Chapter 1

I hid myself in a giant gift box, excitedly waiting to see my boyfriend Gabriel’s surprised face when I jumped out with a positive pregnancy test. But instead, I heard a familiar voice that shattered my heart.

“You’re not seriously keeping Amanda around now that I’m back, are you?”

Nadia. My best friend, whom I thought cared for me, was actually stealing my boyfriend behind my back.

Devastated, I decided to make a difficult choice without telling Gabriel and leave the city to start a new life. But then, a shocking truth was revealed: I had been swapped with Nadia when we were babies. I was her parents’ real daughter. I wasn’t an orphan or a poor girl—I was a billionaire. And now, I’m ready to take my revenge on those who hurt me.

--

I hid myself in a giant gift box, excitedly waiting to see my boyfriend Gabriel's surprised face when he saw me jump out of the box. It's his birthday and I prepared a big surprise in my hand: A positive pregnancy report. He must have been so happy when he saw it!

However, before he unwrapped the gift box, I heard him talking with a woman.

"You’re not seriously keeping Amanda around now that I’m back, are you?"

I froze, my heart thundering in my chest.

This was supposed to be the moment Gabriel and I celebrated together. But now, all I could hear was her voice.

Nadia.

Her tone was light, yet laced with a poison that made my skin crawl. I didn’t even know she was back.

I shifted in the confined space, straining to listen.

"Don’t be ridiculous," Gabriel said, his voice low and intimate. "Amanda was just… convenient."

Convenient.

My grip tightened on the box’s inner lining, the sharp edge of the envelope biting into my palm.

"Convenient?" Nadia echoed with a laugh. "I know right. It’s always been me, hasn’t it? You just couldn’t dispose of her during college because she always obeyed you–us."

"You know it has," he replied smoothly. "She was nothing but a placeholder. That’s always been you and me, Nadia."

I swallowed back the bile rising in my throat.

This couldn’t be happening. Gabriel, the man I loved, was standing in our apartment, openly discussing my replacement. And with Nadia—my best friend, my sister in everything but blood.

She had disappeared overseas years ago, chasing opportunities I could never afford. I’d been her cheerleader, her shoulder to cry on, the one who sent her birthday messages even when she never replied. Now, she was back, and I hadn’t even known.

"She really thought this was real," Gabriel continued. His laugh sent a chill through me. "But you and I both know the truth. She was always too… plain. Too predictable."

"That’s what made her useful," Nadia purred. "She never questions anything. Always so eager to please. Honestly, it’s kind of sad."

Tears pricked my eyes. I pressed a trembling hand to my mouth, forcing myself not to sob.

"And when are you getting rid of her?" Nadia asked, her voice suddenly sharp.

"Soon," Gabriel said. "Once everything’s in place. She won’t even see it coming."

They laughed together, the sound hollow and cruel.

I wanted to burst out of the box, to scream at them, to demand answers. But my body refused to move. Fear, disbelief, and heartbreak pinned me in place.

Their footsteps moved closer. For one horrifying moment, I thought they might open the box. Instead, they passed by, their laughter trailing into the bedroom. The door clicked shut.

Seconds stretched into eternity, marked only by the muffled sounds I could barely comprehend—sounds that turned my stomach.

I couldn’t stay. Not for another second.

With shaky hands, I pushed the lid off the box, slipping out as silently as I could. My bare feet padded across the hardwood floor. I grabbed my purse, ignoring the decorations, the balloons, the stupid cake I had spent hours perfecting. He hadn’t even noticed it. What a waste!

The apartment blurred around me as I stumbled into the hallway. I didn’t even remember taking the elevator down.

The cool night air hit my face. I clutched the strap of my purse, walking aimlessly, my vision clouded with tears.

How could they?

Nadia. Gabriel. Two people I had trusted completely.

The pieces began falling into place. Nadia’s insistence on being involved in my life, her endless questions about Gabriel when we were in college. It had never been about me. It was about him. About what I had, and how she could take it.

I stopped on the corner of a quiet street, my chest heaving. My sobs came quietly at first, then louder, until they wracked my entire body.

The phone in my purse buzzed, pulling me out of my spiral. I fumbled to pull it out, my breath hitching when I saw Gabriel’s name on the screen.

For a moment, I hesitated. Why was he calling me now? Had they noticed I was there? Was it because of the surprise?

Against my better judgment, I answered. "What do you want?" My voice cracked.

"Amanda." His voice was clipped, almost frantic. "What’s your blood type?"

I blinked, stunned. "What? Gabriel, what—"

"Just tell me your blood type!" he barked.

"Why do you need—"

"Answer me, Amanda!" he shouted, the sheer force of his words making me flinch.

"O," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I’m O-negative."

"Good," Gabriel said, his tone shifting into something more focused. "It's the universal donor blood type. Come to St. James Hospital. Now."

"What?" I asked, my confusion mounting. "What’s going on? Why do I need to—"

"Just come!" he snapped. "If you’re late and something happens to Nadia, it’ll be your fault!"

The line went dead.

Chapter 2

“Wake up, Amanda. Nadia needs more blood.”

Gabriel’s voice cut through the haze, sharp and insistent. I opened my eyes to the glaring fluorescent lights of the hospital room, my body heavy and weak. My arms ached, bandaged where the nurses had drawn blood earlier.

“What?” My voice was weak, barely above a whisper.

“She hasn’t woken up yet,” Gabriel said, his tone impatient as he loomed over me. “The doctors said her condition is critical. She needs more.”

More? I blinked, trying to piece together what was happening. The events of the night rushed back—my escape from the apartment, the frantic phone call, the blood transfusion because they got into an accident.

They're were a lot of injured people who needed blood transfusion and there was no enough blood supply in the hospital, so I was forced by him to donate for Nadia.

Nadia. Always Nadia.

“I can’t,” I croaked, my words trembling. “I just gave. I—I don’t have any left.”

Gabriel’s expression darkened. “You don’t have a choice.”

He grabbed my arm, pulling me up with more force than necessary. Pain shot through my muscles, and I winced, barely able to keep my balance.

“Gabriel,” I exclaimed, struggling to keep up as he half-dragged me toward the door. “Stop. Please. I can’t do this again. I’m too weak.”

For a second, I wanted to talk about our baby but I kept my mouth shut.

He didn’t even glance back at me. “You’re fine. You’ll be fine. Nadia needs you.”

Nadia. Always Nadia.

I stumbled as he pulled me into a room where two nurses were already waiting.

“Sir,” one of them began cautiously, “she’s already given a significant amount. It’s not safe to take more so soon. She could—”

“I don’t care,” Gabriel snapped, cutting her off. “Do it.”

The nurse hesitated, glancing at me with concern. “Mr. Rocco, she’s at risk of fainting, or worse. This could—”

“Just do it!” Gabriel’s voice echoed in the sterile room, his frustration spilling over.

“Gabriel!” I yanked my arm free, though it took everything I had. My chest heaved as I glared at him. “Why are you doing this?”

His jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with irritation. “She was in a car accident, Amanda. If it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t have been out that night. This is my fault. I’m responsible.”

“Your fault?” I let out a hollow laugh, the sound bitter even to my own ears. “What about me? I’m your girlfriend, Gabriel. I’ve been by your side for years. Do I not matter at all?”

The nurses shifted uncomfortably, exchanging glances.

“I’m doing what I have to do,” Gabriel said coldly. “Stop making this about your feelings.”

The nurses shifted uncomfortably, exchanging glances.

“Making this about my feelings?” I stepped closer, my legs trembling beneath me. “I’m risking my health for her, Gabriel. For her. And you don’t even care what it’s doing to me.”

His eyes narrowed. “She needs you.”

“And what about what I need?” My voice cracked. “What about the fact that I’m your girlfriend? That I—”

“Enough.” His tone was final, dismissive. He turned to the nurses. “Take the blood.”

“Gabriel—”

“Now.”

I flinched as the nurses approached. My protests died on my lips as they guided me to the chair, their apologies murmured too softly to register.

The sharp prick of the needle barely registered over the whirlwind of emotions choking me. Tears blurred my vision as the world tilted, my body too weak to fight anymore.

The last thing I saw before everything went black was Gabriel standing by the door.

I woke to the soft hum of the hospital machines, my body heavy and drained. The dull ache in my arms reminded me of everything that had happened.

My eyes fluttered open, searching the room. For a moment, I thought Gabriel would be there, sitting beside me, maybe even holding my hand.

But the chair was empty.

Disappointment twisted in my chest, but it wasn’t enough to keep me lying down. I swung my legs over the side of the bed. The hallway outside was quiet, the scent of antiseptic sharp in the air. I wandered aimlessly, my thoughts a tangled mess of anger and hurt.

And then I found him.

The door to Nadia’s room was slightly ajar. I froze in the hallway, my heart pounding as I peeked inside.

Gabriel was there, his back to me. Nadia was sitting up in the bed, pale but conscious, her frail frame supported by a pile of pillows.

They were hugging.

My breath hitched, the sight cutting through me like a knife. Gabriel’s arms wrapped around her, his head resting against hers as he murmured something I couldn’t hear. Nadia’s fingers clutched his shirt, holding him close.

I stepped into the room, my legs trembling beneath me. They didn’t notice me at first, too caught up in their embrace.

When Gabriel finally looked up, his expression shifted from surprise to something I couldn’t place.

I forced a smile, though my heart felt like it was shattering all over again. “What’s happening here?”

Chapter 3

“What’s happening here?”

My voice broke the quiet, and both their heads snapped toward me. Gabriel stiffened, his arms still loosely around Nadia, while she quickly wiped her eyes like she’d been crying.

“Amanda,” Gabriel said, stepping away from Nadia. “It’s not what it looks like.”

Nadia offered a small, teary smile. “He was just comforting me. I was overwhelmed after everything.”

“Overwhelmed?” I crossed my arms. “What exactly happened, Nadia? Why were you even out with Gabriel that night? Why are you here? You didn’t even tell me!”

Their shared glance was brief but telling. For a moment, neither spoke, perhaps not knowing what lie they would tell me. Then Nadia leaned forward, her voice soft and measured. “It was supposed to be a surprise. For you.”

“A surprise,” I echoed, disbelief lacing my words.

“Yes.” Nadia nodded. “Gabriel and I planned something for his birthday. To surprise you. We’re best friends and these past years, I became busy so I couldn’t talk to you and I thought you were mad so I decided to surprise you, but then the accident happened before we could tell you.”

My laugh was bitter, hollow. “A surprise? That’s what you’re going with?” I shook my head, my chest tightening. “Funny, because I was planning a surprise too. Guess we all got what we didn’t expect.”

Gabriel frowned, stepping closer. “What are you talking about?”

“Your apartment,” I said, forcing my tone to remain calm. “I stopped by early that morning to drop something off. Thought I’d set everything up before coming back in the evening for your birthday. But then…” I trailed off, gesturing vaguely toward the hospital around us. “Well, I got your call.”

Gabriel blinked, his confusion evident. “The box? The cake? That was you?”

“Yes, I mean, who else?” I lied. “Anyway, happy belated birthday, Gabriel. And welcome back, Nadia.” My smile was brittle, and before either could respond, I turned on my heel and walked out of the room.

The moment I stepped into the empty corridor, I knew I needed to do something. I pressed a hand to my stomach.

The baby.

I hadn’t even told him. Gabriel didn’t know, and now I didn’t know if I even should. Could a child fix the mess we’d become? Would it make him realize what we had was worth saving?

I leaned against the wall, tears threatening to spill. My chest heaved as I tried to steady my breathing, debating whether I should tell him or keep it to myself.

After what felt like hours, I made my decision. He needed to know. Whatever Gabriel’s flaws, maybe the baby would be the push he needed to finally choose me.

I turned back toward the hospital wing, determined to find him. But as I rounded the corner, the sight stopped me in my tracks.

Gabriel and Nadia. Again.

They sat together on a couch in the hallway, their heads close as they whispered. Nadia’s voice was soft but firm. “Break up with her. She’s just making everything complicated.”

My heart dropped.

Gabriel sighed, running a hand down his face. “You know I can’t. Not yet. You need her blood. The doctors said you might need more transfusions in the future because you’re sick, Nadia. If she’s around, it’ll be easier. You’ll get unlimited blood whenever you’re weak.”

I clamped a hand over my mouth, stifling the breath that threatened to escape.

“Fine! But promise me you’ll dispose of her soon,” Nadia scoffed. “She’s been stealing you from me since college! I won’t let it happen!”

The world blurred around me. I backed away, my legs trembling. I had thought the worst was behind me, but now? Now I knew I was nothing more than a tool. He never loved me.

Wait, the baby. My baby.

I stopped in the middle of the hallway, the realization washing over me like ice water. This child deserved more. I deserved more.

I turned sharply, my footsteps purposeful as I headed for the exit.

The clinic wasn’t far. The receptionist’s voice was kind, but I barely heard her as I filled out the paperwork, my hands shaking with each stroke of the pen.

“Are you sure about this?” the nurse asked gently, her gaze searching mine.

My voice was steady, though my heart felt like it was breaking. “Yes. I want to have it terminated.”

Chapter 4

“She’s been discharged,” Gabriel said as he loomed over me. “Nadia will stay here for a while. She needs care.”

I stared at him, barely able to lift my head from the pillow. My body felt heavy, drained, and weak. I just went through a challenging procedure. I needed rest. It was pretty obvious but Gabriel doesn’t care enough to notice.

“I’m not okay,” I croaked. My voice cracked. “Gabriel, I can barely move.”

“She’s your best friend,” he snapped, his eyes narrowing. “The least you could do is help take care of her. She’s been through so much.”

So had I, but the words stayed lodged in my throat. Gabriel wasn’t interested in hearing about my pain. He pretended he was but now I saw through him.

“Get up,” he demanded, pulling the blanket off me in a single, impatient motion. “She hasn’t eaten since this morning. Cook something for her.”

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself upright despite the ache in my muscles. My hands shook as I swung my legs over the side of the bed, but Gabriel didn’t seem to notice—or care. It pains me even more.

“It’s okay, Gabriel.” Nadia’s soft, sweet voice drifted from the living room. “I don’t want to be a burden. If Amanda doesn’t want me here, I can go.”

“She didn’t say that,” Gabriel shot back, glaring at me. “Amanda, tell her she’s welcome. She’s your best friend, for God’s sake. Or are you so selfish you can’t even take care of her?”

I bit back the sharp retort threatening to escape. What was the point? Gabriel had already made up his mind about who was in the wrong.

“I’ll cook,” I muttered, standing on unsteady legs.

Gabriel nodded, satisfied, as if I had just proved his point.

Nadia smiled, “Aww, thank you so much, my best friend!” She hugged me and I know behind that was her fake smile.

“Sure. Go take a rest,” I said.

The kitchen felt like a prison. My body protested with every movement, but I pushed through, refusing to let Gabriel see just how much this was costing me.

Behind me, I could hear their voices, soft and intimate. The door to the bedroom clicked shut, and for a moment, I allowed myself to hope they were simply talking.

But then the sounds started.

Low murmurs turned to breathy sounds, the unmistakable rhythm of something intimate.

I froze, the knife slipping from my hand onto the counter with a dull clatter. My stomach churned as the sounds grew louder. They didn’t care that I was here.

I turned back to the stove, my hands trembling as I stirred the soup. I couldn’t let myself break down now. Not yet.

When the food was finally done, I poured it into bowls. My gaze landed on the bundle of chili leaves sitting on the counter. A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

Nadia was allergic to chili. Deathly allergic.

I grabbed a handful of the leaves and shredded them into her portion, stirring until they disappeared into the broth.

Let’s see how perfect you are now, I thought bitterly.

Since they were busy with each other and I have no room in here anymore, I decided it was time to leave. I grabbed the backpack I had packed earlier then slowly but fastly opened Gabriel’s safe to steal his money.

Ever since I had graduated, he didn’t want me to work, so I didn’t have money of my own. I thought that I was being treated like a princess, but I realized he was controlling me so I won’t have the nerve to leave him.

I grabbed all the cash in there leaving it empty. This is the least he could do after everything.

I scribbled a quick note on a piece of paper and left it on the counter. Went out to buy something.

As I turned to leave the apartment, my eyes caught on something small and familiar resting on the couch. Nadia’s designer pouch. I remember it was her favorite pouch that contained all her jewelry.

I didn’t think twice and grabbed it. She had stolen everything from me—my home, my relationship, my life. Taking this was nothing in comparison.

Without looking back, I stepped into the cool night air.

The hotel room was small but quiet, and that was all I needed.

I sat on the bed, staring blankly at the wall as the events of the day replayed in my mind. The termination. Gabriel forcing me to care for Nadia. Their betrayal, so loud and shameless, echoing from behind the bedroom door.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, shattering the silence. Gabriel’s name lit up the screen, followed by a string of angry texts.

“What the heck did you cook?”

“Nadia’s in the hospital!”

“She’s having a reaction! The doctors said it’s critical!”

“Answer me, Amanda!”

I stared at the screen, my chest tightening. But then his earlier words came rushing back—his accusations, his indifference, his betrayal.

The airline website loaded slowly on my phone, the hotel Wi-Fi barely holding on. I scrolled through the options, my fingers hovering over the “Book Now” button.

This was it. My chance to leave it all behind—Gabriel, Nadia, the pain.

I selected the earliest flight, my heart pounding as I entered my details. The confirmation screen blinked at me.

Taking a deep breath, I pressed Confirm, then I blocked his number without hesitation.