The church bells rang as Alex sat alone in the small back room. His hands were tied behind the chair, but the rope was free enough that no one would notice if they walked in. One of Sophia's men stood outside the door, making sure he didn't try to leave.
Alex's mind raced. The wedding would start in thirty minutes. Somewhere in the church, Ethan was being held too. He had to find a way to save them both.
He looked around the room for anything that might help. There was a small window, but it was too high to reach. A cross hung on the wall. Some flowers sat in a bowl. Nothing useful.
The door opened, and Alex straightened up, trying to look normal. His heart pounded when he saw Sophia walk in, wearing her white wedding dress. She looked beautiful, but Alex only felt fear when he saw her.
"Leave us," she told the guard. The man nodded and closed the door.
Sophia walked toward Alex, her dress rustling. She didn't look like someone who had just taken two people. She looked like a normal bride, scared and happy on her wedding day.
"You look handsome," she said, fixing his crooked tie. "But something's wrong. You're pale."
Alex said nothing. He didn't know what game she was playing. Just hours ago, she had pointed a gun at him and Ethan.
Sophia sighed and pulled up a chair to sit across from him. "You can tell me anything, Alex. What's bothering you?"
Alex was shocked by Sophia's response. He confronted her about the kidnapping of him and Ethan, accused her of threatening to kill Ethan if he didn’t marry her. Sophia denied any knowledge, looking confused and worried. Alex insisted he knew about her family's financial problems and her men attacking his father. Sophia stood up, startled, saying she visited his father in the hospital and didn’t hurt anyone. She undid Alex's ropes, saying she wasn’t involved. Suddenly, Alex’s mother entered, saying that Uncle Ramon was fine and at the church. Alex, confused, asked about Ethan, who was delayed due to traffic. Then, a girl resembling Sophia entered, saying their father was looking for her.
"That was... your twin sister?"
Sophia nodded. "Yes, Sara. You've met her several times. Don't you remember?"
Alex felt sick. He remembered now. Sophia did have a twin sister. They looked so alike that people often confused them. Could it be that Sara, not Sophia, was the one behind everything?
"I need to sit down," Alex said, his legs weak.
Sophia helped him back to the chair. "Alex, you're scaring me. Maybe we should call a doctor."
"No," Alex said. "I'm fine. I just... I think someone has been trying to be you."
Sophia's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"The woman at the warehouse, the one who took us—she looked just like you. She even wore the same blue dress you had on this morning when you came to my place."
"But I never came to your apartment this morning," Sophia said quietly. "I stayed at my parents' house last night. It's tradition."
Alex's mother nodded. "It's true. I talked to Sophia's mother early this morning. She was helping Sophia get ready."
Everything was falling into place. Sara, not Sophia, had come to his room. Sara had kidnapped him and Ethan. Sara was the one behind it all.
Just then, Alex's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out. It was a text from an unknown number: "Meet me in the church basement. I have Ethan. Come alone or he dies."
Alex stood up. "I need to go."
"Where?" his mother asked. "The ceremony starts soon!"
"I just need a minute," Alex said, going toward the door. "I'll be right back."
Sophia caught his arm. "Alex, wait. Something's wrong. Let me help you."
Alex paused, thinking about whether Sophia, if innocent, should know the truth. He quickly said, "Your sister Sara is behind everything. She planned the attack on my father and kidnapped me and Ethan. Now she's holding Ethan somewhere in the church. "
Sophia was shocked and shouted, "That's impossible! Sara wouldn't do that. "
Alex explained that Sara might do anything to save their family's company, as he knew about its financial problems. Sophia asked how he found out, and he answered that Ethan informed him through a friend at her company. Sophia admitted it was true and stressed that Sara wouldn't hurt anyone to fix things.
Alex insisted on finding Ethan, showing Sophia the text, while she insisted on coming with him. Both Alex and his mother disagreed, stating the danger. Sophia argued that she could stop Sara if she was indeed behind this. Alex's mother allowed them to go but pushed them to hurry.
They entered the busy hallway and headed to the dark basement. Alex offered to go first, but Sophia stated she would go since Sara wouldn't harm her. As they went into the basement, they called for Ethan. Eventually, they found him tied to a chair, but then the door shut, and the light went out.
A voice from the shadows revealed Sara, holding a gun, saying she was saving their family. She defended her actions by saying it was the only way to ensure the wedding happened, despite the harm done to Ethan. When Alex tried to untie Ethan, Sara pointed the gun at him.
"I had to get rid of Ethan because he knew too much," Sara stated. "He was going to ruin everything."
"So it was you at the warehouse," Alex said. "You pretended to be Sophia."
Sara laughed, saying it was easy to imitate her sister Sophia, not even their father could tell them apart. Sophia asked if their dad knew, and Sara answered that he knew what he needed to; she was saving the company while Sophia played the bride. Alex pointed out they couldn't stay hidden forever, and Sara said they would forge a note saying Sophia was left at the altar by Ethan, who ran away with Alex. Sara planned to have their car found at the airport with tickets to Mexico, making it seem real enough for their father to sue for breach of contract.
Sophia then asked about their fates, especially about Alex and Ethan. Sara's mood changed, and she dismissed Sophia's worry. In a sudden confrontation, Sophia grabbed Sara's arm, and a gun went off as they fought, causing Alex to dive to the floor. When he looked up, he saw Sara pushing Sophia against the wall with the gun pointed at her. Sophia begged with Sara, but Sara claimed Sophia didn't know her.
Alex ran to help but saw Sara pull the trigger. Time seemed to freeze as Sophia was shot, and Alex screamed, running to her side. He checked her pulse and found it weak but still alive, telling Sara to call for help. Instead of helping, Sara hardened and pointed the gun at Alex, threatening further harm if he didn't obey. Alex, feeling the urgency, stood up, agreeing to her requests to keep others safe.
Sara then said they had to go upstairs, claiming to start the wedding, where she would marry Alex in Sophia's dress to deceive everyone. Alex was shocked at the idea, questioning Sara's plan regarding Ethan and Sophia. Sara coldly claimed it would be too late for them by the time help came. As they moved toward the stairs, Alex noticed Ethan was working on freeing himself.
To buy Ethan time, Alex asked to say goodbye to Sophia, which Sara reluctantly allowed. He knelt beside Sophia, whispering support. Just as they planned to leave, Uncle Ramon appeared and disarmed Sara, taking control. Alex informed him about Sophia’s situation, and Ramon confirmed help was already on the way.
While Alex untied Ethan, they were both worried about Sophia's worsening condition. They realized her efforts to save them had led to her being shot. Paramedics arrived in chaos, lifting Sophia onto a bed. Alex asked about her chances, and the medic told him they were doing their best.
As they carried Sophia away, her father looked devastated, unable to face Sara as police took her into custody. Alone in the basement, Alex and Ethan found a moment to talk. Both expressed relief about each other's safety, and despite a failed joke, they realized their bond was stronger than before.
They walked up the stairs to find the police ready to ask them questions. As they did, Ethan held Alex’s hand and asked about their future. Alex, feeling brave, said it was time to be honest about his thoughts, and Ethan smiled in agreement. Stepping into the light of the church, they found the wake of the drama: no guests left and police taking statements, while an ambulance siren rushed Sophia to the hospital.
Alex's mother hugged him tight. "I'm so glad you're safe."
"Thanks to Uncle Ramon," Alex said. "How did he know we were in trouble?"
His mother smiled. "He said he had a feeling. He's always had good senses."
A police officer approached them. "Mr. Rivera? I need to ask you some questions about what happened."
Alex nodded. "Of course."
As he followed the cop, his phone buzzed with a text message. It was from a hospital number: "Sophia is in surgery. Her state is critical. She's asking for you."
Alex looked at the message, his heart sinking. After everything that had happened, Sophia might not live. And it was all because she tried to help him.
He showed the message to Ethan. "I need to go to the hospital."
"I'll come with you," Ethan said without doubt.
As they told the cops they needed to leave, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't over. Sara was in prison, but Sophia was fighting for her life. And somewhere out there, Mr. Martinez was watching his empire crumble and his children suffer.
What would he do next?