The Hypnotized Stand-In Has Awakened—the True Heiress Is Terrified Chapter 16

The Hypnotized Stand-In Has Awakened—the True Heiress Is Terrified Chapter 16

The engagement banquet went on. As if nothing absurd had 

just happened. 

Adrian held my hand and led me to the terrace. 

The night wind carried away the noise from the banquet hall. 

He looked down at me. “Did it scare you?” 

I shook my head. “No.” 

Just a little dazed, I guess. 

Blair used to love saying this one thing. “Elise, someone like 

you was born to be stepped on by me.” 

Back then, she used hypnotic manipulation on me. 

She made me hate my own face. Hate my own body. Hate being 

liked by anyone. 

She crushed my self respect piece by piece. 

Then smiled and told me, “See? Without me, no one else 

would ever want you.” 

But now she had finally become the one being controlled. 

The one reduced to a puppet that could no longer even decide when to speak or stay silent. 

Adrian tightened his grip on my hand. “What’s on your 

mind?” 

I looked toward the distant city lights. 

“I was thinking… that karma really does come around.” 

He said softly, “Mm.” 

I turned to look at him. “Adrian. I used to think fate was 

terrifying.” 

“That it had already written who gets to be the lead, who’s just the side character. / Who gets to be loved. Who gets to die.” 

“But then I learned the truth.” I paused. “Anything fate writes down… can be torn up.” 

Adrian looked at me, his gaze deep and steady. “And now?” 

I smiled. “Now I write it myself.” 

He lowered his head and gently kissed my forehead. 

“Alright. Then I’ll hold the pen with you.” 

The night was gentle, the city lights shining bright. 

And I knew–my story was only just beginning.