st been dragged out of deep water. For a few seconds I couldn't move

y floor, poison burning through my body while Lily smiled down at me. I remembered the cold marbl

certain of it. So

the elegant white ceiling of my penthouse bedroom in the city. This one was painted

room around me looked painfully familiar. The wooden study desk beside the window. The small bookshelf filled with old

Not from recently.

" I whispered. My voice

e and stumbled out of bed, nearly tripping over my ow

e my head. The girl staring back at me wasn't the twenty-eight-

y the stress and exhaustion that had marked my

bling hand and

copied the move

in. Real skin. Not a dr

he edge of the dresser for suppo

oned champagne.Her voice whispering that everything would

Given up so much for her. And sh

s a dream..." I murmured. Then I notic

ly, my stomach tightening with every step. I already knew w

ty. My acceptance letter. The same letter I had received ten year

ectly now. The day I gave up my universit

ked me to sacrifice just this once for the family. And I had agreed. Because I believed

g on my family. Years being manipulated. Years bec

d me anymore. A sharp knock on th

way. My entire body stiffened. Even after dyin

he asked impatien

es

transfer papers." My heart dropped. Transfer papers. The

d at the acceptance letter in my hand. In my p

was doing th

through my chest. I folded the letter caref

y father ca

voice sounded calm. But in

or and stepped

as it had ten years ago. Bright. E

owly, memories flashing thr

dining room, everyo

on fixed in place. Beside him was my stepmother, Margaret, dress

y the way I remembered. Soft blonde hair. Delicate feature

my dying body and smiled. When Lily

" she sa

r voice made my

me that had always made me happy

e finally here." He slid a folder across the t

t Westbridge University," he said matter-o

ore than you do." Lily lowered her he

tly. Her acting was flawless. Anyone watching would think she

was my signature. Just one signature... And my future would disappear again. The room waited

it." The words came out calmly. But

met his gaze without hesitati

wed was suffocating. L

whispered. I look

fe, I allowed myself to feel th

your own future

mmed his hand

u talking about?!"But I stood

s expression twisted with anger. "After e

truly saw them clearly. The people I had sacrificed eve

d and walked out of the dining room. Behind

I wasn't going to giv