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I recalled every moment with Emma.
Her tiptoeing to shield me with an umbrella,staring at me while I worked,her arms wrapping tight around me in sleep.Those times I'd wake but pretend to sleep,feeling her tracing my face,kissing my forehead,nose...
If all that was all because I was a substitute,her love projected onto another through me,I,Ethan Stone,was truly pathetic.
Tears began welling up again,I scoured my memories for proof I wasn't a stand-in,that Emma didn't love Luke.
But I found that her and Luke was so intimate,so in love.
Arm-in-arm on the couch,whispering secrets no one else could hear,feeding each other fruit,hanging out every few days.
Their bond was too natural,like they had been like this and would contine to be happy forever,with or without me.
Luke's became clearer in my mind.
His eyes,like mine.We also had the same style,same haircut,even identical necklaces.
No wonder Luke always eyed me while with Emma—a true love's taunt to a duplicate,full of scorn.
I felt utterly desolate,driven by only one urge:find Emma.
I sprinted through every corner,shouting her name.
Then I saw Emma,crouched,sobbing fiercely.
Petite,curled up,head buried,she looked tiny.
Her hight heels lay discarded beside her on the ground.Through sobs,she repeated:
"I don't want you to die,don't die.I love you so much,I need you healthy and by my side forever..."
Luke stood beside her,patting her shoulder,his face stern.Probably due to the fact that he was the reason why Emma was crying,he couldn't offer more comfort.
I hid in the shadows,watching Emma bury her face in Luke's shoulder,crying breathlessly.My heart churned with grief,sorrow,and pity,a painful mess.
It always felt like this.
Even if her tears weren't for me,they seemed to snatch away my breaths.
I hated seeing her sad,seeing her in pain.Even knowing I was just a stand-in,I loved her,wanted to shield her from all storms,keep her carefree.
Fists tightening,I gave Emma's tear-streaked face one last look and made uo my mind.
I got Luke's number from the butler,added him,and,after much thought,I sent him a text:
"I'll help you,make you happy so you can live with Emma happily ever after.If you agree,keep it from Emma.Tomorrow,3 p.m.,City Central Hospital."
He replied,"You know?"then retracted it,sending an"OK"and a cute emoji withshwoing a man spinning with joy .
I snorted,no malice—just,this guy...shameless.
Knowing a lovesick fool would donate a kidney,he accepted so gleefully?
Angrily turning off my phone,I tossed and turned in my tiny room.
Sleepless,I slipped to the hospital the next day,dressed in black to avoid attention.
I spotted Lukein a sharp white suit,clearly putting effort into charming Emma.
His lips,though smiling,were pale—his kidneys were bad for sure.
I felt my heart sank.I glanced at Luke,who waved cheerily,shouting,"Dude!You're here?"
