The Reception

Bianca's POV

The crystal glass slipped from my fingers.

It crashed to the marble floor with a sound like breaking bones. Red wine spread across the white stone like blood.

"Careful," Leo said, grabbing my wrist. His grip was firm but not painful. "You're shaking."

I was. My whole body trembled like a leaf in a storm. The wedding reception swirled around us - expensive people in expensive clothes, eating expensive food. But all I could think about was Leo's threat in the chapel.

If you betray me, you'll end up like your sister.

"I'm fine," I lied.

"No, you're not." Leo's golden eyes studied my face. "You look sick."

A waiter appeared with a towel and cleaned up the broken glass. He didn't look at me. None of the servants did. They were too scared.

"Mrs. Cavalcanti!" A voice boomed across the room.

I turned to see a man walking toward us. He was tall and handsome, with dark hair and a perfect smile. But his eyes were cold as winter ice.

"Victor," Leo said. His voice was flat. "Brother."

This was Victor Cavalcanti. Leo's older brother. The man from the outline who wanted Leo dead.

"Your bride looks lovely," Victor said, taking my hand and kissing it. His lips were warm, but his touch made my skin crawl. "Just like Alessia."

There it was again. That name. That reminder of who I was supposed to be.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"You must be tired," Victor said. "Weddings are exhausting. Especially when you're grieving."

My heart stopped. "Grieving?"

"For your sister, of course. Such a tragedy. Losing your twin like that."

Leo's hand tightened on my waist. A warning.

"Yes," I said carefully. "It's been hard."

"I'm sure it has." Victor's smile got wider. "But you're family now. We'll take care of you."

The way he said it made me think of how a spider takes care of a fly.

"Victor," a woman's voice purred.

We turned to see a stunning woman in a red dress. She had long black hair and perfect makeup. She moved like a cat - smooth and dangerous.

"Camilla," Victor said. His whole face changed when he looked at her. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you, darling." She kissed his cheek, leaving a red lipstick mark. "And congratulations to the happy couple."

This was Camilla DeRossi. According to the outline, she was a gold-digger. But something about her felt different. Smarter. More dangerous.

"You must be Alessia," she said to me. "I've heard so much about you."

"Have you?" I asked.

"Oh yes. Your sister was quite famous in our circles."

My blood turned cold. "Famous?"

"She was so curious about everything. Always asking questions. Always wanting to know more about the family business."

Leo stepped forward. "Camilla."

"What? I'm just making conversation." She smiled at me. "You're not curious like she was, are you?"

I wanted to say no. I wanted to lie and act like the perfect, quiet wife. But something in her eyes made me think she knew more than she was saying.

"Sometimes," I said.

"How interesting." Camilla's smile was sharp as a knife. "Well, I'm sure you'll fit right in."

She walked away, her heels clicking on the marble floor. Victor watched her go, his eyes following every move.

"She's beautiful," I said.

"She's dangerous," Leo replied.

"More dangerous than you?"

Leo looked at me with surprise. "What makes you think I'm dangerous?"

"You threatened to kill me in the chapel."

"I was protecting you."

"From what?"

"From asking too many questions."

Before I could respond, an older man approached us. He was short and fat, with nervous eyes and sweaty hands.

"Leo," he said, his voice shaking. "Congratulations."

"Dr. Bianchi," Leo said coldly. "I'm surprised you came."

Dr. Bianchi. The fertility doctor from the outline. The one who knew about the child.

"I wouldn't miss your wedding," Dr. Bianchi said. But he kept looking around like he expected someone to attack him.

"How kind," Leo said. "I'm sure my father appreciates your loyalty."

"Of course. Always loyal to the family."

Dr. Bianchi's eyes found mine. For a second, I saw something there. Fear. Guilt. And something else.

Recognition.

He knew who I really was.

"You look well," he said to me. "Very... healthy."

"Thank you."

"I hope you're taking care of yourself. Eating well. Getting enough rest."

Why was he talking to me like I was pregnant? Like I was sick?

"I'm fine," I said.

"Good. That's... that's very good." He wiped sweat from his forehead. "Well, I should go. Congratulations again."

He hurried away, almost running.

"Strange man," I said.

"Very strange," Leo agreed. But his voice was thoughtful. Like he was putting pieces together.

The reception continued around us. People laughed and danced and pretended to be happy. But I could feel the darkness underneath. The violence. The secrets.

I excused myself to use the bathroom. I needed air. I needed space to think.

The bathroom was empty and quiet. I splashed cold water on my face and looked at myself in the mirror.

I looked exactly like Alessia. Same face. Same hair. Same eyes.

But I wasn't her. I would never be her.

The door opened behind me. I turned, expecting to see another guest.

Instead, I saw Camilla.

"Hello," she said, locking the door behind her.

"Hi."

"We need to talk."

My heart started pounding. "About what?"

"About your sister. About what really happened to her."

"I don't know what you mean."

"Yes, you do." Camilla stepped closer. "You're not Alessia. You're Bianca."

I felt like I'd been punched. "I don't-"

"Stop lying. I know who you are. The question is, do you know who I am?"

"You're Victor's girlfriend."

"I'm so much more than that." She smiled. "I'm the person who's going to help you find out who killed your sister."

"What?"

"Alessia was murdered. We both know that. But the question is, who did it? And why?"

My legs felt weak. "How do you know about-"

"I know a lot of things. I know about the child. I know about the money. And I know you're in terrible danger."

"What child?"

"The one your sister was carrying. The one that's now hidden somewhere safe."

I grabbed the sink to steady myself. "Alessia was pregnant?"

"Very. And that's why she's dead."

The room was spinning. My sister had been pregnant. She'd been carrying a child. And someone had killed her for it.

"Who?" I whispered.

"That's what we need to find out. But we have to be careful. If they know you're investigating-"

The door handle rattled. Someone was trying to get in.

"Ladies?" Victor's voice called out. "Everything okay in there?"

Camilla's face went pale. "Act normal," she whispered.

She unlocked the door and opened it. Victor stood there with his perfect smile.

"There you are," he said. "I was looking for you."

"Just girl talk," Camilla said lightly. "You know how it is."

"Of course." Victor's eyes moved between us. "Bianca, your husband is looking for you."

He knew. He knew my real name.

"I should go," I said.

I walked past Victor, but he grabbed my arm.

"Enjoy the party," he said softly. "It might be your last."

I hurried back to the reception. My mind was racing. Camilla knew the truth. She wanted to help me. But could I trust her?

And Victor definitely knew who I really was.

I found Leo talking to his father near the bar. They stopped when they saw me.

"There's my beautiful wife," Leo said.

But his eyes were worried. Like he could see something was wrong.

"I need some air," I said.

"Of course. The terrace is-"

"Alone."

Leo frowned. "I don't think that's safe."

"Please. Just five minutes."

He looked like he wanted to argue. But then he nodded.

"Five minutes. No more."

I walked outside to the terrace. The night air was cool and sweet. I could hear music and laughter from inside.

I leaned against the railing and tried to think. Alessia had been pregnant. Someone had killed her. And now I was trapped in her place.

My phone buzzed. A text message from an unknown number.

The music box. Tonight. When everyone's asleep.

I looked around. The terrace was empty. But someone was watching me. Someone who knew about Alessia's message.

Another text came.

Trust no one. Not even your husband.

My hands shook as I read the words. Someone was trying to help me. But who?

I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see Victor walking toward me.

"Beautiful night," he said.

"Yes."

"You know, you really do look just like her. It's remarkable."

He stood next to me at the railing. Too close.

"I miss her," I said.

"Do you? That's strange. I didn't think you two were close."

My heart stopped. "What?"

"Alessia mentioned it once. How you two had grown apart. How you barely talked anymore."

He was testing me. Seeing if I knew things about my sister's life.

"People change," I said carefully.

"They do. They certainly do." He smiled. "Some people change so much, they become completely different people."

"I should go back inside."

"Of course. But Bianca?"

I froze. He'd used my real name.

"Yes?"

"The replacement is in place. Now we can move to phase two."

He wasn't talking to me. He was talking on his phone. I hadn't heard it ring.

"What replacement?" I asked.

But Victor was already walking away, the phone pressed to his ear.

"Perfect," he said into the phone. "She has no idea what's coming."

I stood there, shaking. Phase two. What was phase two?

And who was the replacement?

Was it me?