She Took My Identity, My Future, and My Name

After the college entrance exam results were released, I scored over 700 points—top of the province. A once-in-a-lifetime achievement.

But my father didn’t congratulate me.

Instead, he said, “Your cousin looks a lot like you. Let her go to university in your place.”

My cousin, who never cared about school, who spent her days drinking and running with shady crowds. She didn’t even show up for the exam—she was blackout drunk that morning.

Still, my father insisted: “She needs a good university to change her path. Otherwise, she’s finished.”

“And you?” He looked at me like I should already understand. “You’re hardworking. You don’t need a degree to succeed. Endure a little more, and you’ll make it. You always do.”

I stood there in stunned silence.

When I didn’t respond, he made a call.

Minutes later, my boyfriend Austin Floyd walked in.

He didn’t hesitate. “Listen to your father. There’s nothing wrong with stepping into society early. You’ve buried yourself in books for too long—it’s time you saw the real world.”

He smiled like he was giving me advice for my own good.

I looked at them. My father. My boyfriend.

I swallowed hard, nodded, and whispered, “Okay.”

——

My father lit up with joy. He immediately gathered my admission documents and ID cards, stuffing them away like valuables—like he was afraid I might change my mind.

I sat down in a daze, watching him move around the room, organizing my future as if it were disposable.

Then he turned to me casually and said, “By the way… your cousin was involved in a theft two days ago.”

I looked up, startled.

“She didn’t get caught, but her accomplice did. The police are summoning her for questioning.”

“She can’t have a record. Not when she’s about to start university. Since you’ve swapped identities already… go and turn yourself in.”

My heart dropped. I blinked fast, trying to stop the tears, but they came anyway.

I asked, hoarsely, “Dad… can you really bear to send me away?”

He sighed deeply, as if he were the one being wronged. “You’re my daughter. Of course it breaks my heart.”

“But your cousin lost her parents young. She’s suffered enough. I have to take care of her.”

Austin walked over and gently placed a hand on my shoulder. “It’s just a few years. I’ll wait for you.”

“When your cousin graduates, she can send you half her salary. You won’t even have to work. Isn’t that a good deal?”

Before I could react, he pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed the police.

He placed it against my ear. “Confessing early can reduce your sentence,” he said softly. “Don’t miss the chance.”

The line connected. I drew in a breath.

“I’m Lucia Brock,” I whispered. “I’d like to turn myself in.”

My father and Austin exchanged a satisfied look and laughed.

After I hung up, my dad stroked my head gently. “Alice, I’m sorry you have to go through this.”

Austin held out a net bag packed with toiletries—soap, toothpaste, a washbasin. “I bought everything myself. Best quality.”

I wiped my tears and nodded. “Let’s go.”

I opened the door, ready to walk into my fate.

But the moment I stepped out, I saw my grandmother, hunched over and panting, slowly making her way up the stairs.

When she saw me, she beamed. “Alice! I heard you scored over 700—top scorer! That’s amazing!”

She raised the old hen she was carrying. “I brought a chicken. I’ll stew soup for you tonight. You’ve worked so hard these years. Grandma saw it all.”

I broke.

I dropped to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

Alarmed, Grandma tossed the chicken aside and rushed to hold me. “What’s wrong, child?”

Behind me, my father remained silent.

Austin glanced at his watch, then muttered, “We’re going to be late. If you don’t turn yourself in soon, it won’t count.”

Grandma frowned, confused. “Go where? What’s he talking about?”