Substitute Bride: Marrying Dark De'Longhi

I was exhausted from work when I got home. As soon as the taxi I was in stopped in front of my house, I immediately paid the driver and got out. I was about to enter the gate when I froze upon seeing a man standing in front of my house. He was wearing a black long-sleeve polo shirt and was leaning against his expensive black car. I cleared my throat, catching his attention. He looked up from his phone, and when he saw me, he stood up straight and faced me properly. “Miss Rivera,” he said. He knows me? “Who are you?” I asked, frowning. I didn’t recognize him, and it was strange for someone to show up at this hour. “I’m Calil Abruzzo. I’m Dianna’s personal secretary,” he said with an accent. It was clear from his voice that he wasn’t Filipino. But it wasn’t his accent that caught my attention—it was when he mentioned my twin sister’s name. How many years had it been since I last heard her name? Fifteen? The last thing I remember, Dianna left the Philippines and went to live abroad. That was when she was ten years old. “Y-you know my twin sister?” I asked in disbelief. He gave a faint smile. “You look exactly like Signora Dianna.” I glanced at the car behind him, wondering if my sister might be inside. “Your sister isn’t with me. If you want to know what happened to her, let’s talk inside your house,” he said, as if he had read my mind. He seemed serious, and whatever he had to say felt important, so I invited him inside. It was the first time I’d ever let a stranger into my home. If it weren’t about Dianna, I never would have allowed it. “Please have a seat,” he said, gesturing toward the couch. “And… don’t worry, I understand Tagalog. Just not too much,” he added, though his words were slightly awkward. “Oh, I see… Um, would you like something to drink? Juice? Coffee?” “I’m good,” he replied, taking a seat on the single-seater sofa. “Okay.” I sat down across from him. “What do you need? And where is my twin sister?” He let out a deep sigh and slowly exhaled. “Fifteen years ago, as you know, Signora Dianna went abroad to live with your father. She told me about it herself,” he said. “Can you please get to the point?” I said. His pacing was only making me more nervous. “It’s been more than five months since Signorina Dianna agreed to marry Dark De’Longhi. He’s a multi-billionaire and a famous businessman in Sicily. But after a month of their engagement, Signora Dianna suddenly disappeared. She hasn’t been seen since.” “Why did my sister suddenly disappear? Did she tell you where she was going?” He shook his head. “She didn’t tell me anything. I was just surprised when she didn’t show up. Even your father was shocked by her disappearance.” “Um… why would Dianna agree to marry this Dark De’Longhi?” I asked curiously. “Signorina Dianna agreed to marry Signore Damon to save your father’s failing business in Sicily,” he answered. I never imagined my sister would end up living a life like that. And I never thought she’d agree to marry someone just to protect our family’s wealth. “Maybe Dark De’Longhi knows where my sister is?” “He doesn’t. He’s looking for her too.” My brows furrowed. “Then where could my sister possibly be?” “We think… she might be dead,” he said bluntly. It felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over me. Did I hear him right? My twin… dead? That couldn’t be. “You’re joking, right?” I asked, my voice trembling. “I wish this were all just a joke, Miss Rivera.” “B-but how?” “We believe someone may have killed her.” “Who would do something like that to her?” He shrugged. “I don’t know. But I’m sure whoever it was… they’re still around.” Suddenly, I felt overwhelmed. “Why would anyone want to kill Dianna?” “I can’t think of any other reason besides money.” “Oh God…” I whispered. “Before she disappeared, Signorina Dianna ran away from the mansion after an argument with Signore Damon. When I found her at the hotel she was staying in, she asked me to go to the hospital with her. She wanted to abort the baby she was carrying.” “W-what? She was pregnant? Was Dark De’Longhi the father?” “I don’t know. She never told me. And after that… she suddenly disappeared from the hospital.” “Why did you come here?” I asked after a moment. “Signore Damon believes your twin is still alive. He’s still looking for her. I’m not trying to drag you into this, but I want to find her. Your sister is a good person, Miss Rivera.” “What do you mean?” “If you agree… I want you to pretend to be Dianna Rivera.” “What?! You want me to pretend to be Dianna? How is that even possible?” “No one would suspect anything. You look exactly like your twin sister, Miss Rivera.” “But…” “I’m not forcing you. All I want is to find Signorina Dianna.” I clenched my fists. I was truly worried about my twin’s disappearance—but I didn’t want to turn my quiet life upside down. “I’m worried about what happened to her, but I can’t risk my life just to find my sister, Mr. Abruzzo.” “I understand,” he said with a bitter smile. Then he stood up. “But expect Signore Damon De’Longhi to come here… to take you.” “T-take me? Why would he do that?” “Because he’ll think you’re his fiancée.” I stood up, alarmed. “But I’m not his fiancée!” “Do you think he’ll believe that right away?” “Why not? There are documents that can prove I’m not Dianna!” “You’re mistaken, Miss Rivera. I didn’t mention it before, but Signora Dianna used your name when she lived in Sicily.” “What?!” I was stunned. How could my sister use my name? And why would our father allow it? I wanted to be angry because it felt so unfair. I looked at the calling card he placed on the center table. “Call me if you need help,” he said before leaving. I remained frozen in place. Even now, I still couldn’t process everything I had just learned.