I discovered Alice had used my name, accepting a hefty bridal gift.
I had tried to discuss it with my boyfriend, who accused me of betrayal and sided with them.
Facing the debt and his menacing presence, I felt helpless as they got me into the car and took me to the mountains.
Only after giving birth did they let me work outside.
Returning, I found our shared house, funded by me, now under Alice Archer's mother's control.
Then I saw Alice driving with my boyfriend in a luxury car.
I had confronted them, pulling their hands apart and demanding answers.
Alice had shown no fear, openly admitting her identity.
She had looked disdainfully at my pancake stand.
"Here's five bucks to support your business," she said, mocking my old appearance.
She had thanked me for giving her such a great boyfriend and a house.
I had collapsed in rage, she had left without a glance.
Remembering the hardships of my past life, I shivered.
They betrayed me, and I would make them pay the price.
They would pay with their lives.
My boyfriend, Sanford Hoffman, lost his patience when he saw me sitting still in the chair.
He pulled out a handkerchief, insisting that I use it to wipe my tears.
I snapped back to reality and didn't take it.
I hadn't forgotten that in my previous life, I had felt drowsy after using that handkerchief, mistakenly thinking it was due to excessive grief.
It must have been laced with a drug.
They were waiting for me to pass out so they could swap Alice's body and take her away.
I stood up and walked to the door of Alice's room, where there was better ventilation. Sanford was startled and quickly put away the handkerchief.
He blocked my way.
"Lacey, don't look. Alice's body is broken."
I had to see it. I would also secretly take a photo.
Ignoring Sanford's attempts to stop me, I walked to the bed and discreetly started recording on my phone.
I lifted a corner of the bed sheet, revealing Alice's pale, bloodless face.
The bed sheet beneath her was soaked with blood, and she looked as if she had been drained dry.
I smirked internally. If I hadn't lived another life, I would have believed she was dead.
I raised my hand and slapped her across the face.
Her head tilted, and her hair stuck to her face, but she didn't move.
It looked like she had been sedated.
It worked just fine for my plan.
Sanford cried out and hurriedly embraced Alice, shielding her from me.