Chapter 2
No different from a real sister.
Then what was I?
What was I, the real sister, to him?
A problem he had to keep his distance from?
An obstacle in the way of his future?
"Sophia, you understand me, right?" James said again.
This time, he was talking to me. The two-way radio was on speaker. Everyone could hear it.
I parted my lips, wanting to say something, but the knife at my throat kept me from getting the words out.
Emily spoke first. Her voice was soft and tearful, like a frightened kitten. "James, no... don't let Sophia get hurt because of me... save Sophia instead. I'll be fine.
"I've already been so lucky. My parents love me, and you love me too. I've had enough. All of this was supposed to be Sophia's anyway. Let me take her place... let me..."
Her words came out broken and shaky between sobs.
Every single word landed perfectly.
She made herself look kind and generous while reminding everyone that she'd been loved her whole life, while I had never even touched the edge of happiness.
Sure enough, Anna started crying right away. "Emily, don't say that... you're my daughter too... how could I bear that..."
"Mom," James's voice softened. "Emily, stop crying. I won't let anything happen to you."
No one said to me, "Don't be scared."
No one said to me, "I won't let anything happen to you."
I stood on the left, the blade against my neck, blood running down my skin, while my family comforted the fake heiress over the two-way radio.
Emily was still crying, but her eyes moved past her kidnapper's shoulder and landed on me.
I would never forget that look for the rest of my life.
She was smiling.
A tiny, barely there smile. The slightest curl of her lips, her eyes lifting at the corners like a cat that had stolen a fish.
She was pleased with herself.
She had done it. She'd made everyone believe she was the one who needed protection.
And I was nothing more than the biological daughter on paper.
A stranger with a title and no weight.
"James..." Emily said again, her voice even weaker now, like she might faint any second. "I'm getting dizzy. Am I dying? James, can I call you James one last time..."
"Emily. Don't be scared. I'm here," James's voice snapped tight. "Everyone stand by. I'm taking the shot. Right-side target. One shot, done."