“Cough, cough…”
Hearing Seraphina’s weak cough, Alexander rushed back into the car and closed the windows tightly. “Ugh, she’s as filthy as Audrey! “he muttered, then turned to Seraphina. “Seraphina, just hang on a little longer. We’re going straight back to the hospital.”
Seraphina coughed the entire way. Alexander, frantic, immediately had Mr. Caldwell, the hospital administrator, waiting at the entr-
ance, as if he could fly back. And all the while, he didn’t forget to curse me. “Audrey truly is a plague! If it weren’t for her, why would
you be coughing so terribly?”
When the test results came in, Alexander literally jumped out of his chair. Seraphina was experiencing severe rejection; if it worse-
ned, she could die. The most effective solution was a blood transfusion from me.
Before Alexander could even speak, Seraphina bravely tried to sit up, her eyes brimming with tears, fragile and delicate. “Brother,
no, we can’t let Sister be hurt because of me again.” She wept. “It’s all my fault for taking Sister’s place. This is what I deserve,
Brother, don’t trouble Sister for my sake anymore. Just let me go like this… I just… I can’t bear to leave you, Brother!” She then emb-
raced him, crying as if her end was imminent.
Alexander was heartbroken. “What nonsense are you talking about? How could I watch you die? You’re my precious heart! If you
die, I won’t survive either.” He squeezed her. “Don’t worry. Whether she’s alive or dead, I’ll find Audrey and bring her back for the
transfusion.”
I watched their display of sibling affection with a cold laugh. Oh, so Seraphina did know she had taken my place?
I was lured away and got lost at five years old, falling down a slope where a tree branch left a deep, gruesome scar across my face.
Eleanor found me and raised me for five years. When I finally came home, I learned that ‘I‘ had been at the Montgomery estate all
along. She was Seraphina.
My brother said it was to avoid public gossip, to have her temporarily fill my place. But when Dad and Alexander saw the twisted,
centipede–like scar on my face, they never mentioned switching us back. From then on, my name was Audrey. Audrey, as in ‘quiet‘
– the silent kind. The one who shuts up.
–
After returning home, I received endless clothes and jewelry, but the look in their eyes held an undisguised disgust. Until a group of
high–society girls were terrified by my face, screaming and crying. I was formally banished from the main house, forced to live with
the servants. Yet, I clearly saw Seraphina hiding behind a pillar, smirking.
My school, the lavish parties, my coming–out ball… everything that was supposed to be mine was stolen by her. Until the day I was set to enroll in college, Seraphina told me that my university spot had also become hers. I didn’t believe it, but she simply pulled
out the acceptance letter. The name on it had indeed changed to Seraphina.
Before I could erupt in fury, she leaned in close, her eyes alight with unconcealed triumph. “Everything of yours will be mine, includ-
ing that face of yours. I’m the one who cut it, you know.”
A long–forgotten sensation flashed through me: my face, it had been cut by a stone! I couldn’t hold back any longer and slapped her.
But the next second, Alexander shoved me, and my hand seemed to brush against something cold. Dad, Alexander, and Seraphina
2094 C
But the next second, Alexander shoved me, and my hand seemed to brush against something cold. Dad, Alexander, and Seraphina rushed to the hospital, not even sparing me a glance. A searing pain shot through my arm. I turned to see a snake, its fangs deeply embedded in my flesh. I frantically shook it off, but the venom had already begun to take hold. With my last ounce of strength, I
dialed emergency services.
When I woke up, the one by my side was Eleanor.
After that day, Alexander paid me 500,000 to get rid of me, throwing me out of the family home. At that point, Seraphina had truly stolen everything from me. So, was my skin, my blood, even my very life, all part of her elaborate plan?
Then go ahead and search. I’m now curious to see what my brother’s reaction will be when he discovers that even my ashes have
been scattered by his own hand.
