Chapter 1

I died on the night my sister, Natasha, became a legend.

It was the finals of the International Youth Dance Championship. The spotlight was blindingly bright, and everyone in the crowd was screaming her name.

But the person standing in the center of the stage, wearing her costume and dancing her final piece, was me.

My name is Emma.

I am Natasha’s twin sister, born three minutes after her. I was also the shadow hidden behind her spotlight.

Natasha was supposed to be hidden in the dressing room by Mom and Dad, pretending her old injury had flared up, waiting for me to finish the entire performance in her place.

But as I landed the final grand jeté, my starving body finally gave out. My old right ankle injury tore apart, and the back of my head slammed heavily against the edge of the stage.

When the blood pooled around me, Mom's first instinct wasn't to save my life.

She rushed to my side and hissed under her breath:

"Get up, Emma! Don't you dare ruin things for Natasha right now!"

I wanted to laugh, but I couldn't make a sound.

Before my consciousness faded completely, Natasha rushed into the crowd wearing her hospital gown. She fell to her knees beside me, crying hysterically:

"She's not Natasha!"

"Her name is Emma!"

"She's my sister!"

"You forced her to do this!"

The entire crowd gasped.

I thought my name had finally stepped into the light.

But only after I died did I realize that the living can tell far more lies than the dead can bleed.