Dad slid in on my left, all casual. "Why'd you come alone? Everything okay?"

Mom leaned her head on my shoulder, smiling soft. "She's grown up. Worrying about us now."

Dad faked a grumble and pinched my cheek. "Still—don't come here alone again, got it?"

Perfect moment.

I slipped my recording phone into his pocket. "I know, I know. I messed up. Can you hold my phone while I get checked?"

So normal, so smooth—they didn't blink.

At the OB-GYN department, I walked in solo.

They stood by the door, smiling, waving, full of fake concern.

I used to think I had the best family in the world.

Now? It felt like being wrapped in snakes—tight, cold, and ready to strike.

"Doctor, how is she?" Mom rushed over with my report the second we were done.

Dad pulled out his little notebook which recorded all my preferences and restrictions like it meant something.

To anyone watching, they looked like the perfect, doting parents—if only they knew.

"Dad, Mom, I need the restroom," I said, voice light.

I took the phone back, smiling like nothing was wrong, and slipped into the washroom, hands shaking.

I thought I was ready to hear it. A hundred times, I told myself I could handle it.

But that first line hit like a blade.

"Mr. Adelson, Mrs. Adelson, your daughter's recovery is going well. Her injuries have healed, and with proper care, she could conceive soon. Should we stop the medication? If she keeps taking it, she might become permanently infertile. That would be too cruel."

My doctor. He actually sounded... guilty.

Losing the chance to be a mom? That's cruel enough.

Then Dad cut in, sharp.

"I didn't hire you to worry about that. She can't stop. It's just a kid. Worst case, she adopts—less pain for her."

Mom jumped in, cold as ice. "Yasmine's always been weak. No kids is better. You're just a doctor. Stick to that, got it?"

The doctor caved fast. "I wasn't trying to interfere. Just warning you—if this keeps up, your daughter could lose her fertility and suffer side effects."

Dad didn't flinch. "Not your problem. Just keep her looking healthy. That's all we need."

"Yes, sir."

Click. Silence.

And me? Frozen.

For years, I blamed myself for not giving Chuck a kid.

My parents swore it wasn't my fault—that some things just aren't meant to be.

But it was their fault. I was never infertile. They made sure I couldn't have his child.

Because I didn't deserve to. Not like her—their real daughter.

Now it all made sense. The endless meds. The fake support. The lies dressed as love.

It was all fake.

Tears slid down as my body shook, drained and hollow.

"Yasmine?"

A knock came at the door. It was Mom, wondering why I hadn't returned.

Mom's knock echoed down the line of stalls. She was full-on panicking, banging on each door like I'd vanished.

"I'm here."

I wiped my face and stepped out, eyes puffy.

She froze, then cupped my cheeks. "What happened? Who upset my baby? Why are you crying? Talk to me."

Same face. Same voice. But looking at her made me nauseous.

"It's nothing, Mom. Probably ate something weird—my stomach's off."

I leaned into her shoulder, masking the hatred in my eyes. She stroked my hair like she still had the right.

***

We pulled up to the Benetton estate.

Chuck was already at the door, waiting like nothing had happened.

The same guy who'd had his hands all over someone else's bump just two hours ago now pulled me in close, rubbing my stomach like he cared.

"Coraline said you weren't feeling well," he said softly. "I rushed home. Made pumpkin cream soup—it's almost done. Eat a little, then rest."

That's when I noticed the apron.

If I hadn't seen what I saw at the hospital, I might've believed it. That the guy fussing over me still loved me.

He'd even moved near the Adelson estate after our wedding—just to be close to them.

He called my name in his sleep.

But it was never me he loved.

It was Sharon. Always Sharon.

He married me for her. Lived a lie for her. Lied to me—for years.

Honestly? His acting deserved an award.

"Sebastian, Coraline," he called out, "come join us for dinner."

Chuck settled me on the couch, then disappeared into the kitchen.

My parents couldn't stop gushing—how lucky I was to have a husband like him.

I stared at the painting on the wall. I'd always hated it. Could never figure out why Chuck insisted on hanging that ugly thing front and center.

But when my parents came in and made a beeline for it—eyes locked on the faint letter "S" tucked in the corner—I got it.

It wasn't about the art. It was about the artist.

"Dinner's ready."

As the plates hit the table, it finally sank in—Chuck had never once cooked something I actually liked.

For six years, I told myself it was fine. He worked so hard, the least I could do was adjust.

But now? I wasn't so sure. Maybe it wasn't his taste at all.

Maybe it was Sharon's.

"Yasmine, you okay?" Chuck asked, placing food on my plate.

I must've looked pale.

Mom looked at me, hesitant. Her voice was tight.

"Seeing you two so happy... it really puts us at ease. It's just that..."

She didn't finish. Didn't have to. It was always Sharon—lurking in every good moment like a bad habit.

Back then, I'd just stay quiet. Guilt was my second skin. I was lucky they "picked" me over their real daughter.

Dad cut in. "We just hope she's okay. She's still our blood. Life in Nyamara must've been rough. If she's alive, that's enough."

Then he turned to me. "Yasmine, don't blame your mom. Sharon's paid her dues. What's done is done. Let it go."

Hearing him echo Mom's words, I thought, to them, Sharon already paid the price. So I almost dying was just karma?

I dropped my gaze, letting the silence speak.

Chuck caught it. First time he looked at me like that—cold. "Yasmine, Coraline's getting old. Why the attitude?

"It's been six years. You took Sharon's life and ran with it for over twenty. You can't blame Coraline. Blood's blood. A mom never really lets go of her kid.

"Honestly, Sebastian and Coraline always owed Sharon. Remember that house in the suburbs they saved for her? I'll take them there this weekend. Call it a tribute. You don't have to come."

He made it sound like a choice, but it wasn't. I looked at them—Chuck, frosty. My parents? Dead quiet. But I got the message loud and clear. Say no, and I'm the villain.

"Alright. Go. She was your real daughter. I was part of the mess too. Makes sense to pay respects."

I said it cool, like I was fine.

Chuck lit up. "Knew you were the sweetest. Don't worry, I'll make your favorite before we head out."

Mom wiped her tears and pulled me in. "You always have a kind heart. Thank you—for Sharon. We're the ones who failed her."

Hot tears slid down my neck. I hid in her arms, shaking.

They claimed they wronged her, so that justified messing with my head for six years? They gaslit me so hard, I almost felt bad for Sharon.

Like maybe I deserved the knife.

But I didn't ask to be switched. That wasn't on me. And my real parents never tried to steal someone's kid.

Yeah, I lived a life that wasn't mine. But if Sharon had wanted it back, I would've walked away without a fight. I never wanted this mess.

So tell me—what exactly did I do to earn all that betrayal?

Pain stabbed my chest. I bolted to the bathroom, dry heaving. Chuck trailed right behind, patting my back, panicked.

"What's going on? You just had a check-up, right? What'd the doctor say? Is it your stomach? If something's wrong, we'll fix it. Don't ignore it."

His voice was soft, too soft. Worried—or worried I might be pregnant?

"Chuck," I said, steadying myself. "I'm pregnant."

I forced a sweet smile. "You're gonna be a dad. The doctor called it a miracle. Aren't you happy? We're finally having our own kid."

His smile dropped. He stared at me like I'd just confessed to murder.

"Yasmine, don't mess around. That's not funny. The doctor said you couldn't carry a baby."

His voice cracked. Eyes wide. Full-on panic.

This was my husband.

"I'm not joking. Aren't you happy?"

I held on, hoping.

Chuck straightened up, all serious. "Babe, the doctor said your body can't handle this. You need to end it. What if something happens to you?"