Oh my God, Brian!" Briella gasped, rising from her chair.

Brian's lips curled into a warm smile as he closed the distance between them, pulling her into a firm but brief hug.

"It's good to finally see you again," he said, stepping back slightly, his hands lingering on her arms.

Briella beamed. "I know, right? It's been way too long."

"Yeah and thanks for the gift."  She added 

Brian waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, come on. You deserve more than that."

Brian, seeing how beautiful his long time friend is, couldn't help but admire her. He had always liked her but never said anything. When he received news that Briella was divorce he felt this was the perfect time to make a move and win her over.

Interrupting his thought, Bella spoke.

So where have you been all these years?" Briella asked, her voice pulling him from his thoughts.

Brian opened his mouth to answer, but before he could speak, Briella's phone buzzed on her desk. She glanced at the screen, her expression shifting to mild annoyance.

"I'm really sorry, Brian," she said, eyes pleading. "It's my secretary. I have an urgent meeting."

Brian sighed but nodded. "Understandable. What about dinner tonight? Let's catch up properly."

Briella hesitated only for a moment before smiling. "That sounds perfect. Send me the details."

****

That evening, Briella was curled up in her bedroom when her phone rang. It was Brian.

"I'm outside," he said.

Her eyes widened. Oh, God. She had completely forgotten about their dinner.

"Give me five minutes!" she said, rushing upstairs to get dressed.

At an Elite restaurant in the city.

Across the city, in a high-end restaurant, Hayden sat with Hilda, their laughter filling the intimate space between them. She leaned into him, her hand brushing his lightly.

"So... when are we getting married?" Hilda blurted, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

Hayden took a slow sip of his wine before responding. "Soon, my love. After my grandmother's funeral, we'll start planning everything."

Hilda's heart swelled with joy. Soon, she would be Mrs. Linford, a title she had fought for.

Their meal arrived, and as Hayden lifted a forkful of spaghetti, his gaze suddenly froze. Across the room, a familiar figure stepped in.

Briella.

She wasn't alone.

Dressed in a sleek designer gown that hugged her curves, her hair cascading in soft waves, she looked breathtaking. More polished. More radiant. More... untouchable.

And the man beside her? Hayden's grip on his fork tightened.

Hilda, sensing his distraction, followed his gaze. Her breath hitched. Briella?

She blinked, then blinked again. The woman who used to wear plain, unfashionable clothes now radiated sophistication. And that bag -a Gucci?!

Jealousy curled inside her chest like a venomous snake. She turned back to Hayden, sliding her hand over his. "Babe?"

Hayden didn't respond. His eyes were still locked on Briella, his expression unreadable but his knuckles white against the table.

Suddenly, he clenched her hand too tightly.

"Hayden... you're hurting me."

At her words, he suddenly came to his senses and immediately let go, but his eyes were still dark.

Briella, who was led by Brian, felt someone staring at her, when  she realized it was her ex husband. Her face darkened.

Why was he here, of all the restaurants to be?

She ignored him and walked with Brian to their designated seats. She wouldn't let her evening be ruined by them.

Brian, oblivious to the silent exchange, smiled. "What would you like to order?"

Briella forced a smile. "Anything is fine."

She wouldn't let Hayden ruin her night.

Not anymore.

After ordering their food. Brian and Briella started conversing

Brian was Briella's high school crush before he and his family traveled out of the country.

"So Brian, are you back in the country or you'll be going back soon?"

"I'll be here for a year before going back to England. My dad entrusted me with some work over here."

Briella lips curled up. "Wow, that's very good, I guess we'd be seeing each other often."

"That's if you won't get tired of seeing me." Brian chuckled his eyes fixed on Briella, admiring her beauty.

"Let's hope we don't get tired of each other then." Briella replied.

After paying for the meal. They headed out of the restaurant.

Brian locked his hands in Briella's hands as they walked to the waiting Maybach. 

Briella found the gesture warm and so didn't object.

Suddenly a voice halted them.

Looking back, Briella saw the fuming Hayden Approaching them.

What does he want, hasn't he done enough. Briella, though her heart was still aching seeing the man she still loved.

Hayden saw Brian's hands locked in Briella's and he felt like smacking it off.

He initially wanted to reprimand Briella and insult her. But he didn't want to draw attention.

"What do you want?" Briella asked impatiently.

"Come and pack your belongings from my house" He muttered sternly.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "You can burn them for all I care."

With that she pulled Brian gesturing for them to leave.

Hayden was stunned. Did Briella just speak to him like that? Someone that begs for his love.

He chuckled bitterly. She had been a slut jumping to another man immediately after their divorce and his grandma spoke so greatly of her.

He suddenly felt a soft hand rubbing his back.

"I was waiting inside for you, are you okay?" Hilda said softly, noticing something was off. And assumed it was because of Briella. She fumed but didn't show it.

"Let's go home," Hayden muttered coldly Startling her.

In the car back to Briella's Villa.

Was that your ex husband? Brian asked, pretending not to know.

Yes, that was him. Briella said in a low tone.

From her mood, he noticed that Briella still had feelings for Hayden.

"I won't pester you or anything Briella. Just call me if you need someone to talk to. Okay?"

"Yeah. Thanks Brian."

The car soon halted at Brim wood Villa.

"Thank you for the wonderful evening." Briella muttered, her mood has already improved.

"I'll call you. Remember you promised you would get tired of me." Brian said with a chuckle.

"Sure sure." Briella replied.

As she got into her villa, she kicked her heels and legs feeling the coldness of the floor.

Her phone suddenly beeped..

She saw a text from Brian. 

Good night, angel. It was really nice having you around today.

A small smile tugged at her lips. She typed back: Good night.

As she recalled what Hayden told her to get her belongings. Her mind suddenly flashed to the box under her bed. 

She slapped her head for forgetting the only important thing in that room to her.

After much consideration. She made up her mind to go back to Hayden's mansion. In the afternoon when he's still at work.

She called her brother to cover up for her that she wasn't feeling too well due to the stress of the company.

Briella wore her thick fur coat and drove out to Hayden's mansion.

The staff welcomed her warmly. She quickly rushed to her room seeing that Hayden wasn't around.

She brought out the box from under her bed. After inspecting the contact she dashed out.

As she stepped outside, a voice halted her.

"Briella?"

Her gaze fell on Hayden.

He looked calm, not the usual cold looking Hayden. Something was different about him.

He walked towards her and held her hands. "Let go of me now." Briella said already fuming.

"What did I do wrong? I'm just trying to be polite."

Briella's brow shot up confused. "What do you mean trying to be polite?"

Why is he acting this way, did he lose his memory or what.

Yesterday at the restaurant he was fuming and today he's calm.

"Can we talk please?"

Briella looked at him. His eyes were soft. 

She hesitated a bit "Fine, two minutes."

"Not here please, somewhere private."

Briella looked around, there was noone. She eyed him. "Speak now or forever holding your peace." She was still angry at him but eager to hear what he had to say.

He exhaled sharply. "I miss you, Briella."

Briella blinked. "Are you alright?" She asked. "You served me a divorce and cheated with my bestfriend and you claim to miss me?"

Deep down, Briella wished he really loved her.

"Divorce how, when??" Briella was certain he hit his head on a rock.

"When I regained my memory the first person I thought of was you and I traced you down here."

"What the heck are you saying?"

He was about to speak. But then, just like that, he became mute, and before Briella could react, he turned and dashed away, leaving her standing there, unanswered.  

"Where are you off to?" She yelled. But he was already gone. Briella exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "Am I losing my mind?"

A few minutes later, Briella caught sight of a black G-wagon driving in.

Hayden came down and opened the passenger door. 

When Briella saw he was wearing the same clothes as the person she had just spoken to. Her heart raced, She didn't know what to make of this. Was she hallucinating?

Then when she saw the way Hayden smiled at Hilda, soft and affectionate, his hand placed on her back. Briella dug her fingers into her palms. 

From across the driveway, Hayden's gaze moved to her. His face suddenly became cold as he guided Hilda inside the mansion, his eyes still locked on Briella without a word.  

Briella felt the urge to barge into the mansion to deal with Hilda for stealing her man. 

But he wasn't her husband anymore.

She left, and headed back to her apartment, her mind in a mess.

Could that be Hayden's twin, or doppelganger? Something wasn't adding up.

After contemplating her next action. She pulled out her phone, dialling a private investigator. " I need information on the Linford family," she demanded. "Especially any hidden relatives."  

One week passed without Briella experiencing any weird thing.

One morning Briella got a call from her brother that he was leaving for Paris to finally live the life he had always dreamed of.

At the airport, she pulled him into a crushing hug, the scent of his cologne filling her nose. Tears threatening to spill.

"I'm gonna miss you," she whispered.  

Lex chuckled, ruffling her hair. "You didn't want Dad here because of his health, and now you're the one being a crybaby."

She poked his arm, laughing despite the ache in her chest." Just promise you'll visit." 

"I promise."  

Briella hugged him tightly again. She just got back to her family after years of being married, and now her brother was leaving.

After saying their goodbyes, Briella walked back to her car. Even with being a billionaire's daughter and an heir, she wasn't a public figure who paparazzi followed, and that's the way she wanted her life to be, Private.

Briella was halfway to her car when a sudden yank nearly pulled her arm out of its socket.  

"Hey....!" Her bag was gone, the thief running.  

F**k.. she cursed, an important document was in there.

There were no security personnel around. She took a deep breath. It was just morning, and she didn't want to start her day like this.

She entered her car and was about to drive off when someone knocked on her car window.

"This must be yours."  

Her bag dangled from the stranger's hand. "Oh my God, thank..."

Her words died.  

Hayden?  

But not quite. The same sharp jawline, same piercing eyes, yet something was off. His gaze darted around like he was running from someone.

This wasn't Hayden.

Seeing the look on her face, he slipped a note into her hands and disappeared. 

Briella read the content on the note. It read Meet me at Diamond Park by 5pm tomorrow. 

A week ago, when she encountered him and asked for a detective to investigate, it fell on a dead end. No news of Hayden having a twin or another brother 

Briella stared at the note, and her pulse increased. 

But this man? He was real.  

And she would get answers.  

From the airport, Briella drove to work. She had a board meeting and it spanned for like an hour.

After that, she got a call from her father that he wanted to see her.

At the Milton Mansion.

Briella found her father in the courtyard. His face was distant, his hands trembling slightly around his teacup.  

"Hey, Dad," Briella said softly. " Are you okay?" Briella noticed he wasn't his usual self.

He pulled her into a hug, his grip tighter than usual. "Promise me you won't tell Lex." 

Briella arched her brows. "What's going on?" 

He took a slow sip of tea, the cup clinking against the saucer. Then said quietly 

"I'm dying."

 Briella froze. She didn't expect it all. 

I have a serious Ailment and I'll be frequenting the hospital regularly.

I want you to take care of your brother.

This scene felt like deja vu

When her mother died 10 years ago.

Briella tried to hold her tears, but they fell.

She forced a nod, her vision blurring. "I need a minute."

She went into her room in the mansion and shut the door. She slipped down to the ground and cried till she couldn't cry anymore.

She didn't realise how long she'd been there till there was a knock on the door 

"Come in," she said in her coarse tone. 

Mr Milton enters the room, seeing Briella state made him weak.

It reminded him of how she was when she lost her mother. 

If there was anything he could do, he'd do it just to live very old and even see his grandchildren.

***

At a high-end club

Hayden was with a group of friends. With loud music playing in the background. Girls dancing around them. 

Only Hayden was sitting in a corner, downing alcohol, the whiskey burning his throat with every swallow.  

"What's up, bro? You've been awfully silent," Michael shouted over the music.  

Leslie smirked, slinging an arm around a blonde. "Let's find him a girl. Warm him up now that he's divorced"  

Michael leaned in, grinning. "Speaking of... mind if I shoot my shot with Briella? Since you divorced her and all."

Hayden shot him a glare, hit his cup on the table and it made a crack sound, he stood up and left them.

"Where are you off to, man?" Leslie shouted. After seeing that, Hayden had left. The duo burst into laughter.

"That just confirms it," Leslie said as they continued drinking.

Outside, the cold air did nothing to clear the alcohol fogging Hayden's brain. He fumbled for his phone, intending to call his driver, but his fingers betrayed him.  

The line rang.  

Then her soft voice. "Hello?"

Hilda was so happy to hear Hayden's voice because he had been busy with work lately. After agreeing to pick him, she hung up.

After a while, Michael came out to find Hayden smoking outside. 

"Damn bro you can't just leave, we're having dinner later remember we need to discuss something important."

"Why didn't we discuss it earlier?" Hayden muttered without sparing him a glance.

****

At Milton's mansion 

Briella lay her head on her father's lap lying on her bed as her dad stroked her hair like he did when she was younger.

She had been crying since and it left her eyes a bit swollen. That moment her phone rang, breaking the silence.  

She sat up, her brows furrowed as she saw an unknown caller on the screen.

She picked it up at once.

"Hi. Who's this?" Her voice sounded brittle, even to herself.  

A stranger's voice came up with urgency "Can you come pick your friend up? He's extremely drunk."  

Her pulse increased. All her female friends were not in the country, so the only person who came to her mind was Brian.

Before she could ask for the club or bar name

"BOOM." It sounded like an explosion and then screams and shattering glass followed and then nothing. The line went silent.

 Briella's heart skipped a beat. 

"What was that? Hello, are you there?" But still no response.

Her hands trembled as she dialled the number again but no response. 

Mr Milton gave her a puzzled look. "What's going on?"

"I think something bad happened at the club Brian is in. I need to go now" Briella said, wearing a coat.

"What is the name of the club? I'll have Dalton check it out."

Dalton was Mr Milton's trusted personal aide.

"I didn't.. Get the name." Briella stammered.

Mr Milton stood up and pulled Briella into a hug and rubbed her back. 

"Calm down, Breathe. Brian would be fine. I'll make some calls and get the name of the club."

Briella nodded, she suddenly felt like she was freezing, she rubbed her hands rubbing against each other praying silently that it wouldn't be anything serious.

After a few minutes, Mr Milton ended the call. There was an explosion at Central club. I would...

"Dad, I'll get going now. I'll call you when I get there. Please don't worry about me." She said immediately she heard the club's name.

Before Mr Milton opened his mouth again Briella had already breezed out like air. 

Her dad huffed. She must really care about the boy. But why hasn't she introduced him yet? Mr Milton thought.

Briella drove past the speed limit and got to the club.

She swerved into the parking lot. Red and blue lights pulsed against the night, with a crowd outside. The Police tape surrounded the wreckage of a car, the stench of gasoline and burnt rubber filled the air. It looked like the car exploded.

Her breath fogged in the cold as she pushed through the onlookers. Paramedics loaded a stretcher into an ambulance. 'Please, not Brian' she said silently.

And then she saw them.

 Hilda, pressed against Hayden's chest, her manicured fingers clutching his shirt. His arm around her waist- protective, possessive.  

Briella's nails bit into her palms. She forced herself to turn away, scanning the crowd for Brian.

"Excuse me sir, have you seen this man?" She shoved her phone toward an officer, the screen displaying a photo of Brian grinning at a cafe.  

"No ma'am. He's probably in here somewhere. And don't worry there were just two casualties from the explosion and he doesn't like any of them." He answered confidently.

Briella breathed a sigh of relief.

She tried calling Brian again and fortunately, he picked up. 

"Brian where the heck are you?"

"Hi, Brian is asleep" came a female's voice.

"And who are you?" Briella's lips twitched.

"I'm Violet, Brian's friend."

 Brian never mentioned any friend, but since he was safe, that was all that mattered.

But why would Brian drink to that point? What was he going through? she was definitely going to pay him a visit the next day.

She looked at the spot where Hilda and Hayden were but they weren't there. 

She retreated to the car park 

As Briella got to the park and was about to enter her car, a voice rang out.  

"Isn't that Briella?"

Michael. Hayden's oldest friend blurted out.

She froze and turned back to find a group of people staring at her. And there stood Hilda and Hayden. Hayden gazed at her coldly while Hilda smirked.

"Hey, Leslie. Michael." She forced a smile, extending a hand.  

Michael ignored her hands and hugged her tightly, same with Leslie. 

"Are you okay? Your eyes looked puffy." Michael uttered.

"I'm fine, didn't sleep well last night." Briella lied.

"You should really take care of yourself. 

Well, we are heading out for dinner now, you should join us."

Dinner? Us? Briella was stunned. From the corner of her eyes she could feel a cold gaze on her but she completely ignored it. 

Briella wondered how Hayden made friends with these people, they were the opposite of him.

 When she was still married to Hayden, even with Hayden's cold behaviour, his friends always welcomed her and treated her well. So she owed no offence against them.

"Don't tell me you're going to say no little one." Leslie asked, looping his arms through hers. "And by the way you look as stunning as ever." Briella chuckled.

Hayden's jaw clenched, his fingers tightening around Hilda seeing Leslie's actions.

Briella didn't want to give hilda the satisfaction that she had won, so if Hayden's friends still welcomed her she wasn't going to say no. 

"Okay," she said sweetly. "I'd love to." 

Hayden's icy voice rang out almost immediately. "I'm leaving with Hilda."  

"The hell you are," Michael snapped. "We planned this." 

"You can't just cancel on us." Leslie flared. 

"You f**king suggested this dinner and I cancelled an important meeting for this." Michael added. 

They knew he was trying to bail out because of Briella and they weren't having it.

Briella stood there amused. 

"Fine.." Hayden said coldly.

At magnicious restaurant.

The group pulled over at the restaurant and entered to their private section 

After ordering food. During the wait. Briella suddenly remembered she hadn't called her dad to give him an update. He must be worried.

As she stood up all eyes moved to her direction. 'I need to use the restroom."

After making the call. She stared at herself in the mirror. She looked so pale. A lot has happened over the past few hours. She rinsed her face and headed out. 

Only to bump into someone.

He pushed her back into the restroom and locked the door.

Briella wanted to shout but he covered her mouth with his hands.