Today, I’ve had to go against my core survival method for a different survival game.

My appearance suits being on Agnus Hamilton’s arm. Not that the man knows how to compliment, but considering his position in the great scheme of things, I needed to look the part of his date.

And also, to pique Ethan’s attention.

I’m about to head back to search for them when a presence suddenly materializes by my side.

My heel steps back involuntarily and a shudder shoots up my spine and engulfs me in a thick shroud of fog.

Run.

They found you.

Fucking run.

I swallow those thoughts and steady my breathing. I’ve lived here for five years. No one knows me.

No one.

Smothering the panic, I plaster on a smile and stare up at the person who’s appeared out of nowhere — without even making a sound.

I know because I’m usually the best at hearing the smallest noises. It’s how I’ve survived this long.

Glancing over my shoulder, in my closet, and under my bed isn’t just a nasty habit. It’s the only way I can exist.

My smile falters as I come face-to-face with none other than the groom himself.

Aiden King.

Jonathan King’s only son and one of his two heirs, along with his nephew, Levi.

He has sharp features and an impressive height that allows him to look down at me. His metal grey eyes zero in on my face with awe, wonder, and what seems like…loss.

The small mole on the side of his right eye catches my attention first, causing my legs shake.

It’s the same as in my memories.

His lips part, but it takes him a second to speak, “Mum?”

A tremor grips my fingers as I place the unfinished lobster back on the plate and pretend to fiddle with the food even though I’m seeing blurry shapes. I’m thankful my voice comes out calm, unaffected even. “I’m sorry. You’ve got the wrong person.”

He says nothing, but he doesn’t attempt to move. I feel his gaze digging holes into the top of my head like a hawk.

“Why aren’t you looking at me?”

I lift my head and flash him the serene smile I can fake so well. The one that hides endless chaos underneath.

Aiden continues watching me with judgemental and calculative eyes. “You’re not my mother.”

Phew. “That’s what I said.”

“Then who the fuck are you?” His attention doesn’t leave my face, almost as if he’s searching for something.

Or, to be more specific, someone.

“Excuse me?” I feign innocence.

“If you’re not Alicia, why do you look exactly like her and what the fuck are you doing at my wedding?”

I keep my cool. “I was invited by Agnus.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know how to answer that.”

He steps closer, his face and voice losing their surprised element and morphing to a steel so cold, it matches the colour of his eyes. “Why are you here? Who the fuck are you? And don’t tell me this is a coincidence, because I don’t believe in that.”

No wonder people call Aiden a replica of his father. If he weren’t eight years my junior, I’d actually be scared of him.

Scratch that. The only reason I’m standing my ground in front of him is because I’m already acquainted with the devil.

People are nothing compared to the devil. So they don’t frighten me.

“Aiden?”

The bride appears by his side, holding the hem of her ample white dress. Her blonde hair falls in elegant waves down her back, giving her an angelic appearance.

“What are you doing…” she trails off when her blue eyes meet mine. Her surprised expression is louder than her new husband’s and she blinks a few times. “A-Alicia?”

“I was just telling Aiden you’ve got the wrong person.” This time, I recover quickly.

He narrows his eyes. “How do you know my name?”

Shit. “It’s all over the place. Congratulations on your wedding.”

I turn around and leave before Aiden can catch me. I have no doubt he’d question me, and I can’t allow that to happen. Besides, I have no answers for him.

I’m on a mission.

All I have to do is finish it and get it over with.

I slip through to the other side of the garden, quickening my pace as if I’m being chased. Which I might as well be.

A breath leaves me when I’m out of Aiden’s visual range. I take a pause at the back corner and collect myself.

That was close.

Which means I’m pressed for time and need to get this over with as soon as possible.

As expected, I find Agnus and Ethan here. They stand around a table with Calvin Reed, a diplomat and the father of the green-haired girl I saw earlier.

I touch my wristwatch, the one I have on me at all times. My lucky watch that’s saved me more than once. It’s almost like the one who gave it to me is looking out for me.

Here we go.

Putting my smile in place, I take a champagne flute from a passing waiter, snap my spine into a straight line, and waltz towards them.

Just when I’m about to reach them, a child no older than ten crashes into Calvin’s leg and demands his attention. The diplomat nods at the other two, takes the boy’s hand, and leads him towards the house.

Ethan and Agnus continue talking amongst themselves.

My perfect chance.

Like the pictures on the internet, Ethan’s appearance is striking with light chestnut hair, a sharp jawline, and a tall, fit figure. From afar, he doesn’t really share many features with the bride, but as I approach them, the resemblance is there, subtle and creeping under the surface.

I touch Agnus’s bicep. “There you are.”

His bland eyes fall on me. It’s like they have no colour; their pale blue is washed out, almost non-existent. He’s broader than Ethan, but with a less sharp edge and a more silent demeanour. His physique is very well-built for someone in his mid-forties, and he gives untouchable vibes.

When I first made him my target and figured out where he takes his morning coffees, I thought I’d have the hardest time getting him to notice me, considering he never dates or even shows interest in women.

Colour me surprised when he offered to pay for my coffee that morning.

Maybe I’m majorly underestimating myself? Who knows? No matter how tough it got, I’ve never reduced myself to playing these types of games before, so I have no past experience to compare to.