All Chapters of Substitute No More: The Sister They Lost: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I returned to the place that was once called "home" to pack up my belongings. The mansion was huge, but only the cold, damp little room at the end of the hallway belonged to me. Ever since Sarah came back, I no longer had the privilege of staying in one of the larger bedrooms.I pulled out a well-worn fairy tale book from under my bed, with a yellowed photograph tucked inside. This was taken during my first birthday at the Sinclair family, the only thing I hadn't been ordered to "give back" to Sarah.I had suffered from long-term abuse. Even after Joseph rescued me and brought me home, I was quiet for a very long time. I only recovered because Thomas had tried different ways to make me laugh every day, and Joseph had watched over me constantly.In the photograph, Joseph and Thomas stood on either side of me. I was wearing a beautiful white dress and smiling so happily. On the back, the words "our most beloved little princess" were written in small letters.Back then, I thought I fi

The money in my account wasn't enough for a hotel, so I returned to the hospital and curled up on a bench in the hallway. The allergic reaction was getting worse. My breathing became labored, and my whole body burned like it was on fire.In my dazed state, I had a dream. In it, I was back to being a child.Back then, my parents would lock me in a pitch-black closet. Belt beatings and cigarette burns were common occurrences. I never understood why they treated me like I wasn't their own daughter.Until one day, 17-year-old Joseph came across my father beating me and yelling at me on the street. He gave my father a sum of money and picked me up."Don't be afraid," he said in a firm and gentle voice. "From now on, I'll be your brother."He then brought me back to the Sinclair residence, gave me a new name, new clothes, and a new room. Thomas was Joseph's younger brother. He said that from then on, wherever they were would be my home.During those years, they truly spoiled me like a

"Mr. Sinclair, are you deaf or insane? I've made it very clear that Ms. Cynthia Sinclair is dead!"Joseph let out a cold laugh. "What kind of trick is she playing now? She's even faking her death now?"The doctor ended the call directly, her chest heaving violently as she couldn't help but curse under her breath. "Hopeless fool."I floated beside her, nodding in agreement. I should've disappeared after death, but for some reason, my soul remained in this world. I felt no sorrow nor joy, only the calm detachment of a spectator.Well then, I would see how they would handle my death. After the call ended, Joseph and Thomas looked at each other."She's dead? This is getting more ridiculous by the minute," Joseph sneered.Thomas felt somewhat guilty. "City General Hospital wouldn't cooperate with her lies."Sarah happened to return from outside, looking worried. "What's wrong?"Joseph said briefly, "The hospital says Cynthia is dead."Sarah's expression stiffened for a moment, but

Joseph and Thomas took Sarah's medication to the lab for testing. The results came back quickly, and they were indeed vitamins."She lied to us." Thomas stared at the report, his hands trembling slightly. "Her panic attacks, her allergies… They're all fake."Joseph's face turned ashen, his chest heaving. If the illness was fake, then what about her tears and protests?"Let's go to the hospital!" Joseph's eyes were bloodshot. "Now! We're going to bring Cynthia home!"They stormed into the hospital. Thomas' glasses had gone crooked from running as he bellowed, "Give us Cynthia's body!"It was still the same kind doctor who looked at the two usually high-and-mighty CEOs with disdain. "Mr. Sinclair, are you joking? If Ms. Sinclair's corpse could speak, she'd definitely tell you to get away and not to touch her!"I floated nearby, unable to help nodding in agreement."She's our family!" Joseph was still struggling, trying to use family relations to pressure her."When she was alive,

Joseph's voice was hoarse. "What made you think of doing this test?"Thomas' voice was weary as he pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking a deep drag. "The hospital absolutely refused to release the body, saying we had to prove our relationship to her."Joseph was stunned. "But everyone knows Cynthia was adopted.""I know!" Thomas shouted desperately for the first time. "So I didn't hold out any hope! But then… Then..."He pointed at the reports, his voice breaking. "The genetic similarity... is extremely high. God guided us to save our lost sister, and we killed her with our own hands!"Joseph's eyes were vacant, as if his soul had been ripped out. Meanwhile, Sarah was trembling violently. Minutes ago, she had been throwing tantrums, confident in her position as their real sister.And now, the very leverage she had been counting on for survival had been completely shattered."No! Impossible!" she screamed, lunging for the reports on the floor, trying to tear them apart."Yo