My sister wants to take my place.

After being killed by my sister, I could only watch as she wore my face and stepped over my corpse to return to my husband.

She copied my voice, stole my habits, and forced herself into my life.

But the moment Adrian came home, his brief hesitation cut through her manufactured perfection like a blade.

I realized he had already sensed something was wrong.

And my sister had no ideashe was about to face a man far more terrifying than she ever imagined.

Today is the day Adrian Hawthorne returns from overseas.

Hes been out of the country for over two months, and Ive already been dead for a week.

My sister, Faye Dawson, nervously stood as Adrian entered the house.

Adrian, have you had dinner yet? I had the housekeeper make your favoritepumpkin soup.

This shouldve been their first time meeting.

Yet Adrian didnt seem to notice that his wife had been swapped.

Faye had really done italtered herself from head to toe to look exactly like me.

Adrian handed his suitcase to one of the staff and rubbed his temples. Ill have a bowl.

Faye smiled, perfectly mimicking my gestures and mannerisms, exactly as shed seen on hidden camera footage.

Following behind Adrian, she entered the dining room. Mrs. Jenkins, get a bowl of pumpkin soup for Mr. Hawthorne.

Adrian glanced at her briefly.

Though there were plenty of staff, I had always preferred to do things myself.

I never felt comfortable ordering people around, even though Id been living in Harbor City for almost two years now.

Before I married Adrian, I lived in a quiet rural town in South Carolina.

And truth be told, Faye was supposed to be the one marrying Adrian.

The Dawsons and Hawthornes had been close for generations. The Hawthorne family was second in influence in Harbor Citynobody dared claim first.

Years ago, our grandfathers had arranged for a marriage between Adrian and Faye.

But after both passed away, Adrians family was betrayed in the business world.

Adrians father, in a last-ditch effort, tried to revive the old engagement, hoping the Dawsons would come to the rescue.

But my father had already been courted by other powerful players, ready to divide Hawthorne Holdings, caring little for past loyalties.

The Hawthornes went bankrupt. Adrians father died shortly after, and his mother vanished from Harbor City with Adrian and their butler.

Two years ago, Adrian returned with Hawthorne Holdings, crushing every major player in the city.

Anyone who had wronged the Hawthornes wasnt sparedeither left buried in debt or sent to prison.

Businessmen quietly thanked their stars that this was happening domestically. Adrians ruthless reputation abroad was notorious.

By the time the Dawsons were nearly bankrupt from Adrians moves, my father remembered the old marriage agreement.

Faye, fearing Adrians wrath, begged me to take her place and marry him instead.

My father, like many businessmen, was deeply superstitious.

On the day Faye was born, my father landed a major deal, one that propelled the Dawson family to new heights.

But on the day I was born, the deal went sour, and the Dawson family lost half its fortune.

He believed Faye brought him luck, while I brought him ruin.

If it hadnt been for my grandfather, who fought to keep me alive, Im certain my father wouldve drowned me at birth.

Instead, he told everyone I was ill and sent me overseas to recuperate.

The truth? I was abandoned in a small southern town, raised by a blind widow.

Fayes name symbolized peace and safety, while my father named me Early Death. He hoped I would die young and not curse the familys fortune.

The widow, who cared for me, pitied me and secretly changed my name to Elara.

Though I escaped an early death, I still ended up dying young.

Faye snapped back to reality and spoke softly, Ive been feeling lightheaded lately. I was afraid I might drop the bowl.

Adrian stared at her for a moment.

Faye swallowed hard. I saw the flash of panic in her eyes.

How ironic.

The night she stabbed me in the heart, she twisted the knife, just to make sure I didnt survive.

Now, she was pretending to be weak.

Faye quickly changed her mind, Ill get it for you.

Adrian looked away and walked into the dining room. No need. If youre unwell, you should rest.

I froze for a moment. In two years of marriage, hed never told me to rest. Now, after Im dead, I hear it for the first time.

Its odd, though. Despite my frail health when I first arrived at the Hawthorne mansion, I didnt get sick much in the last year.

Two years of sharing a bed, and I finally mustered the courage to whisper his name in his ear.

I wanted him to go to the Dawson mansion and get me out of there.

Grandma Dawson had passed away, leaving me with no one to care for.

Though I was furious about how I died, living had also felt exhausting.

The freezer was coldtoo cold for me. Id always had poor circulation, and I just wanted a warm, sunny place to rest.

And when I overheard them talking about dismembering my body, I was terrified.

If I died in pieces, Id rather have been drowned as a baby, at least then I wouldve been whole.

Id rather be burned to ash and have my body intact in death.

Unfortunately, Adrian didnt react. He just picked up the bowl and started eating. I heard youve been going out a lot recently?

Hearing him ask that, I brightened a little.

I knew no one in Harbor City aside from the Dawsons.

On my wedding day, my parents had told me that if I didnt want Grandma Dawson to lose her medicine, I should do everything I could to please Adrian Hawthorne. As long as the Dawson family remained stable, the medication wouldnt stop.

Once married off, I was told not to return.

So after moving into the Hawthorne mansion, aside from an occasional trip to the grocery store, I hardly ever left the house.

No wonder Adrian thought it strange.

Faye replied sweetly, The weathers been unpredictable lately. My parents got sick, so I went to visit them.

Her mention of our parents reminded me of the night she tried to kill me.

I fought back with all I had.

But my mother, worried Id hurt Faye, joined my father in holding me down.

In that moment, all the strength left my body, and I let the knife sink into my heart.

Adrian didnt say much. Better to go out than sit at home bored, he commented indifferently.

I felt defeated.

Adrian, so cautious and suspicious by nature, hadnt noticed anything strange.

And now he was saying things to Faye hed never said to me.

On our wedding day, my parents had smiled apologetically at Adrian, telling him that I was to repay the Dawson familys debts.

He could do whatever he wanted with meI was at his mercy. The Dawsons wouldnt complain.

Adrian hadnt treated me as an outlet for his frustrations, but he was distant and cold.

After the soup, the two of them headed to the bedroom.

Faye sat expectantly on the bed, watching Adrian as he finished getting ready.

Just as he leaned down toward her, his phone rang.

He answered the call, quickly dressed, and left.

I wasnt surprisedhe was probably going to deal with some urgent business at the company.

Faye looked disappointed but smiled when he turned back.

Youre wearing too much perfume. I liked it better before, he commented before walking out the door.

Faye froze, then quickly lifted her arm to sniff herself, confused when she didnt smell anything.

Faye hurriedly called Mrs. Jenkins into the bedroom.

Can you smell perfume on me?

Mrs. Jenkins leaned close, sniffing Fayes arms and neck. No, I only smell your shampoo.

Faye frowned, pacing back and forth. When you worked for Elara, what did she smell like?

Mrs. Jenkins thought for a moment. She didnt wear perfume. She never used any of the bottles in her cabinet. Honestly, she smelled of nothinglike she didnt care to enjoy life.

Mrs. Jenkins had been hired by my mother six months ago, supposedly to help me with herbal broths since I hadnt conceived.

I was thrilled by my parents sudden care for me.

Even though Mrs. Jenkins never cooked for me, it filled me with hope that maybe, just maybe, my parents had started to care.

But I later learned that from the moment Mrs. Jenkins stepped into the house, she was part of the plan.

Her real job was to observe my habits and secretly film me, so Faye could perfect her impersonation.

Faye smirked at Mrs. Jenkins remarks. Not just unluckyshe was doomed from the start.

Mrs. Jenkins seemed puzzled. Doomed?

Fayes smirk faltered for a moment before she recovered and delivered her rehearsed line.

She was always sick. The old widow who raised her was constantly begging my parents for more money to take her to the doctor.

All that woman ever did was ask us for money. A beggar raising another beggar! Elara was so pathetic, trying to do everything herself. No wonder she couldnt even manage the house staff.

I lunged at Faye, throwing punches and kicks, but my fists went right through her.

The Dawsons had only sent money for the first few years, and after that, Grandma Dawson paid for everything herself, collecting scraps to raise me.

They only remembered me when they needed someone to take the fall.

Mrs. Jenkins suggested, Why dont you wash your hair again? Maybe its leftover shampoo from your place that hasnt worn off yet.

Elara wasnt picky about these things. She just used whatever Hawthorne Holdings provided. She wasnt nearly as particular as you are.

Faye pursed her lips, irritated. I wash my hair every daywhy isnt it gone yet? Ill wash it again later.

Faye sent Mrs. Jenkins out of the room and then dialed a number.

Master Evans, have you trapped Elaras ghost like you promised?

I hovered near the phone, listening to the reply on the other end.

Dont worry, Ive bound her soul to the amulet. She wont even have a chance to reincarnate!

I rolled my eyes as I floated around the room.

Master or not, the man had no spine. He sounded more like a salesman desperate to keep his business.

Adrian didnt return for several days.

Faye waited anxiously until 8 p.m., her favorite dishes laid out on the table.

I licked my lips at the sight.

Its not that Adrian and I had no common groundwhen it came to food, we had identical tastes.

Faye picked at some vegetables and a piece of meat before setting down her fork.

She was always strict about maintaining her figure. Her daily intake wouldnt even match one of my meals.

Not only did she care about how food was prepared, she never ate after 6 p.m.

Grandma Dawson used to say, If you can eat, its a blessing. I never held back at mealtime.

Mrs. Collins made the best honey garlic chicken. I was practically drooling, and it hurt to think that Faye had no idea what she was missing.

Adrian paused, glancing at Faye. You dont like the food?

Faye smiled sweetly. I havent had much of an appetite lately.

Adrian watched her for a long moment before replying, The housekeeper said your appetite has been much better while I was away. Funny how it disappeared once I got home.

Faye quickly shook her head. Ive been feeling a bit offprobably from the heat.

Adrian looked down for a second before replying, Lightheadedness, lack of appetite well have you checked out tomorrow.

Faye instinctively wanted to refuse, but in the end, she smiled and agreed.

She probably figured that as long as it wasnt a plastic surgeon, she had nothing to worry about.

After all, only three people knew what really happened to me.

Hawthorne Holdings owns several hospitals, and whenever I got sick, Id go there for treatment and bill it to Adrian.

I was shocked when Adrian went with Faye for a checkup.

The doctor handed Adrian the report. Mr. Hawthorne, this is Mrs. Hawthornes full medical report. Shes in excellent health.

I remember when she first came here two years ago, she had several vitamin deficiencies, but everything seems normal now. Looks like shes been taking her supplements regularly.

Back when I first married into the family, I was constantly getting sick. The doctor recommended a full-body checkup.

It turned out my poor health was due to malnutrition, so the hospital prescribed all sorts of supplements to help.

But taking medicine for so long wasnt my thing, so after feeling better, I stopped.

Whether the medicine had worked or not, I wasnt surebut now they were looking at a healthy Faye, who had always been pampered and well-fed.

Adrian flipped through the report casually, but then his hand paused as he turned the page.

I was about to float over to take a peek, but he quickly flipped to the back.

After reading it, he asked, These symptomsarent they usually linked to pregnancy?

I nearly choked in shock. Even though he wasnt talking about me, he knew I had always taken birth control.

Besides, with my poor circulation and chronic weakness, getting pregnant was never in the cards.

The doctor shook his head. Its been a hot summer. A lot of people are feeling off. Ill prescribe some peppermint tea for Mrs. Hawthorne. Shell feel better after finishing a box.

Adrian stared down at the report, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Faye, noticing the conversation between Adrian and the doctor, felt uneasy.

After grabbing her prescription from the nurse, she hurried over to interrupt. Adrian, is there something wrong with me?