Chapter 1

In my heart, Chloe was never the imposter who stole my life. She was my little sister. The best sister I could have ever asked for.

When our parents refused to take me back, she knelt in the rain until her knees were bloody and bruised just to get them to open the door for me.

When our classmates mocked my poor manners, she slapped Ashton Vance—the richest, most arrogant bully in school—across the face. She was trembling with fear, yet she still turned around, smiled, and told me I was safe.

She even gave up every cent of the family fortune, insisting it all belonged to me.

Later, she pushed Julian Crawford into my life.

Julian was the golden boy of the upper class. He taught me etiquette, helped me get into an Ivy League university, and turned me into a real lady.

On graduation day, he got down on one knee, held out a ring, and promised to take care of me forever.

The two of them were like bright, blazing fires, thawing out my frozen, hopeless world.

Until the day I walked back from the clinic and saw them through the cracked door of my bridal suite.

Julian had Chloe pinned against the wall. His voice was choked with sobs.

"Why are you forcing me to marry her? You know damn well it’s always been you!"

Chloe didn't push him away. She just wept uncontrollably.

"Stop, please... Don't hurt Clara. She only has us left..."

Outside the door, hot tears and a rush of blood from my nose soaked through the paper in my hand.

"Diagnosis: Terminal Cancer. Estimated survival: less than one month."

A bitter smile broke across my face.

How wonderful.

Even the Grim Reaper knew when to grant a wish.

"Thud!"

A sudden wave of dizziness hit me from the blood loss. My knees buckled, and I crashed heavily into the doorframe. The crumpled medical reports in my hands scattered all over the floor. Just as I scrambled to pick them up, the bedroom door flew open.

Chloe’s eyes were rimmed with red, tears still glistening on her cheeks. When she saw me covered in blood, all the color drained from her face.

"Clara! What happened to you? Why are you bleeding so much?!"

I used the back of my hand to smear the blood away.

I forced my lips into a natural, easy smile.

"It’s nothing. I was staring at my phone while walking and slammed right into the door."

Chloe dropped down beside me, not caring at all that the blood ruined the silk sleeves of her designer blouse. She gently wiped my face, her voice tight with worry.

"How could you be so careless? Does it hurt?"

"Let me help you up. I’ll call Dr. Miller to come check on you—"

Before she could finish, Julian stepped out from behind her. His eyes landed on the floor.

Frowning, he reached down to grab one of the papers.

"What’s this?"

I glanced down and froze. My medical chart!

"No!"

Panic surged through me. I practically threw myself onto the floor, snatching the paper before he could touch it. My voice cracked with terror.

"It's nothing!"

Both of them stared at me, visibly startled by my frantic reaction.

Julian’s hand remained frozen mid-air, his sharp eyes narrowing as he studied the paper in my fist.

Fortunately, the crucial words were already blurred by the dark red blood.

I forced myself to breathe, stuffing the paper deep into my pocket, and lied through my teeth.

"Just the flu, plus severe exhaustion. I went to a walk-in clinic and grabbed some medicine. It's so dry this winter, my nose bleeds at the slightest hit. You two should be careful, too."

Julian stared at me for several excruciating seconds until the suspicion in his gaze finally faded.

He hesitated, then asked cautiously,

"Clara... did you hear anything outside the door just now?"

Right then, I felt Chloe’s fingers tighten violently around my arm.

I knew what they were terrified of.

It was okay. Even though I knew the truth, I didn't blame them.

After all, this whole life was something I had stolen from Chloe in the first place.

Yet, an overwhelming ache burned behind my eyes. Tears threatened to spill, but I threw my head back, forcing my expression to look utterly innocent and confused.

"Hear what?"

"I was too busy fighting with that stupid doorframe. Hurt so bad I nearly cried. Why, did I miss something?"

Julian let out a visible sigh of relief.

Chloe’s shoulders slumped, all the tension leaving her body as she pulled me inside.

"Nothing! Julian and I were just talking about your wedding plans."

"Come on, let’s get you cleaned up and stop that bleeding."

Julian nodded, reaching out to shut the door. But right as it was about to click shut—

"SLAM!"

A strong, slender hand caught the door, shoving it wide open.

Ashton Vance stood there, wearing his signature arrogant smirk.

He glared straight at me and yelled,

"Clara Hayes! Why the hell did you run away from me at the hospital's oncology center?!"

My heart plummeted into my stomach.

"I was screwed."