Chapter 1
I first realized my body was no longer my own the very day my parents brought the true heiress, Odette Wells, home.
I wanted so badly to step forward and embrace her, to say, "I am so sorry I took your place all these years. I know it has cost you so much."
But the moment I touched her, I shoved her hard to the floor instead. "You wretched thing from the gutter, what makes you think you can come back and take what is mine?"
My parents stared at me in disbelief, their eyes filled with such sorrow it felt like it would crush me.
They opened the door and pushed me out. "Noemi Wells, you are no longer part of this family."
I went crying to my best friend. She held me close. "Noemi, don't cry. I will go with you in the morning, and we will apologize together, okay?"
But when I woke up, I was lying beside her boyfriend, barely clothed.
He claimed I had pursued him the night before.
My best friend slapped me. Her hand trembled. "Noemi, now I see why they cast you out. You would go after your best friend's boyfriend? You do not deserve anyone's kindness! Get out!"
I walked away like a ghost. Down below stood my boyfriend, Rohan Whitaker, as if he had been there all along.
He said nothing, only opened his arms. "Noemi, I believe you."
With my family and my friendship gone, I clung to Rohan as if he were a lifeline.
Then one day, I was tidying his study and saw a document on his desk.
Human Manipulation Experiment
Lead Researcher: Odette Wells
Test Subject: Noemi Wells
Collaborators: Rohan Whitaker, my best friend, and my parents
Observation: Subject has lost family support and friendship ties. Romantic attachment is now perceived as the sole source of hope. Experiment may proceed.
I held that thin sheet of paper and laughed.
Everything in my life, my family, my friends, my love, had never been real.
If that is the case, then I want none of it.
*****
The sound of the lock turning echoed through the room.
Rohan walked in, followed by the Wells.
"Noemi?" he called out. "I've brought your parents and Odette. Didn't you say you wanted to apologize to them?"
I placed the paper carefully back where it belonged and stepped out of the room.
Odette greeted me timidly.
My parents looked at me with undisguised disappointment.
Rohan's concern seemed so genuine.
Every single one of them was acting.
I gave a faint smile. "I have no intention of apologizing."
Odette's eyes filled instantly with tears. "Sister, I know I shouldn't have come back. But Mom and Dad are so sad because of you, you shouldn't speak to them like that."
My parents' faces hardened immediately. They pointed at me. "Noemi, if Rohan hadn't told us you were grieving, we wouldn't have come here today!"
Rohan stepped forward, the perfect devoted boyfriend. "Uncle, Aunt, Odette, Noemi doesn't mean it."
He turned to me, his tone turning firm. "Noemi. Apologize."
I looked at Rohan and lowered my gaze. "Rohan, is there anything you want to say to me?"
He frowned, looking confused. "Noemi, everyone must face the consequences of their actions. I can't protect you from this."
I smiled bitterly. I remembered what Rohan had once said. "Noemi, no matter what happens, I will always stand by you."
Yet now, he was the one who had dragged me into the mud.
I said, "We're through, Rohan."
He froze. "Just because I asked you to apologize?"
Of course not.
He was the one who had written that proposal.
The day before Odette came home, he was the one who injected me with the aggression‑inducing drug.
He was the one who guided me to say those terrible things, making me believe I was truly wicked.
He valued the experiment and his protégée Odette more than he ever valued me.
I didn't answer. Instead, I raised my hand as if to strike Odette.
Rohan instinctively stepped between us. "Noemi!"
The moment the words left his mouth, Rohan stopped, so did Odette.
She clung to Rohan's hand. "Rohan, she wouldn't hurt me. Don't be cross with her."
Every word sounded like she was defending me.
Every word was a reminder to Rohan that the experiment was still running.
It wasn't time to break up with me yet.
Rohan sighed, rubbing his temples, then took my hand. "Noemi, I just don't think you should be this estranged from your family. You're not yourself right now. Stay here and think things through. I'll take your parents and Odette home."
My parents shook their heads in disappointment and left.
I stood by the window watching their perfect little family walk away together. Then I saw a new post appear on social media.
My sister still won't accept me. Thank goodness Rohan is here.
Beneath the words was a photo of Odette and Rohan holding hands.
My parents have commented.
Parents: [Our precious girl. You are our only daughter.]
My best friend Eulalie West also replied.
Eulalie: [That's just how she is. Don't take it to heart.]
I looked at the screen, but my heart didn't twist in pain the way it once would have.
Fine. This fake, rotten, sickening family love, romance, friendship.
I want none of it.
