Chapter 3
1072 Words
"You've grown so beautiful," the woman cried, hugging Sarah close. "I've looked for you for years... I-I thought I would never see you again."
When her emotions calmed down a bit, she pulled back and wiped the tears on her cheeks. "Where's the necklace father gave you?" she asked.
Sister Anne immediately spoke before the child could reply, "The necklace was stolen years ago, I'm afraid. We had a break-in, and several valuable items were taken." The lie flowed easily from her lips.
"It's alright," the woman's face softened. "That necklace is old anyway. I'll get my daughter new jewelry, the finest pieces that everyone would envy."
The woman turned to the child. "Let's go home, Sarah. We'll have a flight to the US first thing in the morning."
"We should get her things," Sister Anne said, "her clothes and—"
"No. She needs nothing from here. I want to give her a fresh start, a new life." She brushed Sarah's hair tenderly and continued, "Everything in this place would only remind her of... difficult times. We'll buy her a whole new wardrobe."
"Thank you for everything, Sister. The money... use it well. Help other children find their way."
Sister Anne watched as the guards escorted them to the Rolls-Royce. Sarah glanced back once, her face still puzzled, but there was a smile on her lips. Sister Anne forced herself to smile back, even as her heart crumbled.
The engine purred to life, and the expensive car rolled down the driveway, taking with it a child who wasn't who she claimed to be, leaving behind a secret that would haunt Sister Anne forever.
She felt guilt weighing on her chest. But she set that feeling aside and told herself it was for the best. Sarah would have everything she deserved—wealth, education, love.
"Forgive me, my daughter," she whispered, watching the car until it disappeared from view. Tears drifted down her cheeks.
—
Olivia settled into her new home with the Hilton family, but it didn't feel like home at all. It felt like walking into someone else's life.
Mrs. Hilton insisted on dressing her in Caroline's old clothes. Beautiful dresses that were too big for her thin frame, shoes that were two sizes bigger than her shoe size.
The worst part was her hair. Every morning, Mrs. Hilton would brush Olivia's long dark hair until it shone, then braid it exactly the way Caroline liked.
"Caroline," they would call her sometimes, especially when they weren't really looking at her. "Caroline, sit up straight." "Caroline, remember your manners."
Each time they said that name, she wanted to remind them that she was Olivia, that Caroline was gone. But She couldn't voice her thoughts, she couldn't complain. After all, she was indebted to them for saving her from the orphanage that had cruelly treated her for years.
"Clayton Bradford will be coming tonight," Mr. Hilton said while they were having lunch. Olivia's temples scrunched into a frown. It was the first time she had heard the name.
Mrs. Hilton dabbed her mouth with a napkin. "Clayton is from one of the most prestigious families in the country. His father Grey Bradford is a wealthy businessman. His mother Lily Bradford owns a chain of hotels and restaurants worldwide. Clayton and Caroline were arranged to get married. Clayton liked Caroline a lot.”
"He's eighteen now," Mr. Hilton added, his voice carrying a note of pride. "Already running several of his family's businesses. But I heard he's trying to convince his father to join the military."
Mr. Hilton turned to his wife. "Is it okay for him to meet Olivia?"
Mrs. Hilton shrugged. "Why not? Olivia's going to be his wife anyway when she turns a rightful age."
Olivia dropped her spoon. But her adoptive parents didn't seem to notice. Four years. Her future husband was four years older than her. And he had been in love with Caroline.
Olivia pushed her food around the plate, no longer hungry. "May I be excused?" she asked politely.
Her adoptive mother lifted a hand, signaling she could leave and didn't even look at her.
Olivia slowly made her way out of the dining area. When she was out of sight she dashed into her room.
In the hallway, a deep voice called out, "Caroline!"
Olivia looked at the man and swore he was the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on. Her fourteen-year-old heart was jolted for the very first time."
"I thought I would never see you again." The longing in his voice was evident when he pulled her into his arms. His chest was warm against her cheek, and she could hear his heart beating fast. This was how it felt to be held by someone who loved you, she thought.
But the beautiful moment shattered when she lifted her face. Clayton's dark eyes met hers and his arms dropped away as if she burned him.
The hate in his eyes was something she hadn't seen on anyone before. Not even on Asher while he pinned her back with his knee or on Sarah while she hold her head in the dirty puddle
"I-I'm sorry," she whispered, looking down on the floor.
Clayton's hands, which had held her so tenderly moments ago thinking she was Caroline, were now balled into fists at his sides. "Who are you?" he demanded.
"Olivia," she answered softly. "The Hiltons adopted me from Saint Therese Orphanage."
A harsh laugh escaped his throat "Caroline's been gone barely a year and they've already found someone to take her place?"
"Look at me," He commanded. When she didn't, his hand caught her chin, forcing her face up. His touch wasn't gentle anymore. "Those eyes..." he muttered. "Caroline had the most beautiful brown eyes I'd ever seen. But you... what are you? Some kind of freak? You are crazy if you think you could ever replace her.”
He straightened his jacket and walked past her as if she were invisible.
Olivia waited until his footsteps faded before she ran to her room - no, Caroline's room. Everything in it still belonged to her, the room, the clothes and shoes, and even Clayton, her future husband.
She removed Caroline's too-big clothes and changed back into her pink patched dress. She slumped onto the floor and cried.
Somewhere in her heart, she knew this was just the beginning of her nightmare.
- Writer
