READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 5: You're a lookalike
5 months later ¬
Ashley Pov.
the bustling city filled with happy chatters and voices of pedestrians going about their daily activities. Easter was not only a period of celebration but one surrounded by giving and receiving. In the heart of Kalmery City stood the ever-shining Hale mansion. A household single-handedly run by one man. His mission is a mystery but his blows are never missing. To the world, nothing was known of him other than his wealth, power, and great influence over Kalmery City, blackmonth county, and the nation at large. His name was only voiced out in whispers, and the fear of his wrath was buried deep into the hearts of every noble and socialite.
Unlike the second and third-class nobles, the Hales have stood firm at the top for centuries, their power unmatched and wealth ever flowing but deep within every shiniest of castles laid the deepest of secrets, beneath the luxurious exterior, there was a mistakable aura of despair, as if the very walls were soaked with the suffering of those who had been trapped here before me. The servants went about their faces blank, their eyes hollow as if they had resigned themselves to what fate awaited them, but that was five months ago for I was now accustomed to the cold silence of the walls which threatened to swallow me at any given time.
Everything was different, unlike the soft rustling of leaves outside in Black Month or the distant murmur of servants starting their day. This silence felt thicker, unfamiliar but strangely comforting. Five months had passed since I narrowly escaped the clutches of death. It all seemed like a dream but no it wasn't, recovering from the wounds and broken bones I had suffered was nothing compared to the constant torture of nightmares that came upon me in every enclosed darkness.
I barely slept, my mind constantly haunted by the memories that had trapped me to this fate. It was from one cage to another, but this was preferable. Now trapped in golden bars, unlike the rusty ones of the past, I now wore a diamond collar, which tightened, choking me to remember every pain and the reason for my existence. My hands caressed the diamond ring on my ring finger, a cage too thick for me to break through. His words served as daily reminders of what lay ahead.
I had woken up to his tall stern face staring down at me, his cold black eyes pouring word after word into my ears.
"You will be trained, molded, and shaped into something that might one day be worth the price I just paid for saving your life. You may think you've seen cruelty but you know nothing of what true suffering is. Your life is mine to decide and to keep. You are to obey without questions. Failure is not an option." The air was thick with the nauseous scent of medication invading my nostrils but that did not stop him.
"Listen up carefully¬ I am Alexandria Hale, your benefactor, your owner, and your worst nightmare. You are now married to me, here in the Hale household you are no longer who you used to be but what I want you to be. Your past life, your name, your identity none of it matters before me. Obedience is the first and most important rule, the Hale mansion may look like a place of luxury but it is a prison and you are its prisoner¬ Welcome to hell Mrs. Ashley Hale" Every word of his is planted at the deepest of my core.
Present¬
"Mrs Hale" Gina called out. I jumped slightly startled and quickly turned. "Yes," I answered. "We are all set, it's time to leave" her voice cold and distant. I nodded gathering the last of my thoughts. Finally, it was time to face it all. I quickly followed Gina down the flight of stairs and as expected the car was packed at the front with him already seated. Ian quickly got the door for me and smiled tightly, grateful for his thoughtfulness. The mansion faded into the distance and soon Kalmery City did too.
Staring out at the familiar street of Blackmont. The rumors of my fate had long been a thought of the past. New gossip came along and like cheap fabric, I was soon forgotten. The news of my death spread far and wide and my family denied me even in death. No funeral was held and nothing was made mention of me, like the past I had forgotten, I was only a stain to their name which they had successfully gotten rid of effortlessly.
My grip tightened around my wedding ring as we rode past the Camfrey mansion, a place I had once called home. It was brimming with lights of celebration. My chest tightened, and soon, I felt myself gasping for breath. They were not only celebrating but preparing for Samantha and Edward's marriage. The big wedding banner at the entrance couldn't be missed.
I could feel Alexandria's piercing gaze on me, his cold eyes scanning every reaction. "Are you happy, I suppose?" he asked, his tone firm. Yes, of course," I replied, pinching hard into my palms. "Good¬; it will be a shame not to honor the invitation," I felt my heart sink at his words. My eyes widened in despair. I had expected to meet them at some point, but not so soon.
"Are you attending?!" the words slipped out before I could hold them back. His gaze turned cold, and his hands shoved me to the back, choking me hard. "No questions Ashley," his tone stern. I nodded blinking to hold back my tears as he loosened his grip over me.
"You are my wife and not Mansfield. You look alike to her but you don't understand her?" I quickly nodded. Without a doubt I wasn't her, my heart carried no warmth and I was only a shell at the disposal of my owner. If I am to suffer such a cruel fate, they might as well pay me back the blood bond they owe. It was time to watch the Camfreys and Mansfield fall from glory shamefully.