Ready? I Came Back for You!

The girl beside Alan suddenly burst into applause, cutting through the tension. She looped her arm through mine warmly.

"That's so impressive, making an entrance like that on our first meeting! I like you already! I'm Karen, Alan's sister."

So she was his sister.

I finally let out a quiet breath of relief.

Before I could speak, Alan had already taken a few long strides toward us. He knocked on Karen's head lightly.

"Mind your manners."

When he turned to me, his expression grew serious. He took out a small velvet box from inside his jacket.

"Grandpa said we have to exchange heirloom bracelets before the wedding."

Without thinking, I reached for my wrist and touched nothing but cold air.

My heart skipped. I had clearly been wearing it this morning. When had it disappeared?

When I looked up in panic, I ran straight into Alan's suddenly icy stare.

He stepped closer, lifted my chin with his fingers, and said in a low, dangerous voice, "According to the rumors, you've always been quiet and timid. But now… You're sharp in every way. I'm curious. Did your personality change, or are you a different person altogether?"

I backed away step by step, my throat tightening. I had no idea how to explain.

After you had died once, you wouldn't stay the same. If I didn't become strong, how would I ever take back the life that should've been mine?

Still, something like being reborn sounded insane. No normal person would believe it.

Just as I hit a dead end, the floating messages appeared again.

[She should just confess she's fake. Maybe she'll survive.]

[If she doesn't run now, she's going to be tortured by that freak!]

I clenched my dress and shook my head, taking a deep breath. "What are you talking about? I'm Tiffany. I can prove it!"

"Oh? And how exactly would you do that?"

My mind raced. Alan and I had never met before, so of course he wouldn't recognize me.

But his grandfather had met me. My parents once said he even held me on the day I was born.

"Your grandpa saw that I had a red birthmark on my chest when I was born, shaped as a blooming rose, and he really liked it."

I paused and swallowed my nerves.

"You'll know I'm Tiffany the moment you see it."

I let out a tense breath, suddenly realizing how ridiculous it felt to have to prove that I was myself.

Alan narrowed his eyes, the corner of his lips curving upward.

"Yeah, I've heard Grandpa mention that before."

He released my chin and casually straightened his cuff links.

"But offering to take your clothes off in front of everyone? That kind of openness is really something else."

My face went hot in an instant. "That's not what I meant!"

Before I could explain again, Leon's voice suddenly came from behind me.

"Mr. Palmer, there's no need to see the birthmark. This is the real Ms. Glisson! The bracelet proves it."

Leon placed his hand on Harmony's shoulder and pushed her forward gently. On her wrist was the matching heirloom bracelet.