Chapter 7
Under the mask was a stranger’s face, though if you looked carefully, you could make out traces of the previous features.[]
Too bad no one had ever dared to really look at my face before.
“Are you done with this circus? Can I leave now?“[]
Marcus stepped closer, rubbing his eyes.]]
“No, I couldn’t be wrong. The appearance is different, but the build and voice are so similar. And you called out my name just
now.”
I shrugged noncommittally.[]
“Your name is right there on your chest.“[]
He looked down at the name tag still hanging on his work uniform that he’d forgotten to change out of, momentarily speechless.[]
“There are so many similar–looking people in the world. The person you’re looking for is probably long dead.“[]
The hoping light in Marcus’s eyes died, his face full of disappointment.[]
I pushed through the crowd toward the elevators.]
Just as I reached them, Victoria rushed out to block my path.]
‘Hmph, whether you’re Riley or not, a paternity test will tell us everything.”
‘After all, I’m Riley’s biological mother. Blood relations can’t be faked.“]
My heart skipped a beat.]
This damned, filthy blood relation–always Victoria’s weapon to hurt me.[]
‘Come on, let’s do a paternity test. If we’re not related, I’ll gladly apologize to you!“[]
ust as I was about to be dragged away by her, a weak voice came from room five.]]
‘Enough. She’s not Riley. Let her go…”
‘Mom, haven’t you done enough wrong? How many more people do you plan to hurt?“[]
You won’t even spare a complete stranger?“]
Zara had somehow woken up, coughing lightly.]]
“Officer, sorry for wasting your time. My mother has been mentally unstable since the incident and made you come here for nothing. Riley is my sister–I remember what she looked like, and this is completely different. My mother has the wrong person.”
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Victoria tried to protest.[]
“A paternity test wouldn’t take long, and besides, I’m doing this for you…“[]
“For me? Isn’t this just karma for the sins you committed when you were young? You ruined my sister’s life, and my illness is your punishment! Don’t you know how to repent?“]]
Seeing the situation, the police couldn’t do much. They simply gave a brief lecture and left. After they were gone, Zara waved me over to her bedside.]]
She whispered: “I’m sorry for the trouble. You’re free to go now.“]]
Zara’s words had a double meaning, making me wonder if she had actually recognized me.[]
After leaving, I used my excellent undergraduate degree and experience to get a job at a top advertising agency.]]
But I continued following the developments with Victoria’s family.[]
After Victoria’s current husband, Roman, was fired, he never found another job.[]
Her extravagant spending habits remained unchanged.]]
But Zara’s monthly medical expenses ran into the thousands.[]
So, Roman couldn’t take it anymore and divorced Victoria.[]
She refused to accept it and haunted the hospital daily, harassing Zara.[]
One night, Roman quietly transferred Zara to another hospital.[]
When Victoria found the empty room, she went berserk and smashed everything to pieces.[]
After much hesitation, I found Zara’s new hospital.[]
That afternoon, I brought her a bouquet of tulips.]
Her lips were pale, but she managed to lift her hand and smile at me.[]
“Sister, you came to see me.“[]
“I’m sorry about what happened before. My mother was wrong. You did the right thing.“]
“Dad told me I found a bone marrow match. I’ll be able to have surgery soon. Do you think this is a reward from above for making the right decision?“]
I looked at her silently.
She wasn’t wrong either–just a slightly better toy than I had been.[]
I left the room and signed the bone marrow donation consent form the doctor handed me.[]
I made Roman promise not to tell Zara who donated the bone marrow.
Dapres 7
Changing into a hospital gown, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling.]
I had made peace–with my past ugly, insecure self who had lived for revenge.[]
After donating the bone marrow, I moved away from Zara’s city. I found new work, a new family, and someone who truly loved me.[]
Years later, while revisiting the old place with my husband and child, I saw a disheveled madwoman.[]
In the cold winter, she was still wearing summer clothes, muttering my old name.[]
“Riley, I’m going to kill you.“]
My son hugged me in fear.]
“Mommy, what’s wrong with that old lady? She’s scary.“]]
I smiled and lifted my child into my arms.]]
“She’s probably just lost her mind.“]
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Chapter 1
