Six Years, One Big Lie

Hearing him echo Mom's words, I thought, to them, Sharon already paid the price. So I almost dying was just karma?

I dropped my gaze, letting the silence speak.

Chuck caught it. First time he looked at me like that—cold. "Yasmine, Coraline's getting old. Why the attitude?

"It's been six years. You took Sharon's life and ran with it for over twenty. You can't blame Coraline. Blood's blood. A mom never really lets go of her kid.

"Honestly, Sebastian and Coraline always owed Sharon. Remember that house in the suburbs they saved for her? I'll take them there this weekend. Call it a tribute. You don't have to come."

He made it sound like a choice, but it wasn't. I looked at them—Chuck, frosty. My parents? Dead quiet. But I got the message loud and clear. Say no, and I'm the villain.

"Alright. Go. She was your real daughter. I was part of the mess too. Makes sense to pay respects."

I said it cool, like I was fine.

Chuck lit up. "Knew you were the sweetest. Don't worry, I'll make your favorite before we head out."

Mom wiped her tears and pulled me in. "You always have a kind heart. Thank you—for Sharon. We're the ones who failed her."

Hot tears slid down my neck. I hid in her arms, shaking.

They claimed they wronged her, so that justified messing with my head for six years? They gaslit me so hard, I almost felt bad for Sharon.

Like maybe I deserved the knife.

But I didn't ask to be switched. That wasn't on me. And my real parents never tried to steal someone's kid.

Yeah, I lived a life that wasn't mine. But if Sharon had wanted it back, I would've walked away without a fight. I never wanted this mess.

So tell me—what exactly did I do to earn all that betrayal?

Pain stabbed my chest. I bolted to the bathroom, dry heaving. Chuck trailed right behind, patting my back, panicked.

"What's going on? You just had a check-up, right? What'd the doctor say? Is it your stomach? If something's wrong, we'll fix it. Don't ignore it."

His voice was soft, too soft. Worried—or worried I might be pregnant?

"Chuck," I said, steadying myself. "I'm pregnant."

I forced a sweet smile. "You're gonna be a dad. The doctor called it a miracle. Aren't you happy? We're finally having our own kid."

His smile dropped. He stared at me like I'd just confessed to murder.

"Yasmine, don't mess around. That's not funny. The doctor said you couldn't carry a baby."

His voice cracked. Eyes wide. Full-on panic.

This was my husband.

"I'm not joking. Aren't you happy?"

I held on, hoping.

Chuck straightened up, all serious. "Babe, the doctor said your body can't handle this. You need to end it. What if something happens to you?"