9
477words
Seeing his devastation, Emily gloated.
"But Claire's fate was too strong—the swap was too slow."
"So they decided to sell her to a remote village to weaken her fate."
"I just helped a little."
"Without me, she'd have died eventually!"
"Your parents knew everything, gave us money to leave."
"They faked searching for Claire to fool you!"
"How ludicrous."
"You caused Claire's abduction, yet you're the one who wanted her back most."
"They even faked my DNA test to dupe you."
"Shut up!"
Nathan shouted, rushing to our parents.
"Mom, Dad, speak!"
"It's not true, is it?"
My mother turned away, whispering, "Nathan, we had no choice."
"You're our son—we raised you."
"How could we let you die?"
"Isn't Claire your daughter too?" Nathan screamed, collapsing against a table.
"She's your daughter!"
"You called her our lucky star—her birth boosted the business, healed my illness."
"But you tried to kill her."
"A cuckoo in the nest, repaying kindness with betrayal, harbinger of calamity."
"Master Elias was spot-on!"
Nathan spat blood, collapsing.
"Nathan!"
My parents rushed to him, frantic.
"How could this happen?"
"Looking for this?"
I held up a wooden plaque with intricate runes.
"You!" My mother gasped, horrified.
"You know?"
I smirked.
"Of course."
"I didn't die, so you feared for him, didn't you?"
"You found the priest who swapped our fates, hid this plaque and runes in gifts to me."
"You prayed for my death to succeed."
"But that priest lied."
"He wanted me from the start."
"My fate is powerful—it could save the Harper business and cure his ailments."
"You thought the swap healed Nathan, but it was my presence."
"Do nothing, and he'd have been fine long ago."
"But thanks to you, I met my master."
My parents shook their heads.
"Impossible!"
"You're lying!"
Sirens wailed. Faces paled.
I dodged my mother's reach, smiling.
"I said this engagement wouldn't happen."
"All illegal acts by the Harpers and Ashtons—I've gathered evidence and sent it to the police."
"And Lydia Crane, you wanted to steal my identity for Daniel."
"Your mother tried to stop you, told you the truth, but you burned her alive in the mental hospital."
"And the thirty-seven others affected—that's your karma."
Emily's face fell. She reached for Daniel, but he backed away, eyes fearful.
She laughed, incredulous.
"Daniel, you're scared of me?"
"After all I did for you?"
Laughing, she grabbed the fruit knife and lunged at him.
Blood sprayed, splattering her face.
"Daniel, it's okay," she whispered.
"Now we're together forever."
Screams filled the hall. I turned, leaving it all behind, walking toward the door.
My master waited outside. He said nothing, only," Hurry up."
"The lily-lotus soup's getting cold."
I laughed, nodding firmly, and followed.
Those who committed wrong would pay.
The calamity was over. My new life commenced now.
