Trapped in his cold embrace
RAQUEL'S POV
My brows pull together as I press my ear against the doorframe trying to eavesdrop, not like they are being discreet about the conversation—which is weird. They're usually quieter when they’re scheming.
“…Raquel should marry him instead,” Rachel says nonchalantly. “She’s my twin, after all.”
I freeze in place, as her statement rings in my head over again.
What?
My fingers tighten around the box in my hand instinctively. My heart skips a beat. Throwing the door open, I step inside, water still clinging to me, but I care less.
“What the hell did I just hear?” My voice calm yet cold.
They all turn in synchronized surprise, like I’ve just caught them mid-crime. Except Rachel, of course. She barely bats a lash.
“Speak of the actual devil,” she sighs, rolling her eyes with exaggerated flair.
Taking a step further, water dripping from my hair, my soaked clothes clinging to my skin“Did someone say something about marriage?”
Rachel shrugs and steps forward, arms folded across her chest. “Yes, silly. You’re getting married.” She says it like she’s asking me to pass the salt.
What the hell is she talking about?
Rachel’s the one engaged. She’s the one betrothed to Kai Rodriguez—the second son of the Rodriguez empire. The same man I’ve secretly loved for six long years, while swallowing the truth like poison every day.
The marriage alliance was supposed to strengthen both families. Rachel Milton and Kai Rodriguez. It was always them. And even though it crushed me, I accepted it. Because Rachel has always been the golden Milton, the chosen one. There's no way my name would have crossed their mind when the alliance came up.
My dad and Mr Rodriguez were college buddies. Apparently, they thought it would be nice to get their kids married. Though I don't understand why Kai agreed to the alliance since he doesn't do commitments.
Facing my parents, I search their faces for reason, for denial, for anything that proves I misheard. A laugh, maybe. A gentle correction.
But all I see are stiff postures and blank stares. Their silence screams louder than Rachel ever could.
“What exactly is she thrashing about?” My tone is controlled, but my insides churn.
Dad clears his throat, shifting uncomfortably. His eyes flicker—but never settle on mine. “The Rodriguez thinks it’s high time we move forward with the alliance. It’s been a year since the engagement.”
My arms across against my chest, fighting to sound logical instead of panicked, I say. “Then Rachel should be preparing for her wedding. She’s been anticipating it from day one. She’s a famous model marrying a famous billionaire CEO. Perfect for headlines.”
Dad exhales like I’m exhausting him. He rubs his temples, weary. “Rachel said she can’t get married right now. It would interfere with her image.”
A gasp escape my mouth. Her image?
Rachel struts forward, her heels clicking like punctuation marks. That mocking grin stretches across her perfect lips. “But we can’t just waste a golden opportunity, can we? Which is why you, my darling substitute twin, will be doing the honors.”
Her words slice through me. The audacity, the entitlement—she says it like I’m disposable. Like I’m meant to exist only to clean up her messes.
Yes, marrying Kai Rodriguez would be a dream. But not like this. Not as Rachel’s sloppy seconds. That would mean admitting every cruel whisper they’ve ever said about me was true—Raquel, the shadow twin. The stand-in and afterthought.
My mouth falls open, but the words don’t come. My eyes scan their faces again. Mom looks bored, like it's no big deal. Dad won’t even look at me in the eye. Of course, he never really cared
My voice comes out barely above a whisper, but loud and determined enough,“I don’t want to get married, besides I have a boyfriend.”
Rachel steps closer, matching my height. We’re eye to eye, nose to nose.
“You almost have my face, twiny” she whispers, breath tickling my ear. “Might as well put it to good use. Isn’t that why you’re here, Raquel? To take up what I don’t want?"
My entire body tenses. Rage simmers in my veins. My fist clench tight, and I bit on my lips to calm down the rage boiling inside me
Shrugging her hand off like it burns, I blurt. “I said I don’t want this!”
Mom finally speaks, stepping forward with the kind of cold finality that cuts deeper than a slap. “Darling, you have to. This marriage is a big step for our company. You don’t get to say no.”
I'm force blink back the tears that were trying to fall. I can't appear weak in front of them.
Maybe I did something bad to my family in my past life? Because it just doesn't make sense.
“I hate you all,” My voice comes out as a whisper, but I meant it with every fiber in me.
Spinning around, I bolt out. The door slams behind me, and the rain greets me like a slap to the face, cold and merciless. But I don’t care. stumbling to my truck and slide in. My clothes soak the seat instantly, my fingers trembling as I jam the key into the ignition. The engine makes a funny squeaky sound and finally roars to life.
Backing out like a demon’s chasing me.
Driving through the storm, the tears I’d been holding back spill over. Hot and furious. Wipes my cheeks with my thumb, but it’s no use. They keep coming like waterfalls. My vision blurs, but I still manage to drive.
My grip on the steering tighten. Different emotions flooding through me.
They want me to get married to my sister's fiance.
Fuck! What a cool way of getting rid of me.
Stepping hard on the gas. The storm thickens, but I don’t stop, I keep driving crazily down the road.
*****
Sitting curled up on Eliana’s couch, a thick sheet wrap around my body. My hair is bundled up in a towel, still damp from the rain.
Eliana walks in with two mugs of coffee, her eyes scanning my face. God knows what is going through her mind. She hands me one of the mugs, and I take it with quiet gratitude.
Taking a short sip. Black, with a lot sugar. Just how I like it.
She sits across from me, arms folded, watching me in silence. That kind of silence that makes my stomach twist.
Eliana is kind, cheerful and pretty, but working as a detective gives her this kind of aura. That even the toughest criminal will bend under her intense gaze.
My teeth press hard my lips. Patiently waiting for her judgement.
Finally, she exhales and says,“Tell me you brought your things and you're finally moving in with me.”
No. The words didn't leave my mouth only the movement of my head says it.
“Are you going to do their bidding?”
My head tilts side to side again as I take another sip.
“Word Raquel....use your damn words,” she snaps warningly.
My body jerks upward. There she goes with the name calling . “No. I won’t go through with it.”
She nods, her expression softening. “Good. Because I swear to God, if I ever see that twin of yours, I’ll rearrange her perfect nose.”
A dry chuckle escape my lips, but it dies quickly.
Eliana moves closer and slides under the blanket beside me, wrapping her arm around my shoulder. “I hate your family. Your twin, especially. I just want to punch her perfect nose. But what I don’t understand is why you go soft every time it comes to them. You even refuse to move in with me.”
You are not entirely wrong.
She scoots closer, pulling part of the thick sheet around her as she hugs me gently. “But… maybe we should think about it from a different angle.”
My brows knit together “What do you mean?”
She cups my cheek like it’s fragile glass. “You know I love you and I wouldn’t say this if I thought it would hurt you. But Bunny… marrying into this family might be your golden ticket to the life you’ve always wanted. And it gets you out of that mansion. Away from twin’s shadow.”
My eyes remain on her, uneasy. She’s not entirely wrong, but my chest recoils uncomfortably at the idea.
She rolls her eyes. “And don’t even get me started on that unhealthy crush you’ve been nursing for years.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks, as I turn my head away. Only Ana knows about my feelings for Kai, because she was there when it all started. I thought I convinced her I was over him.
“What about Kyle?” My voice is low, guilt-wrapped. “He’s been good to me. I can’t betray him.”
She scoffs, irritated. “That’s your excuse? Please, Bunny. The only reason you are dating Kyle is to prove you were over Kai. Spoiler alert—you’re not. Plus you guys are barely even dating."
Her accuracy stuns me.
“Still,” I murmur. “I don’t want to betray him. We promised to get married… someday. And besides, Rachel and Kai have been engaged for a year.”
She scoffs. “And you've been crushing on him for six years. Do the math, silly. That's far before this alliance stuff came up"
“Ana, I hear you. I really do. But I only want to get married to someone who loves me back. I don't want a marriage of unrequited love."
Ana throws her hand in the air, ", you have your whole marriage life to make him fall for you. And that shouldn't be a hard task, considering your body is lethal. Those curves? Illegal. "she winks,
"Ana."I groan, burying my face in the mug.
“Fine, Bunny. Whatever makes you happy.” She tucks herself back under the sheet, pressing a kiss to my hair.
A moment later, her expression shifts, mischief lighting her features. “I know just the thing to cheer you up.”
She grabs her laptop, boots it up, and pulls up last year’s Kiaros Automotive sports car launch video. I smile instantly. My obsession with cars—especially K.A.’s creations, isn’t something many people get, but Ana indulges it like a religion.
Kai Rodriguez is the CEO of Kairos automotive. The king of engines. The best automotive company in New York, well until last year after the scandal.
Just as the video starts, my phone buzzes. My eyes glance at the notification lazily, then freeze.
•K.A. is back. Official announcement for next launch coming soon.•
My body freeze in place jaw slack, blood surging with adrenaline.
“They’re back!” I shriek, leaping off the couch.
Ana jumps. “What the hell....?”
I toss her the phone. Her eyes widen as she reads, then we both scream like teenage fangirls, bouncing on the couch.
“Does this mean you still have a chance to work there?” she asks between laughs.
“Yes! Yes, Ana!”
