Chapter 4 The woman before me

Aria didn’t sleep every time she closed her eyes, luca’s words echoed back.

You resemble someone who should have never disappeared.

By morning, the house felt different.Sharper like it was watching her. She found the first sign of it in the closet.

At the back, hidden behind rows of perfectly arranged clothes, was a locked drawer she hadn’t noticed before. It wasn’t hers, the handle was worn, scratched, like it had been opened and closed too many times.

Aria hesitated only a moment before pulling harder, the lock snapped easily. Inside were photographs.Her breath caught.They were old, glossy, faded at the edges.

A woman stood in each one smiling, serious, laughing.

She looked like Aria, not exactly but enough to make her hands shake. Same dark hair, same eyes, same quiet intensity, different smile, stronger, sadder.

A note slipped out from beneath the photos.

Elena Moretti.

Aria’s stomach twisted. She sat down slowly on the floor, the photos spread around her like evidence,this wasn’t coincidence,this wasn’t resemblance this was intention.

Put them back.

Luca’s voice came from the doorway.

Aria looked up. He stood there, jaw tight, eyes dark with something that looked like regret.

Who is she? Aria asked.

She was my fiancée.

The word hit her hard.

Was? Aria whispered.

She disappeared three years ago.

Disappeared how?

His silence stretched too long. You married me because I look like her? Aria said.

No, luca said quickly. Then paused, not only because of that.

Her chest tightened.

So I’m a replacement.

You’re not a replacement, he said sharply. You’re a solution.

That hurt worse. A solution to what? she demanded.

To a will, he said. To a family that won’t let go, to a past that won’t stay buried. She stood, clutching one of the photos. And you thought bringing me into this was fair?

I thought it would be temporary, and now? she asked.

His gaze softened for just a second. Now it’s complicated.

She laughed bitterly. You don’t say. That afternoon, Aria left the house for the first time alone.

She needed air, space, something real. She didn’t get far. A black car slowed beside her the window rolled down.

Marcus.

You shouldn’t walk alone, he said calmly. Not yet.

Her pulse spiked, not yet for what?

He smiled faintly, for the truth.

She stepped back. Stay away from me.

You deserve to know why you were chosen, Marcus continued. Why the family agreed.

I already know enough.

No, he said. You don’t.

The car door opened, Aria ran. She didn’t stop until she reached a crowded street, her breath ragged, heart pounding.By the time she got back to the house, luca was waiting. Where were you? he demanded.

Learning that I’m not safe, she snapped.

His face darkened, did marcus speak to you?

Yes.

Luca swore under his breath. You need to trust me, he said.

Trust you? Aria laughed, tears burning her eyes. You married me under false reasons, hid another woman in my closet, and expect trust?

He reached for her,she stepped back.

Tell me the truth, she said. All of it.

Luca closed his eyes. Elena didn’t just disappear, he said quietly. She was pushed.

Aria’s blood ran cold,by who? she asked.

He opened his eyes, my family.

Silence swallowed the room. And if you’re here, Aria whispered, what does that make me?

Luca’s voice was barely audible, their second chance.