Actually I Was The Real One Novels & Stories

"That's okay. Be as cheesy and clingy as you want. I'm so happy we're together." "Me, too. I feel so...I don't know. Different. Like I'm a new person. No, it's like I'm the real Colt now. I'm no longer pretending to be someone I'm not. I didn't think I could be real with anyone other than Sandro and Ethan, but I'm done hiding. I want to be my true self—I like my true self." "You should," I say. "Because your true self is pretty awesome."

the one who wasn't pretending, who wasn't caught up in all the lies. The one who was honest and real. But was it real? Or just another act?

Just to make sure it was real. I already knew it was real. That was the problem. That was the beginning.

My father was killed. The woman I called my mother was not my mother. Vane knew. All of them knew. Except me. A bitter laugh escaped me. “Of course,” I muttered. Of course, I would be the last to know. I dragged a hand through my hair, pacing now, back and forth like I could walk my way out of this situation. “This is not real,” I said under my breath. “It cannot be.” But it felt real. Too real. The way Vane looked at me.

Why did I even ask that question? Thinking about it, it was a little weird… Like… Wow… the John I had known all along was fake. This was the real one, and for years, I hadn’t even in the very least managed to catch a glimpse of the real one. I nodded slowly, and dropped the papers I had picked on the table, arranging them properly. “If you’ll excuse me please.” I said, feeling miserable, and turned to leave.

And I want everyone to be proud of me too! I want to find The real ME!

"You're the real one. Has to be. Otherwise why would the Whitmores bring you back at all—" "My mom made it clear. She considers both me and Vanessa her daughters." Nora's eyes lit up. Almost to herself: "Vanessa's a fake. That conniving little—" She sat back, genuinely stunned, then slapped the table. "Oh my god. This is massive." I'd basically flattened my straw from chewing on it. I glanced around nervously and lowered my voice. "Whatever you've figured out — don't say it out loud. My mother would not be happy."

My fingers tightened around the small box while tears burned violently behind my eyes. Then finally, I whispered the truth out loud. The truth that came far too late. “I destroyed the only person who was ever real.”

… Nine years had passed, and the elders had aged noticeably. That car accident from years ago had been secretly plotted by our family's rivals. The mastermind behind it was already behind bars, but everyone still believed I was dead. "I'm so glad you're back. At last, my precious daughter has returned!" A pang of bittersweetness hit me. For the past nine years, I had almost completely lost myself. My identity had been reduced to Charlie's wife and the mother of two kids. Shifting constantly between those roles, I hadn't lived as myself in the longest time, nor had anyone truly valued me in that way.