Chapter 67
Chapter 66. Unraveled Lies Part One
He won’t leave me alone!
Huh. But yeah, he’s right–be doesn’t have that conscience. Why would I even expect him to leave us alone?
I snapped out of my thoughts when Gavin opened the door to the twins room. From the outside, I could already hear Rylie’s voice.
Also, Daddy Gavin said that death is like when the flowers in the garden lose their petals, but they don’t disappear. They just go back to the earth, and then one day, new ones will grow.”
Rylie paused, then continued. “So when I say goodbye to Eunier today, I shouldn’t be sad because she’s not really gone. She’s just tuming into something new,”
I looked up at Gavin and smiled, grateful he backed up my words to Rylie. I had always wanted my kids to believe that loss wasn’t something to be feated and wasn’t final.
But deep inside, I felt like a fraud, trying to in
those thoughts in them–because I knew the truth. I knew what death really meant
Mommy!” Ryker called out the moment he saw me. He stood up and climbed down from Gavin’s dad’s lap.
He ran to me, his small arms wrapping tightly around my waist. “We’re leaving now!”
“Yes, we are, baby,” I answered, stroking his hair.
“Mommy, look at the dress Aunt Julie gave me. Do you think Eunice would like this?” Rylie asked, spinning slightly in her black–and–white ruffled dress
I nodded. “Of course, baby. Shell love it”
As I glanced at Julianna, our guzes mer–and something shifted in the air.
if she already had an idea.
A silent understanding passed between us, one that made my pulse quicken. I had a feeling she knew I wasn’t really the girl she used to play with.
That I wasn’t Mia Miller, the woman who had undergone reconstructive surgery after a car accident.
That I was someone else entirely.
Julianna cleared her throat, breaking the tension, and stood up. She walked toward me, her expression unreadable. “Are you feeling okay now?” she asked casually
I nodded. “Yeah. Thanks for coming–and for the clothes you gave my kids”
“You should change. I brought a dress for you, too,” she said, her tone light but firm.
“Thanks, bur-”
Come on.
- on. I’ll help you change while they
they take care of the kids belongings”
Before I could protest, she had already grabbed my wrist, pulling me into the bathroom.
Theard her parents calling ber, but she ignored them.
“Change,” she said firmly, shoving a paper bag into my hands.
“It’s really okay-
“Just change. Mia… please”
Laghed, nodding. “Okay, but could you step outside-
“We’re both women. Just do it, Mia.”
I hesitated. I had never been comfortable changing in front of anyone, but the way Julianna spoke made it clear she
wouldn’t give me a
…me a choice
Slowly. I removed my jacket and pulled my shirt over my head, turning my back to her as I reached for the dress inside the paper bag.
1/3
Chapter 67
But I from after a sharp gasp out through the silence
Then, her voice trembling with realration.
“Y–you don’t have. Mia’s birthmark. And she–she didn’t have those scars
A pause. A breath.
“You’re not her. You’re not Mua
I gripped the fabric of the dress in my hands. I didn’t turn around, but I could feel Julianna’s starr burning into my back.
“I really thought I was just bearing things, she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper “When I heard my brother talking to that man, Stutthew, the way be spoke about you, like you were someone else—someone whose name I didn’t recognize. But that couldn’t be right, could in*** A biner chuckle escaped her lips. “Because you’re Mia Miller. The girl I used to play with. The girl I hated as we grew up because I thought she wan stealing all the attention that was supposed to be mine?
I swallowed hard but still couldn’t move unti Julianna took a step closer. She grabbed my wrist and forced me to face her
She stared at my face, letting out a shaky breath. When I came back from studying and saw you again they told me you had to undergo reconstructive surgery- that it changed some of your features. And I believed them. I felt bad knowing you had to go through that pain that you gave birth to twins and 1 didn’t even know who the father wal”
She started shaking her head, gripping the bracelet on her wrist tightly. “Because it was as if you had forgotten me… forgotten everything. Forgotten who Julianna was in your life—the memories, Eghts, and how we used to be. You were different. Wary of me. You never smiled. You never tried to get clour to me again, even when I still hated you
Slowly, tears streamed down her cheeks. Turns out it’s because you’re not really Mia. Then, who are you!” Her voice trembled. “No… if you’re not her, then where is she? Where is Mia Miller?”
Where is Mia Miller!
The question hung in the air, sharp as a blade
1 opened my mouth, but no words came out. What was I supposed to say! That the Mia Miller she once knew no longer existed! That I had taken her place buried her beneath a web of lies! That 1 had no choice!
Julianna’s grip on my wrist tightened. “Tell me,” she demanded, her voice raw. “If you’re not Mia, then who are you!”
I forced myself to meet her gue
Glowy
busy with unshed tears, her eyes searched mine–desperate for an answer. For the truth.
And I know there’s no point hiding it, but I felt terrible seeing her reaction
“I hated you” she continued her voice wavering. I resented you for so long, thinking you were selfish, thinking you took everything from me. But
at least back then. I knew you. This–this person in front of me… I don’t know who you are. So, please tell me, where is she?”
“Don’t tell me she’s already, dead”
Silence. I avoided her gaze, my lips trembling. Tim sorry
“She’s really gone?” Her voor cracked like she couldn’t believe it
Julianna took a shaky step back, shaking her head. “No this is not real. I was just wrong. I–I need to talk to my brother,” she stammered, her voice rising in panic. “I need to talk to my parents. Mia’s not gone. It’s impossible, they need to tell me where she is
She turned abruptly, reaching for the door, but I moved faster.
I grabbed her wrist, gripping it rightly, my own hands trembling. “Julianna, stop–please, calm down”
Her frantic eyes napped to mine. “Calm down How the hell do you expect me to calm down after everything!!”
I tightened my grip. “I know, I’m sorry, but Julianna, please. My kids are outside.” My voice wavered, pleading. “They’re not supposed to hear
That made her freeze.
She turned her head to the door as if the could already picture the twins reaction once they heard her confront everyone about Mia Miller.
She squeezed her eyes shut briefly, then slowly nodded, pressing a hand against her forehead. “Fine. But you’re going to tell me everything later.”
