Chapter 51 IDENTITY THEFT.
\~~~RAINA.
I swear, I ran.
I didn’t walk. I didn’t jog. I fucking ran.
The moment Luciano’s grip loosened even a little around my neck, I grabbed my bag and bolted out of the room. I didn’t look back, nor did I pause to think. I just moved, my heart slamming violently against my ribs like it wanted out of my body.
My feet barely touched the marble floor as I flew down the hallway.
I could hear my own breathing sharp, uneven, and ugly. My hands were shaking so badly I almost dropped my phone as I rushed down the stairs.
I didn’t stop for once, not even when I heard the butler calling after me, reminding me about breakfast.
Screw breakfast.
Screw everyone.
In fact, screw this house.
My chest burned as I rushed down the steps, my heart pounding so hard that it felt like it wanted to tear its way out of my ribs. I didn’t slow down until I reached outside, the cold morning air slapping against my skin.
That was when I finally eased my pace.
I stood there, breathing hard, my hands shaking as I tried to steady myself.
“Madam!”
I looked up.
Gabriel.
For the first time since I stepped into this house, relief washed over me at the sight of him. His face lit up when he saw me, genuine concern etched across his features as he hurried closer.
“Madam, are you okay?” he asked quickly.
I nodded, even though I knew I was lying. My throat felt tight, as if I had opened my mouth too wide, everything I was holding back would spill out.
“I’m fine,” I said, my voice coming out thinner than I wanted. “I just… I’m running late.”
Gabriel hesitated, his eyes flickering briefly toward the house, then back to me. He looked like he wanted to ask more, but didn’t.
“Your car is ready,” he said softly.
“Thank you,” I breathed, and this time, I meant it.
He opened the door for me, and the moment I slid into the back seat, the walls I had been holding up all morning began to crack. I pressed my forehead against the cool window, my reflection staring back at me, eyes too bright, lips slightly parted, fear still clinging to my face.
As the car pulled away from the house, I didn’t look back.
I couldn’t.
My hands curled into fists on my lap as one thought echoed over and over in my head.
I have to get out.
I have to survive this.
I cannot let him break me.
For the first time since I became Luciano Moretti’s wife, work didn’t feel like an obligation or an escape.
It felt like safety.
And as the gates disappeared behind us, I promised myself something quietly, and desperately.
No matter what it takes, I will not lose myself in that house.
Never.
The drive to the office was quiet, and I was really grateful for Gabriel. He didn’t chatter like every other day, he just let the music play, and before I even realized it, I found myself softly singing along to one of the songs.
By the time we arrived at the company, the guards were already alert. One of them hurried forward, pulling the car door open for me. I stepped out gracefully, offering a small nod to acknowledge their bow. The car drove off, leaving me to face the day on my own.
I took a slow, steadying breath and walked toward the entrance. The morning sunlight reflected off the glass doors, casting a bright glow across the lobby, and just as I stepped inside, my phone beeped from my bag. I fished it out and squinted at the screen. The message was from an unknown number and my stomach twisted, a strange sense of unease crawling over me.
Entering the elevator, while nodding my head at the group of workers who pushed themselves backward like I was going to chew their heads off, I tapped the screen to read the message.
“I KNOW WHO YOU ARE.”
Read the message.
My lips twitched upward and I tilted my head as I read the message over and over again.
I know who I am too, it’s no big deal, right?
Deciding to brush the message aside and return it to my bag, another message came in, and I read it.
My breath came out shakily, and my bag dropped from my hands immediately.
“Uh… wh…” I gasped, almost forgetting I was not alone in the elevator.
“M… ma’am, are you okay?” A voice came up behind me.
I jumped slightly, fumbled to pick up my bag, and stammered out, “Y… yes… I am… thank you.” My voice sounded far too high, far too weak even to myself.
The elevator dinged as it reached my floor, and the doors slid open. I didn’t wait another second. I hurried out, my heels clicking against the floor, the sound echoing down the quiet hallway. Every step brought me closer to my office, but the strange messages kept looping in my mind.
By the time I reached my office door, I was shaking slightly, my hands gripping the handle as I pushed it open. I slipped inside, shutting the door carefully behind me. I needed a moment to collect myself.
Slowly, I raised my phone to read the message again, and my hands flew to my mouth.
“YOU ARE NOT TALIA. YOU STEPPED INTO HER PLACE. YOU MARRIED LUCIANO MORETTI. AND I KNOW EVERYTHING.”
And then another message came in again.
“FRAUD. IDENTITY THEFT. DECEPTION. CHOOSE THE ONE YOU PREFER. EITHER WAY, I KNOW THE TRUTH.”