Part 2Seven Years Stolen: I Took Back My Body from the Girl Who Ruined My Life

"Evie, you're just joking, right?"

Liam Sterling grabbed my arm, forcing a strained smile.

I physically peeled his hand off my arm.

I looked him dead in the eye and enunciated every single word: "Look closely. I am Chloe Vance."

"I am not your 'Evie.' Chloe Vance has never gone by a second name, and she certainly would never let anyone call her Evie."

Watching my demeanor, a flash of genuine panic crossed his face.

"Evie, my recent schedule was planned exactly the way you wanted. I turned down that movie role so I could stay home and keep you company for the next two months.

"And the kissing scene in the last movie was just camera angles! I didn't actually kiss her.

"Please stop scaring me. We aren't getting a divorce."

Seeing him panic, I tried my best to suppress the raging fury in my chest.

I had to remind myself that he was just another victim of her lies.

"Liam Sterling. I am Chloe Vance, and the man I love is Noah Brooks.

"Not your 'Evie.' The 'Evie' you're talking about is a thief who stole my body while I was in a coma from a car crash seven years ago. Her real name is Evelyn Harper.

"Now, I've taken my body back. Your Evie is gone."

He lunged forward, trying to pull me into a hug. I shoved him hard, knocking him back.

"Is... is this schizophrenia? It's okay, Evie. We can go to a hospital. I will stay by your side through the whole treatment."

I shook my head. Clearly, logic wasn't going to work here.

"My lawyers will contact you regarding the divorce proceedings."

With that, I turned and walked briskly out the door.

"Evie!"

I unlocked the phone and quickly scrolled through the contacts.

There was absolutely no trace of my actual family or friends. The contact list was entirely made up of people "Evelyn" had met over the past seven years.

My fingers trembled as I manually typed in the phone number that was permanently burned into my memory.

Listening to the dial tone ring over the speaker, my heart pounded violently against my ribs.

Please. Please answer.

"We're sorry, the number you have dialed is out of service..."

I called it over and over again. It was disconnected.

So, I dialed my older brother's number instead.

"Hello."

"It's me, Connor."

Hearing Connor Vance's voice, my entire body shuddered. After being trapped inside my own head for seven years, I finally had a real, tangible connection with my family again.

"Oh, if it isn't the great Princess Vance. Why are you calling me? Just checking to see if I've died of a heart attack yet so you can inherit the estate?

"Or did you catch your A-list movie star husband cheating, and he kicked you out?

"If that's the case, let me know. I need to go buy some fireworks to celebrate."

Hearing his biting sarcasm actually made me smile.

He sounded energetic and loud, which meant he was doing well.

"Connor, it's me. It's Chloe.

"It's too complicated to explain over the phone. I'm coming to your office right now."

"Don't bother. Even if you show up, I'm not seeing you—"

Before he could finish his sentence, I hung up.

It was just going to be more cynical trash talk anyway.

I hailed a cab and headed straight for the corporate district.

Looking out the window at the towering skyscrapers and the manicured green spaces lining the avenues...

Compared to seven years ago, the city had developed at a terrifying speed.

The wheels of time had ruthlessly rolled forward.

Leaving me alone to face this entirely unrecognizable, completely upended world.