Chapter 5: Grieve mistake

He was about to speak. But then, just like that, he became mute, and before Briella could react, he turned and dashed away, leaving her standing there, unanswered.  

“Where are you off to?” She yelled. But he was already gone. Briella exhaled, running a hand through her hair. “Am I losing my mind?”

A few minutes later, Briella caught sight of a black G-wagon driving in.

Hayden came down and opened the passenger door. 

When Briella saw he was wearing the same clothes as the person she had just spoken to. Her heart raced, She didn't know what to make of this. Was she hallucinating?

Then when she saw the way Hayden smiled at Hilda, soft and affectionate, his hand placed on her back. Briella dug her fingers into her palms. 

From across the driveway, Hayden’s gaze moved to her. His face suddenly became cold as he guided Hilda inside the mansion, his eyes still locked on Briella without a word.  

Briella felt the urge to barge into the mansion to deal with Hilda for stealing her man. 

But he wasn't her husband anymore.

She left, and he headed back to her apartment, her mind in a mess.

Could that be Hayden's twin, or doppelganger? Something wasn't adding up.

After contemplating her next action. She pulled out her phone, dialling a private investigator. “ I need information on the Linford family,” she demanded. “Especially any hidden relatives.”  

One week passed without Briella experiencing any weird thing.

That morning. Briella got a call from her brother that he was leaving for Paris to finally live the life he had always dreamed of.

At the airport, she pulled him into a crushing hug, the scent of his cologne filling her nose. Tears threatening to spill.

“I’m gonna miss you,” she whispered.  

Lex chuckled, ruffling her hair. “You didn’t want Dad here because of his health, and now you’re the one being a crybaby.”

She poked his arm, laughing despite the ache in her chest.” Just promise you’ll visit.” 

“I promise.”  

Briella hugged him tightly again. She just got back to her family after years of being married, and now her brother was leaving.

After saying their goodbyes, Briella walked back to her car. Even with being a billionaire's daughter and an heir, she wasn't a public figure who paparazzi followed, and that's the way she wanted her life to be, Private.

Briella was halfway to her car when a sudden yank nearly pulled her arm out of its socket.  

“Hey….!” Her bag was gone, the thief running.  

F**k.. she cursed, an important document was in there.

There were no security personnel around. She took a deep breath. It was just morning, and she didn't want to start her day like this.

She entered her car and was about to drive off when someone knocked on her car window.

“This must be yours.”  

Her bag dangled from the stranger's hand. “Oh my God, thank…”

Her words died.  

Hayden?  

But not quite. The same sharp jawline, same piercing eyes, yet something was off. His gaze darted around like he was running from someone.

This wasn't Hayden.

Seeing the look on her face, he slipped a note into her hands and disappeared. 

Briella read the content on the note. It read Meet me at Diamond Park. By 5pm tomorrow. 

A week ago, when she encountered him and asked for a detective to investigate, it fell on a dead end. No news of Hayden having a twin or another brother 

Briella stared at the note, and her pulse increased. 

But this man? He was real.  

And she would get answers.  

From the airport, Briella drove to work. She had a board meeting and it spanned for like an hour.

After that, she got a call from her father that he wanted to see her.

At the Milton Mansion.

Briella found her father in the courtyard. His face was distant, his hands trembling slightly around his teacup.  

"Hey, Dad,” Briella said softly. " Are you okay?" Briella noticed he wasn't his usual self.

He pulled her into a hug, his grip tighter than usual. "Promise me you won’t tell Lex." 

Briella arched her brows. "What’s going on?" 

He took a slow sip of tea, the cup clinking against the saucer. Then said quietly 

"I’m dying."

 Briella froze. She didn't expect it all. 

I have a serious Ailment and I'll be frequenting the hospital regularly.

I want you to take care of your brother.

This scene felt like deja vu

When her mother died 10 years ago.

Briella tried to hold her tears, but they fell.

She forced a nod, her vision blurring. "I need a minute."

She went into her room in the mansion and shut the door. She slipped down to the ground and cried till she couldn't cry anymore.

She didn't realise how long she'd been there till there was a knock on the door 

Come in, she said in her coarse tone. 

Mr Milton enters the room, seeing Briella state made him weak.

It reminded him of how she was when she lost her mother. 

If there was anything he could do, he'd do it just to live very old and even see his grandchildren.

*

At a high-end club

Hayden was with a group of friends. With loud music playing in the background. Girls dancing around them. 

Only Hayden was sitting in a corner, downing alcohol, the whiskey burning his throat with every swallow.  

“What’s up, bro? You’ve been awfully silent,” Michael shouted over the music.  

Leslie smirked, slinging an arm around a blonde. “Let’s find him a girl. Warm him up now that he’s divorced”  

Michael leaned in, grinning. “Speaking of… mind if I shoot my shot with Briella? Since you divorced her and all.”

Hayden shot him a glare, hit his cup on the table and it made a crack sound, he stood up and left them.

“Where are you off to, man?” Leslie shouted. After seeing that, Hayden had left. The duo burst into laughter.

“That just confirms it,” Leslie said as they continued drinking.

Outside, the cold air did nothing to clear the alcohol fogging Hayden's brain. He fumbled for his phone, intending to call his driver, but his fingers betrayed him.  

The line rang.  

Then her soft voice. “Hello?”