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363words
The villa was spotless. Lounging on the sofa, I sighed at my phone's missed calls and unread messages.
My master, old as he is, still throws tantrums.
He cast me out for refusing to resolve his prophecy.
I knew he was worried the bad things in the prophecy would happen to me.
I thought it'd be quick to fix, but it was proving tricky.
A cuckoo in the nest—Emily fit the bill.
But if I hadn't come to the Harpers, she wouldn't have targeted me. Why did the prophecy point this way?
I sat up, deciding to start with Emily.
The Harpers announced we were fraternal twins.
This hid Emily's lie and gave the Ashtons a" good" bride.
To celebrate, they combined Daniel and Emily's engagement with my welcome party, which was set for seven days later.
Nathan brought the invitation, looking helpless.
"I tried to stop Mom and Dad, but they insisted."
"Claire, if you don't want—"
"No," I interrupted, taking the invite.
"Seven days is enough."
Nathan was used to my cryptic remarks.
He ruffled my hair, sighing.
"Claire, I know this is wrong."
"But I promise, what's yours will be yours."
I didn't answer. He left quietly.
Feeling guilty, my parents bombarded me with gifts—jewelry, properties, bags, homemade soup, desserts.
After rejecting the seventy-sixth offer, I faced my hopeful mother.
"You keep contacting me—are you scared I'll ruin the engagement tomorrow?"
My bluntness shocked her. She stumbled, hurt.
"Claire, I'm your mother."
"Why do you think I have bad motives for being kind?"
I stared coldly, smirking.
"What if I ruin the engagement?"
"Expose Emily as a fraud, reveal you kept her for the Ashtons'support?"
"No!" My mother blurted and then turned pale.
"Claire, please understand."
"The company's having problems."
"Numerous firms offered help, yet you halted them."
"If we lose the Ashtons, your father's life's work is ruined!"
I laughed, leaning close.
"I've always known."
"You resent me."
"I—"
I cut her off.
"No more lies."
"Don't worry. Once I'm done, I'll leave."
"As my mother, you'd want me safe, right?"
Under her conflicted gaze, I turned and left.
