Chapter3: A Life Unfamiliar
855 Words
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
It wouldn’t stop.
My heart jumped each time the sound hit the door, like someone was knocking directly on my spine instead. The sound felt too loud, too sharp, too real to belong to a dream.
“Miss Bella?” a woman’s voice called softly.
“Are you awake, Miss Bella?”
My breath caught in my throat.
Miss Bella.
The name echoed in my head.
What do I do?
Answer? Hide? Pretend I’m asleep? Pretend I’m… Bella?
My mind was a blur of noise.
Another knock. Then a sigh. Her footsteps started to fade.
“No—wait!” I blurted before thinking. “I’m awake!”
The steps returned fast. “Oh, Miss Bella, your parents are asking for you.”
Parents?
My chest tightened again, even worse this time.
Bella’s parents? Or… mine?
“Please come downstairs,” she said, and hurried off, her shoes tapping against marble until the sound vanished.
I stood there shaking, barely breathing, my fingers clutching the door handle without opening it. The word parents wouldn’t leave my head. It spun there, dizzy and sharp.
I didn’t belong here.
But if I hesitated too long, someone would come back. Someone would question me. Someone would see I wasn’t her.
So I opened the door.
The hallway stretched like a dream—paintings, flowers, light everywhere. But all I could think was: don’t get caught.
Every step down the staircase felt stolen, like at any moment someone would rip me out of this body and throw me back where I came from.
Then I saw them.
The Ipkiss.
I knew those faces. Everyone did. The founders of Haystack High — the people whose photos hung in the school hallways, smiling like royalty. The people who funded my scholarship.
They looked even colder in person.
My knees gave out before I could stop it. I dropped, gasping. Which got their attention.
“Bella!”
Reginald Ipkiss’s voice cut through me—deep, sharp, heavy.
I looked up at him, at her—Edna Ipkiss, perfect posture, perfect stare.
“What are you doing down there?” she asked, voice soft but dangerous.
“I’m sorry, ma’am.” I apologize standing up quickly.
They both froze.
“Ma’am?” Edna repeated.
“Sorry, Mrs.—Mrs. Ipkiss,” I stammered.
Reginald gave a cold laugh. “You think acting innocent will erase what happened last night?”
Last night?
My throat went dry. I had no idea what he meant.
“I— B-but”
“Enough.” His tone sliced through my voice.
Edna’s eyes narrowed, her words smooth as glass.
“The Thorns are not people you insult, Bella. They are the reason our company still breathes. You will apologize. Properly.”
I stood there trembling, every part of me screaming I’m not her.
Reginald rose from the sofa, each step slow, deliberate.
“Draven Thorn will be your husband. That family keeps us standing. You don’t get to ruin that.”
My body felt small. Tears burned behind my eyes, but I forced them back.
He leaned close enough that I could see the reflection of myself—of Bella—in his eyes.
“You’ll go back there tonight,” he said. “And you’ll apologize like an Ipkiss daughter. Do you understand?”
My head nodded before I could think.
“Good.” He turned away.
Edna’s tone softened as she approached. “My sweet girl, don’t cry. We only want what’s best for you. You’ve always admired Draven, haven’t you? Now you’ll be his wife.”
She smiled like it was a fairytale.
“Whatever you need, we’ll provide. Just… behave, yes?” She brushed a tear from my cheek and walked out.
The room fell silent again.
I stood there for a long time before my legs moved on their own, carrying me back upstairs.
Once inside my room, I locked the door and pressed my back against it, shaking.
What is happening to me?
I stared at my reflection again — golden hair, perfect face — and felt like screaming.
Am I really Bella Ipkiss?
And did she say marry Dra–
Wait.
Draven Thorn!
That Draven Thorn!
Bella’s boyfriend.
The storm in human form.
The golden boy who never studied here but still ruled every hallway.
The one who showed up just to bully people.
And that stupid couple name — Drabelle. Ugh.
And now I was supposed to marry him?
I wanted a rich life, not a crazy one.
I sat on the bed, hands gripping the sheets.
Maybe if I just went back to sleep, I’d wake up in my old body again.
But then I stopped.
No.
No.
I let out a shaky laugh that turned into a sob.
This is a chance I was given.
A second life.
And a richer one.
If this is real, then I'll live right.
For once, I will choose how my life goes.
Even if the world thinks I’m Bella.
Especially if they do.
I wiped my face with trembling hands and stood up.
Okay.
Breathe.
Just breathe.
- Writer
