Chapter one

Two days ago

Your sister got a bit naughty and unintentionally did something that will get us into trouble with the bratva."

I bit my tongue to stop myself from saying something that'll get me into trouble with my father.

This wasn't supposed to be my business, they've always kept me out of the family mafia business. I didn't want to get involved in it.

"But the bratva is nothing compared to Alexander Hawthorne, the leader of the familia and the man Aria is supposed to be at the altar with on Saturday."

Supposed?

I've heard that my twin sister's getting married to Alexander Hawthorne, I've never met the man.

I've only heard he's deadly and sadistic enough to hang his enemies on spikes but Aria probably doesn't know that or had chosen to ignore it.

I wasn't even invited to the wedding, I was working at the local library when the family's chaffeur appeared out of nowhere and told me father had summoned me.

"We can't afford a feud with him."

I looked around the house. For the first time since I came, I noticed it was empty. The maids weren't running around, even my mother was nowhere to be found.

"Aria was brainwashed by the bratva into betraying her fiancee. She didn't mean to do it, she was just, you know - being Aria."

Of course she didn't mean to do it, Aria was perfect.

She didn't mean to betray the head of a mob.

Just last month, we were told by our library chief during lunch break that four heads were placed on spikes right outside a building said to be owned by the bratva.

That was Alexander Hawthorne's signature.

Who with working brain cells would dare to cross a man like that or even be in the same space with him? Someone as psychotic as he is.

Aria.

"He doesn't want to call off the wedding. Their family tradition does not allow calling off events last minute, the stick to the plan and worry about the consequences later." My father said, staring at me as if that's supposed to sink in.

In my opinion, I think the man's probably lying about family traditions.

In our world, no one questions a woman's husband no matter what he does to her, I believe he intends to use that.

She should run while she can, and if this meeting is about me helping her, then for once I'll do it willingly even though she doesn't deserve it.

"Aria can't run, Alexander will find her and kill her. So we came up with a plan." His eyes bore into me, scaring me. I knew the next words from his mouth will be ugly.

"We want you to take her place. She still has to take over the business in Mexico. You know you don't have the brains to do that."

I felt like falling, the house was suddenly spinning. How long will they keep doing this to me?

"So you want me to get butchered over someone else's sins?".

"I'm asking you to do something for the family for once in your miserable life, Andrea."

I've done everything for the family, including being used as a doormat by Aria. I've always taken her brutality without fighting back mainly because she has always threatened to expose a deadly secret that keeps haunting me. But this was too much.

"I can't take her place. I'm tired of always suffering for her sins in a bid to protect her," I blurted out. My father only smirked.

He shoved his hand into his pocket and brought out Aria's ridiculously pink phone.

"There's something in the phone's draft Aria said you might like to see. She said you know the password."

Numbness was taking over my body as I took the phone. I scrolled to the draft and it didn't take long before I figured out what the password will be. Of course it was that dreadful year.

As I unlocked the first message in the draft, a picture popped up with few words beneath it. "Should I send this to the authorities or let mum and dad see it first?"

I felt dizzy and fell to the ground. My father only smirked again, his eyes devoid of pity.

"Your nude video has you this shaken? Aria is way too smart. She's always a thousand steps ahead of you my dear."

He thinks I'm this shaken because of a nude video? If only he knew. He'd be skinning me alive himself and at this point I don't even know what's worse, facing my past or Alexander.

"You'd have to change the color of your hair, love. It'll take alot to fool the mafia king but I'm willing to risk it all for Aria's safety and you better play your part well."

My knees suddenly became weak, I almost fell to the ground.

I looked at the man I've always called father regardless of what he keeps doing to me.

His face was as stoic as it has always been. He'll never change his mind, not even if the heavens come down.

My mother strutted in, looking as regal as always. She barely looked at me, instead she walked to my father, whispered something into his ears and walked out of the house without sparing me a glance.

Am I that invisible? What great crime have I committed to deserve this kind of hatred?

If I weren't a twin, I would have sworn they weren't my parents, but they treat Aria right they even worship the ground she walks on, why can't they extend the same courtesy to me?

I even left the house, but somehow they still manage to hurt me.

I knew it wasn't about what happened in the past, Aria hasn't told them.

I knew this because if she had, I won't be standing here. I'd be one of the many unidentified bodies laying in an illegal movie.

I sighed, and braced myself.

I've made my final decision.

Alexander might be a monster, but at least he won't kill me immediately. He'd draw out his punishment, giving me enough time to escape.