Part 1The Counterfeit Life

One hour before my abortion appointment, I was doom-scrolling when I hit a thread on a popular forum.

[What does a "Main Character" life actually look like?]

The top comment had thousands of upvotes.

Anonymous User: Oh, I win this one. I’m the "fake heiress" everyone loves.

Not only did I enjoy eighteen years of luxury meant for that idiot "real daughter," but I also took her husband. He was practically begging for me, even though she picked up my leftovers.

When she finally came back to the family, I faked a depression spiral. My parents didn't want to "trigger" me, so she’s not even in the family trust. To the public, she’s just a goddaughter.

She worked her ass off to become VP, but I just whined "I want that," and her husband—who was the biggest client—made her life hell until she quit. Mom and Dad handed the job to me the next day.

The best part? The night before their wedding, I texted him saying I was "lonely." We christened her new marital bed before she ever did.

Every word dripped with arrogance.

The comments were tearing her apart, but she just doubled down, posting a photo of plane tickets with the names blurred out.

Anonymous User: Just because I said I didn't want her ruining her body with a kid, her husband forced her to get an abortion.

The funniest part? She’s sitting outside the OR all alone right now. Her parents and her husband are on a flight to Miami with me to help me "decompress."

I was born lucky. She can’t compete.

I stared at the photo on my screen. It was identical to the one Bella Sterling had just posted on her Instagram story.

I looked around the empty hospital corridor. Just me.

Turns out, the idiot in the story is me.

* * *

Facing the internet’s rage, Bella didn't feel shame. She felt empowered.

Anonymous User: Hate all you want. The madder you get, the more it proves how much they love me. I’m Daddy’s little girl, and I’m her husband’s soulmate.

She attached another photo.

A slender hand, the ring finger adorned with a diamond ring.

I knew that design. It was the exact match to the one my husband, Gavin, used to wear every day.

Her reply popped up, soaking in the attention:

Anonymous User: See this? I told him, "Touching me while wearing another woman’s ring is gross." He threw their cheap wedding bands in the trash.

This one? We picked it out together. Custom engraved.

In this world, the one who isn't loved is the mistress. I’m the real wife.

A chill spread from my chest to my fingertips as I stared at that ring.

A memory from three years ago stabbed me.

I had noticed Gavin’s wedding band was missing. He frantically turned his pockets inside out, looking devastated. He hugged me, burying his face in my neck. "Elara, I think I lost it on the business trip. I’m such an idiot. Punish me, seriously. I deserve it."

I trusted him. God, I trusted him so much.

A week later, he was wearing a new, unfamiliar ring.

"Where did that come from?" I had asked.

He looked at me with puppy-dog eyes. "I tried on a sample at the office and it got stuck. If you hate it, honey, I’ll chop my finger off to remove it. Okay?"

My heart softened. "Don't say that... keep it. It actually looks good on you."

It wasn't a sample. It was their "couple's ring."

My discarded wedding band, and the unformed life in my womb, were just speed bumps on their road to "true love."

The comment section was on fire.

User123: Someone find the real sister! Run, girl, run! PizzaRat: This is vile. Sending hugs to the real daughter, wherever she is.

Tears slid down my face as I signed the consent forms.

Gavin didn't deserve a child with me.

Walking out of the operating room, the hollow ache in my body was so heavy I had to lean against the wall to walk.

My phone buzzed. It was Gavin.

"Babe, did you do it?"

"We only need Leo. Having another one would just make him jealous. You have to do this for our son."