Chapter 4
When Gloria got carted off to the hospital to stop the bleeding from her accident, she spotted Averie–a girl who looked like her spitting image.
Robert had heard enough gossip about how he and his daughter didn’t look alike, and it got him suspicious.
Solana didn’t hear about Gloria’s injury until a full day later.
In that one day, Robert called in every favor he had. He dug into Averie’s past and tracked down every woman who gave birth at Embridge City Hospital the same day as Gloria, eighteen years ago. And wouldn’t one know it–Averie was born that day too.
In her old life, while Solana was freaking out over Gloria’s condition, Robert and Gloria were secretly running a paternity test on her and Averie.
Once they had it all figured out, they dropped the truth on Solana like a wrecking ball.
Back then, she was just an eighteen–year–old, completely clueless.
She was scared senseless, totally alone, but did anyone care? Nope, not one bit.
Just thinking about it now sent a wave of fury crashing through Solana.
The car pulled up to the Webb family’s ritzy villa on the west side of town.
“We’re here, Miss Webb,“Lucas said, glancing back.
Solana hopped out, eyeing the glowing villa–familiar but cold.
She didn’t hesitate and marched right in.
Hana came bustling out. “Miss Webb, you’re back! Bet you’re wiped out. Your mom’s upstairs with your dad. She’s doing okay, so don’t freak out. Here, let me grab your bag.”
~ I O Z R < >
No one’d guess this sweet–talking Hana would turn nasty once the truth came out–that Solana wasn’t a real Webb. When Averie moved in, Hana was all about helping her mess with Solana, sneaky or straight–up mean.
After Solana got locked up, Hana served her day–old porridge and “accidentally” soaked her blankets.
Yet here was that same fake Hana, grinning ear to ear, reaching for Solana’s bag.
Solana clutched her backpack tight, blew right past her, and didn’t say a word.
Hana stood there, caught off guard. ‘What is with the usually polite girl?
Figuring it was just worry about her mom, Hana let it slide and hurried after her. “I’m serious, Mrs. Webb’s okay. No lie.”
Solana didn’t bother responding and headed straight upstairs.
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Chapter 4
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Voices drifted from the master bedroom, but the second Solana pushed the door open, Robert and Gloria clammed up.
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Gloria, head wrapped in gauze, looked pale but managed a weak smile. “Solana, you’re back? No need to rush home, hon. I’m fine.”
Robert shot Solana an icy glare and walked out.
Solana knew Gloria’s smile was just for show–the paternity test results weren’t in yet.
Solana finally figured out why Robert was always so cold. She used to think he was just a jerk who wanted a son. Wrong. He suspected Gloria had cheated with her old flame.
Gloria shut that down hard, threatening to end it all if he got a paternity test, claiming it’d mean he didn’t trust her. So, he never did.
That doubt? It left Solana with zero fatherly love from Robert in her eighteen years with the Webb family.
Still, in her previous life, she was so naive. She bent over backward thanking the Webbs for “raising” her. Even when Robert acted like she was invisible, she clung to him as the most important man in her life–her dad…
Now, she couldn’t wait to bolt. But Averie wasn’t here yet, and Solana still needed the full story on her real parents. So, she had to suck it up a little longer.
“Solana, you okay? Scared stiff, huh?” Gloria flashed a fake smile, reaching out. “C’mere, kid, come to Mom.”
Solana trudged forward, letting Gloria grab her hand, her face blank as ever.
Gloria’s eyes stayed glued to her, staring like she was sizing up a stranger.
Back then, Solana thought Gloria just missed her after a day apart. Now she knew better–Gloria was probably thinking, ‘This girl doesn’t even look like me.’
Good thing she wouldn’t have to fake it much longer. Tomorrow, Averie–posing as the daughter of Robert’s business buddy–would stroll into the Webb mansion.
“You good? I’m heading out,” Solana said, voice ice–cold. In her old life, she’d have stayed up all night playing the good daughter. Now? She pulled her hand free and walked out without a glance.
That night, Solana sprawled on her big, plush bed, too hyped to sleep. Tomorrow, she’d meet Averie. Her heart did a little flip just thinking about it.
Her phone buzzed.
She didn’t bother checking. Probably Mateo, texting because his mom made him “check on” her family drama. He’d act like it was such a hassle.
Before, terrified of upsetting Robert and Gloria, she’d reply to Mateo’s texts in a heartbeat, agonizing over every word. She’d pick up every call, desperate to keep him happy.
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Chapter 4
Now? She didn’t give a damn.
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Mateo stared at his phone, willing it to buzz with Solana’s reply. He’d been waiting ages.
He checked the screen–battery at 60%. ‘Phone’s fine,‘ he thought. ‘What gives? Out of service? Nah, no way!
I I
He was a SVIP–his phone wasn’t getting cut off over some unpaid bill.
Solana’s just asking for trouble,‘ he figured.
“Damn it!” Mateo chucked the dice and cup onto the table, grabbed his phone, and stormed out.
Everyone in the presidential suite swapped confused looks, wonderin
room buzzed back to life.
what had set him off. The second he was gone, the
Mateo stormed into the hallway, thumb jabbing at his phone as he called Solana three times–each one going straight to voicemail, every text left on read.
“Is she trying to screw herself over?” he muttered, steaming.
He swore if she didn’t pick up by the time he hit Embridge City, she’d find out what happens when he’s pissed off.
Not one of the eight elevators was on the 28th floor. Mateo jabbed the buttons, smacked the panel, and threw in a solid kick for good measure, all while spamming Solana’s phone with calls.
Just then, a group of people strolled out of a room down the hall, heading for a spot by the windows.
Mateo spotted another elevator tucked away. Still dialing, he marched over, muttering, “Solana, you better pick up, or l swear-”
Before he could finish, someone blocked his path.
“What’s your deal?” Mateo snapped, looking up.
Two hulking bodyguards in sharp suits stared him down, stone–faced, not giving him a second thought.
The elevator doors started closing. Mateo lunged to hold them, barking, “Do you even know who I am?”
Someone finally spoke. “Other elevators are that way.”
Mateo gripped the door, not letting go. “You must not get it–I’m a platinum member at Perce, and my dad’s the chairman of Hickum Construction!”
“Hickum Construction?” A young, cool/voice echoed from inside the elevator.
The bodyguards stepped aside.
Mateo smirked, peering in.
A tall figure stood in the center, bodyguards practically bowing to him.
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Chapter 4
Mateo was a solid 6 feet, but this guy had to be 6’3” at least. He stood there, one hand in his pocket, owning the space.
A black mask hid half his face, a single earring glinted on his right ear, and his eyes radiated cold swagger.
He locked eyes with Mateo and scoffed. “Never heard of it.”
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