His Underground Mistress Fled Away

Sophia’s POV

Hearing her words, Carlos grabbed Sophie’s face and kissed her fiercely, right there on the street.

"Is it true? God, this is perfect. I’m going to be a father."

"I promise you, Sophie, I will take care of you and the heir. You are my priority now."

I watched like a pathetic voyeur from the shadows of the taxi, witnessing them walk arm-in-arm into the their love nest.

I stared blankly at the luxury apartment complex that was now their fortress.

A rough hand holding a paper napkin broke my trance.

The cab driver, an older woman with tired eyes who looked like she’d seen everything this city had to offer, sighed.

"Wipe your face, kid. Men like that? They're all the same. "

Only then did I realize my face was wet.

"Thank you," I whispered, accepting the stranger's kindness.

On the ride back to the penthouse, I dialed the number I hadn't called in years.

"Mama. I accept the alliance. I’ll marry the heir of the Rossi family."

There was a pause on the other end, followed by a heavy, worried sigh.

"Sophia... did he hurt you? I told you years ago, a man like Carlos—a man who won't claim you in the light—isn't worth your loyalty."

"If a man truly loves you, he puts a ring on your finger and a gun in your hand to protect you. He doesn't hide you away for five years. But it’s never too late to wake up."

"The match I chose for you is honorable. The families have agreed. The wedding is in a week. Pack your bags and come home to the compound tomorrow."

Acid stung my nose. It turned out the truth was crystal clear to everyone looking in from the outside.

I was the only one drowning in Carlos’s sweet lies, refusing to save myself.

When I got back to the penthouse, I started packing. I spent the entire night scrubbing my existence from the place.

Every corner held a memory of me and Carlos.

Knowing I was leaving, I took the ultrasound photo and the hospital report of the miscarriage and placed them squarely in the center of Carlos’s mahogany desk in his study.

Let that be the final period at the end of our five-year sentence.

Carlos didn't come home that night.

The next morning, I went to the headquarters—the legitimate shipping firm that served as the front for Carlos’s operations. I was ready to hand in my resignation.

But before I could reach his office, I heard hushed whispers coming from the break room.

"Whoa, was that the future Donna? She and the Boss look perfect together."

"But... doesn't the Boss's Lady look exactly like Sophia, the assistant?"

"The Boss must be obsessed. Imagine being so lovesick you hire a body double of your ex to fetch your coffee?"

I stood frozen near the door, listening to the gossip.

I turned to leave, but fate had other plans. I locked eyes with Carlos and Sophie.

They were walking down the corridor, hand in hand. One looked guilty and flustered; the other wore a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Carlos hesitated, clearly looking for an escape route, but Sophie spoke first.

She smiled, a predator greeting its prey.

"You must be Sophia. The assistant who has been by Carlos's side for five years."

"Hello. I'm Sophie. Carlos's fiancée. Thank you for taking such good care of him for me all these years."

"Carlos talks about you often. I can't believe the resemblance is so strong. You even wear the same perfume and dress just like me."

The cloying scent of heavy roses hit me as she moved closer. It was the exact same perfume I was wearing.

Bitterness spread through my chest like poison.

Carlos always insisted on buying my perfume and my clothes.

I hated the smell of roses, and I hated the revealing, elegant style he chose. But I wore them because I thought it was his way of spoiling me.

Now I saw the truth. He wasn't spoiling me. He was molding me.

He was desperately trying to build a perfect replica of Sophie.

I didn't move. I just turned my gaze to Carlos.

He flinched, avoiding my eyes as he nodded stiffly.

"Right. Sophie, this is the assistant I told you about."

"The girl is... hardworking. I kept her around to handle the menial tasks. She runs errands for me."

Sophie laughed, a light, dismissive sound.

"Carlos, darling, you don't need to explain so much. I know the difference between business and pleasure."

"Besides, Miss Johnson looks so much like me. You kept her as your assistant just so you could look at her and think of me, didn't you?"

She threw herself into Carlos’s arms, kissing him deeply, marking her territory.

The staff around us erupted into applause and cheers, praising the happy couple.

Carlos cleared his throat, regaining his composure as the Capo. He announced loudly:

"Listen up, everyone. I want to introduce you to my fiancée. Sophie will also be taking over as the Director of Operations starting today."

Instantly, every eye in the room turned to me.