The Duke's Villainess Wife Is An Impostor

The cold summer night air caressed my cheeks as though greeting me a grand welcome as I descended the stairs of the plane with my hand securely clutching at the handle of my small suitcase. Bright, glittering lights sparkled right in front of my eyes, reminding me of the night I left the country. It was summer that time too and though five years had passed, I still recalled the events as though it happened just yesterday.

Forcing my thoughts back to the present, I held the knitted cardigan securely into place before my high-heeled stiletto moved across the lobby, right in the middle of skittering passengers.

"Miss Arabella Angelstone?" A man called my name, pulling me into an abrupt stop. Adjusting the rim of my fashionable eyeglass, I looked at him inquiringly. Racing my voice just enough for him to hear, I warily replied, "Yes?"

"I'm from the car rental company." He said, slightly bowing his head in a polite greeting before showing me his company ID. "Your car is waiting in the parking area. I'll lead the way. Please follow me."

I fell into steps beside him.

Upon reaching the car, he handed me the key, then he was gone.

Placing my small suitcase on the car's trunk, I climbed into the driver's seat. The sharp roar of the engine shattered the stillness of the night as I maneuvered the car to the highway.

Moments later, the car smoothly glided under the picturesque star-studded sky.

The city had changed so drastically over the years. I thought to myself, throwing the side of the road a brief glance, finding cramped buildings in a neat line up instead of a long array of healthy trees. Tall and wide digital billboards flickered, their vibrant colors adding life to the night. One particular billboard took my attention by surprise. Automatically, I have to pull the car to the side of the road to calm myself down.

It only took one look at his picture on the towering billboard, and my heart hammered violently inside my rib cage. For a moment, I found myself watching him until the overwhelming emotions were too much to bear and I thought I would burst into tears.

Five years had changed everything and yet the man who makes my pulse jitter and my knees buckle remained the same.

Lucas Nicholas Alexander aged well. The years had been so good to him. He's a man now, not the boy who had my first kiss when I was eighteen. As I continue to look at him, I think of what he has which others didn't have, that I can't seem to replace him in my heart. The answers were right in front of my eyes now. No one had ever made me feel alive the way Lucas Nicholas Alexander did. Though countless men had expressed their love and devotion over the years, my heart never opened to anyone. It remained faithful to one man who never knew Arabella Angelstone existed.

Wiping the tears at the edge of my eyes, I pulled myself together and drove away. Summoning all the strength I could muster, I looked away and maneuvered the car on the road. But instead of making a beeline straight for the Hotel I'm staying at, I turned left when I reached the intersection and found my car traversing the way to where the biggest church in the city was located.

Here is when it all began, I thought to myself as I pulled the car into a stop and lifted my gaze upon the colossal white church.

I could still remember the echoes of wedding bells and the glorious sound of the orchestra. I could still imagine in clear, vivid detail as the large mahogany door flinging open, light bursting inside the church, and an ethereal beauty stepping inside with slow, graceful movements of a Queen.

I could still recall how the bride looked. She was a tall, slender woman with exquisite red copper hair and soft amber eyes that looked as if they're glowing against the light. She was so beautiful and she is my twin.

At that moment, I realized what betrayal feels like. Betrayal that wounded not only my heart but also carved a deep scar on my soul as well.

Lucas Nicholas Alexander promised to marry me. But he broke that promise by marrying my twin instead of me.

My stupid self remained seated on the pew, watching the holy matrimony unfold in front of the altar. Only the scarf covering my hair and half of my face conceal the indescribable pain showing in my expression.

Then the priest spoke. "Now that you both have committed yourselves to one another and to your Holy Union through the sacred vows that you have taken and by the giving and receiving of these rings, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

"Those whom God has joined may, he generously bless forever."

"You may now kiss the bride. "

The groom claimed the bride's lips and my world came crashing on my feet.

The memories were cut short by the sound of a wretched sob tearing from my lips. I let the tears flow freely to ease the grief I kept hidden within me for five years. The years didn't dull the pain. Instead, it intensified. I poured the pain out, knowing after this I will never allow myself to be weak and cry again.

I cried and cried until the tears wouldn't come out of my eyes anymore. Somehow, after pouring my heart out, my chest felt much lighter and better.

Exhaustion draped over my shoulders, making me hold on tight on the steering wheel for support. My back leaned on the leather backseat as I let my eyes flutter close to let it rest for a while.

I hadn't been in that position for long when a knock sounded on the window. Startled out of my wits, my eyes fluttered open. A glimmer of light reflecting into something smooth caught my eyes.

A horrified gasp escaped from my lips as the man pressed something hard and metallic to my neck.

"Do just what I say. Open the door and get out of the car. Now." He had spoken the words calmly, but I knew better. He wouldn't think twice of using the weapon against me.

Terrified for my life and gasping for air, I did what he said. Obediently unlocking the door, I emerged from the driver's seat.

The silvery moonlight illuminated his face, revealing the familiar face of a man. If it weren't for his eyes-the shade of warm honey-I wouldn't recognize him.

"Did you miss me?" He whispered sweetly, sending chills down my spine.

I stood in my place, motionless, like the statue of an angel perched high in the center of the fountain in front of the church. Ashen with shock and terror, I met a pair of frozen blue eyes that haunted my dreams for years.

Let this be a dream. I prayed hard to the heavens while closing my eyes, wishing I would soon wake up and find myself peacefully lying on my bed. But it seems the heavens failed to grant my pleas. When I opened my eyes again, the man remained standing and pointing a gun in my direction.

I swallowed deep and hard as I tried to keep myself still.

The man stepped closer. A scream erupted from my lips when his hand gripped my wrists. "Shut up or I will fire the gun in your head." His sharp tone sent cold shivers down my spine. When I didn't stop screaming, his grip on my wrists tightened and he pressed the gun on my neck, instantly my mouth snapped closed.

My wrists were sore and red from his harsh grip. I tried to pull my hand, but my efforts were in vain. My strength wasn't a match to a man whose build resembled a bodybuilder.

He looked at me with a menacing glint in his blue eyes that made my whole body shake in fear.

"I told you I will find you, didn't I?" He whispered close to my ears. "You're lucky enough to escape death five years ago, but this time, no matter how hard you pray, no saint will save you now."

"Kill me as you wish, but I will not go down without a fight." I hissed under my breath as my composure slowly returned.

A sinister smile slowly curved on his lips. He pressed the gun to my neck, hard enough to make me wince from the pain.

I closed my eyes, readying myself for a different kind of pain. Hoping the first shot will kill me instantly and I won't suffer. But the bullet I waited to dig on my flesh didn't arrive.

Opening my eyes, I found him looking at me with his blue eyes filled with lust.

"Arabella Angelstone." He said ominously, making shivers run down my spine. I stared at him with wide, terrified eyes. The last time he called me with that full name, he aimed a gun to my heart, then he pulled the trigger. A stranger had witnessed the scene and immediately came to my rescue and fired back at the man, causing him to flee. I was able to survive because of that.

This time, I wasn't sure if I would survive, though.

I would consider myself lucky enough if he didn't kill me tonight.

"You looked exactly like Alexandria." He murmured in an almost dreamy voice.

The mention of my twin sister awakened the fear lurking inside me. But the fear was quickly replaced with anger. Alexandria hated me with deep, burning passion.

This time I have no doubts that she's the one who sent the man to kill me.

"Alexandria and you are twins, so the two of you looked so similar." He continued, taking my attention. "But your facial features weren't as sharp as hers. Yours was gentle, almost angelic." He added in his tight, rasp voice.

His fingers traced the outline of my jaw. My whole body shuddered in alarm.

"P-please leave me alone." I sobbed, but the words barely came out of my lips.

"You shouldn't have returned, Arabella. You'd only given me the opportunity to kill you twice. Only this time, I will make sure I'll do it right."

"Did my twin sister send you to kill me?" Though I knew the truth, I still wanted the answer to come from his lips.

"Would you believe me if I said no?" He asked.

"No." I snapped, my lips pursing into a tight line as I fought back his gaze.

A chuckle escaped from his lips. "Yes, she did." He finally admitted. "She also gave me the liberty to do what I wanted with your body before I dispose of you." He added.

Before I could respond, he dragged me somewhere, agonizingly applying brute force to my wrists every time I tried to resist. Several times, I stumbled on my heels, but I willed myself to get up in fear he would lose control and kill me right there on the street, where I have no chance to survive.

Looking around, there was no one I could ask for help. I could scream at the top of my lungs, but still no one would come to my aid. I waited and waited, hoping anyone would cross the streets at this hour or perhaps a lost car would pass by, but waiting almost took me forever and no one came. The hope inside me snuffed out like a candle's flame.

The man dragged me for minutes, then finally we entered an alley. The faint light emitted by the moonlight exposed an aging rusty car with fading paints. As though he was afraid I will do something stupid, he pulled the door open, then hurled me inside. The force he applied sent me bouncing on the tattered leather seat.

Massaging the spot on my head where it collided with the steering wheel, I watched him slam the door shut, then locked me inside. He walked out of the alley and several minutes passed by, but he didn't return.

Filling my chest with air, I gathered all the force I could muster and kicked the door. The stubborn door didn't even budge. The car was old and rusty, but the parts were still in good shape. I thought of breaking the window, but I was afraid the noise would alert the man if he's nearby.

Gingerly, I climbed to the passenger's seat to try forcing the locks to open, but stopped dead in my tracks as I spotted the child sprawled on the seat. He was around three or four years old and he was still wearing his pajamas.

Before I could stop myself, an ear-piercing scream erupted from my lips.

Was he dead? The question slammed into me with force, sucking the strength inside my body. Reeling with shock, I stumbled back into the driver's seat. For a moment that seemed to go on like forever, I stared at the child, not wanting to touch him in fear of leaving my fingerprints into his cold skin.

Perhaps it was the scream I made which roused him from his sleep. Slowly, he raised his head to me. I found myself holding my breath as a pair of hazel-green eyes blinked back at me.

He looked like a miniature version of Lucas! My heart ached as I looked at him.

"Mama?" He mumbled in his soft, child voice.

I blinked back the tears and swallowed the lump in my throat. Perhaps the child was so terrified that he confused me as his mother.

"Everything will be alright, darling." I whispered with a smile. Then wiped the tears that had fallen on my cheeks.

The man kidnapped an innocent child! Was he planning to kill the child, too? The thought turned my vision red. With my fists turned into a ball on my side, I returned to my seat just in time before the door opened and the man climbed on the seat in front of the steering wheel.

"What's taking you so long?" He barked on the phone in his hand, fury emanating in his aura.

"Bags!" He muttered incredulously, still talking to whoever was on the phone.

Scowling furiously, he put the phone close to his mouth. "For god's sake! Get your butt out of the mansion before anyone discovers what you're up to!" The man muttered a series of curses, then ended the call before throwing his phone on the dashboard.

He moved to lock the car door, but my body moved faster than my common sense. There's no chance I could beat him, but I took chances and lunged at him.

With all the force I could muster, I kicked him hard on the crotch. Not once, not twice, but a dozen times. Making sure that the heels of my stiletto hit him on his balls.

He fell off his seat, writhing in agony, unable to take the gun that had fallen on the seat out of his reach. The attack must have been so painful, or a burly man like him wouldn't be tearing up.

Seizing the opportunity to escape, I grabbed the car keys that had fallen on the tattered seat. I climbed out of the car, took the child out of the backseat, and locked the man inside.

I was tired, weak, and thirsty. But my strong will to survive gave me just enough strength to run while dragging the child alongside me. The child didn't make a sound. Didn't complain. I was expecting him to burst into tears and whine like children about his age do but he didn't.

My heart ached watching him struggle alongside me. When the poor child collapsed from exhaustion, I nearly wept with pity. If my legs were aching from running, how much more would his child-legs feel now? Fighting the urge to show any weakness now, I bent on my knees, removed my heels, and carried him with me.

The rough, uneven pavement scratched the delicate skin of my feet. My feet painfully stung as sharp stones dug at my heels. Grimacing from the searing pain, I continue to run, knowing if I stop now, I will die from an injury far worse than the cuts on my feet.

The pain was worsening each second. Without looking down to check, I knew the wounds on my feet were bleeding. I ignored the pain and thanked god when finally numbness covered the searing pain.

I heard gunshots behind me, signaling me he was chasing me like a mad man. The shot sent me running even faster, knowing my life depended on it.

The rented car came to my view, and I ran for it, wincing as a bullet came whooshing past my ear. A cold shiver ran down my spine, thinking I could have died an instant death if that bullet hit me in the head.

The wind howled, carrying the sound he was making. One clear phrase made hope sprung back in my chest. No bullets. He couldn't harm me with his now useless weapon, but if he could reach me before I reached the car, only god knows if I'm going to live until sunrise.

It took me forever to reach the car, and when I did, I sobbed with relief. Pulling the door open, I let the child inside the car before climbing on the driver's seat and closing the door.

My trembling fingers dropped the key to the floor. I choked back a sob as I fumbled for the key to where it had fallen.

The man's voice was moving closer. I knew he was near.

Ignoring the panic building inside me, I continue to fumble in the dark while muttering unintelligent curses for my stupidity that could cost two lives tonight - the child's life and my own.

The cold metal finally touched my fingers.

I mumbled a gratitude to the heavens before stabbing the key to the ignition. The sound of the engine roaring to life sounded like an angel's song to my ears. The car lurched sideward, nearly bumping the elevated pavement.

Trying to ease the trembling of my limbs, I took a deep breath as I maneuvered the car to the dark, deserted highway and, without delay, I pressed hard on the accelerator.

Only when the car was a mile away and only after I made sure that no one was following the car, I finally relaxed a bit.

With my left hand keeping the steering wheel steady, I secured the seatbelt on the terrified child. When I was finished, I put on my seatbelts too.

Throwing the child a side glance, I caught him shaking. I wanted to assure him everything's going to be fine but I couldn't find the strength to do so when I was shaking all over too. I doubted if a word would come out of my lips, even if I wanted to speak.

The urge to comfort the child was still so strong that I couldn't just shake the thought away, so I laid a soft kiss on his temples instead. As I did so, I fought back the urge to burst into tears.

The little boy leaned his head on my side, and his eyes fluttered close. He was a strong child. Any child who was placed in his shoes would be terrified out of their wits. Admirable little angel, I thought to myself, feeling so proud of him, as though he's my own.

A fond smile slowly formed on my lips as I looked at the child. I caressed his cheeks before returning my undivided attention on the road.

With a sigh, I focused my attention on the road while the child slept beside me.

The night was so quiet and so peaceful, as though moments ago I hadn't been chased by a mad man who wanted me dead.

Finally, the intersection came into view. I pressed on the foot pedal to slow down.

The car didn't budge. The red light flickered, signaling me to stop. I tried to step on the foot pedal, but the car didn't stop. Realization hit me like a sharp bolt of lightning. The man cut the brakes. I haven't escaped him after all.

The sound of a horn furiously blaring tore the silence of the night. A fast-approaching truck was coming on my way. With the few remaining seconds I have, I wrapped the child tightly into my arms, shielding him from any possible harm.

Mumbling a soulful prayer, tears raced down my cheeks.

Please let the child live even if I have to die tonight, I mumbled one last time as my eyes fluttered close.

Moments later, the deafening sound of colliding metals shattered the night.

Wham!

kaboom!

Then there was silence.