Chapter 2

The cops showed up in no time.

The guy and I were taken to the mediation room at the station.

As soon as the door closed, the officer turned to me, his tone stern. "Alright, let's hear it. What happened?"

I let out a couple of awkward laughs, totally resigned. "Hey, officer, I know I shouldn't have slapped him. I'm willing to apologize and pay whatever compensation, as long as it's not something outrageous, you know?"

The officer looked at me, clearly helpless. "You look all sweet and quiet. What made you slap someone out of the blue?"

I forced a smile, bracing myself as I explained, "I'm so sorry. He... he looks way too much like my ex, and I was drunk, so I couldn't help myself. I thought he was that asshole, so... I slapped him."

The officer took a deep breath, his expression complicated. "Even if it was your ex, you couldn't hit him. If this gets serious, that's a pretty big deal, you know?"

I was mortified, nodding like crazy. "Yeah, it's all on me. I was drunk and got the wrong guy. I'll apologize, pay up, and—"

Before I could finish, the guy across from me let out a mocking laugh.

"I look like your ex?" He gave me a once-over, his eyes sweeping from my hair down to my shoes, a smirk full of scorn on his lips. "You? Seriously?

"With that cheap, tacky outfit from head to toe, you could know someone who looks like me?"

He paused, like he wasn't done roasting me, and added, "Honestly, you should donate those eyes to someone who needs them."

I rubbed my forehead, totally speechless.

Who would've thought there was someone out there who looked so much like Edward?

Alcohol really did mess everything up.

It was rare that I wanted to let loose and get drunk.

And now, who knew if I'd make it home tonight?

Thinking about it, I didn't have the guts to argue anymore. I stared down at my shoes.

Seeing me go quiet, the guy got more sarcastic. "Officer, you see what I mean, right? This is crazy. She's got a screw loose or something.

"People like her should be sent straight to the loony bin. And she said I look like her ex? Please.

"Even a guy who looks a little like me would never give her the time of day."

I looked up, unable to hold back. "Not a little. He's practically your twin. I even thought my ex had somehow gotten younger."

The guy looked more dismissive. "That's less likely. The only person who looks this much like me is my older brother."

He pursed his lips and sneered, "And him? You'd never get close to him. He's much better than me, so far out of your league. If you saw him in person, you should thank your lucky stars. As for dating him? In your dreams."

I froze, my head snapping up, but I couldn't get a single word out.

Seeing me stay silent, he spread his hands, gesturing as if he'd figured me out from the start.

Honestly, it wasn't that I didn't want to talk back. It was that my mind was a total mess.

What he said felt strangely familiar.

Edward had said, "A girl from your background? Dating me is like hitting the jackpot. You should be thanking your lucky stars."

The guy across from me had that same tone, that same arrogance, acting all high and mighty.

So, the brother he mentioned? Maybe I really did know him.

Before I could process it, the door to the mediation room swung open.

The guy who'd been running his mouth a second ago jumped to his feet, his cocky attitude vanishing in an instant.

Now he looked all pitiful and wronged. "Edward, you're here. This crazy woman slapped me. You have to stand up for me."

I looked up.

Then, I froze in my seat.