Chapter 1

When I woke up, the first thing I saw was my mother’s worried yet eager expression.

“Are you Claire or Stella?”

I ignored the difference in warmth in the way she said our names and answered calmly, “I’m Claire.”

The three people standing by the bed immediately let out sighs of relief.

A trace of bitterness flashed across my eyes.

Every time I had woken up before, they had always been cold and distant, simply stating something like, “Hurry up and study,” before walking away.

I never imagined that the first time they showed me kindness would only be because they needed me to take the punishment for Stella.

Ash, my older brother, pressed his lips together.

“Stella got into a fight with a girl at school. The other girl started it first. Stella was only defending herself.

“She might have lost control and seriously injured the girl. We originally planned for Stella to take responsibility herself.

“But the draw chose you this time, so…”

My hand clenched tightly under the blanket. My nails dug into my palm until it hurt.

He was lying to me.

Stella had started the fight herself just because the other girl happened to be wearing the same dress as she was.

Also…

I looked up at Ash. My voice was slightly hoarse. “Is that true? Was it really just a random draw that chose me?”

My parents exchanged a glance. Their expressions stiffened.

The look on Ash’s face remained unchanged, though his brows furrowed impatiently.

“Of course. That item was given to us by a wise man when you were little. Do you really think we could have tampered with it?”

I stopped asking.

Knowing the truth would only make me humiliate myself further.

He let out a sigh of relief.

“Go wash up and come downstairs for dinner. We’re going to the hospital later to meet the girl’s family.”

After the three of them left, the room fell silent. All that remained was my bitter, self-mocking laugh.

This room had been decorated entirely according to Stella’s preferences.

Everything was a soft shade of yellow. It was just like her, bright and cheerful.

I liked black.

However, my black clothes had been thrown carelessly into a corner of the floor like trash.

I was not even worthy of a place in Stella’s closet.

A while later, I went downstairs and sat at the dining table. My eyes fell on the mango tarts in front of me.

Even though Stella and I shared the same body, our different souls meant our bodies reacted differently to different foods.

She loved mangoes, while I was severely allergic to them.

I loved strawberries, while she hated even the sight of them.

Still, whether I was awake or not, the family only served food Stella liked.

I looked up. “I’m allergic to mangoes. Did you forget?”

Ash clicked his tongue.

“Why are you always so troublesome? Stella can eat them, so why can’t you? You’re the only one who makes everything complicated.”

My heart felt like it had been stabbed.

“But I’m not Stella. I’m Claire!”

The entire dining room went silent. The three of them stared at me. It was the first time they had ever seen me lose my temper.

My mother quickly tried to smooth things over.

“It’s my fault. I forgot to inform the maids. I’ll have them change it right away.”

The strawberry tarts were baked soon after.

I lowered my eyes and stared at them. My vision blurred slightly. I took a bite, but it tasted like nothing.

Ash looked at me in confusion.

“What’s wrong with you this time? Why are you suddenly so angry?”

I gripped my cutlery tightly and said nothing.

It was nothing.

I had just spent twenty years watching my family favor my sister and never truly love me. This time, I had finally given up.

I did not want to be my younger sister’s stepping stone anymore.

I did not want to be her scapegoat.

More than anything, I did not want to see this cursed family again.

Thus, I would simply disappear after this month ended.

Ash never truly cared about what was wrong with me.

He did not bother asking further when he noticed my silence.

“Let’s go.”

He walked ahead of me. Out of habit, I reached out, but grasped nothing except empty air.

Right. Ash only held hands with Stella, never me.

An hour later, I stood outside the hospital room.

Ash frowned and warned me, “Whatever they do to you in there, just endure it. Don’t fight back. The best thing to do is settle this completely within the month. Got it?”

I tightened my grip on my skirt and pushed the door open.

The next second, a thermos flew straight toward me and slammed into my head. Warm blood trickled down my forehead.

Then came a piercing scream.

“You’re the monster who hurt my daughter! How dare you still show your face here!”