Chapter 5 – Sentence to three years imprisonment

Marcus Pov

The hotel room door slammed shut behind me, the sound echoing louder than it should have. I didn't even bother turning on the light, I just stood there with my fists clenched, my chest was rising and falling like I was fighting to breathe.

"I'm not interested in getting married to you." Her words replayed in my head.

I punched the wall hard, pouring all my frustration at it. I felt pain in my knuckles, but it's nothing compared to the pain I felt when I looked at Sophia's cold eyes, she was convinced I was no different from Mattoe.

I wasn't angry at her, I was angry at the world that broke her before I ever got the chance to protect her.

I dragged my hand through my hair and sank onto the edge of the bed. My thoughts spiral back to everything I had buried for years.

From the moment we lost our dad, Mattoe and I were never equal. My mother made me live under Mattoe's name, she warned me never to let anyone know we were twins.

While Mattoe and Vivienne went to school, I stayed hidden at home. I became the family shadow–seen, but never allowed to exist.

Adrian was the only one who knew the truth. He'd accidentally seen both of us one day, and I had no choice but to tell him the truth. My mother never found out about our friendship. If she had, she would have destroyed it like everything else I cared about.

Years later, after Adrian family moved out, Sophia and her family moved into the next flat. She hated me at first, but later warmed up to me, and we became close. Too close for Mattoe's liking, and just like always, he wanted what was mine.

He started visiting her, pretending to be me. When I confronted him, we fought–but my mother took his side, as she always did. I was forced to stay away from Sophia. Then her mother died.....and her family moved out. I never saw her again, and I was heartbroken for months.

Until years later, when fate finally bought us back together, and she became mine. We were happy until the night, everything was taken away from me. I was left broken, bleeding, and thrown into the darkness by my own family.

I woke up from coma after five months, and I went straight to New york in search of Sophia.

But the moment I arrived, my world shattered–she was getting married to Mattoe.

My heart ripped apart when I saw the smile on Sophia's face as they exchanged rings. The laughter from my mother, Mattoe and Vivienne, broke my heart into pieces.

I wanted to storm into the crowd, grab Sophia and expose everything. But a hand pulled my arm, I turned to see Adrain. He dragged me into a secluded corner.

"You know she was marrying him," i asked, but he didn't respond.

"Is that why you never wanted me to come to New York? I asked again.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly, "you'd just woken up from coma, I don't want to share the devastating news to you."

A bitter smile tugged at my lips, "Oh really?"

"They tried to kill you," he said. "Let them believe you're truly gone, until we figure out how to get back at them."

I looked back at the venue, and at Sophia smiling beside my brother.

"And as for Sophia, you can't blame her, nobody know you and Mattoe were twins, except for me. She had no idea, that's why she got married to him." He added.

"I've left Sophia for Mattoe," I finally said, my voice calm but firm. "He clearly want her more than I ever did."

Adrian head snapped towards me in shock, "Marcus....why would you—"

"Don't worry Adrain," I cut him off before he could finish. My voice was steady, but inside everything was collapsing. "I know you're worried about me, but I'll be fine. It's over between me and her, Mattoe already has her."

With nothing left to say, I turned and walked from the venue, each step felt heavier than the last.

I returned to California, to the family who saved me, and treated me better than my own blood ever did.

Three months past painfully and quietly until Adrain called, he told me he had seen Sophia in the hospital, with bruised all over. When he investigated he found out Mattoe has been abusing her ever since they got married.

That single piece of news snapped something inside of me. I came back to New York immediately.

Adrian and I started planning and searching for a way to get her out of the marriage. And finally after almost two years, the opportunity came at the party she attended with Mattoe.

The TV in the hotel room, suddenly flicker to life, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I looked up as the reporter spoke.

"A body has been recovered from the east river this morning. The identity of the victim is yet to be confirmed.

My finger curled slowly in my palms. So the world believed she's dead now, that's good.

My mind slipped back to the night she was thrown into the river, the way I dragged her body out, and replaced it with another body with the help of Adrian.

My phone immediately rang, snapping me back to present.

"Marcus," Adrian voice came through tense. "Sophia is gone, she's no longer in the hospital."

My grip tightened around my phone.

"Where are you?" I asked.

"I'm on my way, going to the east river now, let's me up there. Mattoe is there."

I was already moving and grabbing my jacket, and face cap.

"I'll meet you there," I said, and the call ended as I stepped out of the room.

Mattoe must not find out Sophia is alive. That was the only thought burning in my mind till I got to the scene.

Adrian and I arrived at the same time, but the place was already crowded with sirens wailing.

Then i saw Sophia, from afar. I watched her slip into a cab with unease.

I snapped, already opening my car door. Adrian got in beside me, and we followed her cab, but holdup blocked the road.

Every seconds felt like torture. By the time we got to the hospital, chaos has already erupted. I saw Sophia moving towards the police, her step unsteady and determined.

"No!" I rushed forward and grabbed her wrist. "I wouldn't do this if I were you," my deep voice came out.

She frozed. Shock flashed across her face as she turned and saw me. Her eyes widened, then darted past me, towards Mattoe direction.

He had already fainted and parademics were rushing him into the hospital, with my mother and Vivienne following them.

"Marcus," she called, her voice breaking. "Let me go. They can't take my sister away, please....let me go."

Tears blurred her vision as she struggled against my grip.

And in that moment, all the anger and everything inside me softened. I pulled her into my arms.

At first, she fought me, her fists pounding weakly against my chest. Then slowly, she gave in. Her body sagged against mine as she sobs.

I held her tightly and possessively.

"I've got you," I murmured against her hair. "I'll figure out a way to save your sister, I promise."

She didn't respond, she just clung to me like I was the only thing keeping her upright.

I led her to the car, shielding her from the crowd, and we drove back to the hospital in silence.

*******

The following morning, i sat beside her bed, my elbow resting on my knees, watching how peaceful she looks while sleeping.

I lashes fluttered open, and I straightened immediately.

When I eyes finally open, confusion flickered across her face, followed by the painful memory.

"Alessia...." Her voice came out hoarse, barely more than a whisper.

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could, the television flash with another breaking news.

"In a fast track ruling this morning, the court sentenced Alessia Nathaniel to three years inprisonement for attempted murder of Mattoe, who still remains in critical condition. The judge ruled that the accusation against him were made without solid evidence."

I felt Sophia's body stiffened beneath the sheets.

"Authorities further stated that the late Sophia Mattoe was involved in an extramarital affairs, which allegedly led to her death.

I watched the color drained from her face.

"No...."she whispered, shaking her head. "No!!" She screamed.

Her breathing turned shallow with tears streaming down her cheeks, as her body began to trembled.

"Sophia," I said, raising to my feet instantly. "Look at me, Breathe."

But she wasn't hearing anymore, her eyes rolled back.

"Doctor!!" I shouted, catching her just as her body went limp.

The monitor beeped loud, showing a straight line.