Chapter 3

Late that night, I lay awake in the master bedroom, replaying everything my parents and Elias had said to me that day.

Tears silently poured down my cheeks.

Just then, a knock sounded at my door. It was Jacqueline.

"What are you doing here?"

She ignored me and sauntered into my room as though she owned it.

"I hope it's a girl this time," she said, one hand resting on her stomach. "Elias has always wanted a baby sister."

As she spoke, she deliberately lifted her hand and revealed a small charm dangling from her wrist. The sight of it made my breath catch.

It was a small silver good-luck charm—one Cole had once gone to great lengths to get for me.

He'd spent three days at an old chapel, hoping to receive a blessing for my safety. The caretaker, moved by his sincerity, had finally given him the charm.

Sometimes, I wondered whether I would've avoided that plane crash if I had worn it that day.

But now, Cole had given it to someone else.

A smug smile spread across Jacqueline's face when she noticed my stare.

"Chloe, why did you even come back? We're now a family. Wouldn't it have been better if you'd just died back then?"

She went on about how difficult the past few years had been for her—how much she'd learned and worked to take my place.

"Why did you have to become me?" I couldn't help but ask. "You're capable and educated. You could've built a life of your own. Why did you have to copy me and take my place?"

"Why, you ask?" Jacqueline glowered at me. "You were born with everything, while I had to live at the mercy of others when I look just like you. Why did I have to survive on other people's charity? But fortunately, your family's mine now."

With a peculiar smile, she grabbed a glass of hot water from the bedside table and poured it over herself.

A scream tore from her throat, and it woke everyone in the house.

Cole was the first to rush into my room.

"What happened?"

"I only came back to the bedroom to get some clothes," Jacqueline sobbed. "I never thought she would…"

She burst into tears before she could even finish the sentence.

The moment Cole saw that Jacqueline was hurt, his expression darkened. "Chloe, why is it always you? Why can't you just leave Jackie alone?"

"Take her to the hospital!" Dad ordered.

Cole carried Jacqueline out into the car. Before leaving, Dad slapped me hard across the face.

"If anything happens to Jackie, you'll answer for it."

Through the car window, Jacqueline flashed me a triumphant smile.

I sat frozen on the floor, too stunned to move.

Why wouldn't anyone believe me?

A moment later, Elias came over holding a glass of water. Thinking he'd come to comfort me, I opened my arms to him.

But he splashed the water in my face.

"Don't you dare hurt my mommy!"

The water was cold, yet it burned against my skin as though it were scalding.

…

After Jacqueline returned from the hospital, everyone became even more protective of her. It felt as though they were keeping an eye on me, afraid I might hurt her again.

It broke something inside me.

I'd lost everyone because of a woman who had taken my place.

I wanted to defend myself and tell them Jacqueline had set me up, but I had no proof. My silence only made them believe I was guilty.

They made it clear I was no longer welcome. I had become a stranger in the place that was supposed to be my home.

…

I kept trying to find my place in this family, and one day, Elias came to see me. Overjoyed, I reached out to pull him into my arms, but his next words sent a chill through me.

"Can you just get out of my house?"

My hand froze in midair.

My family's accusations hurt, but Elias' rejection cut deeper than anything else. I never imagined the child I had carried and given birth to would one day say those words to me.