Chapter 3

The Department of Education took the matter seriously and launched an investigation right away.

The facts turned out exactly as I'd reported. Three years ago, Roberta had walked into college under my name.

She'd used my name and enjoyed everything that should have been mine.

One of the officials stood beside me, trying to comfort me.

"Don't be upset. With us and your parents behind you, we'll make sure you get justice."

I smiled, and it came out almost like a laugh at myself.

"It was my parents who did it."

The official was so stunned she couldn't get a word out, but her expression turned grave.

I brought them to my family's front door. The instant it swung open, my father's hearty laugh reached my ears.

"Job, my boy, I've doted on Bertie like my own daughter. You'd better treat her well from now on, or I won't let you off easy."

I couldn't hear what Job said back, but it set the whole room roaring with laughter.

By then the officials were looking at me with a good deal of pity.

I gave an awkward smile, then pushed hard, and the door came open.

Our whole group appeared in front of them, lined up neat as anything.

Everyone in the room froze. Job reacted first.

"Why are you here? We agreed you wouldn't come bother us."

He rushed to shove me back outside.

In the end it was one of the officials who stopped him.

"Vi... Vivi, why... why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be—"

My mother came toward me, disbelief all over her face.

Roberta stepped up and hooked her arm through my mother's, her eyes flicking at me with a hint of challenge.

"Vivi, honestly, you should've given us a heads-up before coming."

First time I'd ever heard you needed advance notice to come to your own home.

My father eyed the officials behind me, suddenly stiff and careful.

"And these gentlemen are...?"

One of the officials handed him a document.

"We're here today to verify the matter of Roberta Swanson taking Vivien Harding's place through impersonation."

Roberta's face went white on the spot.

She forced a smile.

"There's got to be some kind of misunderstanding. How could I have taken her place at college?"

I pointed at the framed photo on the coffee table.

"If you didn't take my place, then why is the acceptance letter in your hand printed with my name?"

Job charged forward at once to defend her.

"So she took a picture, so what? Vivien, don't push it."

"For the sake of us growing up together, take your people and get out now, or don't blame me for not being poli—"

Slap.

I brought my hand across his face.

"This is my family's business. An outsider like you doesn't get a say. And get one thing straight—I'm the one who's not letting you off this time."

Roberta's eyes went red, like she couldn't bear the sight of it.

My mother couldn't stand to see her cry, so of course she stepped in to settle the score.

"Who taught you to go around slapping people? Did all that schooling go straight to the dogs?"

I stared her down.

"You know exactly who got my schooling. To keep me from going to college, you even dreamed up some garbage story about being reborn before the apocalypse."

"Three years. Three whole years. How many three-year stretches does a life get?"

When I finished, the officials in the room wore looks of disbelief, one after another.

Especially the woman who'd received me earlier. Her grip on my hand tightened.

"It was only three years. You're the older sister. What's the harm in giving your younger sister the chance to go to college? You're still living just fine, aren't you?"

So her heart could tilt that far.

The official composed herself.

"It seems there's no need to verify anything. As of now, regarding the case of Roberta Swanson taking Vivien Harding's place at college through impersonation, we are formally filing charges against you."