Chapter 22: A Sister’s Hatred

Lila  

I hate him.  

The thought clawed through my mind as I slammed my fist against the dresser. Connor, with his cold, detached words, his cruel rejection—it was almost laughable. The same man who once worshiped me, who whispered my name like it was a prayer, now looked at me as though I were dirt under his boots.  

Once, he clung to me like I was the air he needed to breathe. I remember the nights we spent tangled together, the way he burned for me, the way he whispered promises that now taste like ash. And yet, now he has the audacity to say I was just a replacement for her? For Aria?  

I hate her. I hate them all.  

The venom surged through me as I stalked across the room, my nails digging into my palms hard enough to draw blood. Let them burn, all of them. They would pay for the humiliation, the betrayal and for making me a second option.  

By the time I was ready to leave, the sun was high in the sky. Lunch already, and my plan had barely begun. I pulled on a hoodie, tucking my hair inside, disguising myself just enough. Today was the day to get back on track. Aria thought I’d given up, thought I’d repented. 

But she was wrong. So wrong. This time, I would make her believe it, and then… then I’d strike.  

Before I left, I pulled out my phone and dialed a number.  

The line rang twice before the familiar voice answered, low and mocking. “Well, well, Lila. Didn’t think I’d hear from you so soon.”  

I didn’t have time for his games. “You owe me a favor, Dave. It’s time to pay up.”  

He chuckled, a dark sound that only fueled my anger. “Always straight to business with you. What do you need, sweetheart?”  

I hesitated for a moment, savoring the weight of the words before I spoke them. “I need someone to disappear. Forever.”  

There was a pause, then another laugh. “Always knew you had a dark streak. Give me a name, a place, and a time, and I’ll make it happen. But I’ll need something in return.”  

“You’ll get what you want,” I snapped. “But not yet. I need time. I have to make her trust me completely, then you strike.”  

“Her, huh?” he said, his voice dripping with amusement. “I think I know who you’re talking about. This’ll be fun.”  

I ended the call without another word. Turning, I froze as I saw my mother standing in the doorway, her sharp eyes watching me like a hawk.  

“What was that about?” she asked, her voice calm but curious.  

For a moment, panic rose in my chest when I remembered the way she spoke about Aria earlier, but I quickly squashed it. She wasn’t angry—if anything, she looked… amused.  

“It’s Aria,” I blurted, my voice trembling with anger. “She thinks she’s untouchable now, parading around like she’s better than everyone else. I can’t stand it anymore.”  

My mother stepped closer, her lips curling into a knowing smile. “Then don’t stand it. Do something about it, Lila. The longer you wait, the stronger she gets. That girl doesn’t even realize how fragile her position is. Her new family doesn’t even know she has a twin, do they?”  

I shook my head, my mother’s words sparking a dangerous idea in my mind. At least I don’t think they do but even if they do, they won’t be able to tell us apart.

“Exactly,” she said, her voice low and conspiratorial. “That makes it easier. Take her place, Lila. Be Ivy Blackwood. It’s what you’ve always wanted since you saw her, isn’t it?”  

I stared at her, my mind racing. “And Aria?”  

“She doesn’t deserve it,” my mother said with a shrug. “She killed my son! Make her disappear before she spreads her wings too far.”  

Her approval sent a thrill through me, and for the first time in weeks, I felt a surge of hope.  

“You’re right,” I said, my voice steady now. “I’ll do it. I’ll make her disappear.”  

“Good girl,” my mother said, brushing a hand over my cheek. “Make me proud.”  

As I left the house and mounted my bike, the world around me felt sharper, clearer. This part of my life, this pathetic existence of being stuck inside this forest, wasn’t enough anymore. I deserved more. I deserved to be her. And for that to happen, Aria—no, Ivy—had to vanish.  

The city was bustling when I arrived, and I knew that it wouldn't take long to find her. I have studied her patterns behind the shadows, observed all her movements. She usually comes to this cafe every afternoon and takes a seat close to the window.

And just as I expected, I found her sitting at her regular café, sipping an iced latte like she was the queen of the world. It made my blood boil. She didn’t deserve any of it. She didn’t deserve to breathe.  

Adjusting my hoodie over my head, I smoothed my expression into something delicate, something humble. I ordered a slice of cake and pineapple juice, pretending to stumble as I walked toward her table. My tray clattered to the ground, the drink spilling everywhere.  

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” I stammered, dropping to my knees and scrambling to clean up the mess. “I’m such a klutz. Please, forgive me.”  

I kept my head down, waiting, until her voice cut through the air like a knife.  

“Lila?”  

I looked up, feigning surprise. “Aria?”  

Her expression shifted to suspicion immediately, and I forced my voice to tremble. “I-I didn’t know you were here. I swear. This is just a coincidence.”  

Her eyes narrowed, but I didn’t give her a chance to speak. “I’ll just go,” I said quickly, standing up. “I don’t want you to think I’m… stalking you or something.”  

Her hand shot out, grabbing my wrist. “Sit down.”  

I froze, forcing a tear to slide down my cheek as I looked at her. “Aria, please, I didn’t mean to—”  

“Sit down,” she repeated, her voice firm.  

I obeyed to make her feel like she’s in control, hiding my smirk as I took the seat across from her.  

Perfect. 

My heart raced as Aria’s piercing gaze settled on me. For a moment, I wondered if my dumb sister could see through the act, if she knew what I was planning.  

Then, she leaned back in her chair, her expression unreadable as her eyes never left mine. “What do you want, Lila?”  

I forced a trembling smile, my mind already spinning with the next step.  

“To make things right,” I said softly, my eyes glistening with fake sincerity.  

But in my mind, I was already picturing Aria’s lifeless body.  

And this time, there would be no mistakes.