She Stole My life

Chapter 5: She Stole My Identity

Chapter 5: She Stole My Identity

Amal’s POV

(3 years later)

I pushed my father’s wheelchair as we walked towards my mother’s tombstone. Today marked three years since she left us, yet the pain still felt like a fresh wound in my heart.

I placed the white lilies we brought on her grave and knelt down to pray for her. After that, I stood up and gave my father some space to have his own moment with her.

I walked towards the cemetery gate and waited for him while staring up at the sky, smiling bitterly at how much life had changed.

I should be in medical school by now if that accident had not happened. Maybe I would have already reunited with Jordan too.

Even my best friend had gone to college, leaving me behind, but the thought of leaving my father alone always stopped me.

I was still lost in my thoughts when I heard the sound of wheels moving behind me. I turned and saw my father wheeling himself out.

I quickly walked towards him and pushed the wheelchair forward.

We decided to stop at the cafe close to the supermarket, one of the busiest areas in our community.

The moment we entered the cafe, I spotted Crystal sitting with some of our old schoolmates who were already in college.

I was surprised to see her because I didn’t know she was back.

After settling my daddy by the window, his favourite spot, I walked over to greet her.

I walked up to them and greeted her, asking if she had just come back, only to hear one of the girls laugh sarcastically.

"She has been back for a long while."

My brows drew together, but before I could ask Crystal anything, she interrupted and took me over to our table to greet my daddy.

"Good afternoon, Uncle Jefferson."

"Crystal." My father smiled warmly. "How have you been?"

"I'm fine, Uncle. I'm sorry I haven't come to see you and Amal. I've just been busy with some school research."

"There's no need to apologise." I waved it off with a smile. "Besides, what's the project? Maybe I can help."

She smiled softly. "Don't worry about that, Amal. It's my bachelor's degree final year project, not like our regular school work, so you probably won't understand."

"Oh... okay." I said as I looked her over from head to toe. She was wearing fashionable clothes and holding the latest phone, one I knew must have cost a lot. "You look more beautiful."

"Thank you." She smiled warmly and hugged me before saying goodbye to my father and me.

As soon as I sat down, I noticed the same expression on my father’s face that he always had whenever he saw my former classmates who were already in college.

“Daddy.”

“Amal, I think it is time you go back to college and get your degree. Even your best friend is already in her final year. If she leaves the city, who will help you settle there?”

“Daddy, have you forgotten? I got a scholarship from Jordan’s family. It covers my accommodation and all my expenses.”

“Time waits for no one, daughter. It has already been three years, and you know medicine will take five or six years. You are already twenty-one. I don’t want your life to end in this community. Go out there and chase your dream.”

I felt tears gathering in my eyes as the memories of the accident flashed through my mind.

Maybe it was a sign that I was not meant to leave this community.

Besides, I could still practice traditional medicine just like I had learned from my mother.

My thoughts were interrupted when I felt warmth covering my hand. My father placed his hand over mine.

“Amal, listen to me. I want a better future for you, and I will be happier seeing you thrive in the city than staying here. Besides, I can visit you there or even move there with you.”

“You will?” I looked at him in surprise.

“Yes, I promise. But you have to finish college first and get a good job.”

“I will make you proud, Papa.” I smiled through my tears.

“Wipe your tears, daughter. Now tell me, when will you be leaving?”

“I will ask Crystal when the next session begins because I would love for us to attend the same university.”

“Okay, she has changed a lot,” my father said, staring ahead.

“Yes, Daddy. College does more than just educate people.” I answered while sipping my coffee.

He shook his head and continued staring outside the window.

My attention shifted to the television playing the news about Morgan’s Group, one of the largest conglomerates.

I wondered if it belonged to Jordan’s family since his last name was Morgan.

But when I searched for his name online, I couldn’t find any profile connected to him.

If he was really from such a powerful family, shouldn’t his picture be everywhere?

My mind kept spinning with different thoughts, but I reassured myself that I still had the slip containing his family information.

I turned my attention back to the busy streets outside while listening to the laughter and conversations coming from Crystal and her new group of friends.

🥀🥀🥀

(A few months later)

I checked my bags carefully to ensure I had not forgotten anything.

Then I remembered something and quickly grabbed my new diary from the shelf, stuffing it inside my bag.

I didn’t want to lose another one like the previous diary I misplaced. Thankfully, I still had the slip.

I was finally ready to face my fear and fulfill not only my father’s wish but also my mother’s dream of seeing me become a renowned doctor.

And for Jordan too.

I came out of my room and hugged my father and his caregiver, whom I hired to look after him.

“Take care of yourself, Daddy. Exercise daily and take your medicine. Sleep early, eat vegetables, don’t forget to call me every day, and send me a message if I don’t pick up…”

I continued listing different instructions until he chased me towards the door, telling me to leave already.

I refused to let him take me to the bus terminal because the memory of what happened years ago still haunted me.

I waved goodbye to them and entered the taxi waiting outside.

“Finally going back to college?”

“Yes, Mr Mavish,” I answered.

Our community was not that big, so everyone knew each other.

“That’s a good decision. Remain the good girl you are when you get there. A lot of young people change when they enter college.”

I smiled slightly while wondering why everyone kept talking about change.

Soon, I arrived at the park and boarded the bus heading to the city.

I fell asleep halfway because I had barely slept the night before.

When we arrived, I ordered a ride and headed to Crystal’s house, using the address her sister gave me since her number had always been unavailable.

When I arrived at the building, I stepped out and spoke with the security guard, who refused to let me enter.

Just as we were trying to figure out what to do, I saw Crystal step out of a flashy car with several shopping bags while surrounded by other women carrying their own bags.

The moment she saw me, she stopped.

The shock on her face was impossible to miss.

I walked towards her and hugged her even though she remained stiff.

“I have been trying your number, but it is not reachable. How have you been?”

“I’m good. I wasn’t expecting to see you,” she said with a smile.

“I just arrived…”

“Come on, Crystal. The makeup artist is waiting, and there is no time,” one of the girls interrupted.

“Um, I will be right back,” Crystal told her friend.

Then she pulled me towards the car.

“We are preparing for something right now, and my house is a mess. Let my driver drop you at a hotel. I will come and get you tomorrow morning, okay?”

“Okay. Though I don’t mind staying at your house. I can even help you clean up since you’re so busy.”

“No, just go with him.” She said hurriedly as she opened the car door.

“James, drop her at the hotel.”

Before the driver could even ask which hotel, she had already turned around and walked away.

The driver turned to me.

“Excuse me, ma’am. Are you one of madam’s guests?”

“Yes, I’m her best friend.”

“Okay, that means you will be attending the occasion. I will drop you at the hotel reserved for guests, and someone will come to pick you up later.” He started the car and drove away.

What occasion? I asked myself, confused.

When we reached the hotel, I stared at the huge building in amazement.

The place looked so grand that even the polished floor made me afraid of leaving any mark behind.

I adjusted my face cap, but before I could reach for my bag, the driver had already taken it and motioned for me to follow.

Soon, another group of workers collected my luggage after the driver explained that I was a guest.

They led me inside, but just before we reached the elevator, the sound of several footsteps approaching from behind made us turn.

Guards surrounded a tall young man wearing dark shades as they walked past us.

Before I could get a proper look, they entered another elevator.

Yet something about him felt strangely familiar.

I followed the workers into the elevator, and after reaching my floor, they handed me a key card and showed me my room before leaving.

I entered the suite and looked around.

Everything looked so polished and expensive.

Surely, this place was like paradise.

After exploring the room, I settled down until I heard a knock on the door.

A female worker stood outside with a warm smile.

“The event will begin in one hour, ma’am. You should start getting ready.”

I thanked her and closed the door.

I still had no idea what event everyone was talking about, but since it involved my best friend, I knew I would attend.

Opening my suitcase, I searched for something suitable to wear.

Finally, I chose the long fitted gown my father bought for me during the last Christmas holiday.

I wore my only pair of heels, even though parts of the soles were already worn out, and carried my black handbag that matched almost every outfit I owned.

I loosened my long hair, which fell below my waist, and combed it down.

I didn’t want to look too extra since I still had no idea what kind of event it was.

A knock came again, and when I opened the door, the same worker smiled and complimented my hair.

I thanked her as she guided me down the decorated hall.

“Enjoy the rest of the evening, ma’am.” The voice of the worker pulled me out of my thoughts.

I smiled at her and found one of the most hidden seats and settled down to observe my surroundings first.

Everyone here was dressed so classy and top-notch.

Then I noticed the huge screen displaying the picture of my best friend and a man.

Wait... why does this look like an engagement picture? And secondly, why do both of them look familiar?

I looked at the other pictures on the big banners placed at different corners of the hall. Just then, my eyes caught the pamphlet lying on the table with their pictures on it.

I picked it up and read it.

Engagement Ceremony.

"But why didn't Crystal invite me, her best friend, to her engagement ceremony?" I silently muttered.

The ceremony had already started, and I watched as she smiled happily at her fiancé.

Soon, the huge screen displayed a question-and-answer session, and I watched with interest.

Surprisingly, their answers were so similar to mine and Jordan's story.

Wow, I never knew we shared the same love story, except that I was yet to reunite with my own lover.

But at the end of the session, the host turned to her fiancé.

"Mr Morgan, do you have any last words for Miss Stover before you officially engage her?"

"Yes, I do." His deep baritone voice, so soothing to the ears, echoed through the hall.

"Mr Morgan? Miss Stover? But Crystal's last name is Lewi."

My mind swirled with confusion, and there was no one I could ask for an explanation.

Then he turned towards Crystal.

"Amal, I promise to take care of you and love you in this marriage, just like you did at my lowest moment."

The huge screen changed again.

It displayed their picture together with the caption:

Billionaire Jordan Morgan, Has Finally Found Love With Miss Amal Stover.

It felt as though someone had poured a bucket of cold water over me.

Everything finally started falling into place.

Crystal's shocked expression when she saw me today...The way she kept trying to avoid me...Their love story, which was exactly the same as mine and Jordan's.

Even our favourite things like our sunset moments by the beach.

Just then, it finally dawned on me.

Crystal's fiancé...was my Jordan.

Crystal had been pretending to be me.

Jordan got engaged to my best friend thinking she was me.

I suddenly remembered that when I gave him the picture years ago, I never told him which one of us was me.

And since Crystal had been in the city long before I arrived...She had probably taken my place.

What a betrayal.

I shut my eyes tightly as my chest ached.

But the sound of applause echoing through the hall made me open them again, only to watch them exchange rings on the stage as my tears kept falling one after another.