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"Fine! Get out! Bring Sophia back."
"We raised a selfish, ungrateful brat? And you dare come back?"
"Oh, that poor girl sacrificed herself for you. You owe her."
"Bella, stop being childish. Without her, your parents..."
These phrases echoed in my mind like a haunting echo.
The home I'd fought desperately to return to had sided with the villain.
My vision blurred. The phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor with a dull thud.
Then it hit me—my return might not have been my own doing after all..
Sophia had let me back in.
I recalled her, that day, beaming, unlike her usual meek facade.
She'd said: "This Bella is stubborn. How can we stop her soul from constantly battering this body?"
The system paused. They schemed. Then, I was back.
Back then, I was ecstatic, believing my fight had driven her out.
I never imagined it was all part of her plan.
How cunning.
She was betting that within a week of regaining control, I’d be willing to give this body up.
A bitter smile touched my lips. My soul felt weightless. Maybe in three days, I'd be gone.
Then, Sophia would return.
IWhen I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a white hospital bed..
Liam was beside me, eyes bloodshot.
I was confused. Why fake such devotion when he'd moved on?
I turned to the window.
It was still night. How selfish of me, worrying my family all in the middle of the night.
My parents and Ethan rushed in, standing silently around me.
Seeing me silent, Dad couldn't resist. "Look at you. Managing to land yourself in the hospital in the middle of the night. Sophia never caused this trouble."
Strangely, the words no longer hurt.
I said flatly, "Then maybe Sophia should be your daughter."
Hearing me argue while sick, Dad stormed out, slamming the door. "Gladly! I’m done with you."
Ethan sighed. "Bella, why not just apologize? You're back, that's the good part. Why make everyone miserable?" He shook his head and went after my father, worried about his health in the dead of night.
Only Mom and Liam remained.
Remembering Liam's memos, I felt sick. "Mom," I said, "Believe me. I'm not lying."
My eyes pleaded. Just believe me this once, and I'd fight to stay, no matter what.
But Mom shook her head, her voice gentle but firm. "Bella, honey, you're exhausted."
She withdrew her hand from my tight grip. "Since you're stable, we'll come back tomorrow."
As she left, I felt my body lighten further.
I gripped the sheets, my frustration trapped inside.
Liam approached to adjust my blanket.
I stared straight at him, my voice hollow but clear.
"We’re done. It's over."
