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Chapter 1

Emma Whitcomb

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Eleanor.

My eyes swept over the decorations in the living room. 

Beautiful cake, several gifts, and of course, mom and dad sitting by Eleanor’s side, showering her with gifts.

While I was left here… nobody even noticed me even though it was my birthday too.

“I got you this, darling,” dad said, handing over car keys to Eleanor.

Her face lit up with excitement as she gasped, taking the key, “latest BMW? Dad… this is the car I told you about… oh, my God! I've always wanted this,” she squealed excitedly.

“And here, sweetie. I got you this too,” mom said as she handed a small box to Eleanor.

Eleanor took out the necklace in the box, and as it met the light in the living room, it glittered.

I noticed the necklace looked familiar… It was the same one I'd begged mom to get for me for years.

My fingers tightened on the rail of the staircase, my chest burning with pain.

The Whitcomb family adopted me fifteen years ago after their real daughter, Eleanor Whitcomb, suddenly went missing on her birthday. I was just eight then. 

For thirteen years, I was forced to live as Eleanor. They forced me to answer her name, talk like her, walk like her, wear her favourite dresses, eat her favourite meal, do things that she loved to do… and even take her birthday.

I endured everything. Not that I had a choice. And just when I was already used to the lifestyle, they found their real daughter two years ago, and everything changed.

They didn't hesitate to strip me of the life I was already comfortable with… The name, and even her birthday that I had taken as mine.

The love they used to give me. The attention. Everything shifted to Eleanor. I became invisible in the Whitcomb family.

I've tried to show them that I was still here, but they never cared. I was always a replacement anyway.

My heart was already burning with pain when my fiancé, Daniel walked in with a bouquet of my favourite flowers… purple roses.

My face lit up with excitement, the weight that was pressing down on my chest suddenly felt lifted.

At least he remembered to get me a gift on my birthday.

Daniel was the grandson of Mr. Hopkins Hart, the founder of the most successful fashion company in the country.

We first met five years ago on my eighteenth birthday. I fell in love with him at first sight.

Two years later, my parents and his granddad got us engaged.

Even though we were just an arranged couple, Daniel never treated me badly. He's been nice to me, protects me, and it was safe to say that he was the only one who ever really cared about me.

However, his attention has shifted a bit to Eleanor ever since she came back.

‘She’s your sister, Emma… My sister-in-law. It wouldn't be fair if I'm not nice to her’

He'd always say each time I got jealous of them being all close… I've tried to be understanding, like they wanted me to.

“Dan…” I said, hurrying down the staircase with all smiles, but halted in the living room as El shot to her feet before I could finish calling his name.

“Daniel!” she rushed to him, standing so close to him, their bodies touched.

Mom turned to me, her smile slowly faded, then she said with a small faint smile that didn't reach her eyes, “Oh, you're here?” 

She looked away, as if disgusted by my presence.

She didn't want an answer, and I didn't even have one to give.

“I thought you were not going to come for my birthday,” El’s hands were on Daniel's. She was all over him. As if he was her man.

My jaw tightened as anger shot through me.

Just as I opened my mouth to talk, El beat me to it.

She gasped, covering her mouth as her eyes dropped to the flowers Daniel was holding, “is that for me?”

My breath caught in my throat, heart pounding as I prayed silently that Daniel said no, but the next words that rolled off his tongue shattered my heart.

He glanced down at the flowers, then at me… hesitation creeping up his eyes.

I felt a little glimmer of hope, but before I clung to it, Daniel shattered it as he turned to El, smiled, and handed the flowers to her, “yes, El. I got this for you…”

“Happy birthday, El,”

My breath caught, knees buckling beneath me.

“Daniel! I'm here,” I wanted to say, but I didn't. He saw me and didn't give a shit about me, so why should I remind him?

My eyes met El for half a second before she took the flowers, a smirk curling her lips.

Daniel turned to me, and for a split second, I saw something flicker in his eyes… maybe guilt. But that only lasted for a split second before grabbed his arm and dragged him to sit on the couch with her.

“Come on, Daniel. It's time to blow out the candle and make a wish… I've been waiting for you,”

My fingers tightened so hard, my knuckles whitened. I wanted to leave, but my feet felt rooted to the spot. I couldn't move.

El closed her eyes, her face beaming with smiles, and as she opened them, she blew out the candle, and they clapped for her.

“What's your wish, darling?” Dad asked eagerly, as if he couldn't wait to do whatever she wanted.

Eleanor however lifted her gaze to me, her smile slowly faded into sadness.

I scoffed silently, rolling my eyes. What will she ask for now? On her last birthday, she asked that Daniel take her on a tour, depriving me of spending my birthday with him.

There was no way in hell I would've allowed Daniel to do that, but my parents weren't having it.

‘You should be nicer to Eleanor. Life hasn't been fair to her’

‘This shouldn't be too much to do for your sister. We've done everything for you all these years anyway’

They wouldn't stop reminding me of how they brought me from nothing and raised me, until I gave in.

“What's wrong, darling? You should say whatever you want. We'll get it for you…” Mom placed a hand on her back, caressing it gently.

“Yes, baby. Tell us, what do you want? Another car? A trip to your favourite country? Just anything. We will do it,”

El glanced at me one more time before lowering her gaze, “I don't think you'll be able to do what I want,”

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. Oh, please. What can she not ask for?

“Don't say that, El. We'll do anything for you. Just anything. You know we love you,”

Silence thickened around us, lingering longer than usual, then she said,

“Will you still do it if I say that I want to marry Daniel?” 

I stiffened, my breath hitching as every air in my lungs escaped.

Everything stilled, all heads turning to me, including Daniel… As if waiting to see my reaction.

Then Eleanor looked straight into my eyes, a pathetic pout curling her lips as she said, “my wish is to marry Daniel. Will you grant me that, sister?