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.

Asher's Point of View

I inhaled deeply, smoke swirling around my face in a haze of nicotine and tranquility. As I exhaled slowly, I felt my tension dissipate.

I sat on the bench, observing the flow of people entering and exiting the hospital.

Everything felt like a cruel joke. It seemed as though the universe was playing a prank on me.

I lost the woman I loved with all my heart, yet I couldn't even mourn her or attend her funeral, no matter how much I longed to. I loved her deeply, but she was gone, and there was nothing I could do about it.

My family has always been the most important aspect of my life. Although I lost my parents at a young age, my grandfather has always been there for me. I would do anything for him.

The reputation of my family was at stake, and I had to do everything possible to preserve it, no matter the cost. Sometimes, you must set aside your heart's desires and concentrate on what truly matters.

"Asher," I  turned my attention to Mister Blackwood. I couldn't believe he thought I was such a fool, but I decided to play along with his game for my own benefit. "Please, let Scarlynn stay for her sister's funeral. It wouldn't be right to take her away before the service," he pleaded, his tone desperate.

I clenched my jaw, my teeth tightly pressed together as I stared at him with a cold, hard gaze. He truly believed I was a fool.

"Did you forget our deal, or should I remind you?" I asked, maintaining unwavering eye contact. "You sold your daughter to my family in exchange for the lavish lifestyle you enjoy now. I can do whatever I want with her, and you have no say in the matter." Rising from the bench, I tossed the cigarettes to the ground and walked away, leaving him pale and in shock.

They could manipulate the truth as they pleased, but the harsh reality was that they had sold their daughter to my grandfather in exchange for wealth while I was in college.

Maybe Scarlynn and Scarlett were still in high school at the time, which is how they became wealthy.

Fortunately, I fell in love with Scarlynn, but she did not reciprocate my feelings. She loved someone else, but due to the repercussions of rejecting me, she agreed to everything, including adhering to our family tradition of providing an heir before marriage.

The only thing left was our marriage, which she could not facilitate, but her sister would take it from there.

As I entered the room, I found Scarlett seated on the bed, cradling the baby in her arms.

Her eyes were red, as if she had been crying for an extended period, while her mother busily packed their bags and the baby's belongings. It was a shame that all her success was slipping away.

Unlike her parents, she was not greedy. She had worked diligently for her success on her own, but her parents' avarice overshadowed everything.

She was unaware of many truths, having been fed nothing but lies by her parents, and had no choice but to accept them as reality.

"Are you ready?" I asked, gazing at her with a cold, unyielding stare. My eyes pierced hers like ice picks, searching for any sign of weakness. She shot me a glare, rose from the bed, took the baby in her arms, and began to make her way out, walking past me.

"Interesting," I thought to myself. Unlike Scarlynn, Scarlett displayed no concern about how I might respond to her if she were to give me an attitude.

It was evident that she sought to challenge me at every opportunity.

A smirk spread across my face as I followed them outside. At least I would have something to keep me entertained; her attitude was quite amusing.

As I approached the car, Scarlett was already seated in the back. The guard opened the door for me, and I climbed in, taking a seat beside her.

"Take care of yourself, my dear," Scarlett's mother said, but Scarlett remained silent, not even glancing at her.

Her parents were the most selfish people I had ever encountered. I was selfish, but they took it to another level. When you combine selfishness and greed, the result is manipulation, which is exactly what they were doing to her. I didn't care about any of it.

The driver started the car, and we drove away from the hospital, heading home. It was a few hours from town, and we would likely arrive in the afternoon.

The ride was quiet until the baby began to cry. I wasn't particularly fond of babies, but it was a family tradition that a daughter-in-law must bear an heir before getting married. I couldn't defy my grandfather, but now Scarlett would have to care for her sister's child on her own. I would provide material support, while she would offer love and nurturing.

Unexpectedly, Scarlett placed the baby in my arms and handed me the bottle. "You haven't held your daughter since she was born. How about you feed her some milk and put her to sleep before you leave again?" Scarlett said sternly, her tone devoid of emotion.

She must have been angry, but her attitude was unacceptable. "What the heck? Just take her away from me immediately, or else!" I threatened sternly, but she scoffed.

"Or else what? Are you going to harm my family because I made you hold your own baby?" she retorted, glaring at me. A chill ran down my spine as I listened to her words, and my anger boiled within me.

"Of course, I will. Just take this baby away from me," I muttered through clenched teeth.

"Spineless jerk," she muttered before taking the baby back and soothing her. As she fed the infant milk, she sang a lullaby.

I couldn't comprehend where she found the audacity to speak to me that way. I would need to put her in her place before she displayed this attitude toward my grandpa, and I knew precisely how to accomplish that.