I turn the corner and nearly trip over my own very dramatic gown.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4AIS20p88
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The hallway opens into a giant sunlit chamber — gold everywhere, white curtains fluttering, marble floors that look too clean for walking.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VPyyz6gyv
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It’s quiet. Too quiet. Like the air’s waiting for me to mess something up.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEosZkhY0ZI
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Then—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcWtGqvvkF
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“Ariana!”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKDGYfe2Jg
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The voice hits me like a flying textbook. I spin around, and there she is — tall, elegant, pretty enough to make shampoo commercials jealous. She’s dressed in this blue gown that looks like it costs more than my entire phone.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdYJawbAT1
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She’s staring at me like I just crawled out of her favorite nightmare.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8yXWoSMEk
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“Um… hi?” I say, waving like an idiot.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6n9JMht96
1234 copyright protection7ＰＥＮＡＮＡthwbTYgcik 尼For a split second, her expression flickers — relief? shock? Something tightens behind her polite smile. Then she walks toward me with that slow, graceful, slightly menacing energy of a cat pretending to be friendly.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKtmMCWa5t
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“You’re… back,” she says, voice all soft and trembling. “After all this time.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY1KL5ZUQy
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“Yeah,” I say. “Back from… the bathroom?”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskiAVTRtgK
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Her eyebrows pinch together. “The bathroom?”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EsQTs9uZE
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“Never mind,” I mutter. “Long story. Anyway, you are…?”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYuhRKxa7A
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Her smile twitches, just for a second. “It’s me. Clara.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA4SJSk796
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She says it like it should mean something.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqZslV51oi
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“Oh. Right. Clara.” I nod, pretending the name unlocks deep, emotional memories instead of absolutely nothing. “Totally remember you. You’re— great. Love the dress.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2pnWUBYes
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Clara’s eyes narrow slightly. “You’ve changed,” she says. “You used to… not say things like that.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGftEzutMxL
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“Yeah, well,” I shrug, “new skincare routine. Improves personality.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIrooqS6nj
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Something unreadable passes through her gaze — half confusion, half… irritation? She hides it fast with another sweet smile.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTFydykF5I
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“Well, everyone will be so happy to see you,” she says smoothly. “They thought you’d been… taken forever.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQe4UoRvc89
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“Taken? Like… kidnapped?”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjY55W6L6k
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Her eyes flick to the floor, then back up. “Something like that.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3kB1x6vBY
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Cool. Great. Totally normal. I love conversations that sound like plot twists.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vq47fO8Lz
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“So,” I say brightly, “since I’m apparently Ariana, kidnapped royalty, and you’re my… sister?”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qFwHhc3gT
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Clara’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “Half-sister,” she corrects softly.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwZnb9ekj6
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Ouch. The “half” lands like a dagger disguised as a word.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQpYCR1j5A
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“Right,” I say. “Of course. Half. Wouldn’t want to overclaim family.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6EiaDfoRE
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Her lips curve slightly — too polite, too practiced. “Come,” she says. “Father will want to see you.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxX4gW4Wzd
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And just like that, she turns, her gown whispering across the marble, leaving me standing there wondering what kind of historical fever dream I’ve just respawned into.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkyXGwEcrp
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