Weeks slipped by, and I had no choice but to embrace my new identity as Kristie Gray. Wearing another woman's face, slipping into her life—it was suffocating. But Dr. Chelsea had made it clear: this was the only way forward. Her daughter, the renowned supermodel Kristie, was gone. And now, I had become her shadow.

Every day was training. Dr. Chelsea drilled me on Kristie's habits—how she moved, spoke, and carried herself. It felt less like learning and more like losing myself to a stranger. But the fire inside me kept me going. Revenge was the only thing that kept me from drowning.

One afternoon, while I was practicing the poised, effortless walk of a supermodel, Dr. Chelsea’s phone buzzed. Her face darkened as she glanced at the screen before stepping away to take the call. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but her sharp, hushed voice was impossible to ignore.

When she returned, her expression was unreadable. "An opportunity has come up."

I wiped my damp palms on my dress. "What kind of opportunity?"

"Gabriel is hosting an exclusive auction. Private guest list. My assistant, Calvin, secured a VIP pass for you. He knows everything and can be trusted."

Hearing Gabriel’s name made my stomach tighten. I already knew what she wanted. "And you expect me to go?"

She met my gaze, unwavering. "You're Kristie now. He won’t be able to ignore you."

---

The night of the auction, I arrived in a deep blue gown that shimmered under the chandeliers. Every inch of me—my posture, my makeup, the tilt of my chin—had been designed to be flawless. I no longer felt like myself.

I felt like her.

As I stepped inside, murmurs rippled through the crowd, whispers trailing behind me. Ignoring them, I scanned the lavish room until my eyes locked onto him.

Gabriel Carson.

He was effortlessly charming, his smile perfectly curated as he entertained his guests. The sight of him made my blood boil. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to lash out.

Then, he turned and saw me.

For the briefest moment, shock flickered in his eyes before he masked it with feigned confusion. I steadied my breathing, lifted my chin, and strode toward him.

“E-Kristie?” His voice faltered, barely above a whisper.

I let a smirk play on my lips. "You look like you've seen a ghost, Gabriel."

He swallowed, his polished exterior cracking. "I… I wasn’t expecting you."

Without another word, I raised my hand and struck him across the face.

The sound of the slap echoed, but the crowd around us remained oblivious. Gabriel staggered slightly, his jaw tightening, but he didn’t retaliate.

"That was for everything you’ve done," I said, voice low and venomous.

He didn’t respond. The suffocating silence between us was louder than any words. I turned sharply and disappeared into the sea of guests before he could recover.

---

Once the auction commenced, I slipped away, navigating the hallways toward his private office. Dr. Chelsea had told me there might be something valuable hidden inside—something that could expose him.

The room was pristine, too perfectly arranged. My pulse hammered as I rifled through drawers, scanning files. There had to be proof, something tangible—

Footsteps.

I froze, ducking behind a curtain just as the door creaked open.

"You told me she was dead!" a woman’s voice hissed.

Janette. His assistant.

"You swore Kelsey was gone, Gabriel! This isn’t possible! There’s no way she survived!"

My lungs seized. She was talking about me.

"Lower your damn voice," Gabriel snapped. "Do you want someone to overhear?"

"We planned everything! The explosion should've killed her! Why haven’t they found the body?" Janette’s tone was sharp, accusatory.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

It wasn’t an accident.

Gabriel exhaled in frustration. "She’s dead. That’s all that matters."

Janette scoffed. "You better pray you’re right. If anyone finds out—"

Their voices faded as they left, but I didn’t move. My nails dug into my palms.

He tried to kill me.

They both did.

---

As the final guests trickled out, I slipped through the exit, my mind racing. My breath came in short, furious bursts. I needed air. I needed—

The sleek black car was parked at the curb, waiting for me. Calvin was supposed to pick me up, but I didn’t see him. Something felt off.

Then, the screech of tires tore through the night.

A black van skidded around the corner and halted in front of me.

Panic gripped my chest.

Before I could react, the van doors slammed open.

"Get her!"

Masked men lunged toward me.

I turned on my heel and ran. My dress clung to my legs, my heels clicking against the pavement. I had no direction, only desperation.

“Don’t let her get away!”

Adrenaline propelled me forward. I turned down a narrow alley, gasping for breath.

A rough hand clamped around my arm, yanking me back. I screamed, thrashing against the iron grip.

A cloth pressed against my face. The sickly-sweet scent of chloroform invaded my senses.

"No—!" My plea faded as the world around me dissolved into black.

---

When consciousness returned, I was slumped in a cold metal chair, my wrists bound behind me. A dim light flickered above, casting eerie shadows on the cracked concrete walls.

A figure stepped forward, their silhouette hauntingly familiar.

"You should’ve stayed dead."

A low, sinister laugh resonated from the darkness, making my skin prickle. That voice—it was unmistakable, slicing through the fog clouding my thoughts like a razor.

I blinked, my vision adjusting to the flickering light above as a shadowy figure stepped closer. My breath caught in my throat.

Calvin.

The same Calvin who once stood by my side—the one I had trusted without question. His eyes, dark and calculating, glinted beneath the mask as he crouched in front of me, his expression unreadable.

I struggled against the ropes cutting into my wrists, my pulse pounding. “W-What’s happening, Calvin? Why are you wearing that mask? What is this?”

He hesitated briefly, scanning the room with a keen gaze. “A deception,” he said flatly. “I can’t let you interfere.”

His words sent a jolt of fear through me. “What do you mean?” I demanded, my voice shaking.

The old wooden door groaned as it swung open. Calvin straightened abruptly, his posture stiff. He glanced at me, his expression unreadable. “Don’t speak,” he ordered.

I had no choice but to obey. The masked intruder stepped in, moving with slow, deliberate precision, surveying the dimly lit space as if searching for something—or someone. Calvin remained at the room’s edge, seamlessly blending into the darkness, mirroring the man’s rigid stance.

With a subtle nod, Calvin spoke, his voice unnervingly steady. “Nothing to report.” It was detached, practiced—like he had rehearsed this moment countless times before.

The intruder offered no response, lingering for a moment before finally turning and exiting the room.

The second the door clicked shut, Calvin rushed to my side, slicing through the restraints with practiced efficiency. “We don’t have much time. We need to leave,” he urged, gripping my arm and hauling me upright.

My legs buckled beneath me, my head still spinning. “Where… where are you taking me?” I gasped, struggling to regain my balance.

“You’ll know soon enough,” he said cryptically, dragging me toward the exit. I barely had time to react before he pulled me down the dim hallway, his pace relentless.

Distant footsteps thundered through the corridor, making my heart pound. I instinctively tried to pull back.

Calvin abruptly stopped, his grip tightening. “You have to trust me, Kelsey. This is the only way.”

I hesitated, glancing behind us as voices grew louder. A sickening knot twisted in my stomach.

Without another word, Calvin yanked me through a narrow passage and into the dense forest outside the abandoned facility. The crisp night air hit my face like a slap, forcing me to gasp as my senses reeled.

But there was no time to stop. Calvin pressed forward, pulling me through the tangled undergrowth. The uneven ground made every step a struggle, but I pushed on, desperate for answers.

“Let go of me!” I yelled, wrenching my arm. “Tell me what’s going on!”

I stumbled as Calvin abruptly halted, turning to face me with an unreadable expression.

Then his eyes landed on it—the faint birthmark just behind my ear, something I had never paid much attention to. A mark no one had ever mentioned. But in the silver glow of the moonlight, it stood out.

HE HAD KNOWN ABOUT IT.

Calvin stiffened, his breath catching. “It’s real… It’s there,” he murmured under his breath. “The mark…”

A cold wave of panic washed over me. “What mark? What are you talking about?” I demanded, my voice barely above a whisper.

His expression darkened as though everything had suddenly fallen into place. “Kelsey… you’re Dr. Chelsea’s real daughter,” he confessed, disbelief laced in his tone.

Time seemed to freeze. My mind struggled to grasp the weight of his words. “That’s not possible.”

“You’re her biological child,” Calvin continued, his voice tinged with guilt. “Kristie… she was adopted. She was never supposed to be in your place.” He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “I was the one who switched you two at birth. It was the only way to keep you safe.”

My entire world tilted as I tried to comprehend the revelation. “Why? Why would you do that?!”

Calvin’s expression was haunted, regret flashing in his eyes. “Because I had to. If your real father ever discovered your identity, he would’ve used you. He would’ve destroyed everything. The only way to protect you was to make sure you never existed in his world.”

His words felt like a crushing weight, suffocating and inescapable. My whole life—every truth I thought I knew—was a lie.

Before I could speak, shouting erupted in the distance. Calvin’s gaze snapped toward the looming mansion up ahead, his face darkening.

We ran. Faster. Deeper into the trees.

After what felt like an eternity, we reached our destination—a massive estate hidden within the thick forest.

Then, a voice.

A single, chilling pause—followed by the sharp, unmistakable crack of gunfire.

“W-We have to get out of here! It’s not safe. H-He killed Dr. Chel—”

I insisted on running closer where I heard gunshots. The mansion loomed ahead, its once-pristine facade now menacing under the moonlight. The front doors were slightly ajar, and the faint sound of voices drifted out. As I crept closer, I recognized one of them—Gabriel.

Calvin pulled me behind a column. “You’re walking into a trap,” he whispered, his voice harsh.

“I don’t care,” I shot back. “If he hurts her—”

“He’s insane, Kelsey. Don’t underestimate him.”

I peeked around the corner, my stomach twisting at the sight. There he was, Gabriel Carson, holding Dr. Chelsea at gunpoint. Her usually composed face was pale, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Gabriel’s laugh echoed through the hall, sharp and unhinged. He waved the gun lazily, taunting her. “You think you’re so clever, don’t you, Chelsea? Playing god with people’s lives. Reconstructing faces, erasing identities.” His gaze flicked to the doorway, as if sensing our presence. I ducked back quickly.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” Chelsea spat, her voice steady despite the barrel of the gun against her temple.

“Oh, I know plenty,” Gabriel sneered. “You built your empire on lies, on stolen techniques. Should I remind you how you climbed your way to the top, doctor? Or would you prefer I let your little protégé find out herself?”

My breath hitched.

WHAT WAS HE TALKING ABOUT?

“You’re a coward,” Chelsea said coldly. “Hiding behind threats and manipulation. You think I’ll give you what you want? You’re delusional.”

Gabriel tilted his head, a dangerous smile spreading across his face. “Oh, but you will. Because if you don’t, I’ll make sure Kristie here knows exactly what kind of monster you are. And when she does, I’ll kill her too. Slowly.”

He thought I was Kristie. Of course, HE did. That was the whole point of this charade. But his words sent a chill down my spine. He wasn’t just manipulative—he was obsessed!

Chelsea’s eyes flickered for a moment—fear? Regret? It was hard to tell. “You’re bluffing,” she said, though her voice wavered ever so slightly.

Gabriel pressed the gun harder against her temple. “Try me.”

Before I could think, Calvin pulled his gun, aiming from the shadows. I grabbed his arm.

“Are you insane?” I hissed.

“Stay here,” he whispered.

And then, he stepped out.

The sharp crack of a gunshot made me flinch. Calvin’s bullet hit Gabriel square in the chest. He stumbled back, a look of shock on his face as he crumpled to the ground. The gun slipped from his hand, skidding across the marble floor.

Chelsea staggered backward, her hands trembling. I rushed to her, gripping her shoulders.

“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice shaking.

She nodded, but her gaze was fixed on Gabriel’s lifeless body. “I… I didn’t think he’d…” Her voice trailed off.

I gazed at Gabriel, he’s not moving—HE IS DEAD PROBABLY. But why there is no blood?!

Calvin kept his gun trained on the body as he approached cautiously. “We need to go. Now.”

Dr. Chelsea didn’t argue, and neither did I. We hurried out of the mansion, every creak of the floorboards and rustle of leaves outside setting my nerves on edge.

Once we were back in the woods, Calvin finally spoke. “That was too close. He almost had you both.”

Chelsea stopped, her hands curling into fists. “You think this is over?” she said bitterly. “You don’t know Gabriel.”

I frowned. “He’s dead, Chelsea. He can’t—”

A shrill ring cut through the silence, making us all jump. Chelsea fumbled for her phone, her fingers shaking as she answered.

She didn’t say anything, just held the phone to her ear. Her face drained of color as the voice on the other end spoke.

“Put it on speaker,” Calvin said.

She hesitated, then hit the button.

“Hello, doctor,” Gabriel’s voice drawled, smug and alive.

My blood turned to ice.

“You look surprised,” he continued. “Did you really think I’d be stupid enough to face you without a backup plan? Bulletproof vests are quite the lifesaver.”

Chelsea’s hand clenched the phone so tightly I thought it might shatter. “What do you want?” she demanded.

“What I’ve always wanted,” Gabriel said smoothly. “The truth. You see, dear Chelsea, you’re not as untouchable as you think. And unless you want the world to know about your little… experiments, you’ll do exactly as I say.”

Chelsea’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t respond.

“Oh, and one more thing,” Gabriel added, his tone dripping with malice. “Tell Kristie to run while she still can. Because next time, I won’t miss."

The line went dead.

I stared at Chelsea, my chest tightening. Her secrets, my identity, and Gabriel’s vendetta—it was all spiraling out of control.

“What do we do now?” I whispered.

Chelsea didn’t answer. She just stared into the darkness, her expression grim.

Calvin glanced at me, his jaw set. “We fight back.”

That’s the point. But… how?

“We need to go to my safehouse.” Calvin spoke.