Michael's breathing was rough, his whole face tight with anger. He looked as if he was about to explode.

Meanwhile, Audrey was sprawled on the floor, knocked out cold with a bleeding cut on her head.

I knew it. I knew there was no way she'd ever be able to pull this off.

She only got a beating now. But when Michael sobered up, who knew if she'd even live to see another day.

I let out a slow breath and turned to leave quietly when suddenly, someone grabbed my wrist.

The next second, Michael yanked me into the room next door.

I still had on a mask. My eyes, wide with fear, met his.

The hotel lights were dim, stretching shadows across the walls. He pinned me against one, his voice low and hoarse.

"Your scent, your figure... they feel so familiar. Do I know you?"

I froze. No way could I answer him. We'd spent a whole year together—if I spoke, he'd know it was me.

I couldn't let anything happen between us. If I did, I'd end up just like Audrey.

I fought to break free, but even when Michael was drugged, he was still way stronger than I was. I didn't stand a chance.

I opened my mouth, ready to scream for help, when he leaned down suddenly, whispering, "Your eyes... They're beautiful..."

I went stiff. For a second, I thought he'd recognized me.

Then, he ripped off my mask and kissed me.

Panic shot through me. I quickly switched off the lights, but after that, there was no chance to escape.

Hours blurred together. Five, maybe six. By the time it was deep into the night, Michael finally let go, his strength fading.

Every part of my body hurt, but I forced myself up and put my clothes back on.

I wasn't like Audrey, living in some fairytale, believing a rich man would fall for a nobody like her. I wasn't about to get myself caught in a mess I couldn't climb out of.

So while he slept, I slipped out. I didn't hesitate or look back. I would just pretend that nothing had happened.

But the second I stepped out, I saw a heavyset, greasy-looking man stumbling out of the next room.

When he spotted me, he let out a low whistle.

I looked past him into the room. Clothes were scattered everywhere, and Audrey was on the bed, her dress torn, completely out cold.

As I recalled how she had murdered me in my past life, I just shut the door quietly and walked away.

When I got home, my parents rushed to greet me, both carrying plates piled with food, their faces glowing with joy.

"Audrey, darling, you're finally back!"

But then their smiles froze.

"Aurora? Why are you here? Where's Audrey?

"Didn't we tell you? You're supposed to stay by her side and protect her, make sure it all goes according to plan!"

I stared at them, amazed at how deep their favoritism ran. If Audrey and I didn't look exactly alike, I'd really believe I was adopted.

My face stayed cold as I walked past them. "I'm just here to pack my stuff. I'm moving out."

My mother's face twisted, ugly with anger. "What the hell are you talking about? How are you gonna afford rent?"

As I folded clothes into my bag, I spoke slowly, almost calmly, "If Audrey really ends up marrying Michael, his family will come to visit. What if they saw me and figured it all out? But I can stay if you want."

The moment they realized my being around could ruin Audrey's chances, their attitude flipped. They quickly chased me out.

"Get out! You're bad luck anyway. I wouldn't want you ruining a good thing for Audrey and bringing our family down with you!"

By the time I was headed downstairs with my bags, I ran into Audrey, hobbling through the door.

Her clothes were ripped, as if someone had yanked them apart. Bruises covered her arms and legs.

But her face was practically glowing.

"Mom, Dad," she said proudly, "Michael wore me out. But I think it's done. We're good now."

I could tell by her smirk that she had no idea what really happened after she got knocked out. She thought she'd had some kind of steamy, hot lovemaking session with Michael.

Well, I couldn't wait to see the grin being wiped from her face when the truth came crashing down.

-

Audrey glanced at me with that same smug look, then noticed the suitcase in my hand. Her lips curled into a cold little smile.

"Are you leaving?" she asked, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "My wedding's pretty much set. But you're not getting any younger, and there's still no ring on your finger. I don't want you spending the rest of your life alone."

Her eyes lit up suddenly, and she clapped her hands together. "How about this? I'll introduce you to someone!"

"No, thanks," I said flatly.

Her eyes filled with fake tears instantly. She turned to our parents, whining as if she'd been wronged.

"Even though Mr. Strickland and I have done the deed, I hope we'll organize a grand wedding, so people won't look down on me.

"I found Aurora a match. The guy's willing to give us 200 thousand dollars as a wedding gift!"

The moment my mother heard that number, her eyes lit up. But when she saw I wasn't excited, she slapped me across the face hard, then she jabbed a finger in my face.

"Since when do you get to talk back in this house?" she snapped.

"This marriage is perfect for you! As your parents, we get to decide. You'll meet him, marry him, and bring that money home so your sister's wedding doesn't look shabby!"

I laughed, but there was no humor in it, just pure anger bubbling up. I couldn't believe they were forcing me to marry a stranger for this.

I snapped, "She wants to marry rich—what's that got to do with me?

"Do you even know who the guy is? It's Mr. Meyer, a 60-year-old man! If you're that desperate for the money, why don't you divorce Dad and marry him yourself? Oh, wait—you don't want to? Then don't shove me into hell just because you're too scared to go!"

My father's face turned red, and before I knew it, he slapped me twice. My cheek burned like fire.

"Aurora! How dare you talk to us like that!" he roared.

"What's so bad about Mr. Meyer? He's a small business owner! You'd be living in comfort. Do you actually think we'd hurt you?

"You're the one who couldn't catch a rich man. And now you've got the nerve to argue with your mother? Look at yourself! You're worthless. You don't bring a damn thing to this family.

"This house isn't a charity. If you don't want Mr. Meyer, fine. Go find some other man willing to give away 200 grand for you. Otherwise, shut up and do as you're told."

My cheek was swollen, stinging with every breath. I stared at my parents, baffled by how shamelessly biased and selfish they were.

Even though I'd already lost hope in this family long ago, I still wanted an explanation.

"Why?" My voice cracked, heavy with pain. "Why is Audrey the chosen one, and I'm just the one you want to sell off? We're identical twins. I'm your daughter, too. Why do you hate me so much that you'd marry me off to a 60-year-old man just so you could organize a grand wedding for her?"

My voice shook, but I forced the words out. "If you only wanted one child, if you only ever wanted her… then why keep me at all? Why didn't you get rid of me back then?"

They didn't even flinch. They showed no regret or shame. They just looked at me with cold eyes and said…

"The tarot reader back then was right. You bring us bad luck! You're nothing like your sister who is sweet and obedient. She came into this world to bring good luck to our family."

So all the pain I'd gone through over the years… all because of a few empty sentences from some tarot reader.

I couldn't help but laugh. Whatever scraps of hope and love I still held for this family were shattered completely.

Fine. I'd take today's humiliation as paying them back for raising me.

"I'm not marrying that old man. If you need money, figure it out yourselves. Since you've never liked me, I'll leave. I don't care about your stupid marry-rich dreams."

I grabbed my suitcase and turned to go.

Audrey's cold voice stopped me.

"You don't wanna get married? Fine. But if you move out, you'd better not be wandering around too much. And make sure your phone's on 24/7. If I call, you have to pick up within three seconds.

"I'm about to become Mrs. Strickland. He'll propose to me and marry me soon. But I don't know much about how to take care of him. When he asks, you'll have to feed me the answers. Got it?"

I turned my head and looked at her. Audrey tossed her hair back and pulled out her phone, snapping a picture of the bruises on her skin.

To her, they weren't shameful but her golden ticket into high society.

My parents were all smiles, fussing over her proudly, as if she were already some rich man's wife.

They chimed in, "Do your best to help Audrey. Once she marries Mr. Strickland, maybe she'll help you, too. She can introduce you to a driver or a bodyguard who works for wealthy families. That's the only way you'll find someone."

I almost laughed. They had no idea what really happened that night. They had no clue what it meant to cross Michael.

The Stricklands weren't just old money—they were powerful and untouchable. Anyone who tried to scheme against them would get destroyed, not rewarded.

The only smart thing to do was to cut ties and walk away.

"We're not that close, so don't bother trying to set me up with someone. You live your lives, and I'll live mine."

-

Audrey and I had switched places completely.

For the next few days, everything stayed quiet. There was not a single word about the most wanted rich heir of Jezelton being tricked.

Then came the day Michael had to go for a checkup, and Audrey told me to wait near the hospital in case she needed me.

I went. Not just because she told me to, but because I wanted to see how he was doing.

That night, he'd knocked Audrey out. He'd been furious at her throwing herself at him.

Even though I had accidentally run into him and ended up helping with his condition, he should've been plotting his revenge against her. But instead, he did nothing.

I hid behind my sunglasses and mask, watching them carefully.

What I saw made no sense.

They were laughing together, looking into each other's eyes like something out of a movie. To anyone else, they looked like the perfect couple, completely in love.

I couldn't wrap my head around it. What was Michael planning? Why wasn't he furious with her? Why was he suddenly acting so close to her?

I stood there for so long, lost in my thoughts, that I didn't even notice when they walked in my direction.

When they passed me, Michael paused for just a second. My heart jumped into my throat.

Did he recognize me?

But then he kept walking, as if nothing had happened.

I let out a shaky breath, relieved… but at the same time, a little disappointed.

That night, he had ripped off my mask. I'd switched the lights off right away, but I still didn't know if he'd seen my face.