A powerful full drama movie filled with love, secrets, and unexpected twists.
Follow a powerful story where relationships are tested, hidden truths are revealed, and lives change forever. From romantic moments to shocking surprises, this drama keeps you engaged from beginning to end.
Featuring stories about CEO, billionaire lifestyles, family connections, and life-changing decisions, this movie delivers strong emotions and unforgettable scenes.
Watch the full movie and discover what happens in the end.
New full drama movies uploaded regularly. Stay tuned for more captivating and trending stories.
#drama #fullmovie #lovestory #dramatic #billionaire #ceo #family #relationships #movie #story
Follow a powerful story where relationships are tested, hidden truths are revealed, and lives change forever. From romantic moments to shocking surprises, this drama keeps you engaged from beginning to end.
Featuring stories about CEO, billionaire lifestyles, family connections, and life-changing decisions, this movie delivers strong emotions and unforgettable scenes.
Watch the full movie and discover what happens in the end.
New full drama movies uploaded regularly. Stay tuned for more captivating and trending stories.
#drama #fullmovie #lovestory #dramatic #billionaire #ceo #family #relationships #movie #story
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AmusantTranscription
00:30Hearing that name again still made me pause
00:32No one had called me Annie in six or seven years
00:34Turning to the boy beside me, I found Liam exactly as I remembered him at 12
00:38Sharp suit, bright face, eyes fixed on the stairs with open excitement
00:42One hand still hooked around my arm
00:44I looked at those long, clean fingers and saw only the slap he gave me years later
00:48Frowning, I shook him off at once
00:50Annie? What's wrong with you?
00:52The villa doors opened before I could answer
00:54Liam, Annie, come down! We brought your sister home
00:57His eyes lit up and he ran downstairs without me
01:00I stayed at the landing, looking down at the warm little family below
01:03Dad, Mom, Liam, and the girl in the middle
01:07Pressing a hand to my chest
01:09I waited for the old pain
01:10Only a faint numb flutter answered
01:12No slicing egg
01:13No collapse
01:14Nothing
01:15Liam and I were twins
01:17The golden pair of the Carter family for 12 full years
01:20A boy and a girl
01:21Lucky twins
01:22Everyone said
01:23My parents adored us
01:25The whole family did
01:26Liam was only two hours older
01:28Yet he acted like a real big brother
01:30He let me have everything
01:31Spoiled me into a little princess
01:33People used to joke with Dad at charity dinners and private parties
01:36Your daughter's got one hell of a temper
01:38Good thing she's already promised to Ethan or no man would dare marry her
01:41Dad would go cold on the spot
01:43My daughter wasn't born to be handed off to a man
01:45If nobody marries her, she stays with me
01:47I can fund her entire life
01:48Mom said nothing
01:49Dot Liam said nothing either
01:51They just kept piling gifts around me until I became impossible
01:54A gemstone bracelet worth half a million dollars was a casual birthday present back then
01:59It was also the last birthday gift I ever received
02:02When I was 12, Dad's old friend died of illness and left behind a daughter
02:06He took her in
02:07Her name was Chloe Lynn
02:08From that day on, she became my sister on paper and the center of the family in truth
02:12The love slipped away first
02:14Then the trust
02:14Then the attention
02:15Yes, I hated her
02:16I envied her
02:17Two tears from her could turn the whole house upside down
02:20Little by little, she took everything I had
02:23I got sharper, meaner, stranger
02:28Then came my 18th birthday
02:30I caught Chloe kissing Ethan in the garden
02:32That was the moment I snapped
02:34I demanded answers from my parents
02:36From my brother
02:36From the boy who claimed to love me
02:38Why would you do this to me?
02:40All three looked at me with the same disgust
02:42Look at yourself
02:43You're acting insane
02:44I laughed until tears ran down my face
02:47The pain in my chest twists so hard my whole body shook
02:49I lunged at Chloe with the cake knife in my hand
02:52Liam kicked me straight into a bed of thorned roses
02:54Everyone rushed to shield her
02:56Everyone soothed her
02:57No one cared that what I held wasn't even a real knife
03:00Just a cheap plastic cake cutter
03:01My parents called me mentally unstable and locked me in a psychiatric hospital
03:05Liam's kick had done more damage than anyone admitted
03:07I coughed blood day and night
03:09Begged the doctors over and over to call my parents
03:12Not once did they answer
03:13After another round of electric shocks
03:16I died
03:16And then I saw the soul shop
03:18I sold every feeling I had left
03:20Including my ability to love
03:22And bought myself this second life
03:24Annie, come here
03:25Didn't you say you couldn't wait to meet your sister?
03:27Mom stood at the door with Chloe
03:29Smiling like this was some sweet family moment
03:34Hi sis
03:35Chloe lifted her pale little face and called me softly
03:38I gave her nothing
03:39Just turned around and walked back to my room
03:41The silence downstairs turned awkward fast
03:45Who upset her now?
03:47She's probably just not used to having another girl in the house
03:49I'll talk to her
03:50Do you think she hates me?
03:53Chloe's voice trembled right on cue
03:54Before my parents could answer
03:56Liam jumped in
03:57No, no
03:58Annie just gets moody
04:00She's not bad
04:01Don't cry, okay?
04:02I'll talk to her for you
04:03Mom and dad laughed in relief
04:05That's our boy
04:06Take good care of your little sister
04:07Their voices carried straight through the walls
04:09This house still had terrible soundproofing
04:11I hated that
04:12Too loud
04:12Too fake
04:13Too much
04:14So I stood up and started taking inventory
04:16It had been so long
04:17I barely remembered what 12-year-old me owned
04:19Turns out the answer was
04:21An obscene amount
04:22No wonder Chloe loved stealing from me
04:24Even I had to admit it was enough to make anyone jealous
04:27I swept the jewelry from my vanity into my backpack
04:29If I didn't take them now
04:31She'd cry her way into owning them soon enough
04:33My fingers closed around that gemstone bracelet
04:39The memory hit at once
04:41Chloe threw it straight out the window right in front of me
04:44I leaned over the sill
04:45And watched as the car that had come to pick her
04:47Drove right over the bracelet
04:49Crushing it into tiny pieces
04:51That was the first time I slapped her
04:53Her eyes going red
04:54Her voice going soft and shaky behind the door
04:57I'm sorry sis
04:58I've never had had anything this pretty before
05:00I just wanted to look
05:01I didn't hold it right
05:03Then came the tears
05:04Her crying drew her parents and brother over
05:06They rushed over and pulled her in their arms
05:09That was the first time I'd ever lost my temper and hit someone
05:12And also the first time
05:14Bad locked me in solitary confinement
05:16She clung to mom's leg and cried like she was dying
05:18All while finding time to throw me a smug little face
05:22I pointed at her and shouted the truth
05:24Liam shoved me hard into my bedroom
05:26Before I got two more words out
05:28Annie do you have any compassion at all?
05:30Chloe's been through enough
05:31Why are you bullying her over one stupid bracelet?
05:33You've got tons of them
05:34One stupid bracelet?
05:35No
05:35That bracelet was the gift he bought me with the prize money
05:38From his first design competition
05:39He forgot
05:43From that year on
05:44The birthday gift stopped
05:45The dolls, dresses, jewelry
05:47That used to pour into my room like water
05:49All changed direction
05:50All because she said one thing
05:52The girls at school laugh at me
05:53They say I'm skinny, plain and have no style
05:56Nothing like Annie
05:57She always looks so polished
05:58It was a lie
05:59Liam knew it was a lie
06:00He was the one helping her turn the class against me
06:02He knew everything
06:03He just never said a word for me
06:05And little by little
06:06My parents started taking her side every single time
06:08By the time I packed everything worth keeping
06:10Someone finally knocked on my door
06:11Mom's voice was impossibly gentle
06:14Annie?
06:15Sweetheart, come eat
06:16I didn't answer
06:17I just opened the door and let her lead me downstairs
06:20The second I stepped in
06:21I saw Chloe sitting in my seat
06:22Dad and Leah were both putting food on her plate
06:24So what?
06:25I eat on the floor?
06:26Everyone froze
06:27Mom's hand tightened around mine
06:28Of course not
06:29That's on me
06:30I forgot to bring another chair
06:31Maria, get Annie a chair
06:32Chloe stood up at once
06:33Eyes wide and wet
06:34I'm sorry sis
06:35I didn't know this was your spot
06:36I can move
06:37Liam rose and pressed her gently back down
06:39Annie, come on
06:40A seat's a seat
06:41Chloe just got here
06:42Don't scare her
06:42Sit on my left
06:43I'll stay in the middle
06:47Mom and dad said nothing
06:48They only watched me
06:49That silence said enough
06:50I nearly laughed
06:51They looked like a family acting on stage
06:54And the acting was bad
06:55Taking the chair from the housekeeper
06:57I dragged it to the farthest corner of the table
06:59As far from them as possible
07:01Liam paused mid-motion with his serving spoon
07:03He opened his mouth
07:04Closed it again
07:05And said nothing
07:06The meal ended in ugly silence
07:08I was heading upstairs when dad called me back
07:11Annie, Chloe's a year younger than you
07:13And Liam, you're the older siblings
07:15You should make room for her
07:16She just lost her parents
07:17She's fragile
07:18We're her family now
07:19That's right
07:19I know you're still adjusting
07:21But she's such a sweet girl
07:22Spend more time together
07:23You'll get close
07:24They kept shooting each other looks across the table
07:26Neither wanted to say the real part first
07:28So?
07:29I got bored fast
07:30Mom blinked
07:31Caught off guard by my tone
07:32Dad took a sip of red wine
07:34And forced a smile
07:35Chloe just transferred to this school
07:37And she's in poor physical and mental health
07:38We're really worried about her
07:40So, how about you and your brother
07:41Voluntary drop out of the elite program
07:43Transfer to a private school
07:44And attend classes with her?
07:48He rushed to sweeten it
07:50Liam already said yes
07:51We were just waiting on you
07:52I turned to Liam
07:53He kept his head down
07:54Didn't even dare look at me
07:56There it was again
07:57Same script
07:58Same faces
07:59Same rot underneath
08:00In the last life
08:01They did the very same thing
08:02They demanded Limia and me
08:04Who'd already earned strong results
08:05In the elite program
08:06Transfer to a private school
08:08Just to keep Chloe company
08:09A year later
08:10Ethan transferred in too
08:11Claiming he wanted to take care of me
08:13Then the three of them
08:14Put on little shows every day
08:15You bullied Chloe
08:16She's so mean
08:17She did it again
08:47That was how they isolated me
08:48We won't bother one another anymore
08:49Then I turned and walked upstairs
08:51Behind me
08:52Chloe broke into loud sobs
08:54And the rest of them
08:55Rushed to comfort her
08:58At a little past nine that night
09:00Liam knocked on my door
09:01Annie, are you asleep?
09:03What?
09:04Can you open the door?
09:06No
09:06Silence sat outside my door
09:07So long I thought he'd left
09:08Then his voice came back
09:10Low and careful
09:11You're upset, right?
09:12I paused while folding my clothes
09:14No
09:16Yes you are
09:16Is it because I paid too much attention
09:18To Chloe today and ignored you?
09:19That almost made me laugh
09:20I wasn't upset
09:21I just didn't care
09:22The girl who would have been
09:23Crushed by being ignored
09:25Had already died in that hospital
09:26Do whatever you want, Liam
09:28Be close to whoever you want
09:29I don't care
09:30Just stay out of my way
09:31Silence again
09:32When he spoke
09:33His voice carried helplessness
09:34Chloe's really pitiful, Annie
09:36She's tiny, sweet, soft-hearted
09:37I'm scared people will bully her
09:38I'll stay with her for one year, okay?
09:40Once she settles in
09:41I'll transfer back and go with you
09:42Sure, fine
09:43Whatever
09:44The school was practically
09:45His family's investment project anyway
09:47Then I put in my earplugs
09:49And went to bed
09:49The next morning
09:50I walked into the living room
09:52With a suitcase in one hand
09:53And my school bag in the other
09:54Everyone stared
09:55Then I saw Ethan
09:56Seated right beside Leah
09:58He was my age
09:59But already taller than Leah
10:01The second he saw me
10:02He sprang to his feet
10:03Peach-colored eyes
10:05Curving into that warm smile
10:06I used to trust
10:07Annie!
10:08I came to pick you up for school
10:09My gaze dropped to Chloe's hand
10:11Hooked to ground his arm
10:12You don't need to pick me up anymore
10:13If you want to pick up someone else
10:15Go right ahead
10:16Ethan's smile cracked on the spot
10:17What?
10:18I tipped my chin
10:19Toward the suitcase behind me
10:20Chairs scraped across the floor
10:22Not just Ethan
10:23My parents and Liam
10:24Looked just as confused
10:25Annie!
10:26What's all this?
10:27Liam's tired red eyes
10:29Locked onto my suitcase
10:31Clothes
10:31Toiletries
10:32A few things I need
10:33And my jewelry
10:34I forgot to mention
10:35Starting today
10:36I'm moving out
10:37What?
10:40They all spoke at once
10:42Dad walked over
10:42And crouched in front of me
10:44His face set hard
10:45You're moving out?
10:46Yes
10:46Why?
10:47Is home not good enough?
10:48Did your mother and I
10:49Do something to upset you?
10:51I said nothing
10:51There wasn't a flicker
10:52In my eyes either
10:53His hand shook slightly
10:54Where it touched my hair
10:55Then he glanced back
10:56At Chloe
10:57Is this because of Chloe?
10:59Before I could answer
11:00Chloe had already
11:01Let out a wounded little sob
11:02Mom rushed over
11:03To wrap her up
11:04And shot dad a look
11:05What are you saying?
11:06Of course not
11:06Annie tell us
11:07You like your sister
11:08Don't you?
11:08That's not why
11:09You're moving out
11:09Right?
11:10They all waited
11:11For the answer
11:12They wanted
11:12They wanted me
11:13To lie for them
11:14Wanted me to say
11:15I liked her
11:15Wanted me to say
11:16I was just being difficult
11:18Wanted me to say
11:18I wasn't hurt at all
11:19I disappointed them
11:20On purpose
11:21No
11:22I don't like her
11:23I hate her
11:24And not just her
11:24I hate mom
11:25I hate dad
11:26I hate Liam
11:26I hate Ethan
11:27I hate all of you
11:28The color dreaded
11:29Of my parents faces
11:30Liam looked like
11:31The floor had vanished
11:32Under him
11:33Ethan on the other hand
11:34Barely flinched
11:35He looked at me
11:36The way people look
11:37At a jealous girl
11:38Throwing a fit
11:38All patience
11:39All fake understanding
11:40When I walked past him
11:42With my suitcase
11:42He even reached out
11:44To help
11:44I stepped away
11:45Before he could touch it
11:47That still didn't stop him
11:49From following me
11:49My parents moved
11:50Like they wanted
11:51To chase after me
11:52But Chloe's crying
11:53Cut them off
11:53She buried her face
11:55In mom's arms
11:55Shaking hard
11:56Maybe you should
11:57Just send me
11:58To a group home
11:58Annie doesn't want me here
12:00I don't belong
12:01In this family
12:02That of course
12:03Sent them right back
12:03Into soothing mode
12:04Strangely
12:05Liam said nothing
12:06This time
12:06Ethan kept tailing me
12:08Anyway
12:08He forced his way
12:09Into my car
12:10Take your own car
12:11Why would I
12:12I want to be with you
12:13Tilting his head
12:14He flashed those
12:15Two little fang-like teeth
12:16And grinned like
12:17He could get away
12:17With anything
12:18My fingers trilled
12:19Because last life
12:20It started exactly like this
12:22When everyone else
12:23Turned on me
12:23Ethan was the only one
12:25Who didn't
12:25He defended me
12:26When Chloe framed me
12:27He talked back
12:29When Liam scolded me
12:30When my parents
12:30Grew colder and colder
12:31He held me and whispered
12:33It's okay Annie
12:33You still have me
12:34If they like your sister more
12:36That's their problem
12:36I'll always choose you
12:38I clung to him
12:38Like a drowning girl
12:39Grabbing driftwood
12:40I trusted every single word
12:41He said back then
12:42Then came my 14th birthday
12:44Chloe collapsed
12:45Without warning
12:47Before anyone else reacted
12:48Ethan shoved past me
12:50And caught her
12:50Then the priest
12:51He had brought with him
12:52Declared in front of all the guests
12:53That my name
12:54Was a burden to Chloe
12:55He said that was why
12:56Chloe kept getting sick
12:57The timing was perfect
12:59The excuse was pathetic
13:00Everyone at that party
13:02Knew what it really was
13:03A set up
13:05Humiliation dressed up as concern
13:06And still my parents
13:07Took me to legally change my name
13:09From then on
13:10Annie Carter became forbidden
13:11In that house
13:12They started calling me
13:13Chloe Grace
13:13A name built around her
13:15Pretty maybe
13:16I still hated it
13:17Even when I died
13:17I still hated it
13:18I ignored Ethan
13:19For the rest of the drive
13:20Soon enough
13:21He'd switch classes
13:22And trail after Chloe anyway
13:23The second we got to school
13:24I took my papers
13:25And dorm fees
13:26Straight to the residence office
13:27Ethan watched me
13:28Hand over the money
13:29That was when the lazy grin
13:31Finally slipped off his face
13:32He finally got it
13:34I wasn't sulking
13:35I wasn't joking
13:36And I wasn't waiting
13:37For anyone to chase me down
13:39And beg
13:39I really just wanted out
13:41Annie?
13:42Why do you hate me too?
13:44What did I even do?
13:45His fingers caught my sleeve lightly
13:46Careful
13:46Hesitant
13:47Nothing about that hand
13:48Looked like the one
13:49Used to crush my throat
13:50But the memory was still vivid
13:51I jerked away hard
13:52Then I took out a tissue
13:54And wiped the place
13:54He had touched
13:55His whole face went blank
13:57Annie?
13:58The second he met my eyes
13:59The rest of his words died
14:00I walked off fast
14:02Before class even started
14:03I want to switch to
14:04Miss Hale's math section
14:05By the end of first period
14:06Ethan still hadn't shown up
14:08Later
14:08Arms full of books
14:09I stepped into the familiar hallway
14:10And found him there at last
14:12His eyes were red
14:13Seeing the stack in my arms
14:14Only made him look worse
14:16Annie!
14:17Don't switch classes!
14:18Please!
14:19A basketball flew out of class
14:21Before I could answer
14:22And smacked him right in the head
14:23I dodged cleanly
14:24And went straight inside
14:26Ethan dropped to the hallway floor
14:28Stirring up a small commotion
14:29Inside the classroom
14:30One boy was still holding
14:32His shooting pose
14:32His uniform hung loose
14:34And his grin was shameless
14:35Oops!
14:36My bad!
14:37You okay out there?
14:38I glanced at him
14:38And kept walking
14:39Maybe it was my imagination
14:40But his whole body
14:42Seemed to stiffen
14:42For a split second
14:43Then he braced one hand
14:45On a desk
14:45And pointed at the seat
14:46Beside him
14:47Trash cans right behind
14:48The last row
14:49Sit by me
14:50If you don't want
14:50The deluxe garbage view
14:51I looked at him
14:52He looked away first
14:55Mr. John said
14:56We'd have a new classmate today
14:57As someone in this class
14:58I ought to look after them
14:59By the time he stopped
15:00Even his ears were red
15:02This was Jay Rivers
15:03He's also the school's
15:04Infamous troublemaker
15:05Around me
15:06Some students were laughing
15:07At Ethan sprawled outside
15:09Others kept sneaking looks
15:10Between Jay and me
15:11I almost sighed
15:12Jay's terrible reputation
15:14Isn't entirely without cause
15:15But one thing was true
15:16I really didn't want to sit
15:17Anywhere near Ethan anymore
15:18Thanks but I prefer
15:20Sitting alone
15:20Carrying my books
15:21I set them down
15:22At the last desk by the wall
15:23Jay looked instantly
15:24Annoyed with himself
15:25Wait then don't sit there
15:26We can swap
15:27I'm taller
15:27I'll block your view
15:28Before I could refuse
15:29Ethan barged in
15:30With dirt still on his face
15:31He slapped one hand
15:32Over my books
15:33Annie come back with me
15:34Move your hand
15:35No
15:35Jay pulled a face
15:36Like he'd he'd just
15:37Smelled something foul
15:38Seriously man
15:39You shooting a soap opera
15:40In our classroom
15:41Someone at the door
15:42Tossed him the ball again
15:43He spun it on one finger
15:44And looked Ethan up and down
15:45With open challenge
15:46She wants to stay in our class
15:47Since when do you get a vote
15:48Ethan bit down hard
15:49And looked at me
15:50By then I was already
15:52Organizing my desk
15:52Like he wasn't there
15:53Bell's about to ring
15:55You leaving or what
15:55Ethan's hand curled tight
15:58Annie
15:58I didn't respond
15:59At last
16:00He gave up
16:01He threw one last
16:02Vicious look at Jay
16:02And walked out
16:03Turning back every few stapes
16:04I let out a breath
16:06Thanks
16:07Wait
16:08You talking to me?
16:09I nodded
16:10He suddenly straightened up
16:11Like he'd been called
16:12The ball over his shoulder
16:12It dropped clean
16:13Into the trash
16:14I stared
16:15He stared too
16:16Like he hadn't meant to do that
16:17Then his face turned even redder
16:20Muscle memory
16:21Uh
16:21You're welcome
16:22I lowered my head and laughed
16:24That only made him stiffer
16:26Jay still swapped seats
16:27With me in the end
16:28I kept telling him
16:29That it was winter
16:29And barely any sunlight
16:31Hit this spot at all
16:32He refused to listen
16:33It's plain to see you hate sunlight
16:34Being a good student
16:36I wouldn't make you sit there
16:37You take my position
16:39Stay there
16:39You see?
16:41My position is not exposed to the sun
16:44Apparently
16:45He took the class rep thing
16:47Very seriously
16:51He handled every transfer form
16:53Every errand
16:54Every tiny classroom chore for me
16:56He even did my cleaning duty
16:59So when a teacher called us into the office
17:01And asked whether I could help raise his grades
17:02I hesitated
17:03Then agreed
17:04School life was dull
17:05But it was steady too
17:08With memories from my last life
17:09I had already started teaching myself
17:11High school material in secret
17:12I filled every weekend slot with APs
17:15ACT prep
17:16And volunteer work
17:17So I'd have no reason to head back home
17:19During summer and winter breaks
17:21I signed myself up for overseas camps
17:22And flew out whenever I could
17:24I studied
17:25I trained
17:26I looked outward instead of back
17:288 in the morning to 10 at night
17:30Every day run like clockwork
17:32At first my parents still came to school every few days
17:35Later when they realized I met them with the same cool face every time
17:38They came less
17:39Every now and then they'd call
17:40The calls were always the same
17:42How sweet Chloe was now
17:43How much she missed me
17:44How we were sisters and should get along
17:46I usually let them talk themselves dry
17:47Then dad or mom would sigh into the silence
17:49Annie, we just want you girls to be close
17:51Chloe really misses you
17:53Are you still not coming home this weekend?
17:55No
17:55That was often all I said
17:57My answers were short enough to freeze a room
17:59I never bothered warming it back up
18:01Sometimes I just hung up
18:02They liked saying I'd become cold, isolated
18:05Nothing like the girl I used to be
18:07But I knew better
18:08It had never been about personality
18:10Not being bright and cheerful doesn't make them reject me
18:13Because last life
18:14I'd cried and smiled and begged and shrunk myself raw
18:17Trying to earn their love
18:18That version of me still wasn't loved
18:21Some people decide who to love first
18:23And make up reasons after
18:24I was lucky
18:25The soul shop had taken my ability to love
18:28So they no longer had the power to hurt me
18:30Liam though
18:31Kept showing up every single day
18:33He ran back and forth between the elementary and middle school buildings
18:37With packed lunches from home
18:38Sometimes Chloe came too
18:40Panting from the walk
18:41And glaring at me like I'd committed some crime
18:43Annie, he worked so hard bringing you lunch
18:46Why don't you just transfer back and be in class with us?
18:49I never asked him to come
18:50And I definitely never asked you
18:54Taking the lunchbox from Liam
18:55I sat down and ate without another word
18:57Chloe bit her lip and turned watery-eyed at once
19:00Liam only smiled
19:02Wiping sweat from his forehead like some generous saint
19:05It's not hard at all
19:06Annie, I won't only care about Chloe and ignore you
19:09If you don't want to come home, don't
19:12School food sucks anyway
19:13I'll bring you lunch every day
19:15I ignored him
19:16He never got mad
19:18Most days, he stood quietly outside with Ethan
19:21When I finished eating
19:22He grabbed the empty lunchbox
19:24And ran all the way back to the Elitamary building
19:26Ethan spoke less and less
19:28He stopped insisting that I answer him
19:31Instead, he'd show up by the classroom window
19:33Between periods and pretend not to stare
19:35I pretended not to notice
19:38That was how the days passed
19:40Until the day before my 14th birthday
19:43My parents showed up at school with Liam
19:45Which was rare enough to make me stop
19:48The second they saw me, both of them seemed to freeze
19:51Mom took my arm with trembling fingers and looked me over
19:54You got taller
19:56You're almost my height now
19:58Sweetheart, you haven't come home in so long
20:01Her eyes reddened as she spoke
20:03Tomorrow's your birthday
20:04We decorated the house
20:05Come home, okay?
20:06Last year, Jay somehow found out it was my birthday
20:09And dragged half the class out to go horseback riding
20:12He rode beside me under a blaze of sun and gave me a strange look
20:17Annie Carter, can you loosen up a little?
20:19I didn't understand
20:20What?
20:21Using both index fingers, he tugged at the corners of his mouth
20:24It's your birthday, try smiling
20:26So I did
20:28It must have looked awful
20:29His face fell for a second
20:31Then he said it anyway
20:32Happy birthday, Annie
20:34Thanks
20:34That day, wind tore past my ears as my horse ran
20:38For the first time in years, something heavy inside me loosened
20:41The next day, I saw the missed calls from home
20:44And later, the pile of presents Liam carred over to me
20:48I'd been surprised then
20:50Because as far as I remembered
20:51My twelfth birthday was the last time anyone in that house gave me gifts
20:55Now Liam looked at me with the same pleading face
20:58Come home tomorrow, please?
21:00I turned my head
21:01And there he was
21:04Standing there with Chloe clinging to his arm
21:06My face tightened before I could help it
21:08Ethan noticed instantly and yanked his arm away from Chloe like he'd been burned
21:12Annie, I was looking for you
21:14Chloe said you were here, so she brought me over
21:16You don't need to explain anything to me
21:19I already have plans tomorrow
21:21I'm not coming home
21:22Annie!
21:25I turned and walked back toward my classroom
21:28Behind me came a stunned chorus of hurt voices
21:30By the time I reached the corner, I heard mom crying
21:34And then a heavy sigh
21:35Do you think we made a mistake?
21:37The classroom lights were off
21:38My classmates circled around me, singing off-key and loud
21:42Make a wish!
21:43I closed my eyes
21:44For a few seconds, I said nothing
21:46Then inside my head, I begged hard and fast
21:49Please just keep me far away from that family in this life
21:52When I opened my eyes again, Jay was right in front of me
21:55Holding out a small gift box
21:57Happy birthday, Annie Carter
21:58Open it
21:59Smiling, I lifted the lid
22:01Then I froze
22:02Inside lay a hair clip covered with tiny diamonds
22:05The worksmanship was exquisite
22:07The design was flawless
22:09You don't like it?
22:10I love it, thank you
22:12He stopped cold
22:13Not taking the clip out
22:14I fixed it in my hair
22:15Really?
22:16Thank you
22:16The look in his eyes changed
22:18Good, good, it looks really good on you
22:20Yes, it was beautiful
22:22Because I knew exactly what this clip was
22:24A famous designer piece called Starfield
22:26At 17, I fell in love with it at an auction
22:28I thought my mother would love it too
22:30So I took the money I'd saved for years and bid on it
22:33Every time I raised my number, Chloe added one dollar
22:36In the end, mom stepped in and bought it for an absurd price
22:39Then she penned it into Chloe's hair
22:41You already have everything
22:42Why fight a little girl over one accessory?
22:45Everyone told me to be generous
22:47Chloe wore it every day after that
22:49Parading it right in front of me
22:51If you want it, I can give it to you, Grace
22:53Even though the family bought it for me
22:56I just feel bad for you
22:58That little clip turned into a splinter in my mind
23:01It pushed me further and further towards the edge
23:04And now here it was
23:05Not stolen
23:06Not won through humiliation
23:08Not gifted to another girl while I stood there and swallowed it
23:11Mine
23:12The thought hit so hard my chest tighted
23:14Maybe I was worth something after all
23:17Thank you
23:18Something inside me, quiet, for so long
23:20Began to beat again
23:21After that birthday
23:23The carter stopped bothering me so often
23:25Even Liam and Ethan
23:26Who used to show up like clock docs
23:28Stopped appearing
23:29I found out why from the class gossip queen
23:32Chloe was sick
23:33Badly
23:34She couldn't stand my parents
23:36Or Liam being out of her sight for even a minute
23:38If she woke up and one of them wasn't there
23:41She would break down screaming
23:43I heard your mom mention sending her to a boarding school abroad
23:46And she totally lost it
23:48They say she even threatened suicide
23:51She was supposed to stay home and recover
23:53But she refused to let your brother go back to school
23:56Made the whole family stay at the hospital with her
23:59Even Ethan got trapped there
24:00His family had a huge fight with yours
24:03My fingers tightened around my pen
24:05Because it sounded exactly like me
24:07The only difference was this
24:08Her family still stayed
24:09Still, none of it was happier without them
24:11So I threw myself into school
24:13And dragged the whole class up with me
24:15Anyone who slashed got a visit from Jay
24:17Six months later, we all tested into the best public high school in the city
24:21I didn't go back to the Carter House once that summer
24:23Instead, I traveled with Jay's family to climb Mount Kasbach
24:27That was when I learned both his parents were professional climbers
24:30Originally, they had planned on Mont Blanc
24:32But climbers had to be at least 16 for that route
24:34And neither Jay nor I qualified
24:36So they changed plans and took us elsewhere
24:38Hot fruit tea, sweetheart
24:39This wasn't the first time I'd met her
24:42For the past three years, she'd shown up at school events
24:46Parent meetings
24:47And random afternoons just to see me
24:49Beautiful, dramatic, impossible to ignore
24:51She always wrapped me in a hug and declared
24:53You are adorable, gorgeous, perfect
24:56Why didn't I get a daughter?
24:57Then she'd sigh and clutch her chest
24:59It makes no sense
25:00How did my daughter turn out to be a boy?
25:02Mom, please
25:04You don't have a daughter, you have a son, me
25:06Nobody listened
25:07His dad's laughter boomed across the slope
25:10By the summit, the whole world felt ridiculously bright
25:13Breathing hard, I stared out over the white expanse
25:16Jay shook out a blanket and draped it over my shoulders
25:19When I turned, I caught his parents huddled together
25:22Both wearing those deeply suspicious smirkers
25:25I raised a brow
25:25They snapped their heads away in perfect sync
25:27The mountain's so high
25:28The snow's so white
25:30Jay's face went red again
25:31I almost smiled
25:32I never enrolled in the private high school backed by the Carter family
25:35That alone nearly broke Liam
25:38For reasons only he understood
25:40He skipped ahead a grade and forced his way into freshman year
25:44He had assumed I would follow the family plan and attend their school
25:47It wasn't until orientation that he and Ethan combed through the roster
25:51And realized I wasn't there at all
25:54That sent Chloe spiraling again
25:56Her grades had always been shaky
25:58Middle school itself had been hard enough
26:00Still, she forced dad to place her straight into freshman year
26:04So she could stay in Liam's class
26:05Ethan fought with his family too
26:07Trying to transfer after me
26:10His mother shut that down fast and locked him at home for it
26:13As for that ridiculous engagement
26:15I ended it before the summer was over
26:17I returned the gemstone bracelet that Ethan's mom had once given me with her own hands
26:21Please keep your son away from me
26:23The others kept calling for a while
26:25Too bad public school rules did the work for me
26:28And I'd already notified campus security not to let outside visitors near me
26:32So for three full years, I saw them only a handful of times
26:35My parents were waiting at the school gate before I could slip away
26:39Mom walked towards me with a careful, hopeful smile
26:42I stepped back on instinct
26:44That tiny movement shattered her
26:46Dad's eyes reddened too
26:48Luckily, people outside the graduation ceremony were always crying for one reason or another
26:52Joy, grief, relief, collapse
26:55We didn't stand out much in the crowd
26:56Annie, mom misses you so much
26:59Just let me hug you once, okay?
27:01I frowned before I could hide it
27:02Not because I wanted to humiliate her
27:04But because every time I stood this close to them
27:06My whole body felt wrong
27:08Back when I still needed peace to get through school
27:10I sometimes forced myself to play along
27:12Now I didn't have to
27:13That can't be right
27:14Your family already is everything
27:16A smart son who dotes on his little sister
27:18A sweet daughter who respects her elders
27:20What exactly would you need me for?
27:22Mom's sobbing stopped like someone hit a switch
27:25She looked at me, panic blooming all over her face
27:28Her whole body began to shake
27:30No, that's impossible
27:32How would you know?
27:33That wasn't real, it was a dream
27:34It had to be a dream
27:35She started mutering
27:36Shaking her head over and over like she was losing her grip
27:39What did you do to your mother?
27:40I stayed at least three feet away from her and never touched her once
27:44If you're trying to frame me, maybe don't do it under 20 security cameras
27:48What did you call me?
27:49Mr. Carter
27:50Have you lost your mind? Your mother and I came all the way here to pick you up and this
27:54is your attitude?
27:54I shrugged
27:55Honestly, I thought I was being polite
27:57Much kinder than what they once did to me
27:58Bye
27:59I stepped back again
28:00He lunged to grab me
28:01I slipped away
28:02What now, Mr. Carter?
28:04You planning to hit me?
28:05You've been spoiled rotten for years
28:06Maybe that's the problem
28:07His hand came up
28:08Then mom screamed
28:10Don't! Don't hit her!
28:12She threw herself around his arm and collapsed to her knees
28:14So that's why, that's why you hated me so much
28:17Then she laughed and cried at once
28:20Watching her, one thought crossed my mind
28:22Maybe I understood them a little better now
28:24Living with a mad person really was humiliating
28:26I turned and walked away without another word
28:28Then a bright voice rang out behind me
28:31Annie, baby! Over here!
28:33Jay's mom was waving both arms with a bouquet in hand
28:36His dad held another bouquet beside her
28:38And Jay, just out of the exam crowd, stood there squinting at me in the sun
28:41Mom!
28:42Then I ran
28:44She dumped the flowers into Jay's arms
28:46And spun me right off the ground
28:47You did it, sweetheart
28:49A few days off and then we head to France
28:51Mont Blanc, baby!
28:52Yes!
28:53Jay took my school bag
28:54His dad handed me an ice cream
28:56Laughing, talking, moving as one
28:58We walked off together
28:59Behind us, I could feel two figures standing there like stone
29:03And with every step, they grew farther away
29:06The day we left for France
29:08Jay's dad drove and his mom hummed in the front seat
29:11They looked energized
29:13Jay and I, on the other hand
29:14Passed out the second our heads touched the seats
29:17I thought we'd sleep all the way to the airport
29:19Dot
29:19Then the brake slammed
29:21Our heads knocked back against the seats
29:23I opened my eyes to a shadow throwing itself in front of the car
29:28If Jay's dad had been half a second lower
29:30That person would have been sent flying
29:32Seriously?
29:33We do an insurance fraud before breakfast?
29:35We all jumped out
29:37And there he was
29:38On his knees in front of the hood
29:39I hadn't seen him in a full year
29:41The sight still shocked me
29:43He was too thin
29:44Too worn down
29:45Not even 18 yet
29:47But his eyes were dead
29:48He wore long sleeves in the middle of summer
29:51His exposed face was covered in scratches
29:53Fresh ones over old ones
29:55A handsome face
29:56Ruined
29:57Before I could react
29:58Jay and his dad moved in front of me and his mom at once
30:01The hell's wrong with you?
30:03If you want to die, pick a truck
30:04Our car's too small
30:05You might survive
30:06I quietly gave him a thumb sigh
30:08He winked back without looking away
30:11That was enough to send Liam over the edge
30:13He rammed Jay aside like a feral dog and threw himself at me
30:16His whole body shook
30:18His eyes were bloodshot
30:19Tears falling hard and fast
30:21His hands clamped down on my shoulders harder and harder
30:24Annie! Annie!
30:26Please forgive us!
30:27Please forgive me!
30:28I'm begging you!
30:28Come back and see mom!
30:29She's dying!
30:30Please!
30:31Please!
30:31He was so strong Jay's parents couldn't pull him off
30:33Jay snapped
30:34He ran to the trunk
30:35Yanked out the car jack
30:37And charged
30:38Jay! Don't!
30:39Dragging Liam with me
30:40I stumbled hard toward the roud side
30:42Drop it!
30:43Jay!
30:44That finally cut through whatever madness had taken him
30:47The jack slipped from his hand and smashed into the pavement
30:49Cracking a stone tile clean through
30:51Was he insane?
30:53If that thing had landed on Liam's head
30:54Jay would have gone to prison
30:56Still shaking
30:57I looked at him again
30:57He looked worse than I felt
30:58Jaw locked
30:59Veins standing out on his neck
31:01For one strange second
31:02The sight felt familiar
31:03Cold sweat slipped down my face
31:04I turned back to Liam and gave in
31:06I'll go
31:06Just let go
31:07You're hurting me
31:07That seemed to reach him
31:08He shrunk instantly
31:09In the back seat
31:10He curled himself against the window
31:12And muttered nonsense the whole ride
31:13That wasn't me
31:15I was wrong
31:15Please forgive me
31:16I ignored all of it
31:17Then
31:18Halfway there
31:18He slowly turned and stared at Jay
31:20Who was sitting between us on purpose
31:22His lips trembled
31:23I've seen you before
31:24It was you
31:24It was you
31:25I looked at Jay
31:26His face was blank
31:28Too blank
31:29My heart skipped
31:30Jay?
31:30He turned to me at once
31:32And flashed a ridiculous grin
31:33At your service malady
31:35Name it
31:35And I'll make it happen
31:36I almost choked
31:38Okay
31:38Not possessed
31:39Still the same ridiculous idiot
31:41And yet Liam only looked more terrified
31:43He shrunk further into the door
31:45He was already thin
31:46Sitting beside Jay
31:47He looked even smaller
31:48Anxiety pressed into me soft and cold
31:50But underneath it was something else too
31:51Maybe this was it
31:52Maybe this would finally end
31:54I let out a slow breath
31:55Jay took the chance to slip his hand over mine
31:57I turned toward him
31:57His ears were already bright red
31:59Hopeless
32:00Still this shy
32:01Walking back into the Carter estate
32:02Felt like stepping into a crime scene
32:04The front doors were sprayed with words in thick paint
32:07Burn in hell
32:07Frauds
32:08Whole family should die
32:10Jay carefully avoided the paint
32:11And pushed the half open door wider
32:13The living room was wrecked
32:14Table smashed
32:15Chairs broken
32:16Sofa burned
32:17Bloody clothes draped all over the spiral stairs
32:20I covered my mouth before I threw up
32:21Jay's mom grabbed my arm at once
32:23Frightened and furious
32:24But Jay stopped her
32:25Mom
32:26She gets to decide
32:27This is her ending
32:28Not ours
32:29I clenched my hands and looked at Liam
32:30You dragged me here
32:32Start talking
32:33Where are your parents?
32:34Where's Chloe?
32:35He swayed like I'd shoved him
32:36Dad's in the hospital
32:37Mom's in her room
32:38Chloe
32:39She's in a psychiatric ward
32:41You lied to me
32:42You said they were all home
32:43You said your mother was just sick
32:45She's not just my mom
32:47She's yours too, Annie
32:48No
32:50She isn't
32:51I shifted slightly in front of Jay's mother without thinking
32:53Shielding her from him
32:55What exactly did you bring me here for?
32:57Liam shook his head frantically
32:58No, no
32:59I'm not going to hurt you
33:00It's true
33:01Mom really is dying
33:02She
33:03He didn't get to finish
33:04The bedroom door upstairs burst open
33:06Then mom staggered out
33:07She wore a loose nightgown
33:08Her hair was wild
33:09Her face looked hollowed out
33:11The second she saw me
33:12She almost missed the step
33:13And fell down the stairs
33:14Annie
33:15My Annie
33:15She stumbled to me
33:16And grabbed my face
33:17My neck
33:18My hair
33:18Touching me everywhere
33:19With those thin shaking hands
33:21Sweetheart
33:21Does it hurt?
33:22Does it still hurt?
33:23Then she broke
33:24I'm sorry
33:25I'm so sorry
33:26We let wolves into our home
33:28We fed our own daughter to them
33:29Her voice tore itself raw
33:31Were you scared back then?
33:32You wanted me to hold you, didn't you?
33:34I should have held you
33:35I should never have let them take you away
33:38Two tears hit the back of her hand
33:40Before I realized I was crying
33:42We both noticed
33:43Then she cried even harder
33:44But my heart settled almost at once
33:46Because I understood what she was really mourning
33:49Not me
33:50She was crying for the girl from my last life
33:52The girl dragged toward a locked car
33:54The girl coughing blood
33:55Sobbing
33:56Begging for her mother to hold her one more time
33:58And the last thing that mother said to her had been
34:00Grace, stop acting insane
34:02Even without you I still have a son and a daughter
34:05My son is smart and loving
34:06My daughter is sweet and respectful
34:08I can't even imagine how I ended up with a psycho like you
34:11You're this family's greatest shame
34:13I can't even watch her
34:14I can't even imagine a husband
34:14I can't even imagine a woman
34:14Building out the place
34:15The man I can't even say
34:15You are this family's energized
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