My "Fake" Life, My Real Dream

Chapter 1

I came across a viral post on Twitter:

The Fake Heiress Childhood Sweetheart vs. the Real Rich Newcomer, Which One Should I Choose?

On the day my childhood Sweetheart was exposed as the fake heiress, I swore I'd love her forever. I promised I'd marry her no matter what! But lately, I've realized the real heiress is so lively and spirited, while the fake one feels a little dull.

Being tied to her for life honestly feels like a loss. Besides, she's insisting on going back to her ordinary family. Only the real heiress is truly a match for me in social status. What should I do?

The comments were full of advice. The most upvoted one read:

A: [Give the current girlfriend title to the fake. Save the future wife position for the real.]

When I saw the poster reply with a simple "Okay", I, as a reborn fake heiress, hit the upvote icon too, without hesitation.

I tightened my grip on my phone, with something bitter swelling in my chest. In my last life, it was because of Caleb's promise that I had chosen to stay with the Foster family. My adoptive parents never mistreated me, not exactly, but they always favored their biological daughter. My existence in that family became awkward, precarious.

Then, after an accident took my life, my soul lingered near Caleb. I watched him slowly fall for the real heiress, Caroline Foster. So in this life, I refused my adoptive parents' pleas. I refused Caleb. I chose to return to my biological family.

However...

A notification lit up my phone. It was a transfer of five hundred dollars from my biological father, along with a message.

Dad: Eleanor, today is your brother's birthday. Caroline made a special trip back from the Foster family. There aren't enough rooms at home.

My finger hovered over the screen, trembling slightly. I'd lost count of how many times Caroline had come home for one reason or another, and each time, I was the one forced to make myself scarce.

I had been unhappy about it once, but my father only looked at me with awkward impatience. "This room is what Caroline is used to living in. Besides, she's our guest now. It wouldn't be right to make a guest leave."

The lump in my throat was thick, but I swallowed it down and accepted the money.

Eleanor: Okay, Dad.

With the SAT approaching, I decided to stay at a hotel near school to focus on studying. I looked out the window at the dusk settling in, the aroma of other families' dinners drifting through the air. That ordinary warmth felt utterly foreign to me. I sniffled, packed my backpack quickly, and headed out the door.

"Eleanor Gibson!"

Just as I reached the bottom of the stairs, a clear, youthful voice called out behind me. I turned to see Caleb running toward me against the glow of the setting sun. For a moment, the sight made me dizzy. But the next instant, I saw Caroline and my biological brother, Austin Gibson, trailing behind him.

The two walked side by side, chatting and laughing like a pair of perfectly bonded siblings. I silently clenched my fists, forced a smile onto my face, and waved.

Caleb stopped short when he noticed my backpack.

"Where are you going? It's your biological brother's birthday. Even Caroline made it here as his adopted sister. Don't tell me you're running away."

Caroline naturally drifted to Caleb's side, still holding Austin's hand. "Yeah, Eleanor, I ordered a super beautiful star-shaped cake. Even though there are six of us, I can give you my slice."

Caleb didn't hesitate. "No way! You've been looking forward to that cake for ages. Eleanor and I can share a piece, right?"

Austin immediately protested. "Absolutely not. You're a guest. How can you take half a slice? I'll leave the one of mine to Eleanor."

Caroline hurried to object. "But you're the focus today! How can you not have one piece of the cake?"

They went back and forth, politely deferring to one another. But every so often, their glances slid toward me, measuring and appraising. Every word reminded me that I was the outsider here, and I should know my place.

My heart sank. I gripped my backpack strap tighter. "It's fine. You all go ahead and have your good time. I need to study. Sorry for the absence."

Seeing Austin's expression stiffen with something like guilt, I forced another smile. "Happy birthday."

I got on the bus, watched the scenery pull away outside the window, and held back my tears. At the hotel, I tore through five practice tests, then collapsed onto the bed and instinctively opened my Twitter account. Only a single notification from a public account greeted me. I swallowed my disappointment and found myself scrolling through the homepage feed.

The first post was from Austin. It was a picture with some words attached:

The best twenty-second birthday, spent with the people I love most.

In the picture, Austin and Caleb stood on either side of Caroline. My biological parents sat in front. Everyone was smiling so brightly.

While the comments were even worse.

Mom: [My two treasures. Mommy will love you forever. @Caroline Foster @Austin Gibson]

Dad: [Nothing feels better than being together as a family.]

Caleb: [Shouldn't this family portrait be framed?]

I closed the app. I couldn't hold back the tears anymore.

In my last life, I stayed with my adoptive parents, desperately trying to please them, and only drifted further away. This time, I thought returning to my biological parents would finally bring me real happiness. But in the end, I realized, no one truly loved me. No matter what I chose… it was always wrong.