Chapter 6

Fiona's POV

Once Sean was called in for questioning, Hailey was the first to crack.

She showed up at my apartment building that evening, holding a bag of fruit, her eyes swollen from crying. My mom didn't even want to let her in, but I told her to let Hailey up.

I wanted to see what kind of performance Hailey had prepared this time.

Hailey sat on the edge of the sofa, her hands trembling. "Fiona, I know you're mad at me, but I swear I didn't know anything. Sean just asked me if I would want the fellowship spot if you decided not to go. I thought you had made the decision yourself."

I poured her a glass of water. "And you were happy to take it?"

Hailey bit her lip. "It was an opportunity of a lifetime. My family isn't wealthy like yours. When an opportunity like that comes around, I have to grab it."

"So because my family is doing well, I should just hand my hard work over to you?"

Hailey's tears began to flow. "That's not what I meant. Fiona, you've had everything since we were kids. Loving parents, supportive teachers, and Sean loved you first. But what about me? I have to fight for every single scrap."

I stared at her.

In my past life, I had been deeply moved by this exact speech. I had pitied her, thinking a single sacrifice on my part wouldn't hurt. But what I handed over wasn't just a spot in a program; it was my entire life.

"You can fight all you want, Hailey. But why did you have to steal from me?"

Hailey's face went white.

I unlocked my phone and slid the screenshot of her text message across the table. "Who sent you this?"

Hailey's hand shook so violently she almost dropped her glass.

"I... I don't know," she stammered, trying to deny it. "Probably just spam."

"Fine. I'll let the police run a trace on the number."

Hailey finally dropped her act. Her voice turned sharp and desperate. "Are you trying to destroy us? The baby is already sick, and Sean is at his wits' end because of you. I just wanted a chance at a better life. Why can't you just let this go?"

My mom let out a disgusted laugh. "You stole from my daughter, and now you have the nerve to ask her to let it go?"

Hailey suddenly glared at me, her eyes filled with venom. "Do you really think you've won? Sean has always loved me. The baby is ours. The only reason he chose you was because your family has money and could help him climb the social ladder!"

Her words didn't hurt me at all.

In my past life, a revelation like this would have broken me. Now, it just felt pathetic.

"Then you two deserve each other," I said calmly. "The baby, Sean, and his family's mess. You can have them all back."

The color drained from Hailey's face.

She wanted Sean's affection, but she absolutely did not want his family's financial burden. Her plan was to have me raise the child, pay the bills, and care for his mother, while she could swoop in later as the biological mother, playing the victim.

I stood up and opened the door. "Get out."

Hailey snarled, "You'll regret this, Fiona! Even if you go to Europe, Sean won't wait for you!"

I looked at her. "That is the best news I've heard all day."

I shut the door, cutting off her sobbing.

My mom hugged me tightly. "Don't listen to a word she said, sweetie."

"I won't, Mom."

I finally understood that Hailey's ultimate cruelty wasn't stealing Sean.

It was her constant attempt to gaslight me into believing that everything stolen from me was just something I "owed" her.

After Hailey left, my mom was still furious.

"She practically grew up eating at our table! Did I ever treat her poorly? When you had study guides, I made you print copies for her. When you went to competitions, I made extra lunches for her. How can she take so much from us and still feel entitled to steal your life?"

I rubbed my mom's back to soothe her. "Mom, don't waste your energy on her."

"I'm not angry for her," my mom said, her eyes red. "I'm just heartbroken for you. You always told us Sean was struggling, Hailey was struggling... but my daughter was struggling too."

Those words hit me hard, and my tears finally broke.

In my past life, everyone was struggling except me. I had listened to their complaints for so long that I forgot to ask myself: Fiona, aren't you tired?

In this life, someone was finally asking for me.

I didn't sleep well that night.

I dreamed of my past life, standing in Sean's kitchen washing dishes. The sink was piled high with greasy plates.

Caleb was screaming my name from the living room, and Sean's mother was pounding on her bedroom door for attention.

My hands were covered in soap suds, and no matter how hard I scrubbed, I couldn't get them clean.

I woke up before dawn, drenched in sweat.

I sat on the edge of my bed for a long time, then turned on my desk lamp. I rechecked my documents. The paper was real. The visa was real. The suitcase was real.

I was no longer trapped in that nightmare.

I was finally awake.