9
After Leo and Spencer pulled her off, Jenna’s mother, Maria, smoothed her hair and shot me a guilty, flickeri-
ng glance.
The more she acted like this, the more everyone around us would believe I really was her swapped child.
It only solidified Jenna’s conviction that she was the true Clark heiress.
Jenna’s eyes filled with a universe of grievances. “You never even gave me a full meal growing up, you were always too busy ‘working‘-just so Lila could have the homemade pastries you made for her.”
“I once found one of Lila’s hair clips and put it in my hair, and you told me I didn’t deserve something so nice!
Then you secretly put it back in her school bag.”
“I always wondered if I was even your real daughter. Now I know! We’re not family at all!”
“I should have had a brother who loved me, a wonderful life, parents who truly cared for me! And you, you
venomous witch, you destroyed it all!”
Spencer pulled her into a protective embrace. “Don’t say any more, Jenna. Once you’re officially back with
the Clarks, this will all be over.”
I rolled my eyes and said it out loud. “That’s assuming she can get back in.”
The crack of a slap silenced the cafeteria. It came so fast, I didn’t even see it.
Everyone stared at me.
A fiery sting spread across my cheek. The feeling was horribly familiar. In my past life, this was how I died.
I never thought the brother I had so carefully chosen would actually hit me.
“Lila! Don’t you dare cross the line!”
Something inside my heart shattered.
A large hand covered my eyes, and I felt myself being enveloped in a warm coat and led away.
Behind me, I heard Sadie’s voice. “Nick! Wait for me!”
The DNA results would be ready in three days. Everything would be settled then.
