Chapter Two
1156 Words
“Am I looking at a mirror?” Desiree repeated, rubbing her eyes with the back of her palms.
The other girl shook her head. “No.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Desiree stepped closer. “Then why do you look exactly like me?”
The little girl tightened her grip around her teddy bear. “I... I don't know.”
For the first time in her life, Desiree had no clever answer. She simply stared at the girl who looked exactly like her.
Well, almost.
The girl was dressed in much finer clothes and shoes, and her hair looked as though it had been braided by the finest stylist in the city.
Then Desiree mumbled uncertainly, “Maybe we're sisters?”
The identical girl shook her head, her big, wet eyes dimming. “But I don't have a sister.”
Desiree's eyes lit up.
She reached out and took the little girl's cold hand in hers. “Well, I think you do now. I'm Desiree.”
The girl looked unsure for a moment before slowly nodding. “Dahlia.”
Desiree's curiosity exploded.
“Why do we look so alike? Do you think we might be related or —”
Dahlia suddenly slapped a hand over Desiree's mouth. Her eyes widened with fear.
Confusion settled over Desiree's face. Then she heard it.
Click.
Click.
Click.
The sharp sound of approaching heels.
“Hide,” Dahlia whispered urgently, her eyes pleading.
Desiree looked ready to argue, but Dahlia's terrified expression made her change her mind.
She rushed behind the lockers and peeked through the narrow gap.
A tall, slender, model-like woman stepped into the locker room. Vivian.
Her eyes darted around before landing on Dahlia.
Slowly, her lips curled into a cruel smirk. “So this is where you're hiding, you brat?”
She grabbed Dahlia's arm in a firm grip. “Do you think you can escape from me after that stunt you pulled?”
Dahlia whimpered.
She trembled so violently that her teddy bear slipped from her hands and landed on the floor.
“Your dad suspects I don't treat you well!” Vivian hissed. “Did you tell him what happened between us last night?”
Dahlia quickly shook her head.
“What did I say about gesturing to me?” Vivian snapped. “Use your words! Are you dumb?”
Her manicured nails dug into Dahlia's wrist.
Desiree's hands curled into little fists. A ball of fury rose inside her.
But she couldn't step out; not after Dahlia had begged her to hide.
Who was this horrible woman? How dare she bully Desiree's new friend?
“N-no, Mummy,” Dahlia whispered.
Mummy?
Vivian cackled cruelly.
“Good. Now, if you want to eat a proper meal tonight, follow me to meet your dad. Smile and tell him everything is fine. You just got lost wandering off on your own.”
A tear streaked down Dahlia's cheek. "Y-yes, Mummy."
Vivian grabbed her face, squeezing her cheeks until Dahlia winced.
“What did I say about crying? Wipe those tears and wear a big smile!”
Desiree's fury burned hotter.
How could this woman be so mean to Dahlia and still call herself her mother?
Dahlia gulped and wiped her tears.
“Good. Now wash your face and meet me outside in two minutes.”
Vivian sashayed out of the locker room with a satisfied smirk.
The moment she disappeared, Dahlia burst into silent tears, her tiny body shaking as she slowly walked toward the sink.
“That woman is a horrible bully,” Desiree whispered. “She needs to be taught a serious lesson.”
Dahlia remained silent as the water ran.
Then she mumbled, “But she's my mum.”
“She certainly doesn't act like it! My mum doesn't treat me like that.”
Dahlia slowly turned off the tap.
“Let's switch places!” The words left Desiree's mouth before she could think twice.
Dahlia froze and her face went pale.
“Yes,” Desiree continued. “There's no way she'll know. We look exactly alike. And my mummy is the best. She definitely won't treat you badly.”
"We can't..."
"Why?" Desiree asked, undeterred.
"Because daddy might see through you."
"Does he shout?" Desiree asked.
"No."
Desire smiled widely. "Then leave him to me!"
But Dahlia's eyes remained scared. “But my mummy wouldn't be so nice to you. I don't think you can live with her.”
A mischievous smile spread across Desiree's face. “Oh, trust me, Dahlia. Do you think she can live with me? I know how to handle bullies!”
Dahlia stared at her for a long moment.
Perhaps it was the confidence shining in Desiree's eyes.
Or perhaps the idea of escaping Vivian's cruelty was simply too tempting.
Finally, she nodded. “Let's do it.”
The switch happened so quickly that, moments later, it was almost impossible to tell them apart.
Desiree twirled in Dahlia's dress. "This is a really comfortable dress."
Dahlia adjusted Desiree's outfit before glancing down at the cheap shoes.
Desiree smiled awkwardly. “They can be a little uncomfortable.”
Dahlia shook her head, a tiny smile appearing on her lips. “I love it.”
Desiree raised a brow before giggling. “You're a little weird, you know.”
Dahlia looked at her sharply.
“In a good way.”
Desiree pointed toward the hallway.
“Mummy is wearing an overall and has long brown hair like ours. She'll recognize you as me.”
Dahlia swallowed nervously. “Will she like me?”
“She'll love you!”
---
Five minutes later, Dahlia's feet felt heavy as she approached the woman in overalls.
Elena was sniffling as she packed away the mop and bucket.
“M-mummy…”
Elena turned around. She took one look at her daughter and felt something was... off. She couldn't explain it.
But she quickly pushed the strange feeling aside.
“My darling!” She crouched and pulled Dahlia into her arms. “Don't worry. We'll be alright.”
Something inside Dahlia melted. Every bit of doubt disappeared.
For the first time in a long time, she felt safe. Her arms tightened around Elena. “Yes, Mummy.”
Meanwhile, Desiree approached Vivian, who stood beside a tall man. Damon.
There was something about him that made her pause.
He looked incredibly rich. His expression was calm and unreadable, his shoulders broad beneath his expensive suit.
There was an air about him that made Desiree smile.
“Daddy,” she whispered.
Damon turned to her and a wave of relief washed across his face.
Vivian's knuckles turned white as she rushed over to Desiree.
“Dahlia! There you are.” Her voice instantly became sweet. “Come with Mummy. Let's go home.”
Desiree gave her a quick once-over. Then she smiled even sweeter. “Yes, Mummy. Let's go home.”
---
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