Spoilers Saved My Life

During rehearsal for the school arts gala, I got word from the school that I had been chosen to give the commencement speech as the outstanding graduate representative. Gideon immediately grabbed my hand and dragged me toward the grove behind campus to celebrate.

The moment I stepped into the trees, strange floating messages appeared in front of my eyes.

"Don't go in there. Gideon prepared sulfuric acid for you. He's planning to destroy your face so you'll lose your chance to speak on stage."

"Three years ago, Gideon helped his childhood friend Lucy steal your identity and take your place as the long-lost daughter of the York family. Now he wants to ruin your face so you'll never have the chance to return to your real family."

"After the attack, you'll endure countless reconstructive surgeries, only to be killed when the fake heiress switches your medication."

"Meanwhile, Gideon marries the impostor, and together they seize the entire York family's fortune. Your parents end up homeless."

"Go to the main stage right now. Let Mrs. York see you. This is your only chance to reclaim your identity."

…

Not far ahead, Gideon urged me to hurry.

I looked at the messages hovering in front of me and stopped in my tracks, suddenly unsure of what to do.

The Trap in the Woods

"Wendy, hurry up. I've got a surprise for you." Gideon Cross stood at the edge of the grove, waving me over.

The golden light of the setting sun fell across his face. His smile was warm and familiar, reminding me of the more than two thousand days we had spent side by side.

I had barely taken a step when several glowing lines of text suddenly flashed across my vision.

"Don't go. There's a sulfuric acid trap in the grove."

My eyes widened. It felt like every drop of blood in my body turned to ice.

"He wants to destroy your face. Once you lose your chance to go onstage and give your speech, the York family will never recognize you."

The glowing messages flickered, stabbing at my eyes while the words tore through my chest.

My legs felt like lead. I froze in place, cold sweat beading across my forehead.

"What's wrong?" Gideon frowned slightly and strode back toward me. "Weren't we supposed to celebrate you being chosen as the outstanding graduate representative?"

He reached for me, but I instinctively recoiled.

"The event is being hosted by the York Group, right?" I asked, fighting to keep my voice steady.

Gideon's expression shifted almost imperceptibly. His throat bobbed.

"Yeah. Why are you asking that all of a sudden?" His smile tightened.

"Just curious. Will Mr. and Mrs. York be there?"

"They will, but what does that have to do with us?" His tone sharpened with sudden urgency. "Come on. It's getting dark."

The corner of his right eye twitched. His left hand was hidden behind his back, clenched into a fist.

I took a breath. "Sorry. I just got a text. My professor wants revisions on my speech, and I need to head back right now."

"No." He grabbed my wrist with startling force. "Ten minutes. That's all. It'll be quick."

His grip hurt. Panic rose in my chest, but I quickly pulled out my phone and pretended to check a message.

"Look. News about the York Group. Maybe it'll help with my speech." I tapped open an article I had saved.

The blood drained from my face.

I stared at a photo from a news story published three months earlier.

Lucy, an underclassman from my department, stood beside Claire with a bright smile. Her eyes, her high nose, the shape of her lips—she looked uncannily like me.

But what nearly stole my breath was the bracelet wrapped around Lucy's wrist. A star charm bracelet. The very keepsake I had treasured before I turned five.