They Poisoned My Voice So She Could Steal My Future, Not Knowing I Already Chose a Different One Chapter 04

They Poisoned My Voice So She Could Steal My Future, Not Knowing I Already Chose a Different One Chapter 04

If there was only one egg, Mom would crack it into Sophia’s bowl.

When I asked why, she’d say, “You’re the older sister. You have to give in to her.”

I’d bring home an award for being first in my class, and Dad would just nod. “Don’t get a big head. Now go help your sister with her homework.”

No matter how hard I tried, they took me for granted. My only purpose was to help Sophia.

I was disappointed again and again, but then they’d give me an extra slice of meat or a small smile, and I’d think, they do love me.

Clinging to that occasional flicker of hope, I studied like a demon and got into a good university.

I thought I could finally leave.

But on the day I had to submit my application, they locked me in my room.

My parents, both nearly fifty years old, pleaded with me desperately, their voices cracking. “Please, Emily. Just three more years. Reapply and get into Blackwood. Do it for your sister’s dream!”

Seeing their gray hair and the desperation in their eyes, my heart softened.

I repeated my senior year for three years. Three years of my youth for that acceptance letter. It was all a setup for my sister. And then they drugged me and sold me into the mountains.

They never loved me. I was just a stepping stone for Sophia’s bright future. Once used, I was meant to be thrown into this dark cellar to rot.

My arm still hurt, but my heart was already numb.

You were right, Sophia.

Your new life is about to begin. But not on a college campus. It begins in a federal courtroom, at the defendant’s table.

I touched the warm metal button at my waist. Ten hours. The Federal Security teams should be in the mountains by now.

“Enjoy your last twenty-four hours, Sophia.”

The next day at noon, the cellar door was kicked open.

I had a high fever all night, my body burning like hot coal. My vision was blurry, but I forced myself to stay awake.

Buck stood at the top of the ladder, holding a cheap red polyester dress that smelled of mothballs. He had a hungry, impatient look. “Put this on. Tonight, you’re mine.”

He threw it at me. I didn’t move. I just stared at him, my throat useless, and spat on the floor.

Buck froze for a second, then grinned. “Oh, you got a little fire, do ya? I like that even more.”

He climbed down and lunged for me, his rough hands grabbing for my shirt.

I rolled to the side, grabbed a piece of a shattered ceramic coffee mug from the dirt floor, and pressed it against my own throat. The sharp edge instantly cut my skin, and blood beaded up.

Buck stopped. He cursed, but didn’t come any closer.

His phone rang. It was a video call from my father.

Buck answered with a scowl, holding the phone up with one hand while trying to hold me down with the other. “What? I’m busy!”

On the screen, my father’s voice was shaking with excitement. “Buck! Show Emily this! Sophia’s about to walk through the main gate!”

Sophia, holding the acceptance letter, approached the first security checkpoint. The guard checked the letter’s hologram and let her through.

She grinned and flashed a peace sign at the camera.

Just as Buck’s hand snaked under my torn shirt, Sophia’s eye was scanned.

A piercing alarm blared from the phone.

“Warning! Iris scan failed!”

“Warning! Fingerprints do not match!”

“Anomaly! Identity fraud detected!”

“Maximum security protocol activated! Lockdown in progress!”