I Took My Twin's Life

It was ten at night. Gideon stood outside "Sweet Delights", his heart racing with excitement. The baker handed him the expensive cake he had ordered for Elysa's birthday. "Your cake is ready, Gideon," the baker said with a smile. Gideon handed over his card to pay for the cake, maxing out his balance. He checked his phone, hoping to see a response from Elysa, but his message was still unread. He shrugged it off, thinking she might be busy. Two months ago, Elysa, his girlfriend said she wanted the cake from Sweet Delight for her birthday. A cake from them cost around 2000 dollars. A price tag that made Gideon stomach turn. Gideon thought she deserved it. She never nagged him for not hanging out, never blew up his phone. when he was working. Sometimes, though, he wished she would. Just to remind him that he was still her priority. That’s why he took extra shifts, picked up part-time jobs after school, all to scrape together enough to buy that cake for her. Tonight, the weight on his chest felt lighter knowing he was close to making it happen. As he stepped out into the pouring rain, he waited for a taxi, but none came. He decided to make his way to Elysa's house on foot. As he approached her house, he heard loud music and laughter. A knot formed in his stomach. He opened the door, and his heart sank. The room was filled with Elysa's friends, and they were having a blast. There, on the plush sofa under the dim neon glow, was Elysa sitting on Mark's lap Her dress, if you could call it that, was a thin, black scrap that plunged so low her cleavage glistened in the light, daring eyes to follow the curve of her breasts. The hem barely kissed her thighs, leaving smooth, pale skin bare for the whole room to see. She was curled up against Mark. Mark Carrington was the heir of Carrignston family and also attended the same school as Gideon and Elysa. Everyone knew him for being rich and arrogant. He was the kind of guy who thought money made him untouchable. His eyes flicked to the the rest of Elysa's friends present, but Mark didn’t care about them. He didn’t care about anyone. His lips twisted into a filthy grin as his hand slid under Elysa’s skirt. Gideon's chest tightened as he watched his fingers trace over the thin fabric of her panties, her breath catching in response. She tilted her head and wrapped her hands around his neck, her eyes locked on his, her smile dripping with lust. The world blurred for a second. His throat burned. Somehow, he managed to croak out her name. “Elysa…?” Her body stiffened. For a split second, shame flashed in her eyes. Then it was gone, replaced by fire. She stood abruptly. "What's going on here?" Gideon asked, his voice shaking with confusion and anger. "Of course, it's my birthday party," Elysa replied, her smile gleaming in the light. "But you said there wasn't going to be a party," Gideon said, his eyes narrowing. "Why are you on Mark's lap?" Gideon demanded, his heart racing. "Because he's my boyfriend," Elysa replied, his voice smug. Gideon's clenched his jaw, ready to explode, but before he could say a word, Mark’s voice interrupted. "Don't you feel guilty dating a beautiful woman like her without having money?" Elysa’s expression softened immediately. She tilted her head toward him, her lips parting in a coy pout. “Mark…” she breathed, dragging out his name slowly, almost like a moan. Then she pursed her lips, feigning a sulky look that stabbed me in the gut. “I told him that there won't be a birthday party and I didn't know he would come here,I don’t care about him—I just want to be with you tonight. I hope he's not ruining the atmosphere for us.” Mark chuckled, his eyes never leaving Gideon. “Ruin the atmosphere? No, sweetheart. This…” He pointed straight at Gideon, his grin widening into something cruel. “This makes it perfect.” Gideon's chest tightened as Mark slid his arm around her slender waist, pulling her close with a mocking smirk. "We were all friends, why did you two break our friendship by cheating behind me?" Gideon said, his eyes welling up with tears. "I was never in support of Elysa dating someone as filthy and poor as you, Gideon. It's good she broke up with you on time," Rose said, her eyes flashing with disdain. Gideon breathing grew ragged, fury boiling in his veins. He glared at the two of them, his voice breaking as he called out, “Elysa… I worked myself to the bone for you. I took jobs I didn’t even want, went into debt, just to give you what you asked for.” "I got you the cake you've always wanted," Gideon added, holding out the cake. "Cake?" She called out again. Her gaze met with Gideon, cold and unfeeling. “I don’t want scraps, I want a life worth living. Can you give me that?” She gestured at Mark with a proud smile. “Look at him. He’s a rich heir. He buys me phones, purses, makeup—without blinking. You? You’re a broke loser who can barely feed himself. Pathetic.” "Do you know what Mark got me for my birthday? A brand new car. When are you going to get at least a bicycle for yourself, talkless of buying a car for me?" Elysa laughed, her voice cold. "Elysa, you're the only thing I have in life. Please don't leave me. It's you and our baby inside you that's keeping me going. Think about our promises together," Gideon pleaded, kneeling down. She scoffed, cutting him off with a look filled with disdain."What baby are you talking about, Gideon? The one I terminated last week? You really thought I'd want to have a child with someone as poor as you?" Elysa sneered. Thud! The cake fell off Gideon's hand. "You...you terminated the pregnancy?" Gideon stuttered, his heart racing in disbelief. "Of course, I couldn't possibly raise a child with someone who can't even provide for me. I deserve better than a life of struggle," Elysa rolled her eyes. "How could you, Elysa? How could you do this to me...to us?" Gideon asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Just then, Mark walked up to Gideon, a smirk on his face. "Looks like you're in a pretty pathetic state, Gideon." Then he pointed at Elysa, his smile turning darker. “See, kid? you’ve been in love with this girl for years, but you never had the guts to touch her in any way, did you? I even heard the one she had with you was while she was drunk!" As Mark talked, he suddenly raised his hands and violently tore at the neckline of Elysa's dress. Elyza cried out in surprise as her n*****s spilled out. "Do you know why she never wears a a bra? It's to let me play with her t**s at anytime!" Mark make a vulgar smile as he grabbed one of Elyza's t**s and began squeezing roughly. His fingers sank deep into her supple flesh. "Ahh!" Elysa cried in pain but did not resist. Instead, she snuggled into his arms, a horny look on her face. "There are still people here... Ehh, it hurts—ah, be gentle" Mark ignored her and continued to fiercely squeeze and fondle her hair and fair breast. “You see kid, this is a world where money buys everything. Affection. Loyalty. Even love. Without it, you’ll always be on your knees.” Mark then left Elysa and moved closer to Gideon and spat on his face, "You're lucky I'm feeling generous. I'll give you some money," Mark said, sticking some dollars in Mike's pocket. "This is for the baby. I personally asked her to get rid of it. You don't deserve a girl like her. Find someone at your level and have as many as you want with." Mark said, patting on Gideon's shoulders. “Shut the f**k up!” Gideon roared. What Mark said pushed him to the edge. His anger exploded like wildfire, and he charged straight at Mark. His fists clenched, and punched Mark squarely in the face. Mark stumbled back, his eyes widening in shock. "You think you can treat me like dirt and get away with it?"Gideon growled, his anger boiling over. "You think you can buy everyone and everything with your money? You dare kill my child?!" Mark's face turned red with rage, and he charged at Gideon. But Gideon was ready for him. He dodged Mark's punch and countered with a series of swift jabs, each one landing with precision. Elysa gasped, her eyes fixed on the fight. "Stop it, Gideon! Stop it right now!" she cried, but Gideon couldn't stop. He was fueled by his anger and humiliation. He punched Mark again and again, until Mark stumbled back and fell to the ground. Gideon stood over him, his chest heaving, his fists still clenched. "You should have kept your money and your insults to yourself," Gideon snarled. Suddenly, some of the friends present shouted, "He's not breathing anymore!" Gideon's eyes widened in shock as he realized what he had done. He stumbled back.