When she was forcibly dragged out of her Aunt Leonora's house by armed men, she could do nothing but scream and shout. No matter how much she struggled, she couldn't break free, especially when they covered her mouth and nose with a cloth that had a dizzying smell. Eventually, she lost consciousness. She woke up in a luxurious mansion and met the owner and the mastermind behind her kidnapping-Alted Dela Fuente-her husband. She was utterly confused about what was happening, especially when he insisted that she was Candice Dela Fuente, his deceitful wife. Anger, hatred, and disgust were all she could see in the eyes of the man standing before her. The man was very handsome, but he had an authoritative presence, and the first emotion he showed her was anger. He didn't believe anything she said. She wasn't Candice. She knew herself; her name was Aurora, and she knew she had no husband and could not have any relationship with Mr. Dela Fuente. But he refused to believe her; he wouldn't let her go or escape. She knew the man would make her suffer, but what else was new? Her whole life had been filled with hardship and mistreatment. That was nothing new to her. "You can't fool me, Candice, not again," Mr. Dela Fuente told her through gritted teeth. The blazing anger in his eyes was proof that he would never let her go. How could he believe her when she looked exactly like his wife, Candice? Every angle, eye, nose, shape of the face, even their body, looked like a xerox copy. "You're my wife." That statement made her feel overwhelmed. Wife? Impossible, yet something pushed her to pretend to be his wife. She had many reasons to impersonate Candice. Those reasons urged her to assume Candice's identity, borrow her persona, and escape her own as Aurora Sandoval. She was not his wife... she was not Candice. Life had not been fair in her past, so maybe she could be his fake wife and pretend to be Candice for a while. She was Aurora, and she would become Candice, the lost wife of the rich and well-known Alted Dela Fuente.
Chapter 1
Aurora
Perhaps due to exhaustion, I slept for too long. I might not have woken up if my stomach hadn't growled, demanding food. When I opened my eyes, the ceiling of Tanya's room greeted me. Tanya is Aunt Leonora's daughter.
To be honest, I only met them today when Aunt Pacita brought me here to Lanayan. We had just arrived, and it took almost a full day of travel to get here, so my body was extremely tired. I didn't even know we had relatives here. I thought Aunt Pacita was my only remaining family.
I got up and decided to go out, hoping to find something to eat. I hadn't eaten lunch earlier because I had been too sleepy and tired. Tanya's room was on the second floor, so I had to go downstairs to the kitchen. I hoped there would still be some food. I hadn't even changed my clothes yet-I'd do that later after I took a bath since I was still wearing yesterday's clothes.
I paused on the stairs when I heard a commotion downstairs. What's going on? It sounded like an argument. I hurriedly went down the steps to see what the fuss was about.
My feet froze when I saw five big, burly men. One of them was talking to Aunt Pacita and Aunt Leonora, and they were yelling. Their attention shifted to me, and I frowned as two of the men quickly approached me and grabbed both my arms, forcibly dragging me outside.
"Wait! Let me go!" I screamed in panic as they became more aggressive in pulling me out of the house.
Two other men blocked my aunts, preventing them from reaching me. I was overwhelmed with fear and dread, so I screamed.
"Auntie! Help me!"
"Help! Let me go! What is this!"
But they were strong. My body lifted off the ground as I struggled, and no matter how much I resisted, they wouldn't let go. We made it outside, where I saw a black car waiting for us. My heart pounded even faster, and I fought with all my strength to break free from their grip.
Then, one of the men covered my mouth and nose with a white handkerchief. There was a strong smell that made me dizzy and weak. It felt like all my strength was drained away until everything went dark.
Help me.
I felt like my head was being hammered when I woke up. My body ached terribly, and I still felt dizzy. I slowly rubbed my eyes, trying to clear my blurred vision. When my sight finally cleared, I found myself in a large and luxurious room. I got up quickly, even though it felt like my brain was being hammered with every movement. I looked around the entire room-it was huge and spacious, like the size of our house back in Damarenas. There was even a sofa and expensive chairs in one corner, bookshelves, and a door leading to a terrace. A lampshade cast a warm orange glow throughout the room.
Where am I?
Memories of how the men dragged me away and knocked me out with a pungent-smelling handkerchief came rushing back. I quickly got up and headed for the door. I had to get out.
I twisted the doorknob, but it seemed locked. Panic surged within me.
I tried several more times, desperately twisting it with all my might, but it still wouldn't open. I looked around for something I could use to open the door. My gaze landed on a small cabinet near the bed, holding the lampshade. Maybe I could find something there. I approached it and was about to open it when I froze, seeing a photograph.
My jaw literally dropped, and my heart seemed to stop. I reached for it and examined the picture closely. Why? How?
It was a photo of a newlywed couple. A very handsome man stood there beside a bride. The woman looked exactly like me. But it was impossible! That wasn't me.
I stared even harder at the woman in the photo. She really did look like me, only much more beautiful, with makeup on her face and wearing a stunning wedding gown.
"So, you're already awake."
I quickly put the photo back and turned to the person who spoke. My feet were rooted to the ground when I saw the man who was just in the picture earlier. He was wearing a white long-sleeved shirt rolled up to his elbows, and he looked like he had just arrived from somewhere. He took a step closer, and my heart started racing again.
"Who are you?"
The only light in the room came from the large lampshade, but it was enough for me to see the sudden flare of anger in his eyes at my question. I grew even more nervous when I saw his jaw clench and his eyes narrow.
"What now? You're going to act like you have godd*mn amnesia? Do you really think I'm a f*cking m*ron, Candice?!"
His angry voice was like the growl of a wild animal in the wilderness-frightening, deep, and dangerous.
"I-I'm not Candice." I shook my head, scared of what he might do. "I don't know who you're talking about."
He took large strides toward me, and I couldn't do anything as he grabbed my arm and held it tightly.
"D*mn you! Do you think you can fool me like this? I'm not stupid. Do you understand?"
I tried to pry his hand off because it hurt.
"I'm really not Candice. I don't know her. You must be mistaken. I'm Aurora-"
I stopped talking when he shoved me hard onto the bed. The mattress dipped with the force of my fall. I was too scared to look at him. I hadn't done anything wrong. I didn't know Candice. I didn't know her! I had no idea what he was talking about.
"You f*cking sl*t! Don't you dare try to lie to my face again! You're not Candice? Then who are you? F*ck it! What kind of drama is this? Do you think you can fool me?"
He leaned closer, and in my fear, I immediately backed away from him.
"Return my money, all the money and jewelry you stole from me. You can't escape from me now because you'll pay for every sin you've committed against me!"
My eyes were burning with tears as I looked at him and pleaded.
"Please, I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know Candice. I'm not her."
"Shut up! You are Candice! You are my d*mn wife."
"I'm not her!"
My tears flowed freely, and I wanted to beg him to believe me. But I could see the intense anger and hatred in his eyes. His mind was closed to anything I had to say.
He straightened up, and a corner of his lips lifted as if he was amused by what he saw now.
"You can't f*ol me, Candice, not again."
After he said that, he walked out of the room and slammed the door. My sobs grew louder, overwhelmed by a mix of emotions-confusion, fear, and anxiety. I didn't know him or the Candice he was talking about.
I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to calm myself, though I was still trembling with fear.
I shouldn't cry because I haven't done anything wrong. Why does his wife look like me? I don't remember getting married-it's impossible because we only just arrived here in Lanayan. This is the first time I've seen him.
Where are Aunt Pacita and the others? Are they looking for me?
Why aren't there any police?
I stood up and approached the door again. I was about to turn the knob when I heard voices outside.
"Keep a close watch on her; don't let her out."
"Yes, seƱorito."
That means there are guards outside the room? I slid down to the floor and leaned weakly against the door. Why is this happening? Why is this happening to me?
Aurora Sandoval-that's my name, not Candice! How could I be his wife when I'm from Damarenas, and I grew up there? This is all so impossible. I don't have any siblings either because I'm an orphan, only living with Aunt Pacita, and I wouldn't even be here if she hadn't brought me. I come from a faraway place where our paths would never cross. If only he would listen, if only he would let me explain, maybe we could understand each other.
I looked at the door leading to the terrace. I stood up and walked toward it, hoping I might find a way to escape from here. But I was greeted by the view of a vast garden. I looked down-if I jumped, I would surely break something. It was too high, as it seemed I was on the second floor of the house. This meant there was no other way out except the door. But there were guards. I really had no chance of getting out of this place.
Why Candice? What did you do to make that man so angry at you? Did you steal, like he said earlier? Why did I have to get caught up in this? I had nothing to do with it. I know nothing.
I am Aurora! I want to shout that in the man's face. I am Aurora, not Candice.
I don't want to be in this place.
I am already scared of what could happen to me.
To Be Continued...
Chapter 1 Our house
03/09/2024
Chapter 2 Attitude
03/09/2024
Chapter 3 Twins
03/09/2024
Chapter 4 Kindness
03/09/2024
Chapter 5 Play
03/09/2024
Chapter 6 Tears
03/09/2024
Chapter 7 The kiss
03/09/2024
Chapter 8 Hopes
04/09/2024
Chapter 9 Wound
04/09/2024
Chapter 10 my college education
04/09/2024
Chapter 11 Sorry
04/09/2024
Chapter 12 Calm
04/09/2024
Chapter 13 Good morning
04/09/2024
Chapter 14 Sink
04/09/2024
Chapter 15 The children
04/09/2024
Chapter 16 Flaws
13/09/2024
Chapter 17 Realization
13/09/2024
Chapter 18 the hospital
13/09/2024
Chapter 19 Sleep
13/09/2024
Chapter 20 The room
13/09/2024
Chapter 21 Closeness
13/09/2024
Chapter 22 Reflection
13/09/2024
Chapter 23 Visitor
13/09/2024
Chapter 24 happy family
20/09/2024
Chapter 25 the memory
20/09/2024
Chapter 26 Cousin's wedding
20/09/2024
Chapter 27 Wedding
20/09/2024
Chapter 28 Sleepless
20/09/2024
Chapter 29 businessman
20/09/2024
Chapter 30 Tears
20/09/2024
Chapter 31 Sick
26/09/2024
Chapter 32 Scared
26/09/2024
Chapter 33 Break
26/09/2024
Chapter 34 The real
26/09/2024
Chapter 35 The house
26/09/2024
Chapter 36 Option
26/09/2024
Chapter 37 Pretending
26/09/2024
Chapter 38 Necklace
26/09/2024
Chapter 39 the Threats
26/09/2024
Chapter 40 Kiss
26/09/2024
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