Chapter 2

"Dad…" I called out, my voice trembling with hoarseness. Then I turned toward Dahlia. "Mom, w-what happened to Dad? Wasn't he perfectly fine when we video-called a week ago?"

Dahlia glanced at the photo, her hand tightening into a fist as she spoke. "Are you out of your mind? My husband has been dead for more than ten years. Can't you see that the picture is yellowed?

"Why do we have to deal with a lunatic like you during New Year's? What terrible luck. You've been harassing us long enough. Don't blame me if I get nasty!"

Dahlia pulled out her phone and was about to call the cops when Steven suddenly stepped forward and grabbed her hand.

"Mom, don't get worked up." He glanced at me. "I think something must have happened to this guy. I'll just get him to leave. It's New Year's. Let's not get the cops involved."

With that, Steven stepped forward, grabbed my arm, and dragged me toward the door.

I yanked my arm free, refusing to budge an inch. "No, this is my home! I'm not leaving."

Even though I looked calm on the outside, I was completely panicking on the inside. Dad was dead, Mom didn't recognize me, and she had another son who had appeared out of nowhere.

Even the decorations in the house had all changed. There wasn't a single trace of anything I remembered.

It was as if I had no place in this world at all.

Steven yanked me even harder. He was half a head taller than me, with a solid, muscular build, and he was a lot stronger than I was. He shoved me out the door so hard that I stumbled and fell backward down the stairs, the world spinning before my eyes.

A sharp pain shot through my entire body, and then everything went black.

Half conscious, I heard Steven's voice. "It's your fault for refusing to move. What are we supposed to do now?"

Mom sounded a little aggrieved. "How was I supposed to know? He told me he wasn't coming home for New Year's. Do you think he'll believe me if I keep insisting I'm not his mom? With the way he's coming at us now, something's bound to happen sooner or later..."

Steven lowered his voice. "He has to believe it, no matter what. And if he still won't, we'll have to deal with him once and for all!"

Mom's tense voice rang out. "No way! He's my son. You can't…"

Steven sneered. "Things have already come this far. Do you really think we can turn back now?"

I clenched the blanket in my hand.

Mom clearly knew who I was. So, why was she pretending not to? What were they talking about? What were they planning?

I carefully pulled out my phone and started recording.

Steven's tone changed. "I'll give him another chance for my dad's sake. Find a way to make him believe it. If not… Don't blame me for showing no mercy. I'll handle the move. You get this done as soon as possible."

"Okay." Mom spoke softly.

I slowly opened my eyes after Steven left. Mom was sitting beside me, scrolling through her phone, her hands trembling.

"Mom…"

When she heard my voice, Mom shot to her feet. "How many times do I have to tell you? I'm really not your mom!"

She turned her phone toward me. "Here's our family record. Your name isn't on it. If my son hadn't been kind enough to stop me, you'd already be in jail. You broke into our house, claiming you were my son, and caused us so much trouble that we ended up in the hospital. You're a bloody lunatic."

Mom put her phone away and headed for the door. Suddenly, she paused and glared at me. "I'm warning you. Don't come back. If you come back again, I'll beat the hell out of you!"

Even though her words were harsh, I saw the panic in her eyes.

I waited until Mom left the hospital room before getting out of bed and following her.

Knowing she was only pretending not to recognize me made me feel a little less afraid.

But what about Dad? Was he really dead?

I hailed a cab and followed behind Mom while calling Dad at the same time.

There was no answer. I opened his Facebook. A death announcement suddenly popped up on his feed, which had always been empty.

It had been posted four days ago by Mom. She said Dad had died in an accident. As per his wishes, there would be no funeral. The post included a photo of Dad lying in a coffin.

But I was absolutely certain I had never seen this post before.

My heart kept pounding as I told the driver to stay close.

A few minutes later, the car stopped a few dozen yards from the entrance to a neighborhood.

I watched Mom get out of the car and quickly followed her out.

I had barely closed the car door and turned around when I saw Mom rush into the arms of a man wearing a baseball cap. The man, who had his arm wrapped around Mom, slowly raised his head, revealing a face that was identical to Dad's.