I slammed the door shut behind me, my chest burning with fury. My room felt colder than usual, but maybe it was my gut twisting violently.
I didn't want to believe it.
"Please be wrong" I whispered silently.
Rushing to the bed, I grabbed the book and flipped through its pages frantically. My fingers trembled as I scanned line after line, searching for confirmation… or denial.
And then I saw it.
The words blurred for a second before sharpening:
'Rachel entered Sofia's room with a tray, containing a steaming bowl of chicken soup. She smiled sweetly, though her eyes glinted with something darker. "This will help your stomach," she said gently, placing the bowl on the table. Sofia hesitated, having the feeling that it was probably poisoned. Still, she lifted the spoon. What did it matter anymore? Life was miserable, but death might be kinder.
Rachel had whispered it so many times, gently nudging her toward the edge. And Sofia, exhausted, simply obeyed. Perhaps it would be easier to sleep forever than live like this.'
I let out a ragged breath at the horror. And before I realized it, a tear slipped down my cheek.
Damn it.
I swiped it away angrily. I hadn't read this far before. I hadn't known Rachel was this… demonic. 'Sweet, beautiful' Rachel. The one everyone adored, was slowly killing her sister.
You heartless witch.
My mind raced, connecting the dots. Elise must have died during those two days she was locked in her room. And on the plane… that moment when the words of the novel shifted and began narrating what was happening to me in real time…
Fuck.
It hadn't been just me. It had been Elise too.
Both of our worlds had collided, synced, preparing for the swap.
But why me? Out of all the readers of this cursed book, why drag me into this hell?
What twisted cosmic lottery had chosen Sofia Powell to resurrect a dead girl's body?
And if Elise was gone… then what the hell was I? Borrowed flesh? A glitch?
I gripped the book tighter. So many questions. My head and heart hurt.
But one thing was certain: Rachel wouldn't stop. Now that she knew her first attempt had failed, she'd come at me again.
I snapped the book shut just as the door banged open.
Ashley. Of course.
She leaned against the doorframe with her usual smugness. "Hey crazy bitch. Mom said today's your lucky day. No punishments."
I smiled. "Aw. Lucky me. Should I go buy a lottery ticket?"
She scowled at my sarcasm and tossed a crumpled dress and cheap-looking body spray onto the floor. "Wear that. Mom wants you looking halfway presentable at dinner. We're having important guests tonight. Don't embarrass us."
I arched a brow and glanced at the dress. "Guests? What, your imaginary friends finally RSVP'd?"
Her nostrils flared. "Just shut up and do as you're told. If you behave, maybe you'll get through the night without crying."
"Please," I said dryly. "The day I cry over you is the day pigs run for president."
Ashley stomped out, muttering curses under her breath.
I picked up the dress with two fingers, wrinkling my nose. Dinner with 'important guests,' huh…
Judith actually wanted me to look presentable? For who? The Queen of England? Nah, too classy.
I needed answers. And only one way to find out.
I headed straight to the kitchen, and sure enough, Mami was bent over the counter, preparing several side dishes.
"Mami" I whispered, stepping closer.
She looked up, her face lighting with relief. "Oh dear. Careful."
I hopped on a stool and began helping her clean the glasses. "So, who's the big guest?"
"Shhhh. Lower your voice," she whispered, glancing at the door. "It's a newly elected senator and his wife. Zach Buble or something. Your father does business with him. And Judith wants everything to be perfect tonight."
Senator Bubley. I remembered him becoming the sitting governor of New York. In 2025, obviously.
"Super perfect?" I repeated, genuinely confused. "Is he giving Dad a big ass loan or some'?"
"She hopes to match his daughter with Matt." She said, shaking her head. "Poor girl doesn't know what she's walking into."
I snorted. "Matt? He couldn't charm a rock if he tried."
Mami tried to hide a smile. "That's not all. The senator is a man of taste. He loves good food, and his wife used to be a popular, well-known chef. So now, Judith wants to impress them by claiming she made tonight's dinner."
I nearly fell off my stool. "Her? Cooking? What a shark."
Mami just sighed, trashing the empty juice packs.
I leaned on the counter, a smile tugging at my lips. Interesting.
So, wanna play chef now, do we?
My fingers drummed the counter as a sinister plan began taking shape in my mind.
"Mami, do you happen to have any peaches lying around this kitchen?" I asked innocently, stepping down from the stool.
Mami whipped her head around so hard and looked at me like I had just called for her death. "What do you need peaches for, child?! Have you forgotten you are allergic to them?"
No, I hadn't forgotten. I remembered very well that Elise was allergic to peaches, and Ashley would usually use them to torment her.
I gently patted Mami's hand. "Don't worry, I'm not eating them. I just need them for a little project I'm working on."
She looked at me suspiciously, narrowing her eyes. Then she shook her head. "They're finished."
Liar.
"I happened to see them in your room earlier, Mami."
She sighed, defeated. "I keep them there to control who uses them in this house, Sofia."
"I know. And I love love lovee you for that, Mami. But I really need them. Pretty please?" I gave her my best puppy face.
And she caved. "Okay. Fine. Don't forget to wear gloves."
"Please don't tell anyone I took the peaches." I kissed her on the cheek and proceeded to leave, when I remembered something.
"Do you happen to also have beetroot?"
Mami looked up. "Um… Yes, dear."
I smiled. Perfect.