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Chapter 2 What a conniving bitch Willow is , Eliana thought , her stomach twisting at Willow's theatrics . Every word out of Willow's mouth was carefully calculated to drive a wedge between Eliana and the Garcias . In her past life , she'd fallen for it - hook , line , and sinker . Out of guilt and gratitude , she'd stayed . But this time ? Not a chance . Sure , she'd repay the Garcias for raising her , but she wasn't sticking around to play the fool again .

Eliana pulled her hand free from Willow's grasp with a calm , deliberate motion , subtly wiping it on her sleeve like she'd just touched something unpleasant . Her voice was steady , almost casual , as she said , " Mom , Dad , I've been thinking . Now that your real daughter's back , it only makes sense for me to find my birth parents . " Andy and Victoria exchanged a look . Their expressions wavered , torn between affection for Eliana and guilt over the truth .

They had raised her for so many years - she'd been a wonderful daughter , no doubt - but Willow ? Willow was their flesh and blood , their real daughter , and she had endured so much hardship on her own . That was why they'd agreed to let Willow take her rightful place in the family , moving into the house while Eliana transitioned to dorm life once school started . So when Eliana said she wanted to search for her birth parents , it didn't seem unreasonable .

Eliana pressed on before they could respond , her tone cool but polite . " You both have done so much for me all these years . I'm forever grateful . Let me at least thank you properly . " She bent forward into a bow , the gesture graceful and sincere . " Hey , hey , no ! That's too much ! " Andy blurted , rushing to stop her . He grabbed her shoulders , pulling her upright . " We'd never expect that from you , Eliana . You'll always be special to us .

And if finding your birth parents is what you really want , well … we'll support you ." Victoria nodded , her smile a little strained . " Yes , dear . Whatever makes you happy . You'll always have a place here ." Meanwhile , Willow's smile faltered for just a second , panic flashing in her eyes . ' She's leaving ? No way . If this brat really walks out , who am I supposed to destroy ? How can I take revenge if she's not around ? ' she thought . " Wait ! Mom , Dad , we can't let her leave !

" Willow's voice rang out , high - pitched and urgent . " I, uh , did some digging before I came back . Eliana's biological family ? They're a mess ! " Her dad's a total gambler , her mom's … well , she's not exactly , you know , educated , and she's got a bit of a rough edge . People in their neighborhood say some pretty awful stuff about them .

Oh , and she's got a brother - he's , uh , a thirty - year - old bachelor who still lives with his parents ." Willow turned her wide , innocent eyes toward the Garcias . " If Eliana goes to them , she'll be walking straight into a nightmare ! " Eliana froze , a wave of disbelief washing over her . She had no idea her birth parents were like that . But Willow - of course - seemed to know every detail , like she'd done a deep dive into her life .

The more Willow spoke , the more it was clear : she was trying to trap Eliana here , to keep her locked in this twisted game of manipulation . But Eliana wasn't playing anymore . She had no interest in feeding into Willow's petty games . She just wanted to live her life , free from the drama . " I don't mind , " Eliana said , her tone calm and steady . " They're my family by blood , after all . It doesn't matter if they're poor or not .

Unless …" She tilted her head , letting her gaze sharpen on Willow . " Unless that's why you came back , You found out Mom and Dad are loaded , and you couldn't wait to trade places ? " Willow's face blanched for a split second before she scrambled for composure . " N - no , of course not ! I would never do that ! Eliana , how could you even think that ? Mom , Dad , you believe me , don't you ? " She shot them a look that could've won her an Oscar for Most Innocent Daughter .

Victoria was quick to soothe her . " Oh , sweetheart , of course we believe you . Eliana's just upset and confused ; she didn't mean anything by it . " " Yes , yes ," Andy chimed in , throwing Eliana a warning look . " Eliana , don't jump to conclusions . Willow didn't even know about our finances when she came back . " Eliana fought the urge to roll her eyes . Only someone as gullible as Andy and Victoria would fall for Willow's wide - eyed act .

The truth was as clear as day to her : Willow knew exactly how wealthy the Garcias were . That's why she came barreling back into their lives without a second thought . But it wasn't just about the money - no , it was about her . Willow wasn't just here to claim her place ; she was here to ruin Eliana's life piece by piece . And Willow had the ultimate cheat code : she'd traveled back in time . Eliana clenched her fists but forced her face to remain neutral .

She wanted to scream the truth , to expose Willow for the vindictive , manipulative snake she was . But what good would that do ? No one would believe her . They'd chalk it up to her recent accident and say she was " confused " or " delusional . 1/3 4.55 AM Chapter 2 After a beat , Eliana exhaled slowly , regaining her composure . " Mom , Dad , " she said , her tone calm but resolute , " this isn't about running away . It's about doing what's right .

" My birth parents deserve to know I exist , don't they ? No matter what kind of people they are , I should at least meet them . And now that you have your real daughter back , it's only fair I look for my own roots . " Willow's face twitched , and she opened her mouth to argue , but Eliana's reasoning was airtight , that she couldn't find the words to stop her . Andy and Victoria exchanged a glance , then nodded slowly . " Alright , Eliana , Andy said reluctantly .

" If that's what you've decided , we'll respect it . But remember , you'll always be part of this family . Our door will always be open for you . " Eliana felt a pang in her chest . She could see the sincerity in their eyes , and for a brief moment , she almost reconsidered . But she knew better . It wouldn't be long before Willow had them fully convinced that she was the selfish , ungrateful imposter . Better to leave now while the memories were still sweet . " Thank you ," she said softly .

" For everything . I'll never forget what you've done for me ." The decision made , Eliana wasted no time packing up what little she had . Andy and Victoria , wanting to help , used Willow's conveniently detailed information to track down her birth parents ' address . They offered to drive her all the way there , but Eliana declined . After some convincing , she agreed to let them drop her off at the train station instead . Willow watched them leave , her stomach in knots .

Something felt off - this how it was supposed to go . She had expected Eliana to hesitate , to waver , maybe even beg to stay . But this time , Eliana seemed … resolute , den d . Willow clenched her fists , her nails digging into her palms as she fought the rising panic . But then a thought struck her , and her lips curved into a sly smile . ' Go ahead , leave ,' she thought smugly . ' You've lived in comfort your whole life . Let's see how long you last in that dump of a household .

You'll be back , crawling on your knees , begging to return . And when you do … She turned on her heel , her smirk widening . ' I'll be ready . Eliana arrived at the train station , the driver handing her a ticket along with a note that had a phone number and an address on it . " Safe travels , Miss Garcia , the driver said with a polite nod . " Thank you ," Eliana replied , ticket in hand , and made her way inside . Two hours later , Eliana stepped off the train in Dratora City .

The unfamiliar hustle and bustle of the station hit her like a wave . She pulled out her phone , dialing the number on the note . The line clicked , and a man's voice answered , " Hello ? " Eliana hesitated for a moment before speaking . " Hi , is this Tommy ? I'm … the daughter of the Davis family . Cour you come pick me up ? " There was silence on the other end , thick and uncomfortable . Just as she was about to repeat herself , the you ." man spoke . " Stay cre .

I'll send a car for Before she could even process what he'd said , the line went dead . Eliana stared at her phone , baffled . ' Wait … how does he even know where I am ? ' she wondered . Shrugging off the weirdness , Eliana decided to grab a bottle of water from a nearby convenience store to calm her nerves . As she walked out of the store , she glanced up - and froze . Two sleek Rolls - Royces rolled up to the curb , their polished exteriors glistening under the afternoon sun .

A bodyguard in dark sunglasses stepped out of one of the cars , scanning the crowd with a professional air. Eliana barely spared them a second glance , sipping her water as she walked by . ' No way those cars are for me , ' she thought . Willow had made it clear that her birth family was poor - dirt poor , as she'd put it . The idea that they'd send luxury cars to pick her up hadn't even crossed her mind .

She was mid - sip when the bodyguard approached her , his gaze fixed on a tablet in his hand . He stopped right in front of her , looked up , and in one smooth motion , whipped off his sunglasses . His face broke into an unexpectedly bright smile . " Miss Davis ! " he exclaimed , voice brimming with excitement . " I'm here to pick you up ! " Eliana froze , nearly choking on her water . She blinked , eyes wide . " Wait … you're calling me what ? " 2/3