I gazed at Atlas's anxious face, his features wavering before my eyes. "Chlo... tell me what's wrong," he said, concern etched on his handsome face. I glanced around the room, noticing all our loved ones present, their faces filled with worry, both inside and outside the door.Closing my eyes, I nestled into Atlas's embrace. I felt exhausted like never before. With a soft murmur, I confessed, "I'm... I'm okay." My head throbbed fiercely with an unbearable sensation."I'm fine," I repeated before settling back into his arms, still as a statue. In my ears, the echoes of my dream lingered.A team of medical staff rushed in. Atlas patted me gently. "Let the doctors check you out, sweetheart. You've been out for 48 hours! Let them examine you, okay?"He eased me onto the bed. After the doctors finished their examination, they briefed Atlas on the results.I drifted back to sleep, this time for real, unaware of anything.When I woke up again, the room was bright. Blinking, I look
I closed my eyes, trying hard to recall my dreams. Usually, this scenario always appeared in my dreams, but now I couldn't remember any details.Atlas looked at me indulgently. "Take your time, don't rush. Your mom will help us."I took a deep breath, clearing all the distractions from my mind. I seemed to see my mom holding my hand, eagerly walking into the woods, looking around and at the treetops. As we ventured deeper into the woods, I asked, "Where are you taking me, Mom? The woods are so dark. I'm scared! Don't go in, Mom. There might be wild animals!""Don't be afraid. I'm here with you. We need to find the tallest tree.""Why do we need to find the tallest tree?""So you can remember!""But I can't walk anymore. I'm scared!""Go sit on that rock for a while. I'll come to you.""A rock," I murmured as I suddenly opened my eyes.I quickly stood up, searching for a place with rocks."Search where there are rocks," Atlas instructed the others.Everyone dispersed quickly,
Four months later, at a hospital in Foswood.After being wheeled out of the delivery room, I saw my entire family waiting for me outside.My grandmother, supported by Hana, walked up to me, trembling. "Chlo, my Chlo, you've been through so much!"Beside my grandmother was a girl who looked a lot like me, standing silently beside my grandmother. She was the one who had been crafted to be my counterfeit.What was even more dramatic was that the DNA test results had revealed that she was actually my parents' daughter. When we found out, we cried tears of joy. It was truly heaven-sent. From then on, I gained another sister, who was like a twin to me.Feeling a little weak, I looked at her kind smile and said, "Grandma! It's two boys!""We all saw them. They’re very handsome and healthy! I can finally rest assured. My daughter has a life partner now," Ivanna said as she eagerly squeezed by my side.Everyone burst into laughter. Jared reached out his long arm and pulled her back. "Com
As night fell, I could finally relax after putting my daughter to bed. I grabbed my phone and mindlessly scrolled through TikTok when a street fashion live broadcast caught my eye.I straightened up and focused on the screen, but the host had already switched the camera angle. My heart pounded, and my hands started to feel clammy as I held my phone. I checked the time and confirmed it was a live broadcast happening in the same city.Then I hurriedly exited TikTok and video-called my husband, Matthew Murphy.He was supposed to be on a three-day business trip in Canta, yet I just saw him on the live broadcast with another woman in his arms. The phone rang for a long while before he finally answered the call.Matthew’s camera shook slightly, and his handsome face appeared on my phone’s screen. He greeted me warmly, “Hey, honey!”"Where are you?" I asked urgently as my eyes scanned the footage from his end. He looked like he was in a corridor of a restaurant, and he was wearing a whit
I was about to pick up the phone to see who the sender was when Matthew hurried into the room and took the phone. He glanced at it hastily, then looked back at me."It's Mel!""What's the matter? Are you afraid that I'll find something?" I looked at him suspiciously and felt uneasy as if something was wrong.The message had only four words. "Did she find out?"It was enough for me because it implied the other person feared I’d find out about something. The message also showed a hint of ambiguity, so I scrutinized Matthew. My gut feeling surged as my premonition grew heavier.Matthew chuckled casually and threw the phone back on the bedside table. Then he pulled me into his arms and kissed my lips, saying, “You’re overthinking! It’s not about you, but my sister, Mel. She’s using me as a cover to scam Mom for money.”Mel was Matthew’s younger sister, Melanie Murphy. She had been weak and sickly since childhood, so her family always pampered and spoiled her. She also behaved like a
"Two days ago? Where?" I asked, feeling a little anxious.Ivanna noticed my reaction and retorted, "What’s with that look?""Where did you see him?" I couldn't care less about bantering with her and continued pressing for answers.However, Ivanna's phone started ringing. She glanced at the screen and hushed me before leaning into her chair and answering the call. After a few sentences, she straightened up, glanced at me, and said, "What?! I'll be right there!"Immediately after, she closed her laptop and stuffed it into her bag. "I have to go. Let's meet up again another time!""Wait... You..." I had more questions, but she ignored me and left.She said she saw Matthew two days ago, but he was supposed to be on his business trip in Canta then. Where did she see him? Was she at Canta for a trip as well?I shrunk back into the seat silently. I was helpless, but a strange sense of fear filled my heart. The TikTok video kept playing in my mind, but I wasn’t sure if it was Matthew.
I hurried back to the bedroom and answered the call to complain, "You're something else, huh? You left me hanging!""Something came up at work, so I was in a rush." Ivanna sounded tired. "I just finished settling it. That's why I'm calling you now. Why are you complaining? Do you think my life is as easy as yours?"I hesitated to reply but couldn't hold back and asked her, "Um, you mentioned seeing Matthew two days ago. Where was he? What time was it?"This question had been bugging me all day.Ivanna paused on the other end before she answered calmly, "Honestly, I forgot the exact location. It was just a fleeting glimpse while I was driving.""Oh." For some reason, her answer left me a bit disappointed. Although my heart dropped, I unclenched my fists and realized my palms were cold and sweaty. I chuckled and wondered whether or not I wanted to prove Matthew was having an affair.I must admit he was my everything, and I feared losing him."I realize how obsessed you are with yo
Melanie didn't stay long after dinner. She pouted at Matthew and asked, "Matt, can you give me a ride?"I rolled my eyes at her and glanced her way, but she feigned ignorance as she clung to Matthew's arm, acting like a spoiled brat.Matthew looked at me with a helpless smile, but since I didn’t respond, he awkwardly said, “Wait a while. I’ll help Chloe with the dishes and then take you out.”I was honestly sick of Melanie's behavior and didn't want to see her for another minute, so I waved Matthew away. "You go ahead and take her where she wants to go. I can handle the dishes myself.""Daddy, where are you going? I want to go too!" Ava called out, standing up from her chair as she extended her little hands for Matthew to pick her up.Matthew lifted Ava and pecked her cheek, saying, "Daddy will be home soon! Be good and play with Mommy, okay?""What's the point of you coming along, kid?" Melanie questioned. She had no patience for Ava.I took Ava from Matthew. "Sweetheart, Daddy