SUBSTITUTE BRIDE I WANT YOU BACK LILA

CHAPTER ONE.

PREGNANT.

Lila.

"Do you think I can go in to see him now?" I asked my best friend, Olivia, who worked as a therapist in the hospital.Currently, we were both in her office waiting for my husband whose bandages were to be removed today. He had his eye surgery two or three days ago."Sure, they should be done by now". Olivia, responded, her head buried in some sort of counseling book.My heart gave a kick start out of excitement, Joy radiating through my chest as my face crumbled into a smile. At the same time, I began breathing heavily, my palms growing sweaty."Someone is anxious". Olivia teased with a smirk, as she peeped at me from her book. I shrugged, not denying her claim."You can't blame me. For a year now, he thought I was his Lily. How do you think he is going to react when he finds out he married me instead?" I questioned, feeling a lump in my throat."Oh please! You did him a favor when that bitch ran, so please get a grip of yourself and go claim your man". Olivia encouraged and I felt she was right, her words giving me strength.I nodded, raising from my seat to leave when,"Hold on". I paused in my tracks, furrowing my brows at her in confusion."Let me accompany you. I would love to see the look on his face". I rolled my eyes at her words but was grateful she wanted to extend her support further.We made our way towards his ward, my heart racing with each step I took. Finally, I was about to turn the doorknob and enter when Olivia was called away for something urgent."Be strong. Raise your head high. You are the real Mrs Knight now". Olivia reminded me, giving me a pat on my shoulder before leaving hurriedly.Her words sank in me and despite my hands trembling as I turned the knob, I took in a deep breath and opened the door, ready to reveal the truth.I saw him immediately, my husband. He was fixed, his blue eyes open, filled with love and care as I walked in, but not towards me. He didn't even notice my entrance.I was about to call out to him when I saw her, by his side. My eyes widened, my jaw dropping."Lily?" I muttered in disbelief, and she turned at the sound of my voice, her arms wrapped around Lucien, as he brought her to sit on his lap, his hands stroking her hair tenderly.My heart clenched, and suddenly, It felt the air in the room was being sucked out.'What was she doing here?'"Oh! It's my sister-in-law" Lucian called out with glee, flashing me that beautiful smile of his that always sent my heart racing.I faked a smile at his words, baffled and lost for words. What was Lily doing here, Didn't she disappear a year ago, leaving me behind to clean up her mess?"You okay Lila? You look pale". She stated like she cared, but I could sense the mockery in her tone. I looked up to see the side of her lips curling up and knew this wasn't going to be easy."She is right. You do look pale, sister-in-law". Lucien acknowledged her words and my lips trembled, the ache in my chest worsening at what he used to address me.'Sister-in-law? But I was his wife' I thought, trying to form out words but couldn't, my eyes growing misty.I immediately looked down at my foot, my hands clenched together as different thoughts ran through my mind.'How could this be happening, what do I do now?' I pondered, clueless."Speak up". My subconscious screamed at me, and I was about to, when the door barged open, and someone came in, grabbing me by my arm.I stiffened, turning to find my mother-in-law, Rita, smiling at me. A fake one to be exact, her eyes glaring down at me."Oh Lila! Why don't you come out for a bit? I have something to say to you". She said, dragging me with her, and not even waiting for my answer.I struggled, turning back to look at Lucien, who blinked at me repeatedly before Lily distracted him by kissing him on the lips, which he reciprocated.I let out a gasp, my heart breaking as I suddenly felt weak and just let myself be dragged out."Girl! Keep quiet about this situation and do not ruin things for me". My mother in law warned, fury blazing through her eyes as she dug her nails into my flesh, causing me to wince from pain.She looked so different from the woman who went on her knees, a year ago, tears in her eyes as she begged me to pretend to be my sister and get married to Lucien so he wouldn't hurt himself if he found out my sister ran away from their wedding."But I am h-his w-w-ife". I stuttered, struggling to release myself from her grip.Rita snorted, before wrinkling her nose at me with disgust."Don't be silly. All he sees now is Lily as his wife. That's what he believes, and that's whom he loves, so stop being shameless". She snapped at me, before pushing me away roughly and storming out.I stood there, stunned, her words sinking into me.'What was going on, why was this happening?'. A year ago, My sister's fiancee, Lucien got into an accident that blinded him. My sister changed towards him after that and on the wedding day, ran away, leaving behind a note she couldn't marry a blind man.I was begged and forced to substitute her since we had similar voices.. I also had to bear her name and pretend to be in her in his presence and in the process of doing so, I fell. I thought we could be happy but I was so wrong.He is healed, and now she is back to claim her rightful place as his wife, and he would never even know the truth.'Was I that worthless? Like an item that is tossed aside after its use?'My legs wobbled, and I immediately placed my hand on the wall nearby to stabilize myself as tears rushed to the brink of my eyes. Words couldn't describe how betrayed and used I felt. Even his mother, the brain of everything, was telling me to butt out."Lila, how did it go?" Olivia jeered happily as she came running towards me, but as she came closer and noticed my pale look, her smile disappeared immediately."What is it, why are you crying? Did something happen to Lucien?" Olivia bombarded me with questions but I couldn't say a word in response.My insides were burning, my eyes blurry, and my head was pounding like I was being hit with a hammer. I pressed one of my hands to my tummy, the antiseptic smell I was perceiving made me want to gag.Despite my hands being on the wall, my limbs felt heavy, and my legs lost their balance. I fell to the floor."Lila". Olivia screamed in panic as she dashed to my side, muttering words my brain couldn't register. I felt numb, my sight getting dim as all the tears I was holding finally came out and rolled down my cheeks. I kept recalling how he looked at her with adoration, ignoring me who was by his side when she abandoned him."Lily is back". I managed to mutter before slipping into unconsciousness."Beep, Beep, Beep". The sound of the ringing machine woke me up and did nothing to help my headache. Instead, it worsened it.I let out a painful groan, trying to flick my eyes open, and was immediately blinded by the sunlight peeping in from the opened window."Lila, Oh thank God! You had me so worried". Olivia screamed out of relief, rushing to my side.I managed to give her a weak smile, oblivious of my surroundings till he spoke up."Are you ill? You suddenly collapsed". My entire body froze, my eyes sparkling as my heart tightened with anticipation, full of joy.'He came for me and sounded so worried. Perhaps there is a way after all' I thought, feeling hopeful, till she spoke."Probably too much stress from school?" Lily suggested and I fought the urge to scoff.I had been done with school since two months ago but how would she know? She ran away. I completely ignored those two, biting hard on my lower lips to get myself back. I was beginning to feel teary again."How do you feel?" Olivia asked, placing her hand on my forehead to feel my temperature when the doctor walked in."Miss Vitale". He called and my chest tightened from pain.It was supposed to be Mrs Knight."Congratulations. You are two weeks pregnant". He dropped the bomb and the entire room went as silent as a graveyard..

CHAPTER TWO.GET RID OF.

LILA.

"What?" Lily shrieked, getting away from Lucien immediately, whose eyes widened from shock."How come, sis?" He inquired with care and that did it. I burst into tears immediately. Clenching my fists, while trying to fight back the stinging agony of rejection I was feeling in my heart.'Was this how little I mattered, could he not figure things out?'Olivia immediately dashed to my side and began stroking my hair softly as she looked at me. I noticed her eyes glistened with tears as she whispered."It's alright. Let it all out". Her words twisted my heart, and I cried so much, startling everyone, including the doctor who was scratching his hair nervously."Why are you crying sis? I am so sorry. I didn't mean to up....". Lucien tried saying but my sister butt in."You did nothing Lucien. Perhaps the father of the child abandoned her or something".To think she was right made my chest hurt more, as I tried to breathe. Everywhere was suddenly suffocating.The father of my child did abandon me. For my sister."I think you should abort the child, Lila". Lily suggested and I turned around sharply to face her in awe.'Was she insane?' I pondered. I should abort an innocent soul? I was about to speak up but Olivia beat me to it."Is your brain the size of a peanut?" Lily's jaw dropped, as she took a step back. She probably didn't expect Olivia to speak to her like that.Yes, Those two never liked one another, but they each stayed on their side and respected the boundaries between themselves, but right now, Olivia was breaking that with glares so frightening, I could swear I saw Lily shudder."Hey, don't talk to her like that". Lucien snapped, moving towards Lily who had a sad pout. He wrapped his arms around her, and she clung tightly to his chest.Seeing them together, in such a manner made me want to barge over to them and rip them apart. Anger coursing through my veins.Lily's expression was twisted, and she looked like she wanted to cry, especially when she started trembling in Lucien's arms. I scoffed out loud, knowing all these were a facade.She was always like that. So pretentious."Apologize". Lucien demanded, but Olivia just rolled her eyes at him before folding her arms across her chest with her head held high."You are rumored to be one of the smartest CEOs in the country, but right now, what I see is a dullard." Olivia insulted, and I let out a gasp, immediately trying to signal to her to stop.Lucien was gobsmacked. So was Lily who threw a death stare at Olivia. Olivia caught it and then returned it without fear, her eyes holding Lily's till Lily couldn't take it anymore and looked downwards, losing.I felt this sense of pride and wished I was just as bold."You had eye surgery to get rid of your blindness, but unfortunately, it was a waste of money because you still have no sight." Olivia spat out with bale, anger flashing in her eyes as she gritted her teeth together."You don't talk to my son-in-law that way, Olivia. I know you are my daughter's best friend, but it's best you also know your place". The voice echoed as someone walked into the ward.I stiffened, going pale while Lily had on a smirk immediately. It was Mum, walking in elegantly with her bodyguard."Mother". I tried to greet her but then she stopped me with her hand."Shush it, Lila. How dare you watch an outsider bully your older sister?" She raged at me, her eyes holding no emotions as she looked at me from up to down like I was some sort of dirt."Mum! Enough. Lila has nothing to do with this". Lily tried defending me just to put on some show for Lucien to prove she was a good big sister."Oh! Cut it out, you pretentious bitch". Olivia snapped while scrunching up her nose at Lily in disgust."Thomas, please throw that nuisance out". Mum ordered, commanding her guard who did as told immediately.The thin lines of my brows jumped in surprise and I immediately spoke up."No, stop," I screamed, but Thomas ignored me and dragged a struggling Olivia out, leaving just me, Lily, and Mum in the ward. The doctor had already left when Olivia began insulting Lucien."So what is the problem this time around? I wonder when you will ever stop being such a drama queen". Mum spat out with no regard for my feelings, pausing to check her newly manicured nails."Also, Why can't you learn to do things without making a fuss like Lily. She always comports herself". Mum added and I turned away to hide my tears.It wasn't a thing of surprise anyway. I was always the imperfect fool, while Lily was the perfect one. It's obviously why Lucien is so smitten with her."Lila is pregnant, Mum," Lily announced, and I heard Mum draw in a sharp intake of breath as her bag fell to the floor."That was not part of the plan". She commented calmly and I could feel her piercing gaze on me. My lips trembled as I pondered what I should do.'Tell the truth'. My subconscious whispered and I decided to do so.I summoned up the courage, raised my head, and turned to look at everyone."I would love to speak to Lucien alone". I pleaded and noticed Lily's face go as pale as a piece of white sheet."W-what?" She stuttered, tightening her grip on Lucien who furrowed his brows at me in confusion."Why?" He questioned, and I was about to answer when Mum caught in."Oh! Ignore her. She is being dramatic as usual". I knew Mum was on Lily's side. She didn't want Lucien to know the truth as well, and just the knowledge of that hurt so much.Why was the whole world just against me, what did I do wrong?"I am not being dramatic. I need to speak to him". I yelled, frustrated and startling everyone. Lily's eyes drew around the room consciously as she refused to let go of Lucien, who had already agreed to speak to me privately.Finally, Both Lily, mum, and her guard were sent out."How can I help you sister-in-law?" Lucien inquired, standing a few feet away from me, his eyes not as friendly as they used to be. "I have to tell you something". I began, feeling a lump in my throat and my heart racing."Oh! I know already". He said and I arched my brows at him."You know?" I repeated and he nodded. Immediately, happiness soared through my heart as I realized I wasn't alone. There was hope, he knew the truth."You have a crush on me. Always had. Lily told me, you even tried sabotaging our wedding by pretending to be her". He explained and I froze, a sense of panic flooding through me, as I covered my agape mouth with my hand."No, no, no". I tried shaking my head sideways, but he just tilted his head slightly, his half-lidded eyes scanning me with disinterest."Look! I just see you as my sister-in-law and nothing else. Whom I truly love is your sister, so please stop trying to ruin things between us". As he let out each word, I felt my entire body going numb, different emotions I couldn't place my fingers on flooding me."But the baby is yours". I blurted out before I could stop myself, only realizing what I had done after it was out. His eyes darkened as he reared backward in shock, his Jaw tightening."What did you just say?" He demanded, his voice, not so pleasant to the hearing. Deep and frightening, resonating through the room.I kept quiet, refusing to answer his question till he banged the table across my bed furiously."Answer me, Damn it!". He growled and I flinched, watching the lines across his forehead tightening."The baby is yours". I repeated silently and everywhere went quiet till he suddenly burst into laughter, baffling me.'Why was he acting so scary?'"I am serious. It was me you married instead of Lily. She ran away on your wedding day and I had to take her place". I explained, hoping he would believe me.He stopped laughing and exhaled sharply through his nose, his face, a mask of indifference."Lily was right. You would truly go to any length to snatch me from her". He spat out with bale, eyeing me badly."I will overlook this and give you this final warning. Stay the hell away from me and my wife. Stop making up lies. It makes you look pathetic and worse of all, cheap". He said and turned around to leave afterward.I sat there, frozen. His harsh words sank into me like a knife was trying to rip my heart out. My hands shook, and I found myself shaking and trying to hold back my tears.I didn't want to cry. I wanted to stop looking pathetic but who was I kidding?I buried my head into my pillow and shed my heart out.The doctor told me afterward I could leave but should be careful. I walked around the hospital looking for Olivia when I bumped into Mum and Lily in a corner, discussing abruptly.I grew suspicious and immediately hid before they could see me eavesdrop and when I listened in, I almost collapsed."We have to murder that bastard in her". Mother said.'How could my mom utter such a statement?'

CHAPTER THREE.

ITTERASHAI.

LUCIEN.

'Why did my heart clench tightly when I saw the look of hurt flash over her expression?' I pondered, walking down the hallway, lost in thoughts.

It seems like I was missing something. I should be happy and relieved. I mean, finally, I get to see again and be with the woman I love fully, but why was my heart feeling empty?

"Lucien". I heard Lily squeak and before I could turn around, she already flung herself on my back, clutching me tightly, her hands wrapped around my waist.

"I have missed you so much. It felt like ages when I had to stay away from you". She said, placing a kiss on my neck and I shook.

That wasn't what caused my reaction. It was what she said. Ages? We were barely away from one another even during my surgery. Yes, I had a bandage wrapped around my eyes, but I could always feel her hands holding mine.

"We were continuously together. What do you mean, ages?" I questioned, holding my breath for her response. I noticed her hands holding my waist trembled as she froze.

There was silence for a few minutes, the tension so thick a knife could cut through when she suddenly cracked, laughing like she told a joke or something.

"Come on! I know that. I was referring to the period when I was sent out so your bandage could be removed". She explained and I mouthed an "oh".

You know how I hate leaving you for even just a second". She added and I exhaled, feeling relieved.

She was indeed sent out for some hours so my bandages could be removed.

Her grip around my waist tightened again and I grinned, placing my hand on hers. Somehow I wasn't satisfied.

I felt like there was something she was hiding from me. Something crucial. Like a piece to some puzzle or was I starting to let Lila's words get to me?

Besides, when did she become this scheming? The Lila I knew before I had my accident was the sweetest young sister ever.

Even though nothing she ever did pleased her mum, Lily always stood up for her, so why was she repaying her good deeds with evil?

Not only did she try to ruin our wedding, but she was also trying to pin her pregnancy on me by making up stories.

My chest burned, disgust running through me as I scrunched my face up unconsciously. I needed to file a restraining order against her.

Who knows, she might attempt something worse, like actually hurting her sister.

But now that I thought about all these. It doesn't seem like her. Lila wasn't a liar and her eyes seemed genuine, also;

I turned around to wrap Lily in my arms as she buried her head in my chest, hugging me like she wanted to merge us, sniffling my cologne.

I stroked her hair gently, placing my head on her neck to sniffle the body wash I so much adore on her, but then my body stiffened.

"Did you change your body wash or something?" I inquired, having this sense of doubt go through me again.

'Damn it' I cursed within, feeling annoyed.

"Of course not. This has always been my body wash.". She answered and I furrowed my brows at her.

My wife and I have been married for a year, and I know she uses subtle floral wash, like rose and Jasmine.

Right here, right now, I was perceiving a mixture of Vanilla, and chocolate instead of the familiar scent of her.

"What is it?" She asked, noticing my twisted expression.

"You always smell like rose petals, but now you smell chocolate". I explained and her expression tightened like I had startled her.

She moved away from my embrace, her eyes immediately leaving mine and drafting around, as she struggled for what to say.

Suspicions arose in me immediately and I inched a step closer to her.

"Lily?" I called out, a warning edge to my tone. All the colors were draining from her face, as she scratched her hair.

Why was she acting weird?

Just then,

"Lily, Lucien". Mother-in-law called while walking to us briskly, distracting me from Lily and my thoughts.

"What is it, mum?" Lily asked, turning away from me immediately and I didn't fail to catch the sigh of relief that escaped from her.

'Hmm'. I thought.

"It's your sister. God knows what her problem is. She is nowhere to be found". Their mother declared panicking, and I arched my eyebrows at her, feeling my heart race for unknown reasons.

"Easy mum. She is probably with Olivia".

"Olivia is nowhere to be found too, and neither of them is picking up their cells. Also, she left a note not to look for her". Mrs Vitale declared and the thin lines of my brows jumped up in surprise.

"Are you suggesting she ran away?" I demanded, but more like screaming, my body growing tense.

Lily arched her eyeballs at me while her mum nodded, biting her lower lips and snapping her fingers like she was thinking.

"But why w....?" I immediately stopped my question, remembering her earlier words.

"The baby is yours". I shut my eyes, clenching my fists together and trying to calm my breathing at the same time.

Could that be the reason why she left, because she felt rejected? Could she be telling the truth?

But Lily is my wife. It's not possible she abandoned me and I was with Lila this whole time.

'But they do have the same voice and features' My subconscious whispered.

My eye opened, and it fell on Lily, who was whispering something in her mother's ears, beads of sweat gathering on her forehead.

"Excuse me, please". I told them and left, not waiting for their answer.

I entered the men's restroom and immediately brought out my phone to dial Lila's number. I stopped at first, my hand hesitating to press the call button but then changed my mind.

I had no idea why I was doing this, but my guts felt it was the right thing to do.

"Lucien?" She answered, hope obvious in her tone and I let out a groan, loving how soft and pleasant her voice was to the ears.

Just like Lily's. No difference.

"Your mum and sister are looking for you. Why did you run away?" I asked and she mouthed an "oh", making me picture the look of disappointment on her face.

"Why are you doing this to them, they are so worried". I told her and she let out a scoff instead, like I just told the most unbelievable thing in the world.

"Lucien. Trust me, they are just pretending. They plotted to kill our baby".

Now I know Lila was making everything up because how could she be telling me her angel of a sister and birth mother was trying to harm her child?

Perhaps she was ill. This was so unlike her.

"I think you should seek help Lila. Come back to your family. We are all willing to help and please stop saying your baby is mine. It's sounds pathetic". The words flowed out of my mouth before I could stop them.

Silence flowed afterward, and I heard sniffles, knowing immediately she was crying. I felt bad, my conscious pricking at me, pain flowing across my chest.

"Goodbye Lucien". She said after some minutes and my eyes widened from panic.

"No". I tried saying, but her next words made me freeze, my breath hitching in my throat.

"Itterashai". Then there was a loud beep, signifying she ended the call. That was the last thing on my mind as I walked out of the restroom.

'How the hell did she know that word?' I pondered. Only Lily should.

"Baby". Lily dashed to me.

"Are you alright?" She searched my expression with her eyes.

I ignored her question and called out instead.

"Lily. Itterashai". A look of confusion crossed her face.

"What the hell is that?". It was as if I had stopped breathing when she asked me the question.

"You don't remember?" A look of recognition came to her eyes, and then she laughed but not genuinely. I caught her eyes twitching.

"Of course I do. Was just teasing you." She said and hugged me, hiding her face away. An idea came to my head and l decided to use it.

"From the French movie, right?"

"Ofcourse not, Lucien. It's a Japanese saying, from an anime?" She sounded unsure but that didn't register to me. It was that she didn't fail me. I let out the breath I was holding and patted her back softly, but somehow, still I didn't feel satisfied nor complete.

If Lily knew the meaning, then how come Lila did too and why did she say it exactly like Lily did then or was she with us when we watched the anime?

So many questions running through my mind that I needed answers for. Lily released me and I winked at her, before brushing past her fast, ignoring her calls for me.

I needed to figure out the truth or I wouldn't be at rest. I needed to know I wasn't making a mistake.

I immediately dialed my investigator's number.

"I need you to find out who got married to me when I was blind. Lily or Lila Vitale l" I barked the orders at him as I got into my car, deciding to just drive anywhere I could and clear my head. It was pounding heavily at the moment.

I had barely driven some meters when my phone rang again. I carefully packed to a corner, pulling out

my phone and glancing at it to see it was my investigator.

"That was fast". I thought with a frown, but picked it up anyways.

"Yes?".

"Boss. It was Lily Vitale you got married to". He answered and my blood turned cold as my grip on the steering wheel tightened.

"Are you certain, there was no switch?".

"Ofcourse not. Why would there be when your wife was present at her wedding?".