Chapter 2

Everet pulled my wrist, practically shoving me behind the door.

He then opened the door and stepped out.

Chloe looked at him, her eyes narrowing suspiciously as she peered towards the room.

Everet moved, blocking her view.

"I had a bit too much to drink just now. I came in here to clear my head."

"Let's go back. We shouldn't keep the guests waiting."

Chloe still looked a little suspicious, but she said nothing, letting Everet put his arm around her as they walked back.

Hidden behind the door, I heard everything.

A bitter laugh escaped me.

At that moment, I was just like Chloe, hiding behind a door once upon a time.

I stepped out, not heading towards the banquet hall, but towards the exit.

As I turned, I bumped right into someone.

"Can't you watch where you're going, young lady?"

The familiar voice made my apology catch in my throat, unable to go down or come up.

I looked up, and a familiar face stared back at me.

It was my mom, Eleanor.

Years had passed, but she looked almost exactly the same. My breath hitched.

She recognized me too.

But there was no joy in her eyes, only pure disgust.

"Who gave you permission to show up here?"

Though I was used to it, my heart still gave an uncontrollable shudder.

"Mom."

That word hadn't left my lips in three years. Saying it again felt foreign.

"Don't call me that! I don't have a repulsive daughter like you!" She cut me off, her face a mask of irritation, as if being associated with me was an insult.

"Now get out of here before I have someone escort you off the premises." After her warning, she muttered "disgraceful" and walked away.

Watching her retreating back, I whispered softly:

You must be so disappointed I'm not dead, right?

The cold draft in the hallway bit at my face, a sharp sting.

I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself, and left the venue.

Back in my small apartment, I was alone.

The full-length mirror reflected my face, and that jagged scar.

That day in the fire, my own mother had locked the only exit from the outside.

I was trapped under a fallen beam, unable to move.

It had left a terrifying scar across my back as well.

Actually, my mother and I had a very good relationship at first.

She was a renowned photographer, and she hoped I would follow in her footsteps.

I lived up to her expectations, achieving some success in the photography world.

Until Chloe appeared.

She was cornered in an alley by loan sharks. Pitying her, I paid off all her debts, even sponsored her education and covered all her expenses.

When I noticed her interest in photography, I even introduced her to Mom, who, exceptionally, took her on as an apprentice.

My own photography career was thriving.

And Everet, my boyfriend of many years, proposed to me.

For a time, I was at the peak of my life.

Everyone said I had it all – a successful career and a loving relationship.

Even I thought my life was perfect.

But things slowly began to spiral out of my control.

Mom and Everet started mentioning Chloe more and more.

Everet would pick me up from work, but always took a detour to get Chloe first.

When we ordered food, he knew all of Chloe's likes and dislikes, her allergies and preferences, without even asking.

It wasn't until he took Chloe on a trip that even *I*, in my blind stupidity, started to realize something was off.

When I confronted him, he just laughed, calling me paranoid.

"Don't be silly, you treat Chloe like a sister, so naturally, I do too."

But the strange feeling in my gut never faded.

Sensing my doubt, Everet's kiss landed on my lips.

"Cassidy, let's have a baby."