When I told Jone about it, he merely looked at me with contempt.

"You, an imposter, don't deserve to have my child. You gave in so easily when I coaxed you into bed, and now you expect me to take responsibility, don't you?"

My fingertip was cut by the fruit knife, a piercing pain shooting through my nerves.

I never imagined Jone would use this against me.

I had always prided myself on being reserved, always firmly rejecting Jone's advances.

But during a date, he got me to drink strong liquor, coaxing me while I was drunk.

He said we had already met each other's parents, that he loved me so much and would never let me down.

So I foolishly gave in.

I never expected that just that one time, I would find out I was pregnant.

I had planned to settle the marriage early before showing, but I never expected people's hearts change easily.

Now, I only regret not standing firm.

Eden's smug eyes looked at me, "Imposter, go back to where you belong."

When my body was barely healed, I packed up and returned to the Green family's old house.

In more than a month, no one from the family had called me.

I thought of the father who used to lift me up with a smile and pressed my lips together.

At least, I wanted to say a proper goodbye.

When I entered the living room, my parents seemed visibly uneasy at the sight of me.

"Eileen, you're back." My mother, who had been holding Eden's hand, awkwardly let go when she saw me.

Eden looked displeased at being released, then shot me a venomous look.

What was she unhappy about? She was now the true heiress of a wealthy family.

And I was just an imposter about to move out.

"Mom, Dad, can I talk to you?"

My mother hesitated, wanting to go to the study with me, but Eden held her back.

"I'm a part of this family now, so let's just talk here."

I glanced at her, and she flinched but defiantly glared back.

My parents listened to her and sat down again.

Of course, I was an outsider. What right did I have to talk to them?

Without hesitation, I turned and went upstairs.

In the month of no contact with the family, I had come to understand their choice.

One daughter who suffered hardship outside, another who was swapped to steal her destiny.

I had no standing to blame them.

But my nose tingled, and I couldn't hold back my tears.

It felt like my entire life had been an illusion, nothing real.

As I packed my things, Eden followed behind me.