Chapter 5
I blinked. Already?!
In my past life, I had been dragged to Jasper’s mansion by Alaric and the others.
At first, Jasper had been genuinely guilty. Even though he had planned to use me for my organs, he had clung to the desperate hope that they’d find another donor.
He had locked me in the basement, constantly apologizing and whispering promises.
I’m so grateful to you,” he had said. “But Eloise is in bad shape. If we can’t find a donor, you’re our only hope. If you save her, I swear П spend the rest of my life making it up to you.
But in the end, his sister never got the transplant.
Cathy, with her identical face, had gone to my place to sign the marriage certificate. She had the wedding while I had been sent straight to the operating table.
I had never come back.2
But this time, I suspected my absence wasn’t the only reason Cathy was panicking
Her desperate attempts to force the life–saving benefactor narrative must have made Jasper lose patience with her much faster than before
kept my voice light, playing dumb. “What’s the deal, Cathy? Why do you want me to come back? Didn’t you tell me to stay the hell away from you and your fiancé? Didn’t you swear you’d kill me if I even breathed near Jasper?”
Her sobs grew louder. “I don’t want any of it anymore. I’ll give everything back to you… everything…”
Before she could say another word, the phone was snatched from her hand
Alaric’s voice came first, sharp but controlled. “Catherine’s just feeling guilty for taking your place. Cassandra, you need to come back and fix this.“1
Then Isabella chimed in, her voice laced with urgency. “Otherwise, she’ll feel guilty for the rest of her life.”
That’s what you’re worried about??
Alaric took over again, his tone forced and insincere. “Yeah, yeah we were have been meant for Cathy? She’s been really upset lately.”
I pressed my lips together, suppressing the bitter laugh bubbling up inside me.
wrong, okay? This was always your fate. How could it
So that’s how it is. They don’t care about me. They just care about fixing Cathy’s mistake.
I let out a slow, heavy sigh, forcing my voice to remain calm and steady. “Mom, Dad, Cathy, I get it. I know you’re just trying to do
what’s best for me.
I paused, letting the silence stretch for a second longer than necessary.
“But Cathy was right. I’m just not made for marriage”
A beat passed.
“Don’t feel bad. I’m not mad
mad,” I continued smoothly. “I’ll support you all from afar, but no matter what happens, I’m not coming back.”
504 PM
Chapter 6:
“If I go back now, I just mess everything up for you! I snapped, my fingers hovering over the phone’s end button!!
But before I could hang up, Isabella’s shrill voice cut through the receiver. “Wait! Even if you’re not getting married, you have to come back for Catherine’s wedding! She’s your only sister, for God’s sake, Cassandral She’s been thinking about you non–stop. How could you not show up to send her off on her big day?“!
“Yeah, Mom’s right!” Cathy chimed in; her tone was almost too eager. “Cassandra, I’m so grateful to you for giving me such a wonderful man. I really want you at my wedding. Please, come be my bridesmaid.”
I almost laughed at the audacity.
Before I could shut them down, Alaric’s voice came through, unnervingly warm. “Alright, it’s settled then. A family shouldn’t just drift apart like this. Where are you? I’ll have your husband come pick you up.”
I went still.
Husband?
They weren’t even trying to be subtle anymore.
I exhaled slowly, gripping the phone tighter. “Do you really think I’m that stupid?‘
Silence
I let out a bitter chuckle, my patience hanging by a thread. “First, you stole the token and pushed me out of the house because you were terrified I’d ruin your plan. Back then, where was all this family talk? Now that everything’s falling apart, you suddenly remember we’re related?”
The more I spoke, the harder it became to hold back the frustration that had been festering inside me for two lifetimes
And then, the question that had been gnawing at me for years slipped out before I could stop iLE
“Just because I was a little heavier than Cathy when I was born, you’ve treated me like an outsider my entire life? You always acted like I was selfish like I was the problem. And now, you expect me to die in her place?” My voice hardened. “Does that not hurt your conscience?”
I expected hesitation. Guilt. Something:
Instead, Alaric’s voice came back sharper, colder. “What the hell are you talking about?”
I smiled, even though they couldn’t see it, “You really didn’t know Jasper was looking for a life-saving organ donor?”
Silence
Of course, they hadn’t put it together. They were too busy chasing after wealth to see the bigger picture.
“Of course, I knew I continued, my tone turning mocking. “You think I’m an idiot? There’s no way someone holds onto a debt for over ten years without a bigger reason behind it. So, I looked into it 78
I let the words sink in before delivering the final blow.!
“Legally, organ donations can only happen between family members. Jasper wasn’t just looking for a wife. He was trying to make me family–so I could legally donate my organs to his sister.”
The silence on the other end stretched long and heavy.
Then, Isabella’s voice cracked through, sharp with disbelief. “You knew all along? And you still took all the family’s money? Did you push Catherine into this mess? How is that not selfish, Cassandra?%
I scoffed. “Oh, I’m selfish?”
Alaric’s voice roared through the speaker. “If I’d known this would happen, I should’ve drowned you in the toilet when you were bom?)
There it was.
Their real feelings
I let out a low, humorless laugh. “Well, too bad for you–l survived. And I’m not coming back. This is all on you. Fate didn’t just happen–this was your doing. You made this mess, so clean it up yourselves.”
Alaric was practically frothing at the mouth. “If it weren’t for you saving someone, Cathy wouldn’t be in this mess! You have to take responsibility!”
I barely even felt anger anymore. Just exhaustion.X
Leaning back, I shrugged, my voice light, almost bored, “If you hadn’t always pampered Cathy, taking her on trips while I stayed with Grandma. I wouldn’t have even had the chance to save anyone. So, really–this is your fault.“N
Before they could scream at me any further, I ended the call
Then, without a second thought, I blocked all three of them.
For the first time, I truly felt free.X
Or so I thought.
The night before my departure, I checked into a budget hotel, double–checking my tickets and plans, ensuring nothing could go
wrong.
And then, my door burst open.
I barely had time to react before Jasper stormed in, his expression a mask of controlled fury. A group of bodyguarda trailed behind
3:04 PM
For The first time, I truly felt tree X
Or so I thought.
The night before my departure, I checked into a budget hotel, double–checking my tickets and plans, ensuring nothing could go
wrong.
And then, my door burst open.
I barely had time to react before Jasper stormed in, his expression a mask of controlled fury. A group of bodyguards trailed behind
him, standing like an immovable force.
I blinked. “What the-“2
Jasper cut me off, his tone sharp. “Why did you let your sister take your place for the recognition?“%
I tilted my head, feigning innocence. “Mr. Sterling, what do you mean? I don’t understand.”
Inside, I was grinning.
Finally, the real game had begun.8
