Chapter 2

When Taylor called the second time, my family was filming the finale of a prank documentary.

Solana sat in the center of the frame with tears in her eyes. “I’ve known ever since I was a kid that Sofia doesn’t really like me. She’s just competing with me.

“When I got first place, she stayed up all night doing practice tests. When I liked a dress, she’d buy up every color. Even when it came to marriage, she had to marry my husband’s brother.”

She lowered her head, and her tears fell onto the back of her hand with perfect timing. “It’s not that I hate her. I just want something that’s mine, even just a little bit...”

Alden, who was off camera, frowned.

He knew about everything Solana mentioned. But he had no idea that the year Solana ranked first, I had written in my diary about how amazing Solana was and how I had to work hard too so I would not let her down.

When the dress Solana liked went out of production, I asked someone to buy every color for her. I was afraid that she would have nothing to change into if she ever stained it.

I only married Alden because the night before her wedding, she held me and cried, saying that she was scared of marrying into a family of strangers. That was why I turned down all the arranged marriages and married Alden.

I thought that as long as I stayed close to her, she would never need to be afraid. But she took it as me competing with her. My family thought I was stealing what was hers.

A ringtone cut the filming short. This time, my mother answered the call.

Taylor spoke the moment she picked up. “Is this Sofia Darnell’s family? She’s gone into acute respiratory failure. We called earlier to have a family member confirm her identity and go over her case with you.

“We’re arranging a transfer to a larger hospital that has the equipment she needs. As her family, you need to come in right away to help with the paperwork and the transfer.”

My mother covered the receiver and said softly, “It’s the hospital again.”

My father’s expression darkened. “Put it on speaker.”

Taylor’s voice rang through the living room. “Ms. Darnell’s condition could turn at any moment. She’s still in a coma, and transporting her is extremely high-risk. A family member needs to be here so we can go over everything.”

Solana clutched the hem of her clothes tightly. “Mom, maybe we should go check on her?”

Arthur immediately pulled her back. “Have you forgotten why we staged this whole thing? She only keeps taking your things because she knows you have a soft spot for her.”

Alden’s expression darkened as well. “Just yesterday she promised in front of the funeral hall that she’d learn to be her own person. Then she goes and jumps off a bridge just like you.

“You won’t be saving her if you go to that hospital. You would just be telling her that this trick works.”

After hearing this, my mother said coldly into the phone, “Please don’t play along with her little stunt. If she wants a transfer, she can sign for it herself.”

Taylor was stunned. “She’s in a coma. How is she supposed to sign for herself?”

“Then wait until she wakes up.”

“What if she doesn’t?”

My mother paused for a second, then answered as if out of spite, “Then maybe she shouldn’t wake up.”

With that, she hung up.

In the ER, my chest felt tight, like a band clamped around it, and I could not pull in enough air. The sounds around me were muffled and far away, but I could feel someone tapping my face.

“Ms. Sofia Darnell, wake up! Can you hear me?”

I strained to open my eyes, and the blinding white light made me tear up.

Another nurse in the ER, Jane Wallace, leaned down and asked loudly, “Is there anyone else we can call?”

“My sister...” I said weakly.

“Your sister?”

I shook my head sluggishly. “My sister is dead.”

Jane froze. Before she could answer, the monitor shrieked a sharp alarm.

In the hallway, Taylor tried calling my family again.

This time, Alden did not even glance at it before hanging up.

When the call came through again, he hung up again.

After five times in a row, he irritably turned off his phone. “I’ve had enough! How long is Sofia going to keep up this act?”

Solana stared at the darkened screen, feeling an inexplicable sense creep into her heart. “She’s not actually in trouble, is she?”

He handed her a cup and said, “Relax. She’s always been all bark and no bite. She won’t die just yet. She hasn’t beaten you yet.”