Chapter 157 THE BEGINNING.
\~~~TALIA.
I knelt beside her, my hands steady as I started undressing her. First, her blouse. A soft, expensive fabric that screamed Moretti money. I peeled it off, careful not to rip it. Her skirt came next, sliding down her legs that mirrored mine so perfectly. We were identical, after all. That's why this would work. I slipped out of my own clothes, the black top and shorts I'd worn for the abduction, and dressed in hers. The material felt foreign against my skin and too refined as it had been a while since I wore such corporate and luxurious outfits but it fit like a glove. I even took her earrings, her watch, tucking them into place. For Raina, I pulled my old outfit back onto her limp body. It was generous, really. She looked ridiculous in the shorts and top, but at least she wasn't naked.
Marco watched from the corner, his cigarette burned down to the filter. He nodded approvingly when I stood up, now transformed into the COO of Moretti Corporation. "You look just like her. No one will know."
"Wakey wakey!" I said after a few minutes, kicking Raina's leg, not too hard, but enough to jolt her. She groaned, her eyelids fluttering open. The moment her eyes focused on me, horror flooded her face. She scrambled back against the wall, staring at my outfit, and my hair styled just like hers.
I smiled, twirling a strand around my finger. "I look too much like you now, don't I?"
"What the hell have you done?!" Raina screamed, her voice echoing in the empty room. She looked down at her body, tugging at the shorts in disgust. Her face paled as realization hit. "You... you switched with me? Talia, this is crazy!"
"That is exactly what I am here to do," I replied coolly, pacing in front of her. "Now, let's run a few things together. You are the COO of the Moretti Corporation, right? Tell me about your day. The meetings, the projects. I need every detail."
"Screw you!" she spat, her eyes blazing with fury. She tried to stand, but her legs wobbled, and she sank back down.
"What a hypocrite you are, sister," I said, leaning in close. "You even work at his company just to be with me by all means. I remember how Father forced you to work at the family company back home. You hated it then, but now? You are thriving in my spot."
She didn't answer. Her face remained stony and angry, lips pressed into a thin line. But I could see the crack in her armor and the way her hands trembled.
"And we have thirty minutes left before your driver comes to pick you up, right?" I continued, checking my watch— her watch now. Time was ticking.
Still, she didn't answer. Her silence only fueled my irritation.
"What is his name? Viktor or Gabriel? Your driver" I pressed, watching her closely.
Her eyes raised a bit at the accuracy of the details. Yes, I'd been thorough. For months, I'd had eyes on her, contacts in the city feeding me reports, and photos of her with Luciano, Alessia, and the whole Moretti clan. I knew her schedule better than she did.
"Alessia Moretti, the elder, yeah? And Luciano... how is he treating the husband role?" I added, my voice dripping with sarcasm. The thought of her with him made my fists clench.
He had been mine first, even if it was a marriage of convenience.
"You can never pass as me, Talia," she said finally, her voice steady despite everything. "You will never be me."
"Girl? You should be saying that to yourself," I laughed, standing up straight. The sound bounced off the walls, hollow and mocking. I'd practiced this in mirrors, studied her mannerisms. It wasn’t even hard. I lived with this bitch for over twenty years.
Her soft laugh? I knew how to fake it.
Her whimsiness? Too simple.
"You are walking into a trap," she warned, her tone urgent. "Your death! He will kill you! Luciano knows…"
She stopped and I furrowed my brows, a flicker of doubt creeping in.
But I pushed it down. No time for weakness. "And Marco will kill you," I said, as a matter of fact, nodding toward him. He was still in the corner, lighting another cigarette, his eyes fixed on her like a predator.
"W... what?" Raina's voice cracked, fear finally breaking through.
I didn't say anything else. Just grabbed her bag, my bag now, from the floor and slung it over my shoulder. It was heavier than I expected, filled with her phone, wallet, and keys to the life I'd reclaim. "It is time for the drama, sister. I'd advise you to listen to whatever Marco says, though. He is a temperamental nut case. Don't think you could run your mouth anyhow, okay? Play along, and maybe you will see daylight again."
"T... Talia, please, don't do this..." Her voice finally broke, raw and pleading. She reached out a hand, her eyes searching mine for the sister she remembered.
I wasn't sure what facial expression she had on was maybe anger, fear, or hatred. Maybe all three.
But who cares? The show was over for us.
Our bond had shattered long ago, in the lies and betrayals of our family.
I turned toward the door, my heart pounding but my steps firm. Marco would keep her contained until I was settled back in. A few weeks, maybe months, even till I get to ruin Luciano from the inside..
As I stepped out into the fading light, the unfinished building looming behind me, I felt a rush of power.
Talia Moretti was back. And this time, no one would take it from me.
The drive back to the city was tense, Marco silent behind the wheel while I rehearsed lines in my head.
Gabriel would pick me up, none the wiser. I'd smile, laugh, slip back into the role as though I'd never left. Luciano would hold me that night, whispering love I didn't deserve but would accept.
Alessia would gossip over coffee, oblivious.
But deep down, a whisper nagged.
What if she was right? What if he saw through me? I shook it off.
This was just another game, and I was winning.
By the time we neared the company, my nerves had steadied. I adjusted the rearview mirror, checking my reflection. Perfect. "Drop me a block away," I told Marco. "And keep her quiet. My sister can be very cunning.”
He grunted in agreement, pulling over. I stepped out, the city noise enveloping me like an old friend.
My phone buzzed, Raina's phone actually, with a text from ‘sister in law’.
Alessia. “Where are you? I heard you didn’t turn up at the site.”
Just as I planned to reply, I raised my head, and then smacked my lips at the man who stood diligently by the car across the company.
Her driver was here.
I glanced at the wristwatch again, and it was six already.
As I walked toward the waiting car, I typed a quick message to Alessia. “Yes, something came up. I’ll check it up tomorrow, sis,” I said, imitating her style of texting.
Finally, I felt the weight of eight months lift.
My place was waiting, and I would fight tooth and nail to keep it.
This… was just the beginning.