Chapter 2

What was going on?

Where had the real Evelyn gone?

After the Evelyn at home fell asleep, I sat on the sofa, trying to recall recent events.

After graduating high school, Evelyn had been accepted into the city's medical university.

Because it was close to home, she basically came home once a month.

I would also take her to the hospital for checkups periodically.

But this time, she said the school suddenly had an important experimental project she needed to participate in, which would take some time.

It had been almost six months since her last visit home.

So this checkup had also been delayed.

But aside from this, everything else seemed normal.

When she came home, she still brought me gifts as always, and shared what was happening at school as usual.

I sat on the sofa until dawn.

When Evelyn's bedroom door opened, I suddenly came back to my senses.

She was already wearing a brand new, form-fitting athletic outfit.

"Mom, did you stay up all night?"

"Come on, let's go for a morning run."

Without giving me a choice, she pulled me toward the door.

I did have a habit of morning runs, and every time Evelyn came home, she would wake up early to accompany me.

I pulled my wrist free and stood at the entrance.

"Mom's outfit isn't comfortable for running. I need to go back to my room and change."

Evelyn nodded and waited for me at the door.

I changed clothes as quickly as possible and followed her out.

She skillfully led me to the park entrance. The track was right in front of us.

Evelyn pointed ahead.

"Mom, let's race and see who reaches the finish line first."

As soon as she finished speaking, she ran off without looking back.

Even though it was an early autumn morning, a layer of fine sweat broke out on my back.

I pinched the webbing between my thumb and index finger hard, signaling myself to calm down.

"Who are you really? Where has my Evelyn gone?"

Evelyn would accompany me on morning runs, but she had never actually run.

She would only follow me on an electric scooter or wait at the finish line.

Because I had told her that running was tiring, and with only one kidney, I was afraid vigorous exercise would be too much for her body.

The Evelyn before me knew I liked morning runs, but didn't know the real Evelyn wouldn't run with me.

Seemingly flawless, but actually full of holes.

What was her purpose in taking Evelyn's place and coming home?

Could my Evelyn be in danger?

At this thought, my heart clenched painfully.

When I caught up with Evelyn, she was already sitting on a bench by the roadside, drinking bottled water.

"Mom, you're too slow. Did you slack off on your training while I was away?"

I grabbed both sides of my waist, gasping for breath.

"I'm getting old. My body can't keep up anymore."

"Evelyn, what made you want to run with me today? You used to hate running."

Evelyn froze for a moment, her expression showing a flash of shock, then she laughed it off.

"Mom, you're so forgetful. Which day have I come home without running with you?"

The smile on my face gradually became twisted, but I didn't expose her on the spot.

After all, I couldn't be sure the real Evelyn was safe right now.

If Evelyn was truly in danger, confronting this impostor would only make things worse for her.

That evening was Evelyn's birthday.

I specially went to the bakery to buy a cake.

I also made a big table full of dishes.

Evelyn stared hungrily at the table.

"Mom, these are all my favorites."

I sneered inwardly.

These are your favorites, but not my daughter's.

While blowing out the candles, Evelyn clasped her hands together, revealing a diamond bracelet on her wrist.

That was what I'd bought her for her eighteenth birthday at great expense.

The bracelet was indeed the one I bought.

But the diamonds looked like they'd been set in later.

My heart jumped.

Evelyn must truly be in danger now.