A Crack of Faith

Chapter 1

Anastasia’s POV

There’s a quote that has been stuck in my mind for a while now by Stephanie Garber, it’s “Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything.” And I’ve been thinking for days now, about how I would change my fate… my fate to be his wife.

But that won’t easily happen simply because I’m not his fiancée and the girl he’s bound to marry is my… twin sister, Pearl.

“Are you just going to stay here? Your sister must have been devastated not to see you on her wedding day.”

I smirk and shake my head as I refill my glass of liquor. “I don’t deserve to be there. How can I face my sister and pretend that I’m happy for her when I want her husband for myself?” When the realization hit me I sadly smiled and wiped a tear that fell.

“You’re just saying that because you’re so weak that you can’t even go because of your parents.” That made me look at her angrily, that’s not true. My parents and I don’t have a good relationship but my sister and I get along. My twin sister who my parents adored and love more than anything else… like she’s the only daughter they have. “You should stop drinking, you’re going to pass out at this point.”

I didn’t listen to her, I’m not that weak, and continued drinking. I didn’t realize that it was getting dark and some people are entering the bar now, I didn’t even realize that I hadn’t eaten anything.

My phone suddenly rang loudly and made me answer the call without looking at who it was. “Ana, I need your help.”

“Pearl?” Why does she sound so scared… or desperate? “Is something wrong?” I stood up and got out of the bar as I couldn't hear her voice. “Pearl? Are you still there?”

“Yes.” I can hear her small sniffles that make me think that she’s crying. “Can you come and get me? I’m home.”

I have so many questions to ask her but it doesn’t sound like she’s going to answer them. “I will, wait for me.”

I immediately went and got in my car and drove my way to the house. It made me wonder what she was doing there instead of being with her husband. My heart is beating so fast that it matches the speed of my car, I know I shouldn’t be driving but my sister needs me.

I got out of my car recklessly so I didn’t bother to close the door and came running inside, the maids were shocked at my presence but my brows frowned when I entered her room and she wasn’t there.

My heart is beating so fast but my eyes are fixed on the papers lying on the bed together with her phone.

I bit my lips as I opened the letter.

“Dear Ana, I know you’re a wonderful person, some people just don't see that and I know you’re probably wondering where I am now but all I can say is sorry. I thought I could be with him, that I could take it and listen to our parents when they said that he’s the man that I will be spending my life with but I can’t… I’ve been dictated to what I should do all my life and I don’t know what got into me but I had this moment where I thought I would escape and probably by now I’m already gone and fled away. You know where this is going, you’re smart to realize what’s happening right now. Luke is inside the master’s bedroom. Our parents lend it for our honeymoon while they’re away. I love you so much Ana and our parents but I choose to love myself this time. I choose myself this time and I hope you will understand that. Please pretend to be for tonight and call me using the number on my phone. I will answer, I promise.” She must have left it for me to use when I pretend to be her.

My mouth opened and turned into a stone after reading her letter. It made me think if this is the answer to my prayers but my mind is still puzzled that I can’t do anything but stand there.

“What’s taking you so long?”

I stiffed more as Luke entered the room with a smile on his face. He’s wearing a bathrobe where I can see his bare chest. I gulp and hide the letter behind my back.

“Is there something bothering you?” He asked sweetly while holding my cheeks and rubbing his thumb in them. I shook my head and looked down but he held my jaw up and made me look at him. My heart is beating so fast and my body’s burning just because of a simple touch. My mouth opens a little as his thumb touches my lips while he smirks. Why does he look so different? Or is it just me?

My breathing became heavy when he tilted his head and moved it closer to mine and when his nose touched the tip of my nose it made me more nervous but when I look at his eyes it was like he was hypnotizing me. I can’t help but look at his lips and wet mine, I saw him smirk as he saw that but when he moved closer to me to kiss me, I looked away… I looked away and a tear left my eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I said in a whisper as I saw him looking disappointed.

“No, I’m sorry. You’re not ready, and I should respect that.”

I love my sister Luke even though I love you and I can’t do this, I can’t betray her, she should know that I love you because clearly, she doesn’t know when she asks me this favor.

“Can I sleep here alone? I want to be alone.” I felt ashamed when I said that because I can’t even look him in the eyes, so how am I going to do this?