Chapter 2
What a conniving bitch Willow is, Eliana thought, her stomach twisting at Willow’s theatrics. Every word out of Willow’s mouth was carefully calculated to drive a wedge between Eliana and the Garcias,
In her past life, she’d fallen for it–hook, line, and sinker. Out of guilt and gratitude, she’d stayed. But this time? Not a chance. Sure, she’d repay the Garcias for raising her, but she wasn’t sticking around to play the fool again.
Eliana pulled her hand free from Willow’s grasp with a calm, deliberate motion, subtly wiping it on her sleeve like she’d just touched something unpleasant.
Her voice was steady, almost casual, as she said, “Mom, Dad, I’ve been thinking. Now that your real daughter’s back, it only makes sense for me to find my birth parents.”
Andy and Victoria exchanged a look. Their expressions wavered, torn between affection for Eliana and guilt over the truth. They had raised her for so many years–she’d been a wonderful daughter, no doubt–bur Willow! Willow was their flesh and blood, their real daughter, and she had endured so much hardship on her own.
Willow take her rightful place in the family, moving into the house while Eliana transitioned to dorm life once
That was why they’d agreed to let W school started.
So when Eliana said she wanted to search for her birth parents, it didn’t seem unreasonable.
Eliana pressed on before they could respond, her tone cool but polite. You both have done so much for me all these years. I’m forever grateful. Let me at least thank you properly.” She bent forward into a bow, the gesture graceful and sincere.
“Hey, hey, not That’s too much!” Andy blurted, rushing to stop her. He grabbed her shoulders, pulling her upright. “We’d never expect that from you, Eliana You’ll always be special to us. And if finding your birth parents is what you really want, well… we’ll support you.”
Victoria nodded, her smile a little strained, “Yes, dear. Whatever makes you happy. You’ll always have a place here.”
Meanwhile, Willow’s smile faltered for just a second, panic flashing in her eyes. She’s leaving? No way. If this beat really walks out, who am I supposed to destroy? How can I take revenge if she’s not around? she thought
“Wait! Mom, Dad, we can’t let her leave!” Willow’s voice rang out, high–pitched and urgent. “I, uh, did some digging before I came back. Elana’s biological family? They’re a mess!
“Her dad’s a total gambler, her mom’s well, she’s not exactly, you know, educated, and she’s got a bit of a rough edge. People in their neighborhood say some pretty awful stuff about them. Oh, and she’s got a brother–he’s, uh, a thirty–year–old bachelor who still lives with his parents.”
Willow turned her wide, innocent eyes toward the Garcias. “If Eliana goes to them, she’ll be walking straight into a nightmare?”
Eliana froze, a wave of disbelief washing over her. She had no idea her birth parents were like that. But Willow–of course–seemed to know every detail, like she’d done a deep dive into her life.
The more Willow spoke, the more it was clear she was trying to trap Eliana here, to keep her locked in this twisted game of manipulation. But Eliana wasn’t playing anymore. She had no interest in feeding into Willow’s pe
‘s petty games. She just wanted to live her life, free from the drama.
““I don’t mind,” Eliana said, her tone calm and steady. “They’re my family by blood, after all. It doesn’t matter if they’re poor or not. Unless…” She thed her head, letting her gaze sharpen on Willow. “Unless that’s why you came back. You found out Mom and Dad are loaded and you couldn’t want to trade places?”
Willow’s face blanched for a split second before she scrambled for composure. “N–no, of course not! I would never do that! Eliana, how could you even think that? Mom, Dad, you believe me, don’t you?” She shot them a look that could’ve won her an Oscar for Most Innocent Daughter.
Victoria was quick to soothe her. “Oh, sweetheart, of course we believe you. Eliana’s just upset and confused; she didn’t mean anything by it.” “Yes, yes,” Andy chimed in, throwing Eliana a warning look. “Eliana, don’t jump to conclusions. Willow didn’t even know about our finances when
she came back
Elana fought the urge to roll her eyes. Only someone as gullible as Andy and Victoria would fall for Willow’s wide–eyed act
The truth was as clear as day to her Willow knew exactly how wealday the Garcias were. That’s why she came barreling back into their lives without a second thought
But it wasn’t just about the money–no, it was about her, Willow wasn’t just here to claim her place; she was here to ruin Eliana’s life piece by piece And Willow had the ultimate cheat code she’d traveled back in time.
1/1
10.25 PM c d
Chapter 2
Thana clenched her fists but forced her face to remain neutral. She wanted to scream the truth, to expose Willow for the vindictive, manipulative snake she was. But what good would that do? No one would believe her. They’d chalk it up to her recent accident and say she was “confused” or delusional
After a beat, Eliana exhaled slowly, regaining her composure. “Mom, Dad, she said, her tone calm but resolute, “this isn’t about running away. about doing what’s right.
“My birth parents deserve to know 1 exist, don’t they? No matter what kind of people they are, I should at least meet them. And now that you have your real daughter back, it’s only fair I look for my own roots,”
Willow’s face twitched, and she opened her mouth to argue, but Eliana’s reasoning was airtight, that she couldn’t find the words to stop her.
Andy and Victoria exchanged a glance, then nodded slowly. “Alright, Eliana, Andy said reluctantly. “If that’s what you’ve decided, we’ll respect it. But remember, you’ll always be part of this family. Our door will always be open for you”
Eliana felt a pang in her chest. She could see the sincerity in their eyes, and for a brief moment, she almost reconsidered. But she knew better. It wouldn’t be long before Willow had them fully convinced that she was the selfish, ungrateful imposter. Better to leave now while the memories were still sweet.
Thank you” she said softly. “For everything. I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me.”
The decision made, Eliana wasted no time packing up what little she had Andy and Victoria, wanting to help, used Willow’s conveniently detailed information to track down her birth parents‘ address.
They offered to drive her all the way there, but Eliana declined. After some convincing, she agreed to let them drop her off at the train station instead
Willow watched them leave, her stomach in knots. Something felt off–this wasn’t how it was supposed to go. She had expected Eliana to hesitate, to waver, maybe even beg to stay. But this time, Eliana seemed resolute, determined.
Willow clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought the rising panic. But then a thought strack her, and her lips curved into a sly smile.
Go ahead, leave, she thought smugly. “You’ve lived in comfort your whole life. Let’s see how long you last in that dump of a household. You’ll be back, crawling on your knees, begging to return. And when you do.
She turned on her heel, her smirk widening. I’ll be ready.
Eliana arrived at the train station, the driver handing her a ticket along with a note that had a phone number and an address on it. “Safe travels, Miss Garcia, the driver said with a polite nad.
“Thank you,” Eliana replied, ticket in hand, and made her way inside.
Two hours later. Eliana stepped off the train in Bratora City. The unfamiliar hustle and bustle of the station hit her like a wave. She pulled out her phone, duling the number on the note.
The line clicked, and a man’s voice answered, “Hello?”
Eliana hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Hi, is this Tommy? I’m… the daughter of the Davis family. Could you come pick me up?”
There was silence on the other end, thick and uncomfortable, Just as she was aliout to repeat herself, the man spoke. Stay there. I’ll send a car for you”
Before she could even p
process what he’d said, the line went dead.
Eliana stared at her phone, battled. Wait…how does he even know where Lane‘ she wondered.
Shrugging off th
the weirdness, Eliana decided to grab a boule of water from a nearby convenience store to calm her nerves.
she walked out of the store, she glanced up–and froze. Two sleek Rolls–Royces rolled up to the curb, their polished exteriors glistening under
the afternoon sun.
A bodyguard in dark sunglasses stepped out of one of the cars, scanning the crowd with a professional air-
Eliana barely spared them a second glance, sipping her water as she walked by. No way those cars are for me, she thought. Willow had made it clear that her birth family was poor–dirt poor, as she’d put it. The idea that they’d send luxury cars to pick her up hadn’t even crossed her mind
She was mid–sip when the bodyguard approached her, his gaze fixed on a tables in his hand. He stopped right in front of her, looked up, and in one
Chapter 2
smooth motion, whipped off his sunglasses. His face broke into an unexpectedly bright smile.
“Miss Davis!” he exclaimed, voice brimming with excitement. I’m here to pick you up!”
Eliana froze, nearly choking on her water. She blinked, eyes wide. “Wait… you’re calling me what?”
