Olivia pov…
"Surprised?" she asked, a sly smile on her lips as she gazed into my wide-eyed face. I was at a loss for words, unable to comprehend what I was seeing. A face that was exactly like mine, staring back at me. It was as if I was looking in a mirror, except the reflection was alive and speaking to me. I didn't know what to think or say.
My eyes darted around her face, trying to process the shock and confusion I felt. My brain was whirring, trying to make sense of what was happening. It was like I was in a dream, and I couldn't wake up. All I could do was stare at the woman who looked exactly like me, and try to figure out what it all meant.
"I know you're in shock," she said, her voice tinged with pity. "I was shocked too, when I first discovered you. I didn't even believe it at first, but here you are, right in front of me after all these years. I heard your life has been a mess, is that true?" I couldn't form a response, the words stuck in my throat. All I could do was stare at her, my mind reeling from the shock of it all.
She chuckled softly. "Take all the time you need to process this," she said. "I can imagine how overwhelming this must be. I'll be back soon, so take your time to gather your thoughts." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I sat there, my mind reeling, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
I watched her walk away, and my disbelief continued to swirl around me like a storm. I just couldn't wrap my head around the idea that someone could look so much like me, down to the smallest detail. Was it even possible? Was I dreaming? I pinched myself, but it didn't help. I was still in this strange and surreal situation.
"Did you see that?" I asked the man who had been with me, but he only smiled, his expression inscrutable. He said nothing.
"I told you you'd be shocked," he said, breaking the silence after a few minutes. His tone was smug.
"I never would have imagined this," I said, my voice shaking. "I mean, I only have one mother, so how is it possible that someone with a different mother could look exactly like me?" My mind was spinning with questions, and I struggled to get the words out. It was all so unbelievable, so impossible.
"I'm just an employee, so I don't know anything about the boss's personal life," he said, his tone final and unwavering. "If you have any questions, you'll have to ask her." I felt like he was shutting me down, leaving me with no answers and no hope of finding any. I felt lost, like I was caught in a maze with no way out.
"Oh my god, this can't be real," I whispered, feeling lightheaded. "I must be dreaming, or hallucinating, or something. This can't be possible." I pinched myself again and again, but the scene around me didn't change. I was still in this strange place, with this strange man and this impossible situation.
"Will you just stop?" he snapped, his tone sharp and impatient. "You're just going to have to accept your situation and get used to it. This is your new home, whether you like it or not." His words felt like a slap in the face, and I felt like the last shred of hope was being ripped from me.
"New home for now?" I repeated, my voice weak and tremulous. "What do you mean by that?" I was afraid of the answer, but I had to know.
"You'll understand, eventually," he said, his voice low and threatening. "But if you keep pestering me with questions, I might have to resort to more extreme measures." I felt a shiver run down my spine, and I knew he was not joking but I am not scared anymore.
"New home?" I mumbled, still not quite comprehending what he meant. I felt dizzy, my mind spinning as I tried to understand what was happening. The man's words were vague, and I couldn't make sense of them. I was terrified, and I felt like I was losing my grip on reality.
Ryan pov…..
I was standing in front of my house, speaking to a detective, when suddenly there was a loud bang on the gate. I jumped, startled by the sudden noise.
"Open the gate!" I barked at my gatekeeper, and he quickly obeyed, fumbling with the lock in his rush to obey me. I stood there, watching him, as my pulse raced and my mind raced with questions.
"Ah, at last, I'm home," a familiar voice slurred, and I turned to see Ethan stumble through the gate, swaying on his feet. He looked disheveled, his clothes in disarray and his eyes bloodshot. I could smell the alcohol on his breath, and it was clear he had been drinking heavily.
Without hesitation, I rushed towards him, landing a hard punch on his jaw. "Where is my wife?" I demanded, rage and fear twisting my voice into a snarl. "What have you done with her?" I could barely contain my fury, and I felt the urge to hit him again.
"Your wife?" he said, feigning innocence. "What do you mean by that, dear brother? I'm not your wife's keeper." His words were smooth and sweet, but I knew better than to believe him. He was hiding something, and I was determined to find out what it was.
"Why would you ask such a ridiculous question at first, Ryan?" he slurred, weaving his way closer to me. His breath reeked of alcohol, and his eyes were unfocused. I felt my stomach turn at the sight of him, but I steeled myself to stay strong. I had to find out the truth, no matter what.
"I have nothing to do with your wife," he said, his voice steady despite his obvious inebriation. "I only have business with you, so please excuse me so that I can rest. I'm exhausted and in need of sleep." His words were firm, and I could tell that he was not going to be swayed. But I still had so many questions, and I didn't know what to do next. I stood there, frozen and unsure of my next move.
It didn't seem like he had any knowledge of my wife's whereabouts, and I couldn't fathom why he would be involved in any way. "Are you absolutely certain you don't know where my wife is?" I pressed, needing to be absolutely sure before I could rule him out as a suspect. He looked me straight in the eye, and I could see no hint of deception in his gaze. "Would you like me to repeat myself, in case I wasn't clear the first time?" he said, staggering into the house. "I don't know where your wife is." He left me standing there, my mind reeling and my heart sinking. I didn't know what to do next, or how to find my wife. I felt lost and helpless, like a ship adrift at sea.
"Where could my wife be?" I wondered, my mind racing. "Is it possible she escaped? Maybe she's tired of this marriage and ran away." I shook my head, trying to dismiss the thought. I couldn't accept that she would leave me like that, without any explanation. But I knew I had to find her, and bring her home safely. I stormed into the house, my mind filled with worry and confusion.
Ethan pov….
I watched from the corner as he walked into his room, and I muttered to myself. "You're just a stupid boy," I said, my voice filled with malice. "You haven't seen anything yet. When I'm done with you, you'll understand just how much power I have over you."
How could he be so gullible? Did he really think I had been drinking? He must have forgotten how good of an actor I was, even when we were children. I was always able to fool him into believing whatever I wanted. I guess he really was too stupid to realize I was acting this whole time. I smirked to myself, proud of my performance.
I closed the door behind me and locked it with a key, ensuring that no one could interrupt my privacy. The room was dark and quiet, and I could finally take a moment to think.
I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed a number. I was relieved when the call was picked up on the first ring.
"How's everything going?" I asked, my voice trembling with anxiety. "Is she okay?" I held my breath, desperate for an answer. Every second that passed felt like an eternity.
"She's doing well," she said, her voice cheerful and reassuring. "And thank you so much for bringing her to me, without any problems along the way. She really is a beautiful soul, just like me. In fact, she looks exactly like me – the only difference is our hairstyles." Hearing her speak, I felt a wave of relief.
"I just want to make one thing clear," I said, my voice stern. "I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing it for myself, and I expect you to take good care of her. She must be safe and well taken care of. You're not to hurt her in any way. Do you understand?" I spoke with authority, making sure my message was clear.
"It's obvious you still care deeply for this woman," she said, a note of empathy in her voice. "And I promise you, nothing will happen to her. I give you my word, and you can trust me." I wasn't sure if I could trust her, but I had no other choice. I had to put my faith in her, and hope for the best.
"So, when are you coming in?" I asked, my voice trembling with nerves. I wasn't sure why I was so anxious, but I couldn't shake the feeling. Maybe it was the stress of the situation, or maybe it was something else.
"Tomorrow morning, I'll be there," she said with certainty, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I knew she would keep her word, and I was grateful for that. I felt like I could finally breathe again, knowing that help was on the way.