Seven years ago, my parents' adopted daughter—my younger sister Madeline Archer—committed a hit-and-run while driving drunk. My parents. My biological sister. They all said the same thing to me. "Madeline has a heart condition. She can't go to prison. Nora, please." I didn't agree. Then one night, deep into the dark, they put me in the back of a police car with their own hands. And my fiancé, Connor Ashford—the hedge fund titan who owned half of New York—he arranged everything. He said— "Nora, when you get out, I'll marry you. Just get through these seven years." ... Seven years later. "Vance. Live your life out there. Don't look back." I took the faded canvas bag from the corrections officer's hands. Bowed once. Walked out of Bedford Hills Correctional Facility with a limp. A black Cadillac Escalade was already waiting. The window rolled down. Connor Ashford's sharp, handsome features emerged. "Nora." Seven years. He hadn't changed at all. I dropped my gaze without thinking. Got in the car. The rearview mirror threw back the reflection of a gaunt, scarred face. "Seven years. You've suffered enough. I'm keeping my promise. I'm marrying you." Connor reached for my thin, brittle hand. I looked at the hollowed-out woman staring back at me in his eyes. Slowly pulled my hand free. Felt nothing. "Mm." Seven years locked away. Two thousand five hundred eighty-nine days and nights. More than enough time to see Connor and my family for what they really were. They didn't love me. And I didn't want to marry him anymore. Connor caught my coldness. His reflex was to explain. "Madeline knew you were coming home today. It brought back everything from the accident seven years ago. Her anxiety flared up again. Your parents and your sister are at the hospital with her right now." I listened in silence. Closed my eyes. Twenty-five years ago, I got lost in a shopping mall. I was two. My mother couldn't bear the grief, so she went to a Catholic adoption agency and adopted Madeline Archer—a girl who looked like me. When I was fifteen, my parents found me. But they didn't love me. Everything was about making way for Madeline. Seven years ago, they made me take Madeline's place in prison. Compared to Madeline, I was the one who seemed like the adopted child. The whole drive, cars parted for Connor's Escalade like it was a royal procession. An hour later, we reached the Archers' townhouse on the Upper East Side. Only the housekeeper and staff were inside. They glanced at me with flat, indifferent eyes. A nod. Then back to their work. My parents loved Madeline. Not me. Their biological daughter. To the staff, I was just someone who existed in this house. Expendable. "Mr. Ashford. You're here." The housekeeper greeted Connor with careful deference first. Only then turned to me. "Miss Vance. Madam hopes you'll keep outings to a minimum after you return." Keep outings to a minimum. I served time for Madeline. So how did I become the one who had to hide? But I'd stopped expecting anything from them seven years ago. That night they put me in the police car. "Got it." I moved toward the door. Connor's phone rang. He took the call. Hung up. Turned to me. "Nora. Madeline had another episode. She needs me. I'm going to check on her. You just got back—rest. I'll come see you tomorrow." Then he was gone. Didn't hesitate. I watched his back disappear. Limped down to my room in the basement. Pushed the door open. Dust everywhere. The sheets were a crumpled mess. No one had touched this place in a long time. I was too exhausted to care. Walked in. Collapsed onto the bed. Night. Half-asleep, I heard voices from the living room. My biological younger sister. Sophia Archer. "Dad. Mom. Madeline's condition is this serious. Maybe we should have Nora move out. Every time Madeline sees her, it triggers an episode." My father sighed. Said nothing. My mother spoke. "She is still an Archer daughter. If we kick her out, what will people say?" "Then what? We can't keep Madeline in the hospital forever." Sophia again. My father's voice this time. "Here's what we'll do. When Madeline comes home, Nora stays out of her sight. She stays in her room." I heard every word. My eyes burned. That's when my phone buzzed. I picked it up. An encrypted email. "Ms. Eleanor Vance, congratulations. You have been accepted to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory." "Upon acceptance, you will assume a new identity and deploy with the research team to Thule Air Base, Greenland, in ten days. You will participate in the Arctic Climate Research Project." "From that point forward, your identity will be fully classified. For five years, you will have no contact with anyone outside the program." I read every line of the confidentiality agreement. Signed my name without hesitation. Eleanor Vance.
Seven years ago, I'd already gotten early admission to MIT. Double major. Atmospheric Science and Nuclear Engineering. The cruel part? Before I could decide whether to accept the offer, my biological parents sent me to prison. Seven years inside. I saw everything clearly. Near the end of my sentence, I retook the national lab selection exams. Not long after I sent the email, a reply came. "Ten days. December 10th. A security vehicle will pick you up at 9 p.m. sharp." Ten days. I closed my eyes again. Ten more days. Then I could leave this house that never loved me. Forever. The next morning. Noise from the living room woke me. I blinked my way awake. Washed up. Walked out. Madeline was back. She sat on the couch in a white dress. Like some kind of socialite. My father. My mother. My biological sister Sophia. My fiancé Connor. All circled around her. The housekeeper brought out a red velvet cake. Everyone spoke in unison. "Happy birthday, Madeline." Happiness pooled in her eyes. "Thank you, Dad. Mom. Sis. Connor." Then she added, "I just got out of the hospital. Did anyone get me presents?" My parents and sister handed over their gifts one by one. Connor was about to give his when he spotted me coming up from the basement. "Nora. You're awake. Come here. Celebrate Madeline's birthday with us." He waved me over. Didn't notice my parents' and sister's faces shift. Madeline called out to me sweetly. "Sis. I'm sorry. I was sick yesterday, so I couldn't pick you up when you got out. You're not mad, right?" Sis. Before I could answer, Connor spoke for me. "Nora won't hold that against you." Madeline took Connor's hand. Said to me— "Sis. It's my birthday. Give me a birthday present. I want Connor." She laid her filthy intentions out that bluntly. And no one in the room said a word. They just waited for my answer. I'd never seen anyone that shameless. My fists clenched. "And if I'm not willing?" Madeline's face stiffened. She suddenly said something in German. A music term. "Such a dissonant note." My mother echoed in German. "Don't be upset, Madeline. Eleanor is just... talking to her is like playing the piano to a cow." My father joined in. "Don't bother with her, Madeline. No matter what, your mother and I only consider you our real daughter." My sister Sophia followed in German. "Yeah. Sis. You're my only sister." What a family. I pretended I didn't understand. Turned to Connor. "What are they talking about?" Connor's eyes were deep. His lips moved. "Madeline said she was joking. Everyone's telling you not to overthink." Not to overthink. I don't know how Connor and my family managed to lie to my face without flinching. They had no idea. I understood every word. My mother was a renowned pianist with the New York Philharmonic. My father made his name on Wall Street in his prime. From the moment they found me at that church adoption agency, they believed I'd never received a proper education. So all their attention went to their adopted daughter. Madeline. Ten years ago, Madeline and I applied to college at the same time. Madeline got into Juilliard. Massive celebration. None of them knew I'd been accepted to MIT. That I'd taught myself German. French too. Italian. But none of that mattered anymore. Because soon I'd be leaving this house of lies. And the liar Connor. "I just got out. Haven't had a chance to see New York yet. I'm heading out. You all carry on." I limped away under the indifferent stares of my family and the staff. Behind me, my parents and sister kept talking in German. Didn't bother to hide it. They all forgot. Today was my birthday too.
I left the Archer house and took the subway to Brooklyn. Felony record. Academic credentials wiped. A body that didn't work right anymore. I could only find part-time work washing dishes. Just to survive the next ten days. It's laughable. After I came back to the Archer family at fifteen— The only money they ever gave me was five hundred dollars. The first month. After that, they decided I wasn't as impressive as Madeline. Stopped caring about their biological daughter entirely. I worked. Took out loans. Paid my own tuition. Fed myself. Eleven-thirty at night. Last dish washed. I walked out of the restaurant alone. Saw Connor stepping out of a Maybach. Walking toward me. "Nora. Where have you been all this time?" Before I could speak— He pulled me toward the car. Opened the door. On the seat sat a beautiful strawberry cream cake. "Happy birthday, Nora." I froze. The Ashfords and the Archers. Old family friends. Neighbors. Connor and I had been betrothed since before I was born. Even when I went missing at two, even when I was found at fifteen—that engagement never changed. I still remember. The first person I saw when I came back to the Archer house was Connor. White button-down. Standing in the sunlight. He glowed. Connor was the third son in the Ashford family. The housekeeper told me to call him "Connor." I called him that for five years. In the Archer house, Connor was the only one who didn't treat me like I was beneath him. He stood up for me when people bullied me. Gave me gifts on every holiday. He was the only person in New York City who was good to me. That kindness made me fall for him. Hopelessly. Irreversibly. I made him my redemption. My anchor. When a rival went after him, I didn't even hesitate. I gave him one of my kidneys. And in the end, he was the one who arranged my seven-year prison sentence. "Nora? What's wrong? You thought I forgot your birthday?" Connor's voice pulled me back. I answered. Flat. "Thanks." Connor pulled out another gift box from the back seat. "Open it." I lifted the lid. Inside lay a hand-stitched ivory wedding gown. "You told me when you were little that you wanted to wear white to marry me. I had it made in advance. Do you like it?" His voice was soft. Connor was probably the only person in this world who would give me a wedding dress. My throat tightened. I murmured— "Connor. You remembered wrong. I don't like wedding dresses. And I don't like white." The nuns at the orphanage told me they found me outside a bridal boutique. I was wearing an expensive navy-blue dress. So once I was old enough to remember things, I'd linger outside bridal shops. I made a habit of wearing blue. All kinds of blue. Hoping my parents would find me. Connor paused. Ran his hand over my hair. The same way he did seven years ago. "I'm sorry. I remembered wrong. I'll have a new one made right away. Come on. Let's go to a restaurant. Celebrate your birthday." In the car. Driving back. A fine rain was falling. Connor kept a tight grip on my hand. "Nora. How are you thinner than seven years ago? And your leg—" He didn't finish. His phone rang. I saw the name on the screen. Madeline. Connor took the call. Whatever was said on the other end, panic filled his eyes. He barked at the driver— "Back to the Archer house." The driver turned around. The whole way, Connor kept texting Madeline. When we got back— Madeline stood on the rooftop terrace. White dress. Pale face. She saw me and Connor arrive. Murmured— "Dad. Mom. Sis. Connor. My sister's back. It's time for me to step aside. Goodbye." Then she jumped. Three stories down.
The Archer townhouse was four stories total. Rooftop to ground. Maybe twelve meters. But when Madeline jumped, my parents, my sister, Connor—they all lunged toward her. That night. The sound of sirens filled the Archer house. After they all left for the hospital— I limped back down to my basement room. Lay on the bed. Checked my phone. December 2nd. 12:13 a.m. Connor broke his promise. Didn't celebrate my birthday with me. But I didn't hurt the way I used to. Closed my eyes. Slept. Eight days left. Eight days and the lab people would come take me away. ... The next five days, I kept my routine. Work. My parents and sister stayed at Mount Sinai Hospital taking care of Madeline. Didn't come home. Then one day. The restaurant TV played the news. "Ashford Capital CEO Connor Ashford and Archer family daughter Madeline Archer announce engagement." My pupils tightened. That night, I got home. My parents. My sister. Madeline. All back. Connor was there too. My mother started in French. "Home this late. No concept of time at all." My father shot her a look. She adjusted her tone. "Nora. You're finally back. The whole family's been waiting for you." My father spoke. "Nora. The doctors say Madeline's anxiety is getting worse. So we made the decision for you. We've transferred your engagement to Madeline. I hope you can understand." I listened to them finish. My eyes full of contempt. They'd already made the decision for me. Now they wanted my feelings. I looked at Connor. Asked what I already knew. "Connor. Did you agree to this too?" Connor stood up from the couch. Walked over. Took my hand. "Madeline's only wish right now is to marry me. Don't worry. I won't let you down. I'll only go through the wedding ceremony with her. Just to give her what she wants." You're marrying someone else. How is that not letting me down? I pulled my hand away. "Fine. Whatever you've decided." Connor heard my words. Something tightened in his chest. He tried to explain. But Madeline, sitting between my parents, spoke first. "Sis. If you're not willing, then forget it." As she talked, her nails dug into the back of her own hand. Hard enough to draw blood. My sister Sophia saw it. Rushed to stop her. Screamed at me. "Eleanor! Can't you see my sister is sick? What do you want from us? What will make you satisfied?" My own sister. Can't tell right from wrong. Hearing her, I thought about when I first came to the Archer house. First, they made me give up my bedroom to Madeline. Then they made me give up the Paris exchange spot to Madeline. After Madeline committed a crime— My mother grabbed my hands. Her grip strong enough to crack bone. Tears streaming down her face. "I raised Madeline with my own hands. Her heart won't survive prison. Nora. We just want her to live. We don't know what else to do." "You take the blame for Madeline." I remembered all of it. I said to Sophia— "You know what? I don't care anymore. That engagement. That man. I don't care about any of it. You want it? Take it."
The living room sank into dead silence. No one could speak. Clearly, no one expected this from me. The me who always swallowed everything. Always said yes. I didn't want to fight anymore. Limped back to my room. Late at night. Lying in bed. I opened my phone. Checked the calendar. December 7th. Three days left. My phone buzzed. Connor calling. I answered. "What is it?" "Nora." Connor's familiar voice came through. Smooth. "Madeline saved my life once. She gave me her kidney. So even if you can't accept this, I'm still going through with the wedding ceremony." Lying there, his words hit me like a boulder to the chest. I was the one who saved him. I was the one who gave him my kidney. How did it become Madeline? "Connor. Back then when you were hurt, I was the one who saved you. I gave you my kidney." I couldn't hold back the truth. Silence on the other end. Then Connor spoke. "Eleanor. Seven years in prison. When did you learn to make up stories?" "The one who saved me was Madeline. Your parents and the doctors can all prove it. I really can't believe you'd say something like this." I lay on that cold bed. Suddenly couldn't find a single word. Eight years ago. Connor was attacked by a rival firm. Rushed into surgery. He needed a kidney transplant. I didn't hesitate. Got tested. Match. Didn't think twice. Gave him my kidney. And now it was all Madeline's credit. And I couldn't even prove it. After a long silence, I said— "Fine. Don't believe me." I've already decided to let you go anyway. I hung up. Closed my eyes. Sank into sleep. ... Second-to-last day. I kept working at the restaurant. But I saw my sister Sophia sitting at a table. When she spotted me in my server uniform, a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. Then back to cold. "The family didn't give you money? You've been working as a waitress all this time?" I didn't know why she came. "I'm not stealing. Not begging. Is there a problem?" Sophia choked. She stood up. "Mom and Dad are already planning my sister's wedding. I hope this time you won't upset her again." She turned to leave. Her eyes caught my limp. Rare concern. "Your leg... go see a doctor when you have time." Watching her back, I felt nothing like gratitude. When I first came back to the Archer house. Seeing my little sister. I was so happy. I remember that first year. Sophia's birthday. I spent six months of my part-time wages on a Tiffany necklace. She handed it to a maid without a glance. "What is this? You know I never wear stuff like this. Don't waste your money next time." That same birthday, Madeline gave her a small cupcake. Sophia was over the moon. "Sis. You're my real sister. You remembered my birthday. You know I love red velvet." That was the moment I understood. I didn't have a sister. Tomorrow night, I'd leave New York. So today was my last shift. Settled my wages. Walked out of the restaurant. A familiar Maybach sat in front of the department store. Before I could approach, the sky above the Brooklyn Bridge exploded with fireworks. Then drones. Hundreds of them. Forming words across the night sky. "Connor loves Nora. Forever."
Forever? I stared at the drones for a long time. Connor walked up to me. "Nora. Yesterday. I handled things badly." Under the neon lights, his voice was soft as water. "But you have to believe me. Even if Madeline saved me, the one I love is still you. So you didn't need to say those things." I almost wanted to cry. Not from being moved. From Connor's words. How did he manage it? Hurting me over and over with my parents and sister. While saying he loved me. "What's wrong?" Connor saw I wasn't speaking. His long fingers pinched my cheek. "You're really too thin. Why don't you eat more?" I finally looked at him. "Seven years in prison. I was barely surviving. You didn't think I had the luxury of putting on weight, did you?" Connor met my gaze. A tremor went through him. Maybe that was the moment he remembered. He was the one who sent me to prison. He opened his mouth. Before he could speak, the Maybach door swung open. A familiar voice. "Connor. Sis. Don't just stand out there. It's cold." Madeline. My heart went colder. Connor explained. "Madeline insisted on coming with me to see you. She said she wants to thank you for being generous enough to let us be together." "Come on. Let's get you home." He took my hand. Pulled me into the car. In the back seat. Madeline saw me climb in. Her eyes swept over my worn-out clothes. "Sis. Don't Mom and Dad have finance send you money every month? Why did Sophia say you're still working in a restaurant?" "That doesn't look good. If outsiders see, they'll think Mom and Dad play favorites. That they treat you badly." She pulled a bracelet off her wrist. Held it out to me. "Sis. If you're short on money and too embarrassed to tell Mom and Dad, just tell me. Mom gave me this bracelet for my birthday. It's over forty thousand dollars. Should last you a while, right?" Forty thousand dollars. I stared at the extravagant bracelet she was offering. Self-loathing rose in my throat. One gift. Forty thousand. I remembered high school. I needed three hundred dollars for textbooks. I went to my mother. She said, "Money, money, money. Do I owe you? I gave birth to you. You should be grateful. Why do you keep asking me for money?" After that, I never asked my family for a single cent again. And as for finance sending me money? That never happened. "They do play favorites. Look at what you're wearing. Look at me." I pushed her charity bracelet away. "Stop performing for me. I'm not fifteen anymore. I don't fall for your act." When I was fifteen. Fresh to the Archer house. I wanted to be sisters with Madeline. She framed me. Again and again. Every bad thing she did, she pinned on me. By the time I realized what was happening, it was too late. Tears rolled down Madeline's cheeks. Connor rushed to shield her. "Nora. Madeline meant well. You don't have to take the bracelet, but there's no need to say things like that." That's the man who said he loved me most. Every time it came down to me or Madeline, he always chose her. "Connor. When someone poor gets charity thrown at them, are they required to accept it? Required to weep with gratitude?" I asked him. Word by word. I have my dignity too.
Connor couldn't answer. Madeline's breathing turned ragged. She gasped for air. "I'm sorry... it's my fault... all my fault... Connor, don't blame my sister..." Connor panicked. Barked at the driver. "Now. Mount Sinai." He saw me still in the car. "Nora. This was too far. Get yourself home." He dumped me on the side of the road. The car roared away. I couldn't feel the hurt anymore. Looked up at the night sky. At some point, snow had started falling. Snow in New York. I didn't think I'd get to see the first snow before I left. I walked back to the Archer house. The whole mansion was decked out. Festive. My parents were planning Madeline's wedding. "The day after tomorrow is a perfect date. We have to make Madeline's wedding absolutely splendid." My mother smiled. My father sighed. "Time really flies. I can't believe our daughter's about to get married." Both of them. Joy and reluctance over Madeline's marriage. I watched them from a distance. Saw how much they loved her. Really, truly loved her. When I was little, I watched this reunion show once. A girl got trafficked to the mountains of West Virginia when she was small. Renamed "Beth." Later, she became an entrepreneur. Found her family. She kept telling the host, "I knew my mom wouldn't abandon me. She has to be looking for me." The host told her that her mother had never stopped searching. That her mother loved her. Deeply. Her mother's original name for her was "Grace." She wasn't Beth. The woman on TV broke down sobbing. She kept saying, "I knew it. My mom didn't abandon me." I sat in front of the TV that day. Cried until I couldn't breathe. It made me more determined to find my own mother. But now, I almost regretted it. Regretted finding them. If I'd never known, they could have stayed beautiful in my mind. Forever. I didn't greet my parents. Went straight back to my basement room. Tomorrow night at nine. I'd be gone. After that, wide open sky. I could fly anywhere. No more begging for love. From family. From anyone. ... The day after tomorrow. Madeline and Connor's wedding. My sister Sophia threw them a pre-wedding party at a private estate in the Hamptons. The party drew young heirs from half the East Coast. Plus old classmates of mine and Madeline's. The next morning. The house was buzzing. My room had no bathroom. I had to go upstairs to wash up. Passing the living room, everyone was drinking and laughing. Madeline and Connor sat in the center. Center of attention. "Connor. Tell us your most unforgettable moment with Madeline." Someone was stirring the pot. Connor's lips moved. "There are many." "The most unforgettable one?" Madeline lowered her head. A blush on her cheeks. My sister Sophia laughed. "It's the pre-wedding party. Connor and my sister's last moments of being single. Can't we all just have fun?" The guy who asked the question spotted me not far away. He said, "Connor. Pick any woman in this room. Tell us your most unforgettable moment together." The atmosphere heated up instantly. The man pointed at me. "Nora. You and Connor used to be close, right? Why don't you tell us?" Connor saw this. Stood up. Walked toward me. When he was about a meter away— Madeline spoke. "Connor..." Pitiful. Helpless. Connor glanced back at her. Then at me. Lowered his voice. "There are too many people here. I'm about to marry Madeline. I don't want to make things awkward." "You understand, right?" I answered flatly. "Mm." Turned and went to wash up. Behind me, everyone circled back around Connor and Madeline. More laughing. More talking. I may be starved for love. But I'm not stupid. When it's a choice between two, thanks for letting me go.
That whole day. The Archer house buzzed. Rich kids showered Madeline and Connor with praise. "Madeline. You and Connor are just perfect together. Remember back in high school? Connor drove you home all the time, right?" "I remember Connor beat up a whole crew of Brooklyn thugs for you. And that car accident—Connor shielded you with his own body, not caring if he got hurt. You're the only one he's ever treated like that." Madeline's best friend jumped in. "Connor treats our Madeline well, but Madeline gives just as much back. Years ago when Connor was injured, Madeline even gave him one of her kidneys." "Wow. Connor and Madeline are that rare thing. True love." "Mutual. Real mutual." On Wall Street. In capitalist circles. Love is a luxury. Rare. Precious. I sat alone in my little corner. Almost laughed. Because everything they described about Madeline—that was me. Connor was older than me. When I was in high school, he was already at Harvard Business School. He saw how pitiful I was. Every time he came home, he'd have his driver wait and take me back too. I got harassed by thugs a lot. Connor would shed his suit jacket and fight them for me. Once we got in a car accident on the way home. Connor shielded me with his body. I didn't get a single scratch. That's why I fell for him. No hesitation. Even gave him my kidney. But... The Connor who used to like me. Protect me. Put me first. That Connor died. The one sitting in the Archer house now—he wasn't that boy made of light anymore. So I decided. I didn't want him. Time ticked by. Night fell. Connor set off fireworks across the city for Madeline. He pulled me aside. "Nora. After the wedding tomorrow, you and I can finally be together." I thought about the past. All the times he helped me. Saved me. I opened my mouth. "I'm sorry... I won't..." Be with you anymore. I didn't finish. My sister Sophia called for him. "Brother-in-law! Come on. We're waiting for you to cut the cake." Cut the cake? Connor called back. "Coming." Then he looked at me. "You won't what?" I gave a bitter smile. "Nothing. Go." Connor squeezed my cold hand. "After tomorrow, everything will be over." He turned and left. I watched his tall figure walk away. Yeah. Everything's over. ... Fireworks bloomed overhead. Everyone flocked to Madeline's room. I walked into the main house alone. Checked the time on my phone. 7:15 p.m. One hour and forty-five minutes left. I took a long, clean shower. Stared at myself in the mirror. Scars all over my body. Leftover souvenirs from prison. Then I put on the cleanest, most expensive outfit I owned. Waited for the lab to come get me. Final hour. Countdown. I scanned the room I'd lived in for years. The basement wasn't small. But my things barely filled a corner. A few worn-out clothes. Old shoes. A quilt the staff didn't want anymore. A beat-up notebook on the desk. And next to it, the only decoration—a photo frame. I tossed the useless clothes first. Shoes. Quilt. Then I walked to the desk. Picked up the frame. Inside was a photo from twelve years ago. The day I first came back to the Archer house. A group shot of both families. Father. Mother. Sisters. Madeline. Connor. All there. That photo held every hope I'd ever had. Now I pulled it out of the frame. Tore it into pieces. One by one. Dropped them in the trash. Finally, I looked at my notebook. The one I'd been writing in since I was fifteen. Flipped to the first page. "December 3, 2012. Sunny. I came home. I saw my father and mother. My father is so handsome. My mother is so elegant. Both my little sisters are beautiful too. I'm so happy. I have parents now. I have sisters." Turned the page. "March 1, 2013. Cloudy. Didn't get the textbook money today. Don't know how to tell my teacher. Mom and Dad probably have their reasons. I should earn my own money. Can't be a burden on them anymore." "June 7, 2013. Sunny. I saved up three months of part-time wages for that necklace. My little sister didn't like it. I'll make more money later. Buy her better gifts." Flipped further. Last entry. The day before I went to prison. "December 1, 2017. Rain." Only one line. "They don't love me at all." ... My eyes blurred. I couldn't help it. I picked up the pen. Wrote on the last page. This time, in German. "December 10, 2024. Light snow." "I'm leaving, Mom and Dad." "Before I go, I can't stop myself from asking—if you never liked me, why did you put ads in the papers and go on television looking for me all those years?" "Is it really true, what some people say? That if you didn't raise a child yourself, there's no bond?" "But why have I seen other parents so happy after finding their kids?" "They say when parents find their lost child, that's when they lose the child all over again. Maybe I'm the exception. Getting found by my parents was the moment I truly lost them." I poured it all out. The confusion. The resentment. Everything. "Sophia. You said you only want Madeline as your sister. Today I'll grant your wish. From now on, you have only one sister." Last. I wrote to Connor. "Connor. You told me to wait until after your wedding with Madeline. Then we could be together." "I'm sorry. This time, I won't wait for you." "Wish you and Madeline happiness." "This is goodbye. Let's not see each other again." I set the notebook on the desk. Then I placed my prison medical report on top of it. The report showed it clearly. I only had one kidney. Done. Nine o'clock. I grabbed my faded canvas bag. Limped out of the Archer house. Behind me, the Archer house blazed with lights. People laughing. Celebrating. Across from me, black armored SUVs waited in perfect silence. I didn't hesitate. Walked toward my future. The vehicles pulled away from the glittering streets. Vanished into the night.
Watch? https://cps-front.novelix.live/app-api/ext/new/20260619pcwkVetg9m ? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "Novelix" app ? search for "ni777742", and watch the full series ✨! #Novelix