After that disastrous family reunion, I kept my distance.

A month later, Mom called again.

"Chloe, honey… I'm sorry about how things went last time. I was out of line. Are you free this weekend? I've cooked all your favorites. It's been forever since we had a proper family dinner. Will you come home?"

It was the first time she'd used that gentle tone since my marriage to Vincent.

Before I could answer, she started crying.

"Chloe, your father and I… we're not getting any younger. Who knows how much time we left…"

Her words got to me, despite everything. "Alright," I said. "I'll come tomorrow."

I told Vincent I was visiting my parents and drove over.

Mom greeted me at the door with this huge, bright smile, her warmth feeling almost overwhelming. It felt… off.

She ushered me inside, talking a mile a minute.

The dining table was covered with dishes I genuinely loved.

Was she finally feeling remorseful?

Then, a figure stepped out from the hallway.

My blood ran cold. "Sophia? What are you doing here?"

Her showing up like this shocked me. Based on the last timeline, she shouldn't have been back for another three years. Why now?

"Chloe! It's been too long!" Sophia beamed, grabbing my hands.

Her eyes immediately scanned my outfit from head to toe.

"Is this Vincent's doing? This looks expensive." She ran her fingers over the silk of my blouse.

Then she grabbed my wrist. "Diamonds? On a watch? This has gotta be worth millions! He really does spoil you, doesn't he?"

Her expression suddenly turned grim. "God… You have no idea how tough things have been for me over in Europe."

As she launched into her sob story, I braced myself. What does she want?

"Sophia," I cut her off, "I thought you said you'd go through anything to be with Liam?"

"Don't even say his name!" she snapped. "We broke up!"

She locked eyes with me. "Let's not beat around the bush. I'm here to take my life back."

I just stared, completely speechless.

Sophia continued, her voice turning hard. "I was the one supposed to marry Vincent Rossi. After dinner, you're taking off those clothes and that jewelry. I'm going back with you."

The sheer nerve of it took my breath away.

"Sophia, that's crazy," I said, keeping my voice as steady as I could. "You were the one screaming about how you'd never marry him. I've spent months building a real life there. Why would I hand it over to you?"

Sophia's cool composure completely shattered.

"Chloe! Vincent Rossi was meant for me! You've been living my life long enough! It's time to give him back!"

A bitter laugh escaped me.

"You chose not to marry him! You almost got our entire family killed! I was the one who sacrificed myself to save everyone, and instead of any thanks, you have the audacity to say this to me?"

"You think my life there is some easy ride? It took work. Sophia, do you honestly believe you can just slip into my life and everything I've built will just transfer over to you?"

Sophia jumped to her feet, pointing a shaking finger at me. "Chloe! Don't test me! If you don't agree, I'll go straight to Vincent. I'll tell him the whole truth!"

"I'll tell him you tricked me, that you sent me off to be trapped by some overseas crime syndicate! You'll lose everything, and you'll have to face his anger! You'll be ruined!"

The old script was replaying itself. But this time, I wasn't going to follow it.

"Fine," I said, my voice dangerously calm. "Go ahead. Tell him. Worst case? We all go down together."

Sophia froze. "Together? What do you mean?"

I met her gaze, my eyes cold. "Let's just say… I have a recording of our little conversation five years ago. The one where you planned to drug me and send me to Vincent. Can you imagine how he'd react to hearing that?"

Silence. Sophia went pale. Even my parents looked utterly stunned.

"You… you recorded it?" Sophia's voice was barely a whisper.

"Insurance," I said simply. "One must be prepared."

Before I could react, Mom lunged at me. Her hand connected sharply with my cheek.

"You treacherous little bitch!" she screamed. "Scheming against your own family! But Sophia will take your place! You agree, or I'll throw myself in front of a car right now!"

I clutched my stinging cheek, tears finally spilling over.

"So that's it," I whispered, the pain cutting deeper than the slap. "I thought… maybe… you and Dad cared about me, too."

"But it's always been Sophia. Only Sophia."

"What am I? Am I even your daughter?"

My parents had no answer. They couldn't look me in the eye.

I took a shuddering breath, my voice firm. "I won't do it. Forget it."

I turned to leave, unable to stand the sight of them for another second.

But as I reached for the front door, blinding pain exploded at the back of my skull.