Scarlett's Point of View

The cries of the baby in my arms confronted me with the harshest reality of my life. My sister was gone, leaving her child behind. Now, I was to become the baby's mother; I was determined to care for her.

As they wheeled the stretcher into the ward, they maneuvered around me to transfer Scarlynn from the hospital bed to the stretcher. After covering her with a white sheet, they pushed the stretcher out of the ward.

The nurses took my sister away, leaving my parents, me, and the baby in my arms.

I refrained from speaking at that moment, fearing I might say something inappropriate.

"Scarlett, I'm so sorry that this happened, and most importantly, I'm sorry we kept this from you. Your sister was the one who didn't want us to reveal the truth," my mother said calmly, tears streaming down her face.

"Scarlett, my dear, we have a serious problem," my dad said, his tone filled with dread.

I turned my attention to him, unable to summon the courage to speak. I lacked the strength to say anything.

"Asher is unpredictable; he is obsessed and acts without a second thought. He made it clear that if anything were to happen to your sister, he would destroy our entire clan, and he would follow through on his threat," my dad said, desperation evident in his voice.

"Asher is an enemy of the family, and if he learns that Scarlynn is dead, he will assume that we killed our daughter just to retaliate against him. He will kill all of us," my father continued.

"You have no choice but to take your sister's place, or we will all perish, including the baby you are holding in your arms." I stared at him in disbelief, his words hitting me with a profound weight.

I blinked once, twice, and thrice, hoping it was nothing more than a dream. Unfortunately, this was my reality-the worst reality of my life.

"I'm not going to do that, Dad. Just tell him the truth: Scarlynn has passed away. Surely, he won't think you killed your daughter just to get back at him," I said in a monotone voice, my lips trembling as I struggled to hold back my tears.

My father let out a snort. "Do you know who killed your grandpa?" he asked, throwing a glare at me.

"Asher killed your grandfather because he attempted to bring Scarlynn back home, and Asher simply murdered him. This is why Scarlynn chose to stay with him-to keep us all safe. Even when I urged her to return home, she refused, prioritizing our safety above all else. Otherwise, he could have killed everyone. This is precisely why your sister declined any treatment; she died trying to protect her family. Do you really think that if we tell Asher the truth, he will spare us?" my father added.

Somehow, his words didn't add up; it felt as though he was attempting to conceal a significant lie with another. I lacked the energy to engage in an argument with him, which is why I'm choosing to let this slide.

I sat frozen in the chair; time seemed to have come to a complete standstill. I struggled to process everything in my mind, but nothing made sense. This can't be true. Why am I learning all of this now? Everything felt like a nightmare, and I didn't know what to believe.

My sister had just passed away, and I was receiving such shocking news. Does this mean that she wasn't with him because she wanted to be, but because he threatened her?

Everything was beginning to make sense now. Could this be the reason she never came home, not even once? He had been threatening her, and now my sister was gone; it was all because of him, and somehow, my parents were to blame for this.

"Scarlett, you have no choice in this matter. If you refuse to impersonate your sister, we will all perish, and I'm certain you don't want her sacrifice to be in vain," my mom said, tears streaming down her face.

My mind went blank; I couldn't process everything all at once. Everything was happening so quickly that I didn't know what to think or what to disregard. I knew that Scarlynn and I looked alike, but how could I possibly act like her?

We were different. I just wish someone could wake me up and tell me that it was all a dream. Unfortunately, the reality was right in front of me, and I felt powerless to change it.

"Scarlett, make your decision right now before we leave this room so I can make all the arrangements. Do you want your sister's sacrifice to go to waste and risk your whole family's lives, or will you take your sister's place and raise her child?" my father questioned.

A lump formed in my throat, causing me to swallow painfully, and tears streamed down my face. I looked at the tiny girl in my hand, aware that her father was a monster. What kind of upbringing will she have? What kind of woman will she become? Scarlynn entrusted her baby to me; she trusted me with her most precious treasure.

I cannot disappoint my sister; I will raise her child to become a beautiful young lady and provide her with the best upbringing possible.

My stomach twisted into a knot. "I will take her place," I forced the words out.

I was torn between unbearable choices, each one more difficult than the last. I had to consider this little girl; she was innocent.

"Well then, I will make all the arrangements. Only then can we tell Asher about everything," my dad said calmly. His face remained impassive, but his eyes betrayed the pain he was trying hard to conceal.

Just yesterday, I was filled with joy at the thought of my sister coming home, and today, I find myself in tears because I have lost her. How can life be so unfair?

Scarlynn was my friend, my sister, and the only person with whom I shared everything. She was an attentive listener, a supportive sister, and a true best friend. But now she is gone, and I will never see her again.

I inhaled sharply, attempting to manage my emotions.

If I cannot be strong for myself, that is acceptable, but I must be strong for the baby in my arms.

I must prioritize her needs before my own. I attempted to suppress the thought that my life was about to undergo a significant change and focused my attention solely on her.

I gently touched the baby's tiny fingers as they curled around mine, sending a shiver of unfamiliar emotions through me. It was a blend of joy and sadness all at once. She looks so innocent, unaware that her mother has left her in this harsh world.

I will treat her as if she were my own child. I am committed to showering her with love and providing her with all the happiness she deserves.

Scarlett's Point of View

The needle pierced my skin, and a searing pain radiated from the design, causing my breath to catch with each deliberate stroke.

I used to dislike tattoos, but at this moment, I had no choice. I needed to impersonate Scarlynn, who had a butterfly tattoo on her back-the only feature that could distinguish us. Without this tattoo, Asher would quickly recognize that I wasn't Scarlynn, leaving me with no alternative but to acquire it.

My mom was with the baby while my dad made all the arrangements to swap Scarlynn's identity with mine.

All our relatives were informed that I had died and that Scarlynn had given birth to a baby. This included Asher and his family, but they had not arrived yet; apparently, they lived outside the city.

We had ample time to make all the necessary arrangements. The entire day passed as I transformed myself into Scarlynn, and finally, evening arrived-the Martins were coming to meet their child, which meant Asher would be joining us as well.

I felt a profound numbness, yet the pain still seeped in. Tears streamed down my face as fear gripped my heart.

Many questions swirled in my mind. What if he discovered that I wasn't Scarlynn and harmed my entire family?

What if something were to happen to the baby during the process? No, I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to her; she was the only person who could remind me of my sister, and I didn't want to lose her.

This reminded me of just how dire the situation was. My entire family's lives were in my hands, and if I made any foolish decisions, everyone could lose their lives. I couldn't allow that to happen.

I cradled the baby, her tiny hands wrapping around my finger as I fed her warm milk from the bottle. Looking into her innocent eyes somehow alleviated my fear, sadness, and heartbreak.

"I wish your sister were alive; she would have been so happy to see her bundle of joy," my mom said, her tone heavy with sadness. A single tear rolled down my cheek.

I still can't believe that my sister is no longer with us; it is just hard to accept. Before I could utter a word, the door to the hospital ward swung open. My eyes widened as I focused on the person entering the room, and my stomach twisted into a knot, a surge of fear coursing through me.

Just when I thought I was prepared to face him, I realized just how unprepared I truly was to meet him.

He walked in with a confident stride, a crooked smile playing on his lips. My heart raced with each step he took toward me until he finally reached the bed, and for a moment, I thought my heart might burst from sheer fear.

He sat at the edge of the bed, bringing his finger to my face to wipe away the tear that was falling from my eye. His touch sent a shiver of dread running down my spine.

"Hey, I'm sorry about your sister. Just know that I'm here for you, okay? Perhaps what happened was for the best? After all, people do die at the end of the day," he said, his tone deep and raspy.

I gritted my teeth at his words; a fire raged within me. How can he claim that what happened was for the best? Does he have no emotions at all? Someone has lost her life, for God's sake; he can't act so nonchalant about it.

"Uhmm," my mother cleared her throat, casting me a knowing glance. "I will leave you two alone," she added. I looked at her, silently pleading for her to stay; I couldn't be left alone with this man who displayed no emotions.

"That would be the best idea," Asher said. My mom ignored my request and walked out of the ward, leaving me alone with him.

"Are you feeling okay?" he asked, his eyes locked onto mine. I attempted to look away, but he wouldn't let me; his finger gently traced my cheek.

I clenched my teeth to the point that my jaws ached; I couldn't tolerate his presence, his touch, or anything about him. I despised him-he was the reason my sister lost her life.

I cleared my throat, attempting to manage my emotions. "I just lost my sister; naturally, I feel sad like any other human being." I struggled to articulate my thoughts, doing my best to avoid saying anything inappropriate.

"Aren't you happy to see me?" he questioned, his gaze turning cold.

I shot him a glare. "Can I please be alone? I just gave birth and lost my sister at the same time; I really don't want to talk to anyone." I forced the words out of my mouth; his presence was suffocating me.

His hand moved to my chin, tightening his grip and sending a sharp pain through my skin. "Don't you love me anymore? Have you changed your mind about us? Is this why you don't want me here?" he questioned, his eyes gazing sternly into mine.

My chest tightened, and my temper flared. Did this jerk physically and mentally abuse my sister? I swear to God, if that were the case, I would kill him.

"Stop what you are doing! You are hurting me!" I exclaimed, my eyes glaring at him without flinching.

I will not allow any man to believe he can physically abuse me and escape the consequences; his actions reveal what a jerk he truly is.

"So much attitude. Did your sister teach you all this before she died?" he questioned, a sly grin on his lips as he tightened his grip on my chin.

I glared at him in silence, determined not to reveal my thoughts. "I know you don't love me, but I love you, and that's all that matters. If you continue with this attitude, I will have no choice but to eliminate your entire family, and you wouldn't want that, would you?" he questioned, his tone barely above a whisper. Rage boiled in my veins as I listened to his words.

He used to blackmail my sister and physically abuse her, while she remained silent to protect us. I felt an overwhelming urge to grab a knife and stab him in the chest right then and there, but the baby in my arms prevented me from taking any action. I simply stared at him in silence. I am not Scarlynn, which means I will not tolerate his nonsense.

Scarlett's Point of View

After Asher left, I couldn't get a wink of sleep. The baby cried all night, likely due to hunger or because she sensed that her mother had passed away.

I had to take care of her all night by myself because my mom and dad were preparing for Scarlynn's funeral, and Asher only came in the morning, apparently overwhelmed with work.

All his actions demonstrated just how much of a jerk he was, and unfortunately, I had to endure his presence.

Just as the nurses were taking the baby for her bath, the door to the ward opened, and Asher walked in.

I gritted my teeth, striving to control my emotions. The baby had kept me at a distance, but now it was just the two of us.

"Good morning, my love. Did you sleep well?" he asked, a faint smile gracing his lips.

He placed a bouquet of flowers on the stand alongside a box of chocolates.

He sat at the edge of the bed next to me, leaned closer, and was ready to kiss me on the lips, but I turned my face away.

"Good morning," I forced the words out. "I didn't get a wink of sleep; the baby cried all night," I admitted honestly.

The truth was that I absolutely would not allow him to steal my first kiss. At this point, I regret never having had a boyfriend; the mere thought of him being the first guy to touch me made me feel nauseated.

"I should have been there for you, but I had a lot of important work," he said, and I shot him a glare.

"More important than your own family?" I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes.

I am uncertain about how he treated my sister, but I suspect he must have abused her both physically and emotionally.

"What is that supposed to mean?" he asked, glaring at me. I met his glare with one of my own.

"Of course, your work is more important to you than your own baby. Shouldn't you have stayed here last night to take care of her? I just lost my sister, and I had to stay up late caring for the baby all alone," I retorted, unable to contain my anger.

It was evident that this man never loved my sister; he was merely feeding his ego and indulging his obsession. Asher let out a chuckle.

"So, you know how to talk back to me now?" he questioned, his cold gaze fixed on me.

I stared back at him. "Is your ego bruised? Do you want to cry? I can offer you a tissue if you need one. You can wipe your tears with it," I retorted.

I was not Scarlynn; I will not tolerate his nonsense. I just hope he does not notice that I am not her.

His brows furrowed, deep lines etched into his forehead as his anger intensified. I couldn't care less about his fury or anything else. I was determined to ensure he faced consequences for being the reason my sister lost her life.

Before he could utter a single word, the door to the ward swung open, and the nurse entered with the baby. "She fell asleep right after the bath," the nurse informed me as she handed the baby over to me.

I gently took her in my arms and held her close. "Thank you," I said, forcing a smile at her.

"Go and tell the doctor to prepare for a discharge later; we are leaving from here," Asher said.

I furrowed my brows, trying to make sense of his words. "What do you mean we are going home?" I asked, unable to contain my confusion. I can't just leave without attending my sister's funeral; that would be impossible.

"I mean exactly what I just said. Get ready; we are leaving in an hour," he said as he got off the bed.

"I'm not going anywhere without attending my sister's funeral, and you can't force me," I replied firmly.

He was being utterly ridiculous; how could I possibly leave like that?

"You might as well attend your entire family's funeral. It can be arranged if you wish; I'm sure it will be an entertaining event. Get ready; we are leaving," he stated sternly before turning and exiting the room.

I felt tears pricking the corners of my eyes, but my anger prevented them from falling. How could he have blackmailed my poor sister? He was utterly emotionless. I gently placed the baby in her crib; she was fast asleep.

I was trying to remain calm. The nurse left the ward just as my mom walked in. I couldn't help but burst into tears upon seeing her; I lost all composure. She pulled me into a tight hug, gently stroking my hair.

"Mom, I can't live with this man, let alone marry him. He has no emotions at all; he is nothing but a monster who killed my sister," I sobbed, tears streaming down my face and my whole body trembling with both rage and grief.

"You have no choice, my dear. You must go with him, raise your sister's child, and keep us all safe. He won't hesitate to kill us all," my mother said, her voice trembling with sadness.

"Mom, my life will be over. We should tell him the truth now; maybe he will understand," I urged her. I had no issue with raising Scarlynn's baby on my own; I simply couldn't marry that monster.

"Scarlett, telling him the truth would mean our death and the innocent baby's death. Is that what you want? Do you want all of us to die?" my mother questioned, pulling me out of the embrace and glaring at me.

"What will happen to me if he discovers the truth?" I replied, tears welling in my eyes.

They were simply being selfish, casting me into a sea teeming with large sharks.

"This is why you should never let him discover the truth; he won't think twice before killing you," my mother shot back.

I was left speechless, and all I could do was cry my heart out. I had just lost my sister, and facing this reality was unbearable. I felt suffocated, and I thought I might die-not because Usher would kill me upon discovering the truth, but simply from the weight of my grief.

"Start getting ready because Asher has informed me that you will be leaving in an hour," my mother said, her tone now cold and devoid of emotion. She is so selfish; she doesn't care about her own daughter but is more concerned about her own life.