THE BRIDE OF DECEPTION

Annie's POV

The nightmare of marrying my twin sister’s fiancé was finally beginning to fade. I’d slipped into her life seamlessly, scrubbing away every trace that might make Tobin Voss suspect the truth.

I was still on edge...

I was always watching, always listening, but so far, I had played my part flawlessly.

So, please… Tell me why.

Tell me why my sister is standing at the gate in the middle of the night?

"Who is there, Annie?" I heard Tobin's voice from up the stairs and I could hear his footsteps getting nearer.

“No one! Just a stray!” I yelled out loud enough to stop him from coming downstairs.

I glared at the monitor once more just to be sure it was really Claire, my sister.

Fuck! We are all dead if Tobin finds out he has been duped.

“Who is there?” I heard Tobin's voice right behind me.

I felt my soul leave my body as I turned around to meet him a few meters away from me.

“It is just a stray,” I repeated my answer.

“Why then is your face stuck to that monitor like you had seen a ghost?” He said, walking towards me — No, he didn't care about me. “I shouldn't have let the guards take a break.” He got down the last staircase.

Instinctively, I rushed towards him and gave him a deep kiss. He pushed me away immediately.

“Do you have a death wish?” He asked.

Tobin Voss, the ruthless mafia lord. I have been with him for a month now and my eyes have seen enough cruelty.

I watched him control the city. Everyone feared more than they respected him, and anyone who crossed him disappeared. He was dangerous, smart, and always in control.

And me? I was living in his house, pretending to be my sister, and acting like I was his wife.

Ding Dong…

Finally, the bell linked to the gate rang out. Tobin pushed me away from his path as he walked towards the monitor.

I'm doomed…

That was the only thing I could mutter. There was no stopping it now, Claire has finally made sure we all lose our lives.

I watched Tobin pull out a gun which was tucked at his back. He pressed the button and I could hear the gate squeal open.

The main door eased open, and Tobin Voss stepped out like the night itself had made way for him. Even in plain black pyjamas, he carried himself with that same quiet authority — shoulders straight and head high.

I trailed behind him without a word, matching his pace. The night air blew softly against my skin, but all I could focus on was the steady sound of his steps and the way he moved like nothing in this world could touch him.

Soon, I didn't see traces of Claire anymore, it was just men — Tobin's men.

I watched as they dragged a man out of the car. He has been beaten severely. Tobin's hands rested beside him, still with the gun in his hands.

“Is this him?” Tobin asked and his right hand man nodded his head. I watched Tobin move a few steps forward and crouched in front of him. “You know what I do to liars, right?” Tobin asked.

The man whimpered and I felt pity for him. “I did that to save you, boss.” He replied with tears streaming down his face. “If I had known it would cause this much harm, I wouldn't have done it.”

“Even if it didn't cost me anything, I would still kill you. I detest liars and deceivers. They don't deserve a place in this life.” Tobin said.

And I could feel he was directing that question to me. I couldn't do anything other than watch.

“Am I right, Annie?” He tilted his head towards me.

I felt my heart collapse, my heart beat like a drum and I hope just that won't give me out. “Yeah, you are right,” I responded.

I wanted to say, “Everyone deserves a second chance. You don't determine who dies or stays alive. Everyone is not like you, some of us had to live through the pain.”

But, I couldn't let my family's head, including mine, be butchered. I'm still very young.

“You see? She agrees to it. So, mister, your kind gestures are deeply appreciated. But you need to close your eyes till eternity.” Tobin pointed the gun at the man on the floor.

I watched the man beg for his life, for a second chance, but Tobin wasn't having any of that. “I promise I'll make it up to you! You can't just kill one of your own because he made a mistake! Please!” The man begged.

Tobin still pointed the gun at him and this time, the man wasn't talking loudly. “Please boss, please.” He muttered under his breath as his eyes were filled with surrender to death.

Suddenly, Tobin pulled the trigger. A bullet went through his forehead and everywhere went terribly silent.

My ears squealed, I couldn't hear shit. I just watched in horror. Yeah, I have seen a lot of dead bodies as he killed them, but this was different. This man did what he could to make sure Tobin's empire didn't fall.

Just one mistake got him killed. Just one!

“Why are you still standing there?” He asked.

I shook my head slowly, I didn't know what to say. Instinctively, I looked around, trying to see if I would see my sister, but I didn't.

If she ever shows up, I'll surely die.

I turned around, walking towards the house when I heard a soft voice. It was terrifyingly familiar.

And worse case? I wasn't the only one who heard it. Everyone did including, Tobin.

That voice… That voice was my sister's.

“Tobin?” She called out.

Slowly, I turned my head and my fear was confirmed. My sister was standing a few feet inside the gate.

Tobin stared at Claire. He looked at me and focused his gaze on Claire.

“Why does she look like you?” He asked as he stared at me.

I noticed the gun still loose in his hand, as if weighing which one of us to shoot first.

What do you expect I say? Fuck! Fuck!! Fuck!!!

Claire looked wrecked. Her clothes were torn. She had bruises. She looked like she hadn't bathed in weeks.

Tobin didn't know I had a twin sister, Tobin didn't know he had been played all this while, and that Tobin would end my life right now.

While Tobin wanted to touch Claire, she ignored, took a few steps and walked towards me and landed me a slap. I raised my head up then another one followed, then another one.

“You psychopath!” Then he turned to Tobin. “I was supposed to marry you, Tobin. But she sent people to kidnap me! And have me killed right after the wedding! But I escaped and found my way to you.” Claire announced that blatant lie.

Or maybe not?