Chapter 4

4: 4

4

I hung up the phone and wiped my eyes dry.

The woman in the mirror had red rims around her eyes.

But the look in them had already changed.

George, you think that dumping the clone on me

means you can go out and drink and party without a care in the world?

You're wrong.

You put him right next to me with your own hands, so don't blame me for making use of the mistake.

That night, George sent me a message.

“I've got a business dinner tonight, I'll be back late. Have Kerry take you out to eat.”

I stared at the message and narrowed my eyes.

I didn't even have to think about it.

George had no business dinner at all. He was sending Kerry and me away on purpose, so someone could come to the house and install the cameras.

And I didn't push back.

I just took Kerry out to try a five-star restaurant I'd been wanting to eat at for ages.

When I paid, Kerry watched me with worry.

“Ma'am, this money is still borrowed. Will there be enough for later?”

“It won't be long before we don't have to live this hard anymore.”

The wind was a little cold that night.

On the way back, Kerry slipped off his jacket and draped it over me, easy and natural.

There was still cake on my mouth, and without thinking Kerry reached over to wipe it off.

Then I felt a rush of cold air.

I turned and saw George's face gone dark, leaning against the car door, staring at me.

“Ivy Lawson, where did the two of you go?”

“Just out and around.”

George grabbed my wrist, fire in his eyes.

“Just out and around, and you two are that close with each other?”

“Kerry, go on ahead.”

George ordered.

Kerry glanced at me, checking what I wanted.

I gave a small nod, and only then did Kerry turn and leave, reassured.

George's face went completely black.

“He was just looking at you. He was asking for your permission?”

“He's polite. What's wrong with that?”

I stepped past him and walked back into the living room. George caught up fast, veins standing out on his neck.

“Ivy Lawson, have you developed feelings for Kerry you shouldn't have?”

I lifted my head and looked at him.

That face, exactly like Kerry's.

But these eyes were full of possessiveness and jealousy. Kerry's never were.

Kerry's eyes had always been clean. Only me in them.

“George, have you forgotten? You made Kerry to keep me company.”

I pushed myself up, seven months pregnant.

“He wears a face exactly like yours.”

“So even if I did develop feelings for him, what of it?”

“Isn't this all your doing?”

George's face was awful, his fist clenched.

“I made him a stand-in to keep you company and take care of you. That doesn't mean I let you……”

“Let me what?”

I fixed my eyes on his.

“Fall in love with him? Depend on him? Fall asleep in his arms?”

George's face went livid.

Then I laughed “George, do you know what the most ridiculous thing about you is?”

“Shut up!”

“The most ridiculous thing about you is that you want to be rid of me, and you don't want to lose me either.”

“You want to keep Cecily happy, but the moment I actually got close to the clone, it twisted you up inside.”

“I said shut up!”

George raised his hand.

I didn't flinch, but his hand came down on the wall beside me instead. George gritted his teeth.

“Ivy Lawson, don't push me.”

“I'm not pushing you. You're the one pushing me.”

The living room went so quiet you could hear each other breathe.

George stared at me for a long moment, then suddenly laughed.

“Ivy Lawson, so what if you really do fall in love with Kerry?”

“He's nothing but a clone. My stand-in.”

“But remember this. The day you truly can't live without Kerry is also the day”

“he gets sent back to the clone company to be destroyed.”

He bent down, close to my ear, his voice gentle but full of mockery.

“Admit it, Ivy Lawson.”

“You love me past all saving.”

“You love me so much you can even use my clone as a stand-in for me.”

“You can't live without me. You'll never be able to live without me.”

George gently stroked my belly.

“Be good. The day you give birth, I'll make Kerry disappear from this world for good.”

He said it, then turned and left.

His footsteps grew fainter, until they vanished toward the front door.

I stood where I was, my hand braced on the back of the sofa, knuckles white.

Too bad, George. Your little scheme is going to come up empty.

“Ma'am.”

Kerry had come up behind me at some point.

His face full of worry as he looked at me.

“Are you sad because I'm going to disappear?”

His eyes ached for me, and he gently raised a hand to wipe my tears.

“Don't cry. I was made because of you. I exist because of you.”

I lifted my head and, through the blur of tears, saw that face exactly like George's.

“Kerry.”

I walked up to him. “Do you want to become the real George?”

He looked up, a light flickering in his eyes.

“I……can?”

“Then do me a favor.”

I picked up the juice George left on the table, the juice he forced me to drink every night.

And put it into his hand.

“Just cooperate with me tonight.”

“After tonight,”

“you'll be the only George.”