Chapter 52

She’s staring at me. “Noah…” she shifts her weight on the couch, eyes narrowed. “Are you serious?”I want to say yes, right away, no hesitation. But I know Ray. She doesn’t want some offhand reply. This isn’t just about telling our parents we’re together. It’s about everything that could come after, rejection, judgment, maybe even hate. I don’t think my parents would turn on me for this, but they might not look kindly on Ray. And that matters to me.I reach for her hand and squeeze it gently.“Yes, Ray. I’m serious. We’re not doing anything wrong, nothing that needs to be hidden. We love each other. This isn’t impulsive. It’s real. It’s the truth. So why not let them know? I hate the way I have to hold myself back around my parents when you’re near.” I shift forward and hold her gaze with every sense of sincerity.“ I don’t want to keep us a secret. I want everyone to know.”She doesn’t smile. Her gaze doesn’t even settle on me. Her eyes are f

Last Updated : 2025-10-04

Chapter 53

She nods. I rise, grab her hand, and together we head up the stairs. We stop in front of William’s door. As I pull out the key, she stares at me, frowning. “You weren’t kidding.”“I kid about a lot of things,” I whisper, sliding the key into the lock. “But not about this. Also, his lamp? Works just fine. That kid lied last night just to come ruin our moment.”She snorts, trying not to laugh. “Stop it, Noah. You can’t get territorial with a child.”“Who says?” I open the door slowly. William’s curled in bed, completely fine. Lights on. Breathing steady.I quietly close the door and twist the key again.“Don’t lock it,” she scolds, swatting my hand.I grab her by the waist. “All clear,” I whisper, pulling her close. “Now, where were we?”She lets out a laugh, but I cut it off with a searing kiss.Her arms wrap around my shoulders, fingers slipping into my hair. I groan into her mouth, losing control fast. The kiss

Last Updated : 2025-10-04

I feel so happy. I don't want to admit it, but maybe I’ve become a slut for Noah. I never meant to lose my mind like that, but last night? I completely gave in. Gave up every ounce of sense I had. And now, I feel amazing. He didn’t use protection, but thank God I’m already on the pill.Oh my God, I can’t stop smiling.“You’re in a good mood,” Milly says, eyeing me as she pours herself a cup of coffee. The scent of roasted beans wafts through the teachers’ lounge. It’s warm, quiet, the buzz of the vending machine humming in the background.She’s my best friend from high school, well, used to be. We reconnected when I applied for a job here. She already worked at the school. We’re not as close as we were before I left for New Orleans five years ago, but we’re… good. Familiar.“You’re glowing,” she says, joining me at the small round table where I’m eating lunch.“It’s nothing,” I say, grinning into my sandwich.“Peter must be treating you right.”My smile fades. I duck my head, suddenly

Last Updated : 2025-10-05

chapter 55

It’s not me. It’s Elena. The woman in the photo, her smile’s too wide, too open. Her body too loose, too at ease. Her hair whips in the wind, longer than it should be.But I cut my hair. I cut it short. So when did it grow out? Why does she look so much like Elena? Why don’t I recognize my own face?My chest tightens. My breathing turns shallow. My vision tunnels. Am I… Ray?Or have I slipped so far into Elena’s life that I can’t tell the difference anymore?I’m sleeping with her husband. I’m cooking in her kitchen. Cleaning her floors. Her son called me Mommy last night without thinking.What if Noah knows, and he’s just going along with it? What if he’s pretending I’m Ray, just to avoid breaking the illusion?Maybe I’m not Ray at all. Maybe I’ve become her.“Breathe, Ray.”I’m bent over, hands on my knees, gasping. Noah’s hand rubs slow circles on my back, grounding me.“What did you just call me?” I lift my head, squinting up at him. The sun blinds me, and it casts his face into sh

Last Updated : 2025-10-05

Chapter 56

It’s like staring into a mirror. If she hadn’t moved, if that wide smile didn’t stretch across her face, if she hadn’t rushed forward and thrown her arms around me, I would’ve thought I was hallucinating. Just a trick of light and memory.“Ray!” she cries, wrapping me in a tight, familiar hold. That warmth. That voice. That grip, like she never left. It shakes me to my core. I shove her out of my arms, out of reach.“Elena?” I whisper, my voice trembling, fragile. Just in case I’m wrong. Just in case this is some illusion made of fear and longing.“Yes, it’s me,” she says, nodding with a soft, trembly smile. Her eyes shimmer, the first sign of tears blooming there.“No,” I say, stepping back. “You died. You’re dead. How are you, ” My chest rises, a gasp chokes out. “Did I... die? Did I get into an accident and die so fast I didn’t even know?”She laughs. Light and ringing, like bells in a church. That’s her laugh. That’s my sister’s laugh.“No, silly,” she says, brushing a hand throug

Last Updated : 2025-10-21

Chapter 57

“Yes, Elena. I can’t believe it.” I let it all go, the shock, the ache, the confusion, and just feel. The joy of holding my sister again. The sound of her laugh, light and real in my ear.I am happy. God, I am. A weight lifts off my shoulders as I squeeze her tighter. Whatever I think of what Mom did, the truth is simple: My sister is alive.We pull apart, and Elena immediately tugs me onto the couch, scooting close, just like she used to when she had gossip to share.“So, tell me everything. Mom told me you’ve been living with Noah and William.”My heart jerks. My throat goes tight.Guilt slides down my spine like ice. “It’s true,” I say stiffly. “I’m living with them.”“Come on,” she laughs, shaking my arm. “Tell me what’s been happening. I’ve been trapped in this house for almost three months. Mom doesn’t want the neighbors to see me. I’m going insane, Ray. I need details.”Details.Noah kissing me in the hallway. Noah holding me in the kitchen, whispering against my neck. Noah car