The Stolen Life

Countless scornful looks fell upon me, and my body stiffened. The words I had strung together were lodged fast in my throat.All I wanted was to retrieve my belongings. All I wanted was to say goodbye."What are you doing here?"Before I had time to recover, Ivor emerged from the villa holding a stuffed toy.It was our token of love from when we were 18. On the day of our engagement, it went missing. I thought it was gone forever."Ives."A glimmer of hope surged in my heart as I reached out my hand. But in the next moment, the stuffed toy flew from his hand, drawing a beautiful arc in the air before landing precisely in the trash bin."Can I help?"Ivor's face was stern. Hastily, I withdrew my outstretched hand, feeling hard to breathe.When we were 18, he had said, "Even if I lost my life, I'd never lose this toy."Now, he was throwing it away with his own hands. Did that mean his life no longer included me?"Eleanor, we've already discussed this. The person I got engaged

"Stop trying to deny it, Eleanor. I know exactly what you're thinking. You must be jealous of Rhianne. I never thought you'd become so cunning! You say everything's fine, but your actions clearly show you wish nothing but harm upon her. I feel ashamed to have ever called you my sister."After Jeffrey spat out those nasty words, he raised a hand over his mouth. A hint of unease flashed across his face. He knew his words would hurt me, knew I wouldn't be able to handle them. Yet, he said them anyway."Jeff, don't say that about her. It's all my fault. It's been a long time since I've done any chores—I must have just forgotten."Rhianne tried to smooth things over, but Ivor only glanced at me with dissatisfaction."Rhianne, you're too kind. That's why this woman keeps bullying you over and over again. Look at your hand! It's so red. Come on, let's get some ointment on it."Though Jeffrey didn't criticize me further, his expression made it clear he blamed me too."Clean up the kitche

"Ms. Shaw, are none of your family seeing you off?"The staff member who came to pick me up glanced curiously at the villa behind me.The scoop about the legitimate and imposter daughters had become the talk of the town, and the man seemed to recognize me. He assumed the online rumors were exaggerated, but he now realized I had fallen so low."No."Without saying anything else, I loaded my suitcase into the boot and climbed into the car. The sky erupted with breathtaking fireworks, their brilliant colors blending with drone displays. It was a mesmerizing sight, and I couldn't tear my eyes away."Happy Birthday, Rhianne," the drones spelled out the words in neat rows, and the car fell into silence.Today was also Rhianne's birthday. We were born on the same day and mistakenly switched at birth. With this knowledge, they still chose to give me nothing."Ms. Shaw, isn't it your birthday too?" asked the driver in a stupor as it dawned on him.I lifted my phone and snapped a photo o

"Jeffrey Shaw, you were the one who's been spoiling El since young. You were the one who promised to give her the world, to pamper her for life. But look at you now. You knew from the get-go that this wasn't in El's control. She never had the power to dictate the course of her life. Yet, here we are, blaming it all on her. What gives us the right?"Ivor's voice slowly drained of vitality as he spoke. He couldn't bear thinking back on the recent events. In the beginning, he had showered Rhianne with kindness out of pity.But how had things spiraled so far out of control? How could he have been such a jerk?"El. I need to find El. Get out of my way."The pain from his wounds jolted his mind awake. Memories flooded back, and he started to remember that this marriage was something he had actively sought.Back then, the Rhett family was at its peak. There was no need for them to form an alliance with the Shaws.It was Ivor who fell for me at first sight, wishing to marry me. He went s

"Eleanor."On the first night after moving in, I met an old friend of mine whom I hadn't seen for years—Rhianne Shaw."Well, I certainly didn't expect you to be the first to come and visit me."Trembling, I tried to get out of bed. Rhianne touched her hair, her eyes swollen red. "Who said I came alone? We're all here."She stepped aside, revealing Ivor and Jeffrey behind her.Everyone had aged. I squinted, trying to see them more clearly. However, it was evident that my vision was failing me."El, you've gone through so much over the years," Ivor choked back sobs as he stood beside me. To help me see him better, he leaned closer and guided my hand across his face, tracing the outline inch by inch."You've grown old. You've all grown old." My voice was raspier than ever.Wiping a tear away with deep sorrow, Jeffrey gently ran his fingers over my scars."It's all my fault. I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you. My little El has suffered a bitter life; she truly has."It wa