LOGINWhen I got home, Mom had already laid out a huge spread. Compared to three years earlier, she'd grown painfully thin, little more than skin and bones. Gray streaked her hair, and she looked less like a woman in her 40s than someone decades older. The burn scars on her face hadn't faded with time. If anything, they'd become more severe and grotesque. Mom eagerly pulled me toward the table, saying, "Take a seat. I made all your favorite dishes."I glanced over the dishes and let out a dry laugh. "These are Erica's favorites. Besides… I'm allergic to fish."Right in the center of the table sat a platter of baked salmon. Mom's smile faltered instantly, and embarrassment crossed her features. "Oh, please. You should be grateful there's food on the table at all. Don't be so picky!" Erica snapped, walking over with an irritated look. "Your exchange system is working again now, right? I already picked someone out. She's a billionaire heiress. Swap our identities. I can't stand li
The people around us fell silent at once. I had braced myself for impact, but instead I collided with something soft. I looked up and found myself staring at my counselor, Vivian Wright. Mom charged at me like a madwoman and slapped me twice. "Bianca Jenkins! Have you lost your damn mind? Are you trying to threaten your sister and me with suicide again? Don't even think about it! You're coming home with us right now!"She finally lost her patience and shot Erica a look. The next instant, they grabbed me by both arms and started dragging me toward the gates. "Wait," Vivian began. "Bianca's officially enrolled now. She's a student at this university, and even as her parent, you don't have the right to force her to withdraw. Let her go and leave immediately, or I'll call campus security."Vivian and I met a few times before the semester started, so she already knew a little about my situation at home. "Don't let her fool you! She's a liar!" Mom snapped. "Mom, how could you say
"How could you be so heartless?" Mom yelled. "Just because I'm disfigured and lost an eye, you look down on me? You don't even want to admit we're your family anymore, do you?"Did you ever stop to think that I ended up like this because of you? After everything I went through to raise you…"Her face flushed red with anger. But as more people gathered around, she seamlessly slipped into playing the victim. At the same time, Erica pulled up photos of the three of us on her phone as proof that they were my family. In no time, the way the crowd looked at me changed. "So, that's really her mom. That's messed up. Her mother's in that condition, and she still left home for university," someone commented."And her mom ended up like that because of her."Another added, "I knew it. Good grades don't mean good character. What an ingrate! Can the university expel her already?""I can't believe I breathe the same air as her!"The insults kept coming, while Mom and Erica looked more ple
Mom and Erica were beside themselves with rage, calling me over and over to demand answers. But by then, I had already arrived on campus by bus. Because of my grades, I'd secured early admission with a full scholarship. Tuition was completely waived for all four years, and I'd even been allowed to move into the dorms ahead of schedule. After settling into my new room, I took my time before answering Mom's call. The moment I picked up, she roared, "You brat! Where have you been? Why did Erica end up with no score on the SAT?""You did this on purpose, didn't you? You never switched with me that day! You even went into hiding so we wouldn't be able to find you!" Erica shouted, her voice so shrill that it sounded like her throat might give out."But I did switch," I said calmly.Erica didn't believe it at all. "Then why did I end up with no score?""Because…" My lips curled slightly, and I nearly laughed. "I didn't show up to take the exam that day.""What did you say?" they ye
The next day, Erica locked Mom in her room. To keep her from getting out, Erica refused even to open the door to bring her food or water. She simply left Mom there. Mom was left with Erica's sickly, frail body. After barely a day, she could no longer endure it. She clawed at the door and begged, "I won't change my mind. I swear I won't undo the swap. Just let me out, okay? I haven't eaten or had any water all day. If this goes on, I'll die…"Yet, Erica didn't budge. A cruel smile spread across her face as she retorted, "You won't die. Bianca went four days without food when she was stuck in that wheelchair, and she survived just fine. I'm sure you can too."At that moment, all hope left Mom. By the second day, she no longer had the strength to scream. No one knew whether she was alive or dead. Meanwhile, Erica took Mom's card and spent the next couple of days shopping nonstop. She bought all the pretty clothes and dresses she'd never been able to wear before, trying them on o
Mom's eyes lit up again as she slowly turned toward Erica, who immediately backed away in alarm. "Don't even think about it!" Erica shrieked. "You were the ones who ruined my life in the first place! I finally feel normal again. If you dare reverse the exchange, I'll end my life right now!"With that, she spun around and ran for the window. It was her usual tactic. Whenever things didn't go her way, she threatened to end her life, and it worked every time. The second Erica threatened to put an end to her own life, Mom gave in to whatever she wanted. When she said it hurt her to see me healthy and whole, Mom broke my leg and kept me in a wheelchair for six months. When Erica said she wanted to get into a good university, Mom didn't hesitate to make me hand over my SAT scores to her. Later, they even forced me to trade identities with a death row inmate just because Erica wanted money to study abroad. And now, it was happening again.Mom lunged forward and grabbed Erica tig







