.
“I’m the head of the Genovese family,” he said evenly. “One of the most feared mafia organizations in Mexico.”
Silence crashed over the room.
Sophia’s heart pounded violently against her chest.
A mafia boss.
Not just a dangerous stranger… but a man powerful enough to command fear with only his name.
And she had dragged him out of the river with her bare hands.
Her mother looked terrified, but Isabella only seemed more fascinated.
“A real mafia boss?” she whispered, eyes wide with excitement.
Alexander smirked faintly.
Sophia couldn’t stop staring at him.
Danger clung to him like a shadow, yet the more she looked at him, the harder it became to look away.
Days passed after that.
Alexander recovered quickly, growing stronger with each sunrise. Isabella spent most of her time with him, talking endlessly, making him laugh in ways Sophia secretly wished she could.
Sophia stayed in the background, tending to him quietly whenever necessary, too shy to hold long conversations with him.
But no matter how much she tried to avoid him, her eyes always searched for him.
One evening, the village came alive with music and dancing as preparations began for the annual fire festival. Bonfires illuminated the night, and laughter echoed through the streets.
Gathering her courage, Sophia hurried toward Alexander’s room, her heart beating wildly inside her chest.
Maybe tonight, she thought, she could finally speak to him properly.
But the moment she reached the doorway, she stopped.
Isabella was already there.
Standing close to Alexander.
Smiling brightly.
Sophia watched as Isabella leaned toward him and invited him to the festival. Alexander’s lips curved into a small smile as he accepted without hesitation.
Then they walked away together.
Side by side.
As though Sophia had never existed at all.
- Writer
