Chapter 3

Her birth parents were farmers from a poor rural town far away.

Augusta hadn't been badly hurt in the crash, and she was discharged within days.

But the Dickersons couldn't take the blow. Once they had their real daughter back, they moved abroad.

The day Augusta's birth parents came to take her home,

my brother held on to her and cried like his heart was breaking.

"Augusta, you'll always be my sister! Come live with us."

In the end her parents took her away anyway.

After that, my brother changed toward me.

There was always resentment in the way he looked at me.

But if I hadn't shielded Augusta with everything I had that day, she would have been hurt far worse.

Later Augusta came back now and then.

Every winter and summer break, her birth parents would send her to the city to stay a few days.

And later still, Augusta and I got into the same high school.

My brother simply moved her into our house.

They came and went together every day, as if the two of them were the real siblings.

Augusta could see how much it hurt me. She'd come over and tell me,

"Nora, you'll always be my best friend."

Back then I even counted myself lucky, sure I'd picked the right friend.

Until last night, when I stumbled onto their lies.

My brother saw something wrong in my face and lowered his voice.

"Augusta's divorced now, and she's sick."

"You come make the porridge. I'll help you."

I rubbed my swollen legs and looked up at him.

"I don't owe her anything."

Even without that crash, someone would have found out Augusta had been swapped.

"I really don't have time for this."

"I guess I've spoiled you too much all this time."

With that, my brother slammed the door and left.

I looked around the empty room, and the past came back to me.

Right after we married, Dale used to bring a bunch of roses home every time he came back from a work dinner.

My brother would show up with groceries and mooch a meal off us.

We used to laugh so easily around that dinner table.

So it turned out the whole thing was a beautiful dream they'd stitched together for me out of lies.

The phone screen lit up again.

Augusta had posted a selfie holding a bowl of porridge, captioned:

"Thank you to my best friend Nora for making this healing porridge. It tastes just like it did when we were kids."

My brother called, his voice a little frantic.

"I ordered takeout. I told her you made it so she wouldn't feel bad."

"Don't let it slip!"

This dream was overdue to end.

I opened the group chat and didn't hesitate.

"You're welcome."

"But I forgot to mention—pregnant women shouldn't eat that porridge."

Then I left the group, powered off the phone, all in one clean motion.

I used the landline at home to call my lawyer

and ask about separating from Dale.

The marriage license was fake, but some of the properties had both our names on them.

Then I called the Director to ask if I could go to Northgate a little later.

Splitting the assets with Dale would take some time.

And I still had to let friends and family know.

Just as I was sorting all this out, I heard a noise outside the door.

Augusta stumbled into my home, Dale and my brother trailing behind her.

Her eyes were red, her voice hoarse.

"Nora, did I do something wrong?"

"You don't answer my messages, you don't pick up when I call."

She walked straight to me and threw her arms around me.

I pulled free.

"The baby's yours and Dale's, isn't it? I hope you two are happy."

Augusta's eyes went wide, and then the tears wouldn't stop.

"I can get rid of it."

"Nora, if that's what you want."

I was about to say something when Dale stepped in front of her.

"You and Nora grew up together. She'd never make you get rid of your baby."

Dale turned to me, his voice as gentle as ever.

"Nora, whatever happens, can we let Augusta have the baby first?"

"You wanted a child, didn't you? Augusta says you can be the baby's godmother."

"You're the father, I'm the godmother. What exactly does that make us?"

Dale froze, catching the slip too late.

I went inside, gathered a few of Dale's clothes, and threw them at his feet.

"I'll pack up the rest and send it later. My lawyer will be in touch."

"This house is mine. Now get out."