Chapter 3

The moment she spotted  Cara, rolling her wheelchair beside her mother coming from one of the downstairs rooms.

Her heart clenched.

And just like last night, she didn’t know what to say or how to feel when she saw the both of them .

“Oh, my child, you cooked?” Margaret’s face lit up as they reached the dining table. “It smells wonderful.”

“Good morning, Mum,” Sara said with a soft smile.

“Good morning, darling. Were you comfortable?”

Sara nodded, even though the truth was far from it.

She turned her gaze to the wheelchair approaching the table. “Good morning, Cara,” she whispered, her voice barely steady.

“Morning,” Cara replied flatly, not even bothering to mask her lack of interest.

The indifference stung, but Sara forced a hopeful smile. “Anyway, I made breakfast. Your favorite. Remember when we were kids you loved pancakes, so I”

“Hey.” Cara’s voice cut through her like a blade. “Are we still kids? And I don’t eat that. I’m not trying to get fat. Besides, I’m not in the mood.”

Without another word, she turned her wheelchair and rolled away.

Silence crashed into the room. Margaret forced an awkward smile. “Let me talk to her. Please don’t feel bad.”

But Sara was already numb.

Who was that girl?

What happened to the loving twin who once clung to her like her whole world?

Why was she so cold… so harsh… so cruel?

Last night, Sara had convinced herself Cara was simply tired. But now the truth was unavoidable Cara didn’t want her there.

Her chest tightened painfully. Maybe I shouldn’t have come… she thought, blinking back tears.

Sara couldn’t stay in the shadows any longer. She needed to know what was going on. Pushing her emotions aside, she followed them down the hall, stopping outside a room where they had disappeared.

The door was ajar, and before she could knock or even speak voices drifted out.

“Don’t you want her to help you for the time being? The contracts are signed now. What do you want me to do? Don’t be ridiculous she’s our only help…”

Sara’s heart pounded. She pushed the door open just a little and whispered, “Hello?”

Both Margaret and Cara froze, their expressions sharp with shock. Perhaps they hadn’t expected her to overhear, hadn’t wanted her to find out… not yet.

Sara scratched her head, trying to steady herself. “What’s going on, Mum?”

“First, sit down, Sara,” Margaret said calmly, though Sara could feel the tension vibrating through her voice.

Sara sank onto the edge of a chair, confusion swirling in her chest. First, Cara acted like a stranger. Now, they were talking about things she didn’t understand.

Margaret took a deep breath. “Okay… you got me, my child. Your sister… She had an accident. It damaged her brain. That’s why she’s rude, avoidant, distant.”

Sara blinked, stunned.

Margaret continued, her tone growing more serious. “But the contracts had already been signed. If she doesn’t show up… they’ll sue. Or even put her in jail. They don’t care if she’s sick or not.”

Sara’s head spun. “Wait… you’re telling me my sister… damaged her brain, and she had already signed a contract?”

“Yes,” Margaret said quietly. “I need you to take her place. You two are identical no one will suspect a thing. Her first shoot is in three days. If she doesn’t show up, we’ll all rot in jail, my child.”

Sara shot to her feet, her mind racing, trying to make sense of it all. “So… you drove all the way to the mountains, not because you missed me… not because you wanted us to be a perfect family… but because you wanted me to replace her?”

Her voice cracked as she looked at her mother. “Was Dad  right? That this whole thing… this whole sudden return… it was never about me?”

The room fell silent, the weight of betrayal pressing down on her chest.

“No, that’s not true, my child,” Margaret said quickly, stepping closer, desperation flooding her eyes. “I’ve always wanted to come back for you. I truly did. But the accident happened before I could… so I came as soon as I could.”

She sighed deeply. “Yes, part of this is about needing your help… but it’s also about helping your only sister.” Margaret rose from her seat, her voice trembling. “Please, Sara. Help her. She’s not mentally stable right now it comes and goes. Just for a while. Once she’s better, you can stop. You’ll be free to live your life however you want. Stay with us or go back… the choice will be yours.”

Her gaze softened. “But right now… you are our only hope.”

Sara’s heart twisted painfully. She hated the idea of living in someone else’s shadow. Hated the thought of lying to the world, pretending to be someone she wasn’t. But this was her family. This was her sister. And no matter how hurt she felt… she loved Cara.

Slowly, reluctantly, she nodded. “Alright… I’ll help.”

Margaret didn’t hesitate she rushed forward and wrapped Sara in a tight embrace. “Thank you, my child. Thank you for helping me… for helping your sister.”

Cara looked up then, her voice softer than Sara had heard since she arrived. “Thank you… sister.”

For a moment, warmth flickered in Sara’s chest. Maybe that wasn’t manipulation. Maybe it was real. Maybe Cara’s coldness truly wasn’t her fault… just the damage left behind by the accident.

And in that fragile hope, Sara found the strength to stay.

“So… who’s going to train me?” Sara asked hesitantly, the weight of her new responsibility sinking in.

“Of course me,” Margaret said, a flicker of panic crossing her face. “I… I taught her myself. Your mother is… good, but first you need a makeover.”

Sara nodded, understanding immediately. Back in the mountains, she’d dressed simply, carelessly. But now… she had to become Cara Johnson the model, the celebrity, the persona the world recognized.