“No,” I said plainly.

Zack’s expression darkened as he formed a fist, as if, wanting to hit me.

I remained still, I was still blind to him.

“It’s for the best, baby, trust me. What better person to entrust your position to if not your sister? She’s family,” Zack said, trying to convince me.

How did he even expect me to agree to that? He knew very well that Serena and I were rivals, and she hated me.

Hell, he knew she was the reason I lost my sight in the first place.

Why did Serena want my position? She is the next in line to my father’s company. Once he retires next year, Rashfords conglomerate becomes hers! But for some reason, she wants my corporation.

“I feel sick, Zack. I don’t want to talk about this,” I said as I turned to the other side and laid my head.

“Why are you so selfish, Lena? Do you know how that company has been striving since your accident? It’s been me! All me, making all the big decisions!” Zack snapped.

“You should be grateful I even asked. I could’ve gone ahead without you, and no one would’ve questioned me.”

“I will make Serena co-CEO in two weeks. You’ll sign them, Lena. One way or another.”

“Fine… Just give me some time to process it.”

I wasn’t going to sign anything, but Zack didn’t need to know that yet.

Zack exhaled sharply as if he’d won.

I watched him walk out through the door. I already had enough drama for one day. He wasn’t always this cold towards me. I knew he was irritated by me but he never showed it, so, what changed?

Just then, Serena walked into the room, dressed half-naked.

She stood by the bed, giving me a disgusting look before she walked closer.

“I have to prepare you for the party. We better hurry or we will be late,” Serena said.

“What party?” I asked.

“Even though you’re an outcast, should you forget today is Mom’s birthday?” She snapped as she rolled her eyes.

I had forgotten totally, else, I would have gotten a gift for her.

Serena, the golden daughter, never does anything wrong in my parent’s eyes.

No one would believe me if I told them that she was having an affair with my husband. They didn’t believe me when I told them that she orchestrated the accident that led to my blindness. Who would? She brought witnesses who testified against me.

She claimed to have been lucky and karma gave me the blindness that was meant for her.

I just sat still as Sereba dressed me up in ugly clothing as usual and did shitty makeup.

She attempted to take off my glasses when I protested.

“You know I don’t like anyone looking at my eyes,” I said as I held them back in place.

“True. They creep the fuck out of me,” she sneered.

“I’ll go get dressed and come get you when I’m done,” she said and left the room.

It was going to be a long night, I had to brace myself.

Shortly after, Zack and Serena were ready. I could hear them close to my room, giggling and smooching.

Serena came in with a wheelchair. I was a bit confused.

“Lena dear. It’s a big night for me, and I can’t babysit you. You’ll have to be in a wheelchair, okay?” Serena said.

I could see as they struggled to hold in their laughter.

“I’m blind, Serena, not cripple,” I protested.

Serena let out a dramatic sigh, like I was exhausting her.

“Oh, Lena, don’t be so sensitive. I have my own reputation to uphold tonight, and dragging you around like some lost child isn’t part of the plan.”

“Just get in the damn chair. You don’t want to ruin the evening for everyone, do you?”

I clenched my fists. I wanted to argue. But what was the point? No one ever listened. So I swallowed the lump in my throat, kept my face emotionless, and sat down.

I could hear their barely contained-laughter as Serena wheeled me out the door.

We arrived at my parents’ mansion. It was beautifully decorated and even more stunning than the last time I saw it.

When we entered inside, Lena and Zack went about familiarizing themselves with people while I was left in a corner.

I didn’t mind, it was peaceful.

My mother’s heels clicked against the marble floor as she approached me. Her perfume was suffocating. She didn’t hug me. Didn’t even smile.

She was an absolute diva with an intimidating aura.

“What are you doing here, Lena?” My mom snapped like she was embarrassed by me.

I barely had time to answer before she exhaled in frustration.

“I really wish you would stop being such a burden to Serena. You could have just hired a proper maid instead of—” she gestured vaguely at my existence…. this.”

I gritted my teeth. It shouldn’t hurt. Not anymore.

“Happy birthday, Mom,” I said, forcing the words past the tightness in my throat.

“Thank you,” she said flatly, before scanning my outfit in disgust.

“I’ll have the maids take you to their quarters. It’s a big night for Serena, and I can’t have the media projecting our family like this.”

Just then, someone climbed the stage, hitting his glass for a toast. It was Zack, and he helped Serena up the stage.

Before my very eyes, he got down on one knee and flashed an absolutely stunning ring at Serena.

“Serena… Marry me,” he said.

Something stirred within me, something I couldn’t control.

And the next thing, I was up on my feet, screaming at the top of my voice.

“How dare you, Zack? You are married to me!”

The crowd gasped in awe as they all turned to me. All the media personalities turned their cameras to me, taking numerous pictures. Everyone murmured as they glanced between me, Zack, and Serena.

Zack’s face burned with anger, and my mom was even more furious. She walked towards me and yanked me out of the hall. My dad tried to calm everyone down.

“Let me go!” I screamed as I struggled to free myself from her grip.

“You want to bring more shame to our family, right? It’s not enough that you tried to kill your sister a year ago, you also want to take away her happiness?!” My mom scolded as she dragged me up the stairwell.

I wasn’t surprised, most people didn’t recognize me as a Rashford. Serena was always flaunted and glorified while I was always serving one punishment or the other.

“Mom, please, Zack is married to me. How can he disrespect me like that, Mom? We’ve been married for two years and without a proper divorce, he’s proposing to Serena?” I cried.

“You don’t deserve anything good, Lena. You’re a curse to this family. I curse the day I birthed you. Do you know the kind of influence our family would get from that union?” My mom snapped, ignoring the tears that streamed from my eyes.

“I always enabled you, failed to see how much of a menace you were, even as a child. Serena is your elder sister, show some respect! You should be more focused on making it up to her, rather than throwing a tantrum!” My mom hissed.

“Mom, please, stop. You’re hurting me,” I cried, begging, desperate for a bit of love from my mother.

“You know me, Lena, I’d rather hurt you with the truth than make you feel good with lies.” She snapped.

“Here is what you will do. You will go downstairs, apologize to everyone, and fix the mess you created,”

“I won’t. I can’t. Serena and Zack are having an affair! In my house! That’s why Serena insisted on taking care of me, so she could get closer to Zack!” I yelled.

I felt a little light as I let the burden off my chest, hoping for some sort of sympathy or realization from my mom.

“What did you expect? You were never supposed to have him, Lena. Zack and Serena belong together. You were just… a placeholder.” My mom said, her voice devoid of any sympathy or emotion. Just cold and tactless as ever.

A placeholder.

A mistake.

The unwanted child who killed her twin in the womb.

I had heard the whispers growing up and had seen the way my parents looked at me. My mother never failed to remind me that my twin, the son they prayed for never made it, but I did.

As if I had a choice.

“Where is that stupid bitch!” Serena’s voice came hollering.

I barely turned before she was on me, her nails digging into my skin as she shoved me back.

“How dare you cause a scene, you blind fool?” Serena snapped.

“I guess I’ll leave you two to fix your differences,” my mom said and left.

“Serena, please,” I gasped. “I just want—”

“You mean nothing to Zack. He’s mine, always has been. Just a few months I was away, you stole him from me,”

“Zack is my husband, Serena. It’s not fair he proposes to you,” I said, trying to make her see reason with me.

You just ruined my engagement!” she yelled as she slapped me across the cheek.

I staggered, clutching my cheek.

“At least let him divorce me properly,” I whispered.

She scoffed. “You don’t deserve anything, Lena. And now, I’m going to finish what I should have done a year ago.”

She pushed me with great force.

I was close to the edge, but I held the rail tightly.

“Serena, please, don’t do this. Please, I’m your sister.” I begged desperately, hoping for some sympathy from her.

But there was no hesitation in her eyes, only darkness.

“You’re a stain in our lives. You have to go,” she said as she pried my fingers off the rail.

I screamed as I fell.

Desperately searching for something to hold on to, I grabbed her red flowing gown.

And then, she was falling too.

I felt my heart burn and my lungs collapse. I struggled to get to the surface. I couldn’t swim, and neither could Serena.

We both struggled to get out, splishing and splashing.

My limbs got weaker by the second.

I could hear voices and shouts, but they felt far away. At least, there was a glimpse of hope that we would soon be saved.

Someone dived into the water and carried Serena out.

I kept struggling, hoping for my rescue, but it never came.

I watched as my glasses floated above me.

What was the essence of the struggle? For twenty-four years, I had been a burden, a disappointment.

For the first time in my life, I stopped fighting.

I let go.

And I let the darkness consume me.

“She's awake! She's awake! Master Farleigh, come and see!”

The voices felt distant, almost unreal, as my eyelids fluttered open. A sharp inhale filled my lungs. I was alive.

Why?

Zack had only pulled his precious Serena from the pool, leaving me for dead. He didn't even look back. I should have just died.

Who then saved me?

I tried to move, but my body felt so heavy, every inch of me was sore and aching.

“It's almost a miracle.” a deep voice murmured.

I instinctively tried to turn my head, desperate to see who it was.

“Oh, no, no… you'll hurt yourself.” His gentle hands steadied me as he adjusted my pillows.

“Your body is still weak. Just rest.”

I froze.

That face…. Those eyes.

They were bluish-grey, just like mine. The kind that always made people feel like I was staring into their souls.

I stared at him as my mind scrambled for logic.

His perfectly oval face, the dark curls falling to his shoulders, the same almond skin, the same thin lips.

He was me!

“Who the hell are you?!” I panicked.

He just chuckled, clearly unfazed by my horror.

“Hello, sister,”

“Sister?” I repeated.

Is he mad?

“I'm glad you're awake,” he continued casually as if he hadn't shattered my entire reality.

“The doctors said you’d be unconscious for at least three weeks, but look at you! One week and you’re already proving them wrong. You’re a fighter.” he giggled.

I barely heard him. I was too busy trying to make sense of where I was; the grand, unfamiliar room.

The towering walls, the grand chandelier, the heavy drapes, the luxurious old-world decor. It was something straight out of a history book. This wasn’t home. This wasn’t even my world. It looked like a castle!

“Who are you? Where am I?” I managed to ask.

“Oh, forgive my manners. I'm Asher.. Asher Farleigh, your twin brother,”

I frowned at him, and then I laughed. It didn't make any sense, but he looked dead serious. Even our striking resemblance mocked me.

“T..That’s not possible. I don't have a twin brother. H-He died at birth. My mom told me, s…she made sure it sank deep,” I said, trying to make sense of my reality.

“Oh, I see.. She didn't tell you yet,” he said in a disappointed tone.

“Tell me what?” I asked.

Then, I remembered.

“My glasses!” I jolted. I couldn't let anyone know I had regained my sight. It was great keeping Serena and Zack in the dark.

“Glasses? Your eyes are perfectly fine. What do you need them for?” Asher asked, looking at me with questioning eyes.

“Nothing. Never mind,” I sighed.

What was the point anyway? I had already lost. Zack and Serena were getting married and there was nothing I could do about it.

“Forgive me, Lena. I should have come to you sooner. I wanted to, but I was under strict orders to never get close to you. It pained me even more when I found out what you have been going through in their hands. Please forgive me for not being there for you. You deserve way better,” he said.

“What are you talking about? What is going on? Please tell me, ” I begged.

I could see the genuity and sadness in his eyes, but I still couldn't wrap my head around what exactly was going on. And I guess he noticed.

Asher sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t even know where to start.”

“Start anywhere,” I whispered, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Please.”

He hesitated before locking eyes with me. “Lena… I didn’t die at birth.”

My fingers curled into the sheets. “W-what?”

“We were separated,” he continued, watching me closely. “Because of a deal our parents made.”

“I…I.. I don't understand. W-What do you mean?”

“Let me make this simple. My father, Mr. Farleigh had an affair with our mother. When she got pregnant, he wanted to take responsibility, but she refused. She was married to your father… or rather, the man you thought was your father.”

“My dad had no children. He never married, he was too busy building his empire. So when he found out about us, he refused to walk away.

“Mom couldn't tell her husband that she had gotten pregnant for another, so she decided to give the child to my dad, under the guise that the baby died, but then, she had twins.

“My dad chose to keep me since he couldn't have both of us, even though mom kicked against it. Ultimately, dad had his way. Mom used to come around once in a while to visit me. I knew about you, dad never kept any secrets, but I couldn't meet you,”

Of all the overwhelming details Asher had just unloaded, one truth cut the deepest; neither of my parents wanted me.