The Imposter and the Captive

My sister was dangerously obsessed with me, her brother.

The year I turned eighteen, she discovered I wasnt her real brother, Id been switched at birth.

She locked me away in her private estate, showering me with a twisted, suffocating kind of love.

To possess me completely, she stripped our parents of their power and shipped them off overseas.

The real heir, consumed by hatred and wanting revenge against me, ended up with his legs broken on her orders, dumped in the wilderness to die.

She was possessive and unhinged.

She kept me isolated, forbidding anyone from even looking at me. Then, to provoke jealousy, she found him.

A man who looked startlingly like me, both similar in looks and temperament She poured everything into him.

She spoiled him rotten, launched his acting career, used every resource to make him the youngest Oscar winner.

Everyone believed she was madly in love with him.

Ethan Russo certainly bought it, strutting around as her fianc.

Drunk on her favor, he stormed the estate with his entourage.

When he saw my face, pure, ugly jealousy consumed him.

You little bitch! You got plastic surgery to look like me to seduce her? Ill rip your face off!

He slashed my face. He tortured and killed my dog. He broke both my hands.

And then he poured chili oil down my private parts.

When Isabella, my sister, rushed in, he pointed a trembling finger at me, crumpled and bleeding in the dog crate.

Baby, he choked out, this plastic surgery freak dared to copy my face to seduce you! Tell me who do you choose? Him or me!

Id been Isabella Rossis prisoner at Cloudcrest Manor for four long years.

Four years of plotting, four years of waiting.

Finally, I saw my chance. I scaled the high wall of the back garden, freedom almost within grasp

Only to find a gang of thugs waiting below.

Leading them was Ethan Russo, the movie star my sister kept.

Seeing me perched on the wall, his eyes flashed with vicious triumph.

He swung the steel pipe in his hand, cracking it hard against my leg.

Well, well, you little bitch! Finally caught you! Running away cause youre scared of me, huh? Guilty conscience?

No wonder Isabella keeps sneaking off here! Youve been poisoning her mind, you little homewrecker!

The sickening crack of bone echoed. Pain exploded, stealing my breath as I crashed to the ground.

Ethan raised the pipe again, aiming for my face this time. His goons joined in, kicking me savagely, snarling insults.

Filthy mistress! Lets see what you use to steal Ethans woman after were done with you!

Youve got it wrong, Im I tried to gasp out an explanation.

Ethan jammed the pipe into my mouth, ramming it brutally.

Agony ripped through my jaw. The coppery tang of blood flooded my throat, choking me. I spat crimson.

Wrong, my ass! he screamed. You slutty freak got your face cut to look like mine to seduce my wife! Knew I was coming for you, didnt you? Thats why you were scrambling over the wall!

Thought youd hide in there forever!

His curses rained down as the pipe found my head, my ribs, my back.

I curled into a ball, shielding my head, the pieces clicking into place.

Hed bribed the new head of security.

Thats why the guy had been lingering near my door, loudly mentioning Isabellas upcoming business trip abroad and how the opportunity was coming

Hed been signaling Ethan! No wonder hed helped distract the others when he saw me trying to escape.

Ethan had been waiting outside the whole time, ready to teach me a lesson!

Please, I rasped, shielding my head, the words scraping my raw throat.

Its a mistake! Im Isabella Rossis brother! Not some pretty boy!

Ethan froze. The security chief stepped forward, whispering urgently.

Sir, I did hear rumors Ms. Rossi had a brother, switched at birth. They say he looked a lot like her, like twins! But he was kidnapped four years ago. Legs broken. Sent abroad for treatment. Never came back.

Ethans gaze turned icy as he studied my battered face, then flicked down to my unbroken legs.

This pretty boy looks nothing like Isabella! And his legs are fine! Hes lying!

Just then, old Mr. Henderson, the family butler, arrived, carrying a package. He spotted the commotion.

Whos there?! he called out.

Hed served my parents for decades. He knew me!

Mr. Henderson! Help! Its me, Kyle!

I croaked, the effort tearing at my throat.

Mr. Henderson peered towards me, confusion clouding his aged eyes.

His gaze held only confusion. Mr. Russo? What are you doing here?

Who is that man? How does he know me?

My heart plummeted. After my parents were sent abroad years ago, Isabella had announced Id gone with them. All these years, she's kept me imprisoned in this villa, Id seen no one.

Four years. Shed likely forgotten my face. And now, beaten beyond recognition by Ethan

I tried to speak, to prove who I was. Ethan stomped hard on my mouth.

Pain blinded me, stealing my voice.

Him? Ethan sneered. Just some wannabe pretty boy trying to seduce Isabella with his face! Heard I was coming to teach him a lesson, he got scared, and tried to bolt over the wall.

The security chief snorted.

Didnt even get the young masters name right, yet trying to impersonate Ms. Rossis brother.

He crouched, spitting near my face. The young masters name is Alexander Rossi! Not Kyle! Got it, idiot?

Mr. Hendersons face suddenly paled. Kyle? That that was the young masters name!

What? Ethan and the security chief looked stunned. Isnt Isabellas brother called Alexander Rossi?!

The butler quickly explained about me, the switched child, the adopted son.

He mentioned how fiercely Isabella had protected me, forbidding anyone from harming me.

I nodded frantically at Mr. Henderson.

Yes! Im Kyle Rossi!

Mr. Henderson bent closer, peering intently at my ruined face.

Seizing the chance, I pulled out the necklace my mother had left me.

This is?! Mr. Hendersons eyes widened, his voice trembling.

Thats thats the necklace Madame gave to young Master Kyle! Master Kyle is it truly you?

Ethan snatched the necklace, snapping the chain.

So what? he scoffed. Hes already wormed his way into Isabellas head! Stealing a necklace is nothing!

Exactly! the security chief chimed in.

Everyone knows youre the one Ms. Rossi adores! This homewrecker got plastic surgery to look like you, hid here playing the pretty boy! Who knows what dirty tricks he used to get Ms. Rossi to protect him!

Ethans fury reignited. For three years, Isabella had forbidden anyone near this estate.

He needed such a roundabout way to lure the homewrecker out for a beating.

His cronies, sensing his rage, started whispering suggestions.

Whats there to fear? Ms. Rossi only said no one goes in. Were outside! We cripple this bitch out here, then just say we thought he was some creep trying to seduce her!

She loves you so much! You think shed punish you over some ruined mistress?

Ethans eyes lit up.

Right! I did it because I love her so much! Maybe she wont punish me at all maybe shell be touched!

He ordered his men to drag me away. Mr. Henderson blocked them.

Mr. Russo! Better safe than sorry! If he is the young master the consequences would be terrible!

Ethan glared, his expression turning dangerous.

Whats Isabella sending you here to deliver to this pretty boy? Dont lie to me, old man!

His assistant snatched the box from Mr.

Henderson, ripping it open. Inside lay an exquisite suit and a handwritten note.

[My Darling, I can't wait to see you in this. Don't be sad, I have a surprise for you when I return.]

It was signed with a simple Love you.

Ethan tore the note to shreds, spitting at Mr. Henderson.

See?! If he was really her brother, would she write this this sappy crap?!

You said Kyle Rossi was overseas with Mr. and Mrs. Rossi! This pretty boy cant be him!

Ignoring the stunned butler, he grabbed my hair and dragged me away.

Despair washed over me.

Then, Mr. Hendersons phone rang. Isabella was calling.

Ethan snatched the phone before Mr. Henderson could answer.

He signaled his men to gag me again and shoved Mr. Henderson aside, the security chief pulling him away.

Hello? Baby! Ethans voice turned sickly sweet. I just ran into Mr. Henderson! That suit you sent? I love it!

Youre so good to me, Isabella, he purred, laying it on thick.

Writing such sweet things makes me want to fly to you right now!

A pause on the other end. Oh glad you like it. Isabellas voice was tight.

She was furious but holding back.

She couldnt let anyone know her adopted brother was imprisoned here, couldnt let Ethan suspect her twisted feelings for me.

It would put me in danger.

She swallowed her rage, her voice icy.

Where did you run into Mr. Henderson? Did he say anything else?

Oh, just on the road back to the main house! He was being all secretive, wouldnt let me open the gift box! I had to insist! As he said this, his eyes shot pure venom towards me.

Isabella, it is for me, right? Not Mr. Henderson sneaking around, delivering it to some other little mistress for you? His voice held a subtle threat, a cold edge.

Dont be ridiculous. Youre my only boyfriend. Isabellas tone was flat.

Mr. Hendersons just getting old and forgetful. Probably wanted to hide it for a surprise. Dont overthink it. She paused.

Put him on.

Ethan shot Mr. Henderson a look full of warning before shoving the phone towards him.

Mr. Henderson, since Ethan found it, just give it to him. Dont worry, I wont hold it against you.

Yes, Miss!

Before he could explain further, Ethan moved to hang up.

I bit down hard on the hand covering my mouth. The man yelped in pain, releasing me.

Isabella help me I rasped, the words thick with agony.

Ethans face contorted in panic. He lunged, stomping his foot back onto my mouth.

What was that? Isabellas voice sharpened instantly.

I heard someone call Isabella, help! Whats going on there?

Just my assistant running lines with me!

The man whod been gagging me leaned into the phone, forcing a laugh.

Yeah, Ms. Rossi! Were rehearsing a kidnapping scene for Ethans shoot tomorrow

Fine. Remind Mr. Henderson of my instructions. Im busy. The line went dead.

Despair crushed me.

Ethan pressed his foot down harder. You dare call her Isabella ?! Is this how you seduce her?!

No one calls her that but me! You deserve to die, you idiot!

He stared at my battered face, eyes filled with malice.

Not only copied my face, but copied how I call her? Today, Ill make sure you regret ever being born!

He dragged me by my hair towards the estate gates. Mr. Henderson pleaded nearby.

You have the gift now, and youve punished him perhaps let him go?

The security chief chimed in. Yeah, Ethan. we could just... drop him off somewhere else? If Ms. Rossi asks, well say he escaped.

Ethan hesitated, then flung me hard onto the ground. Bitch! Can you swear youll never see Isabella again?

I nodded frantically. God knew how desperately Id wanted to escape Isabella all these years!

The next second, he pulled out a knife, a cruel smile twisting his lips.