A car accident leaves me unconscious for a full three years. When I wake up, my family bursts into tears of joy. They care for me with the utmost attention.

But from their behavior, I sense something is wrong.

There are women's clothes in the house that don't fit me. My mother's shopping cart is filled with mysterious baby items.

My father's friends send congratulatory messages about a new child, and my husband is always working overtime.

When my husband once again leaves me alone under the pretext that there is something urgent at the company, I secretly follow him.

Inside a warmly decorated house, my parents and husband sit around a table.

A woman who looks almost exactly like me is holding a baby just a few months old, gently coaxing the child to call my husband "Daddy".

"Come on, Rory, say 'Daddy'…"

Under the warm yellow lights, a woman cradled a baby in her arms, leaning against my husband's chest with a radiant smile.

Beside them, my parents watched with soft, loving expressions.

"Rory's birthday celebration is starting. You've done so much, Jess," my father, Watson Brown, gently said.

Jessica Quinton looked overwhelmed as she cautiously asked, "Can we really have the birthday celebration?"

Seeing the worry on her face, my mother, Hannah Royce, pulled her into a comforting hug.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she said, "You've been through so much. If Kayla hadn't woken up so suddenly, you wouldn't have had to live in hiding like this. This time, we'll keep it low-profile. Even if we have to keep it from Kayla, we're giving you and Rory the celebration you both deserve."

My husband, Samuel Pelroy, lovingly tapped Jess' nose. "Mom's right," he said with a smile.

Standing outside the window, I felt a chill wash over me as I watched them play the perfect, happy family.

Three years ago, I fell into a coma after a car accident. I woke up a month ago, and everyone wept tears of joy at my recovery.

When I was discharged and moved back home a few days ago, I quickly realized something wasn't right.

Our bedroom had been completely redecorated.

Even the closet was filled with clothes that didn't fit me or match my style at all.

When I asked about it, Mom gently held my hand and said, "Bella stayed here recently. She said she missed you and wanted to look after you for a while, so we agreed."

Bella Hastings was my best friend since childhood, and I had no reason to doubt her.

When I walked into my parents' bedroom hoping to have a heartfelt chat that night, I found them holding baby clothes and toys, smiling warmly as they chatted.

The moment they saw me, their smiles froze. They quickly hid the items behind their backs.

Before I could say a word, they scolded me.

"Why didn't you knock before coming in?"

I was stunned.

They had always treated me like their precious daughter. They never once asked me to knock. In fact, they used to scold me for it.

"Why are you treating us like strangers?" they would say.

But now, their faces were filled with displeasure and their tone was harsh.

Realizing their overreaction, my mother quickly got out of bed and pulled me close.

"We're just not used to it yet," she murmured.

I forced a smile, brushing off the strange feeling in my chest. However, I no longer felt like chatting, so I returned to my room.

Samuel was in the shower, and I couldn't understand why it was taking him over an hour.

He used to be done in ten minutes.

I sat on the couch and waited. Eventually, Samuel stepped out of the bathroom with his phone in hand, smiling affectionately.

It was a smile I knew better than anyone. It had been my favourite.

I couldn't help but ask, "What's making you smile like that?"

He seemed to snap out of a daze, and the smile faded almost instantly. As if afraid I might check his phone, he quickly turned off the screen and tossed it aside.

Then, he leaned over and wrapped his arms around me. That was when I noticed the faint red mark on his neck.

"Are there even mosquitoes this time of year?" I asked, genuinely puzzled.

Samuel froze.

The air between us grew thick with tension.

Just then, his phone rang.

A photo lit up on the screen, showing a woman who looked almost exactly like me.

I waited in confusion, expecting Samuel to explain himself, but he simply smiled and said, "Darling, have you really forgotten the photo you took yourself?"

He ruffled my hair as if nothing had happened, then turned and stepped out to take the call.

I had been in a coma for three years, but I wasn't stupid.

I clearly remembered never taking such photos. Samuel was lying to me.

He came back soon after and said, "Something's come up at work. I need to head out. Don't wait up."

Without even looking at me, he grabbed his jacket and left.

The old Samuel used to say, "I only work to make you happier. What's the point of making money if I can't spend time with you?"

He never once stayed out late.

But over the next two days, he didn't come home at all.

Over those two days, my former mentor, who had always valued me, was thrilled to hear that I had woken up.

However, he remained concerned about my health and suggested that I travel to Merrington for further tests, where one of his most trusted former students was now working as a doctor.

I promised my mentor I would, but only after my parents held a homecoming party for me.

Just after I got home, Samuel, who had been gone for two days, was already getting ready to leave again.

When he saw me, he froze. "I heard you're going to Merrington."

There was no sign of surprise on his face—only shock.

"I came back to tell you and Mom and Dad—"

Before I could finish, he cut me off impatiently, "Yeah, work's calling. I have to go."

He rushed out the door, and I didn't press him further. However, my doubts grew heavier. Was he really that busy?

I followed him, and that was when I saw the happy family scene I had just described.

I lifted my numb fingers and hit record, capturing the entire scene in front of me.

When I returned home, I locked myself in my room and played the video on repeat.

While I lay unconscious, someone else had quietly taken my place.

What was the point of waking up at all?

Not long after, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the house.

Samuel rushed in with a smile. "On my way back, I saw that ravioli place you like had reopened, so I grabbed your favorite with the shrimp filling."

He pulled me into his arms, but the strong scent of perfume clinging to him made my stomach churn.

I pushed him away and managed a strained smile. "I'm allergic to shrimp. Have you forgotten?"

He froze.

As I looked at him, my heart gave a painful jolt, and silent tears began to fall.

At that moment, I knew someone else had taken my place. Even my husband's memories of me had been quietly overwritten.

Before Samuel could say a word, Mom interrupted, "Why are you still standing here? The homecoming party is about to start. We need to get going."

She walked toward me with a gown in her hands. "Here, try this on. I had it custom-made just for you. It'll fit you perfectly."

I looked up, and a chill shot down my spine.

I had seen Jessica wearing the same dress before.

I clenched my fists and asked, "Mom, are you sure this dress is for me?"

She nodded, smiling as she gently pushed me toward the dressing room.

I let out a bitter smile as I stepped out, still tugging at the zipper that refused to close.

"You've gained so much weight," Samuel remarked with a frown.

I said nothing. I simply looked at my mother.

Only then did she seem to realize I was much taller than Jessica.

An awkward expression crossed her face, and she quickly instructed someone to bring another dress.

"Oh dear, I completely forgot your measurements. I'll make sure someone picks out more clothes for you tomorrow to make it up to you. You're becoming more and more beautiful every day," she said, wrapping her arms around me.

Mom's eyes brimmed with affection, but I quietly pulled my hand away.

I couldn't help but question whether it was truly me she loved, or the woman who had taken my place.

At the homecoming party, I saw Bella, my childhood friend. She lifted the hem of her dress and ran toward me.

Before my smile could even form, I heard her call out instinctively, "Jess!"

I froze. My outstretched hand remained suspended in midair.

Bella didn't notice her slip until Jessica showed up in full glam. She glanced at me, then at Jessica, and finally let go of my arm as if it were scalding.

An awkward expression crossed her face. "Kayla, congratulations! I'm glad you've woken up," she said half-heartedly.

I forced myself to swallow the pain in my chest and looked up at Jessica. When she saw me, she raised an eyebrow and shot me a provocative look.

My former friends quickly gathered around her. And just like that, I was left alone.

The next moment, Samuel appeared. My parents quickly grabbed my arms and said irritably, "Why did you let her in? Samuel, escort her out."

Jessica stared at my parents in disbelief. Before she could react, Samuel pulled her away with a stern look on his face.

I sensed the subtle, watchful looks my parents cast in my direction, but I was no longer in the mood to play along.

They pretended to despise Jessica in front of me. If I hadn't seen that warm scene earlier, I might have believed them. I found an excuse and followed after them.

"Rory's birthday just ended, and now you're already throwing her a homecoming party? The sign from that celebration is still right over there. How do you think this makes me look?" Jessica asked pitifully.

I stood outside the door, feeling the blood drain from my body. As I glanced around the room, I spotted a sign tucked in the corner that read: "Happy Birthday, Rory."

I was stunned after realizing that my homecoming party had been scheduled almost back-to-back with their child's birthday celebration.

What did they take me for?

Only then did I understand why Samuel hadn't come home these past few days. It was because of their child's birthday celebration. I clenched my fists tightly.

Jessica sobbed and cried, but Samuel showed no sign of comforting her. "I told you, don't let Kayla find out you're here! She just woke up, and if anything happens to her, I'll never forgive you," he firmly said.

Jessica looked even more aggrieved. "I know I'm not supposed to be seen. I'll behave from now on."

Hearing her soften her tone, Samuel let out a sigh and said, "You need to remember your place."

The next moment, the sound of the two of them kissing echoed from inside. I suddenly felt unbearably sick.

A sharp pain of betrayal cut through my heart like a knife. Tears streamed down my face without me knowing it.

I wiped my cheeks messily, but just as I turned to leave, I caught Jessica's triumphant gaze. Panic swept through me. I did not watch my step and suddenly tripped over a plastic ball. I crashed heavily to the ground with a heavy thud.

The noise in the room stopped abruptly.

Lying facedown, I could feel my ankle twisted at an unnatural angle. The pain was so intense that I nearly blacked out.

"Kayla!" Samuel shouted, rushing out in disheveled clothes.

He then turned toward the shadows and snapped, "Don't come out!"

Panic and helplessness filled his face as he picked me up. I didn't know why, but I genuinely wanted to hear what excuse he would come up with.

"I was just heading to the bathroom. I didn't mean to..." I said.

Relief visibly washed over Samuel's face.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

He gave a vague reply, as if it were nothing. "I came to find something. Don't move—I'll take you to the hospital."

As I listened to his lie, I unconsciously loosened my grip on his wrist.

…

My ankle was badly sprained.

Tears welled up in Samuel's eyes as he held me tightly, murmuring apology after apology.

His body trembled, and even his voice was shaking.

"I'm sorry, Kayla. I failed to protect you. This is all my fault…"