5. Carried away.

“Are you okay, love?” Sake asked Jillian.

“Yeah,” she replied, even though she really wasn’t.

She had already met Lora Fortalejo—Sake’s mother—and the woman didn’t bother to hide her disapproval. Still, Lora promised to remain civil for her son’s sake. That was fine with Jillian. At least she didn’t have to force herself to get along.

Even if she was only pretending to be Julia, Jillian wasn’t the type to be rude, especially not to Sake’s mother. Lora was still a better mother than Valeria. She loved her son and was even protective, despite Sake being a grown man. Valeria, on the other hand, only loved one of her daughters—and that was Julia.

“Are you sure? We can leave if you’re uncomfortable.”

“Are you kidding? We just got here. I don’t want to be rude to your mom.”

“Really?” He still sounded doubtful.

“Yup,” she assured with a small smile. “Just get me some food, please.” She subtly changed the subject.

“Sure,” he agreed quickly, almost as if afraid she’d change her mind if he stayed longer.

“Wait,” she called out. “Get me a lot, please. I’m starving.”

Amused, Sake nodded. She turned her attention to her aching feet. She could barely stand anymore in Julia’s shoes. Without thinking about where she was, she slipped them off, finally giving her feet some relief. She sighed in satisfaction and was about to tuck her feet under the skirted table when she realized that some guests were staring at her.

“Julia,” she heard Lora call. Jillian turned toward Sake’s mother, who was on stage holding a microphone. Maybe her failure to respond was the reason people were staring. “Ladies and gentlemen, my future daughter-in-law, my son’s fiancée—Julia Flores!” The sweetness in Lora’s voice was obviously fake, but it was applauded anyway. Jillian managed a tight, awkward smile. She stood up—barefoot—to acknowledge the introduction.

“Come here, hija… Didn’t you say you prepared something for me?”

“Julia!” Sake called, now pushing his way through the crowd that had gathered around her. “Love, you don’t have to—” he said worriedly once he reached her.

“Julia, hija,” Lora insisted, clearly intent on embarrassing her. But Jillian wasn’t Julia—and she was ready for the challenge.

“It’s okay.” She smiled at Sake. “Help me with my shoes?”

“Juls, you don’t have to play along with my mom.”

“I got this. Trust me.” She winked at him. He stared at her for a moment, dazed, until she repeated her request for help with her shoes.

With all eyes on them, Sake knelt and gently slipped her shoes back on her feet. It felt like a Cinderella moment, and Jillian found herself kissing him on the cheek afterward.

“Watch me,” she whispered before he led her toward the stage where Lora waited.

“Uhm,” she began, after the microphone was handed to her. Her nerves spiked—these weren’t just bar patrons. These were wealthy people, and among them was the man she was supposed to be engaged to. “I’m really not prepared... But I can’t say no to Aunt Lora. So... if it’s okay, may I borrow the piano for a bit?” she asked the current performer, who graciously nodded and stepped aside.

She wasn’t an expert pianist, but as a child, she had loved playing. Back at the orphanage, she had a chance to play again. That stopped when she ended up on the streets.

There was one particular piece she always cherished.

Moments later, she began singing and playing The Perfect Fan.

The song was special to her. She once dreamed of singing it for her mother. But her mother had never been her fan. It was always Julia. They were twins—identical at that—yet only Julia received Valeria’s love. Why not her? Why was she never enough?

“It takes a lot to know what is love

It’s not the big things, but the little things

That can mean enough…”

Halfway through, she became emotional. She struggled to finish the song. It was deeply painful not to be loved by her own mother. For a child, there’s nothing more heartbreaking than feeling unimportant to the woman who gave birth to you.

It hurt not having a mother who would comfort you, cheer you on, or simply be there.

But the song wasn’t for Valeria tonight. It was for Lora—Sake’s mother—who would soon be Julia’s mother-in-law. Once again, Julia was the lucky one, about to gain yet another mother.

Even though Lora didn’t like her, Jillian believed Lora’s love for her son would outweigh any dislike she felt for his fiancée.

Julia always had it better.

“‘Cause Mom, you always were the perfect fan

I love you, Mom…”

She ended the song with a sniffle and quietly whispered an apology.

For a moment, there was silence—until Lora clapped, soon followed by Sake, then everyone else. Jillian had never felt so seen, so appreciated.

And when Lora hugged her, she couldn’t stop her tears.

All she ever wanted was a mother’s love. She wanted her mom to be proud of her. But tonight, it was Lora who gave her that moment—surprisingly saying she was touched and proud to have Julia as her future daughter-in-law.

“Thank you for that wonderful performance, Julia,” Lora said.

Sake pulled her into a tight hug and gave her a quick kiss on the lips in front of everyone.

—

“I didn’t know you could sing like that.”

They were now walking in the wide backyard behind the mansion. Sake carried her shoes while she enjoyed the feel of the thick Bermuda grass beneath her feet.

“Hidden talent,” she replied.

Between her and Julia, she had always been the musical one. Julia was more into fashion.

“You just won Lora Fortalejo’s heart, my love,” Sake said with a smile.

“Just your mom’s?” She raised a brow at him.

“You’ve always had mine, Julia.” He stopped walking, took her right hand, and placed it over his heart.

“I meant the guests,” she teased nervously as their eyes met. Her heart began to race when she felt how fast his was beating under her palm.

“Julia, feel my heartbeat,” he said softly. “You’re the only reason it’s beating this way, my love.”

She could only smile. She didn’t know how to respond.

“I love you,” he added.

The next thing she knew, his lips were on hers. Sake Fortalejo was an expert kisser, and she was carried away. She just hoped he hadn’t noticed her earlier hesitation every time he kissed her.

He was genuine. He truly loved Julia with all his heart.

Suddenly, Jillian felt overwhelmed with guilt. She was deceiving him, all because she wanted revenge—she wanted Julia to lose the man she loved. She even hoped to make Julia look bad in Sake’s eyes.

But no matter how hard she tried to act terrible, Sake always found it endearing.

It made her wonder what kind of girlfriend Julia had been. Why did it seem like everything she did or said felt new to him? Now, after only a few days of pretending, all her plans were starting to backfire—and that was not good.

“I love you too,” she replied, but deep inside, she rejected the words. She refused to believe she was the one falling for Sake Fortalejo.

—

“How’s Julia?” Jillian asked Victoria, who had just come from the hospital.

“No progress,” her aunt sighed.

“But the doctor said she’s stable now, right? Even her wounds have healed...”

“Yeah. They just don’t know why she’s not waking up.”

Part of Jillian wanted to pity Julia. But she didn’t deserve it. Had she asked their mother to take Jillian back ten years ago, maybe things would’ve been different. Maybe she wouldn’t have gotten into an accident or ended up comatose.

“By the way, what caused Julia’s accident?” Jillian asked.

“Drunk driving,” Victoria answered, not meeting her eyes. “Your sister became an alcoholic after Sake left.”

“What? Why?”

“She believed Sake was going to see another woman abroad. Can’t really blame her—Lora didn’t like her and was pressuring Sake to marry Nicole instead.”

“That’s impossible. Sake loves her so much,” she said. “He’s never even mentioned anyone named Nicole.”

“Because he loves Julia. Your sister was just... paranoid.”

“Oh…” was all she managed to say as her phone rang. She excused herself to answer. “Sake?” she said, walking toward the garden.

“Julia.” The moment he said her name, something twisted inside her chest. She cursed herself for the reaction—it wasn’t even her name. “I’m on my way to your house.”

“Really? Why?” She turned back into the house and rushed upstairs to her room.

“My mom wants to have dinner with you—along with your mom and aunt.”

“Seriously?” She winced. Good luck getting Victoria to bring Valeria along.

“Yes. But I’ll talk to them myself.”

“Okay. See you then.”

She quickly showered, unable to understand her sudden panic. All she knew was—she didn’t want to look bad in front of Sake.

“Jillian,” she muttered to her reflection. “What are you doing? You’re pretending to be Julia so you can hurt Sake and make him hate your sister. Not to impress him with your looks.”

She sighed. Her plan was falling apart—and the culprit was the red, beating thing inside her chest.

“Julia?” Victoria’s voice came from behind the door. “Sake’s here. Go to him.”

“Yes, Auntie… Coming in a bit.” She composed herself, preparing to face Julia’s charming fiancé.

If she hadn’t been given up for adoption… if she and Julia had grown up together… if she had met Sake at the same time as her sister… who would he have chosen?

Could it have been her?

Or would it still be Julia?

‘Snap out of it, Jillian!’ she scolded herself, shaking her head.

‘Argh!’

Annoyed, she turned away from the mirror and left her room. She was confused—and more scared than ever.