- 4.
“I overheard my foster parents saying they
deliberately switched the babies!” Her voice
was shrill, hoarse, laced with the desperation
of a shattered dream. Honestly, she sounded
more genuine now.
Mom sidles up to me, whispering, “When did
you call your dad? I didn’t even see you!”
I stare at her like she’s got two heads. “How
could I? I’ve been with you the whole time!
Besides, he wouldn’t have had time to fake it
in just a few minutes, would he?”
Mom nods slowly. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“Is this what they call a marriage telepathy?”
“Someone must have switched the hair
samples!” Sarah glares at me, her eyes
blazing.
“It was you, wasn’t it! You didn’t want to give
L
up your fancy life and your fiancé, so you
swapped our hair! You’re a snake! Just like
your real parents, you’re lazy and only want to
steal what others have worked for! Trash,
disgusting, evil!”
She raises her hand to slap me.
But someone grabs her wrist, and whether it’s
from the force or because she’s a drama
queen, she stumbles and falls to the floor.
It’s my so–called fiancé, Ethan Hayes.
Dad glares at him. “What are you doing
here?”
Ethan smiles politely. “Uncle, didn’t you invite
me?”
r
All charm and humility, but Dad’s never liked
him.
Apparently, Mom and Ethan’s dad used to
date back in the day, and after a messy
breakup based on some misunderstanding,
Ethan’s dad was heartbroken and insisted on
a marriage pact between our families.
Dad wasn’t thrilled but had to agree because
of Mom.
When my older brother was born, Dad was
ecstatic.
He set off fireworks for three days straight.
Then, I came along the next year.
Г
Since then, he’s been scheming to make
Mom dislike Ethan’s dad to break off the
engagement.
He never succeeded, and as Ethan got older,
Dad started hating him by association.
So, I highly doubt Dad invited Ethan.
Ethan, smooth as ever, explains, “A few days
ago, Uncle invited me to discuss the
engagement. He said there was a mix–up
with the babies and asked if I wanted to call
off the engagement or swap partners.”
“I was on a business trip out of state, but as
soon as I got back today, I rushed right over.”
“Hmph! The DNA results came out today, so
لصنطل ببصبملم مط/١٨ بيحصل صبي المصطحبيص
<
you showed up today. Who do you think.
you’re fooling?” Dad grumbles.
Clearly, Ethan outsmarted him again.
I mentally applaud Ethan, the master
manipulator.
Sarah throws herself at him. “Ethan, I’m
supposed to be your fiancée. I’m the Hayes‘
daughter.”
“Are you here to defend me?”
Ethan smiles gently, but his tone is firm.
“You can say a lot of things, but that is
ridiculous.” In one fell swoop, he turns the
tables, grabs her arm, and helps her back to
the floor.
く
Then, he stands next to me.
“Ashley, this is too much. How about you
come back to my place for a few days so you
can relax and clear your head?”
Dad’s the first to jump in. “You think I’m
stupid or something! Why would she go to your house? The DNA results are back, what do you want to do, huh? If you want to take a
fake one, go ahead, don’t mess with my
daughter!”
“I don’t believe it! I want another DNA test!”
Sarah screams from the floor.
