Chapter 4

The next morning, Dad slid a notebook across the table.

Inside was a list.

My grades. Competition history. Why I chose my major. Why I picked Halston. My hobbies.

He tapped the page.

"Write it all down so Emily can memorize it."

I looked at him.

"So you're really doing this?"

He frowned.

"We've come this far. Stop causing trouble."

'We've come this far.'

With one careless sentence, he turned my whole life into part of their plan.

Emily sat down beside me with the notebook.

She spoke carefully.

"Amelia, what books do you usually read?

"If a professor asks why I picked this major, what should I say?

"And that last math competition problem... how did you solve it?"

I looked at her.

"You're not Amelia Aerstall. Of course you don't know."

Her eyes filled with tears.

"I just don't want to let Mom and Dad down."

Kenneth happened to walk by. The second he heard me, his face hardened.

"Cut the attitude. We're asking you to write down a few things. It's not going to kill you."

That's when I realized he was right.

They didn't want to kill me.

They wanted my whole life.

Mom walked over carrying a document folder.

"Put all your certificates in here."

I didn't move.

She explained like it was obvious.

"We're displaying them at the party.

"If anyone asks, Amelia will have something to show."

Except the Amelia she meant wasn't me anymore.

"They're my certificates."

Her face darkened.

"They're pieces of paper. How long are you going to keep making a scene?"

When I still refused, she walked over to my bookshelf.

I'd kept those certificates tucked away at the back of my shelf.

The edges were worn.

Proof of countless late nights and endless practice tests.

Mom didn't even look at them before shoving them into the folder and handing it to Emily.

"You can hold onto these for now."

I reached for the folder.

Mom smacked my hand away.

"I gave birth to you!

"And you're really going to fight Emily over a few pieces of paper?"

I looked at her, the back of my hand stinging.

Emily clutched the folder to her chest.

"Amelia... I'm sorry."

But she never let go.

Around noon, Dad answered a call.

I heard him say,

"Yes, her name is Emily Aerstall.

"As long as she can get accepted somewhere, any practical major is fine."

I rushed over. "Who were you talking to?"

Dad hung up and looked at me blankly.

"I'm arranging a college for you."

I froze.

"Who gave you the right?"

"I'm your father."

He looked me straight in the eye.

"Emily will attend Halston under your name.

"You'll attend whatever college her scores can get you into under hers.

"This is the best option."

"Best for who?"

He didn't even pause. "This family."

At that moment, I stopped arguing.

Because I finally understood.

I was never going to win.

It wasn't that they didn't know they were hurting me.

They just didn't care.

I went back to my room and locked the door.

From inside an old textbook, I pulled out a few bills and the contact information my homeroom teacher had given me.

I sent her a message.

[Ms. Parker, this is Amelia Aerstall.]

[My family wants my twin sister to steal my identity and go to Halston under my name.]

[They took my ID, my bank card, and my acceptance letter.]

[I need help.]

After I hit send, I stared at the screen.

My heart pounded so hard I could barely breathe.

Her reply came almost instantly.

[Amelia, don't be afraid.]

[Keep yourself safe first.]

[I'm contacting the school and Halston's admissions office right now.]

Three short messages.

I almost cried.

Someone had finally asked if I was safe before asking why I couldn't just give in.

I packed a small bag.

Two changes of clothes.

A little cash.

My old student ID.

My phone charger.

And my notebook of practice problems.

I'd just zipped the bag shut when someone knocked.

Mom's voice came through the door.

"Amelia, open up."

I shoved my phone under my pillow.

A beat of silence.

Then her voice went cold. "What were you just doing?"