Chapter 1

After getting out of the taxi, I rang the doorbell at the Fanning estate.

Jeremy Goyle, the butler, answered the door. The moment he saw me, he froze.

"Ms. Fanning?" His eyes widened in disbelief. "Ms. Fanning's back!"

He hurried inside, announcing the news. Before long, my family had gathered around me, surrounding me with tearful questions and concern.

"Chloe, you're finally home."

Mom and Dad held my hands as tears streamed down their faces.

My husband, Cole Jarrett, pulled me into his arms, his eyes shining with joy.

I held him tightly too, wishing I could melt into him. For the past few years, he'd raised our child alone. He must've been exhausted.

Then a boy of four or five suddenly ran down the stairs and shoved me hard.

"Who are you? Why are you hugging my daddy?"

I looked at the upset boy, but I couldn't bring myself to blame him. Instead, I crouched down and gathered him into my arms.

"Is this Elias?" I choked out. "You've grown so much. It's my fault. I came back too late."

Tears poured down my cheeks.

Ever since I regained my memories, my greatest worry had been Elias Jarrett. For three years, he'd lived without his mother. I couldn't bear to imagine how lonely he must've been.

But he shoved me away with surprising force, making me stumble.

"You're not my mommy!" he shouted. "You're a bad woman. Get out of my house!"

Just then, a woman appeared from nowhere and pulled Elias from me. The sight of her left my mind completely blank.

Stunned, I turned to my parents. "Mom, Dad… do I have a twin?"

I could hardly be blamed for asking. The woman looked exactly like me—even the small beauty mark at the corner of her mouth was in the same place.

Mom and Dad only exchanged awkward smiles. Neither of them answered.

Cole, however, frowned. "Jacqueline, take Elias back upstairs first."

"Okay."

The woman obediently took Elias' hand and led him away.

No one answered my question, but Cole's strange response told me more than enough.

"Who is she?"

"Chloe, let me explain."

Before he could say another word, a sharp crash came from upstairs, followed by Jacqueline White's startled cry.

"What happened, Jackie?"

I was still trying to process the sound when Cole—the man who'd just been holding me tenderly—left me and rushed upstairs.

Mom and Dad followed close behind.

I stood there, unsure how to react, a dull ache throbbing in my chest.

Pressing my lips together, I followed them upstairs.

At the doorway of the master bedroom, I found Cole tending to Jacqueline's injured hand while Elias gently blew on the wound.