Eight years passed. Both the Smith and the Carter families thrived. Our companies, once
mid–sized businesses, became major players in
the city. Ethan had been involved in the family
business since high school. The Smiths‘ prejudice against him had long since vanished.
Whenever they mentioned Ethan in business
circles, it was always with pride. Who needed
Jason when they had the impressive Ethan?
At Ethan’s eighteenth birthday party, he stood
beside me in a tailored suit, guests teasing our
parents about how perfect we looked together,
a match made in heaven. As the emcee
announced the evening’s program, a greasy-
haired man in shabby clothes burst into the
ballroom. Mr. Smith, preoccupied with his
speech notes, dismissed him without a second
glance. “Get him out of here. This isn’t a public
park.”
As security guards moved to restrain him, a desperate cry of “Dad!” shattered the festive
atmoonhorn Evory hood turned
<
atmosphere. Every head turned.
The man wrestled free, pushing back his greasy
hair to reveal a face that bore a striking
resemblance to Mr. Smith’s. “I’m your son! Who
the hell is this prick? Get him down from there!
He’s nothing!” Every other word was a curse.
The room bristled with disapproval.
He spotted me and lunged forward, his face
contorted with rage. “I’ll kill you, you bitch! This is all your fault!”
Ethan’s leg shot out, sending the man
sprawling. “If you have rabies, go to a hospital. Don’t make a scene here.”
As the standoff continued, a girl entered the room. It was Ashley, from my previous life. She helped the man–Jason–to his feet. “Mr. and Mrs. Smith, please, Jason’s just upset. We finally escaped that hellhole, he’s a little… overwhelmed. But he is your son. He’s been
<
trying to get back to you all these years. It’s not
too late.” She pointedly angled her body,
displaying the scars littering her arms, a
testament to their supposed hardship.
The party dissolved in awkwardness. The
Smiths could only offer apologetic smiles and
promises to discuss the matter later. Ethan,
whose birthday celebration had been ruined,
remained expressionless.
Back at the Smith residence, Jason plopped
down on the sofa, his greasy clothes staining
the upholstery, and put his feet up. He glared at
Ethan. “Get lost! I’m back now, he’s not needed
anymore.” His fingers, gnarled from years of manual labor, pointed at Ashley. “This is my
woman. She’s going to be your daughter–in- law. A few million for a welcome–back gift should do, and make sure the wedding is top-
notch.”
The Smiths exchanged uneasy glances. “Jason,
<
you just got back. We understand you’ve been through a lot, but these things take time.”
Jason’s once–handsome face was now gaunt and angular, his upturned eyes filled with malice. He spat on the floor. “Don’t play dumb. I know you favor him! He’s just a replacement! Don’t forget, I’m your son. Even if I die, I’m the only one who gets to perform your last rites. And as for Claire…” He turned to me, his voice
venomous. “That little bitch is the reason I
disappeared in the first place!”
I gasped, shrinking back behind Mrs. Smith,
tears welling up in my eyes. “I was so happy
you were back, Jason! And now you’re saying it
was my fault? Because I didn’t get kidnapped
with you? Is that why you blame me for
everything?”
To save my childhood friend, Jason, I became a
vegetable. The next year, he brought a girl,
Ashley, home to my parents and said, “She’s
got no one. She can take care of you guys
<
later.”
For ten years, I was trapped, watching Jason
and Ashley fall in love, watching Ashley inherit
everything my parents owned. The day I was
about to wake up, Jason yanked my oxygen
tube. “Figuring out a new identity for Ashley has
been a real pain,” he muttered. Then I knew it
was all his plan.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back to
the day Jason got into trouble. I froze. Jason
had a half–brother…
- 1.
“Hey kids, where do your folks work?”
Ten–year–old Jason puffed up like a peacock.
“My parents run the whole company! We’re,
like, super rich!” I heard those words, and it hit
–
me I was back.
894
The woman offered me candy. “How ‘bout you, sweetie? Loaded parents too?”
Before Jason could brag, I said, flat–out, “Nope.
My parents are regular people. Not rich like his.”
