As Alicia bolted out of the graveyard, her back slammed against the cemetery’s cold, moss-covered wall. A sharp pain shot through her spine, but she barely noticed. Trembling, she slid to the ground, her hands still clamped over her mouth to stifle the sobs threatening to escape.


    Ten years ago…


    She had burst into the hospital ward, her pulse pounding. Her gaze locked onto the boy sitting on the sickbed, his head bowed. Without hesitation, she rushed to him, wrapping her arms tightly around his frail frame.


    “Jeff!” she cried, lifting his face to hers, cupping his cheeks.


    Tears welled in her eyes, her voice cracking. “Where have you been? I thought I lost you.”


    His dull gaze searched hers, confusion shadowing his features. His brows knitted together.


    “Are… Are you okay, Jeff?” Alicia’s voice wavered.


    The boy flinched, peeling her hands off his face. “Who… are you?” His tone was distant, almost irritated. “What do you want?”


    Her breath hitched. Disbelief surged through her as she scanned his face, desperate for recognition.


    Slapping a hand against her chest, she quickly responded, “It’s me, Alicia! Your friend!”


    She pressed her palm against his forehead, checking for a fever. “Can’t you remember, hun?” Her voice softened with desperation.


    Silence stretched between them as the boy studied her, his expression unreadable. A sinking feeling settled in her stomach. Something was wrong. His memories…


    Then, his lips parted. “So…” he drawled, pointing at her. “You’re Alicia?”


    Alicia clung to hope. She grasped his hands, rubbing them gently, searching for warmth in the familiarity she craved.


    “Of course, Jeff,” she said with a reassuring nod. “You don’t have to worry. You’re still recovering. I’m sure the shock of being kidnapped has affected you. But let me remind you—I’m Alicia White, your best friend.”


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    “Best… friend…” he murmured, the words barely audible.


    The memory crashed over her like a wave.


    How did I not see it?


    Alicia buried her face in her hands, fingers trembling. It wasn’t memory loss—it was deception.


    An imposter.


    A shudder rippled through her body as the truth unraveled before her. The real Jeff—buried alive, his fingers clawing at the earth, his muffled screams swallowed by the dirt.


    Terror gripped her.


    How could she have missed the differences?


    Jeff had a twin?


    Alicia scoffed, the revelation leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. She let her hands fall to her lap, her gaze lifting to the night sky. Hot tears blurred her vision.


    “You don’t understand, Alicia. You never will, no matter how hard I try to explain.”


    Jeff’s voice echoed in her mind, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.


    “You think my emotions—my anger—are fueled by jealousy. I won’t deny that I envy your love for him, but it’s more than that, Alicia.”


    She had scoffed then. “Thanks for knowing I’ll never understand,” she had retorted. “And I won’t try as long as you keep acting this way toward him.”


    Alicia clenched her eyes shut, her heart twisting as if a thousand thorns were piercing through it, shredding it apart.


    “I… I can heal you, Alicia,” his voice echoed again.


    “Just give me a chance. This isn’t pity. It’s not charity. I love you. I love every part of you—inside and out. You’re special, no matter what happened. And I don’t care about anything else. Just trust me, Alicia.”


    Her lips quivered.


    “Poor Alicia,” Alison’s mocking voice surfaced next.


    “I don’t know what’s going on between Jeff and Alena. You never got along with her, but you should know—your Jeff and Alena are seeing each other.”


    A sharp, painful gasp tore from Alicia’s lips. Her breath came in short, uneven pants.


    Why? After everything we shared?


    Why did you hide the truth from me?


    A sudden, harsh white light flashed in her face.


    She snapped her head up, squinting as the brightness seared her vision. Shielding her eyes with her arms, she winced. The glare was blinding.


    A car.


    The screech of tires slicing through the silence sent a jolt down her spine. Two more vehicles skidded to a halt beside it.


    Alicia frowned, slowly lowering her arms as the headlights flicked off.


    She watched as a man stepped out of the driver’s seat and moved to open the passenger-side door.


    A foot, clad in glittering red heels, emerged.


    Then, as the figure gracefully rose from the car, Alicia’s breath hitched.


    A long, black stone-studded gown cascaded down the woman’s frame, shimmering under the moonlight.


    Alicia’s eyes widened in horror, her heart hammering wildly in her chest.


    She felt as if she were staring at a snake—coiled, dangerous, ready to strike.


    It was Rose.