Chapter 1
Alexis's POV
The fake heiress and I died twice fighting over the same thing—which of us would get adopted by that wealthy couple.
The first time, I got the necklace. I became their daughter. I thought I'd finally have everything I'd ever wanted. Three months later, they drowned me in the bathtub.
William's voice still echoes in my head. "This is your fault! If we'd taken Chloe instead, she'd still be alive!"
The second time, I gave Chloe the necklace. Let her have the good life. I thought that would keep me safe.
Five years later, Chloe turned up dead in their mansion. The Harringtons called the cops on me. They said I broke in and killed her out of jealousy. I died in prison, broken and tortured. The last thing I heard was Catherine's voice through the visiting room glass, cold as ice. "You belong in the gutter."
The third time, I open my eyes again.
I watch the couple smile at us, all warmth and kindness, and one question burns in my mind. Which daughter do they actually want?
Sharp pain tears through my chest. My eyes snap open.
Graduation streamers still hang from the orphanage hall ceiling. I'm sitting in the corner, sweat coating the silver necklace in my palm.
The director stands by the door talking to the Harringtons. Their name means power in this city. Money. Influence. Catherine smiles with perfect grace. William nods along, all charm and refinement.
I'm the only one who knows what hides under that mask. They're monsters wearing human skin.
When no one's looking, I toss the necklace into the corner.
Just as I start to breathe again, I spot Chloe at the edge of the crowd. She's staring at the Harringtons like she's seen a ghost, pale as death, shaking like a leaf.
She's back too.
The director walks over with the couple, beaming. "Alexis, Chloe, come meet the Harringtons. They're here to adopt one of you. Twenty years ago, they lost their newborn daughter at the hospital. After searching all these years, they've narrowed it down to one of you."
The other kids whisper around us, voices full of jealousy and awe. Catherine looks at us, her eyes soft, tears gathering at the corners. "I know this is sudden, but we never stopped looking for you. Whoever has the necklace is our daughter."
The first time, I clutched that necklace like it was my lifeline.
The second time, I threw it at Chloe, thinking it would buy me safety.
This time, neither of us wants it.
Chloe stumbles back, pointing at me. "Not me! It's her! The necklace was always hers! She's your daughter!"
Everyone turns to stare. I take a slow breath, force my voice to stay calm. "I'm sorry, but I'm not. I've never seen any necklace."
The director blinks. "What are you talking about? Alexis, you used to guard that necklace like treasure. And Chloe, you always said you wanted a family."
"I said I'm not!" I cut her off, putting on my most sincere face. "I do want a family, I really do. But I can't let people get their hopes up just to disappoint them. I really don't remember any necklace."
The director frowns, opens her mouth to argue, but a little girl runs up holding the chain. "Is this yours? Did you drop it?"
Damn it. I take it stiffly.
The director's face clears, like she's just solved a puzzle. "Oh, I get it now. You two grew up together. It must be hard to think about separating."
William's voice comes out warm and easy. "That's alright. We like that you're close. We can adopt both of you. Having two daughters would make us even happier."
Chloe's eyes go wide. Her mouth opens.
I lunge forward and clamp my hand over her mouth, teeth gritted behind my smile. "That's wonderful! Thank you so much. Why don't we finish celebrating first, then head home together?"
William's smile deepens. "Of course, sweetheart. We have all the time in the world."
I caught it—that flash of something dark behind his eyes. If we push back too hard right now, they'll know something's wrong. With their resources, they'll find another way to take us. And when they do, we'll probably die even faster.
I practically drag Chloe back to the dorm.
The second the door shuts, she rips away from me and starts shoving clothes into her suitcase. "Are you insane?! They're monsters! You want to die, fine, but don't drag me down with you! I'm getting out of here. I'm going to survive!"
I slap her across the face.
Chloe clutches her cheek, staring at me like I've lost my mind, tears welling up.
"You calm now?" I keep my eyes locked on hers. "Tell me. How did you die last time?"
Her pupils dilate. A few seconds pass. Slowly, she lowers her hand, voice shaking. "You're also..."
"Yeah. I'm back too." I cut her off. "So quit wasting time. Tell me what happened. How did you die?"
Chloe goes quiet for a long moment. Finally, she sinks onto the bed. "After they took me in, they were good to me. Really good. Huge bedroom, expensive clothes, personal trainer, nutritionist. But they controlled everything—when I woke up, what I ate, how long I exercised, even when I went to sleep."
"At first I thought they just cared too much. But then I couldn't take it anymore. I started sneaking out. Bars, parties, whatever."
"Then one day, I was diagnosed with some kind of infection. That same night, I could feel it. The way they looked at me... it changed."
