I Was the Decoy Twin - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

I never saw this coming. My parents were supposed to be on vacation overseas, but they cut their trip short to pick me up from the hospital—along with Kevin.
On the drive home, Kevin kept the mood light. "Mom and Dad freaked out when they heard about your accident. Dropped everything and booked the first flight back." He flashed a grin. "Mom even got you chocolate."
As if on cue, my mother pulled out a box of white chocolate from her bag and pressed it into my hands. "Here, sweetheart. You need to regain your strength. Chocolate helps."
A sharp pang shot through my chest, bitterness rising like bile in my throat.
Valentina was the one who loved chocolate. I'd been allergic to it since I was a kid—couldn't even take a single bite.
Yet my own parents, and the man who had shared my bed for years, had no idea.
Fingers tightening around the box, I faked a stomachache and shut my eyes, pretending to rest.
Just five more days. Then this nightmare would finally be over.
The moment the car pulled into the driveway, an excited voice cut through before we even came to a full stop.
"Mom! Dad! Kev! You're back!"
Before the car had fully parked, my parents rushed out, pulling Valentina into a tight embrace, their voices dripping with warmth and concern.
Kevin stood nearby, smiling at the heartwarming reunion—so caught up in the moment that he completely forgot to help me out of the car.
"Did you miss me?" Valentina suddenly flung herself into Kevin's arms, tugging at his sleeve with an exaggerated pout.
Kevin stiffened, his eyes darting to me in panic.
Seeing no reaction from me, he gently pushed her away and muttered, "Don't get the wrong idea. Tina lived abroad with Damian—this is just how they greet people over there."
My throat was too damaged to speak, so I just curved my lips into a faint smile and shook my head, signaling I didn't care.
Valentina, however, huffed and stomped her foot. "That's not just a greeting! I don't act like this with everyone."
Kevin's face went pale. His eyes flicked to me again, desperate. Before he could say anything, I pretended not to notice and walked straight into the house.
Behind me, I caught his hushed, urgent whisper: "Tina, don't make trouble. Just five more days. Be good."
I gripped the staircase railing and dragged myself upstairs. Kevin called after me with a few half-hearted words, but he didn't follow.
The past few days in the hospital had drained me—endless tests, IV drips, exhaustion pressing down like a lead weight. The second I hit the bed, sleep swallowed me whole.
By the time I woke up, it was dinnertime.
I headed downstairs but froze at the landing when I heard my parents' voices.
"Back then, I really thought Damian was someone Tina could rely on. Turns out he's just an abusive bastard. If only she'd chosen Kevin instead—none of this would've happened."
"Enough," my mother snapped. "What matters now is fixing this mess. Kevin, you said you'd send Ria in Tina's place. Are you sure she won't resist? What if she talks?"
Kevin placed a portion of vegetables onto Valentina's plate, his voice steady. "She won't. She won't even get the chance to speak." Their eyes met—soft, lingering, full of unspoken understanding.
Then, his tone turned icy. "I'll remove any obstacles in Tina's way."
A pause. Then, with chilling finality: "No matter the cost."
My father slammed his palm on the table. "Good! That's exactly why I trust you with Tina. I know she's in good hands. As for Ria..."
At the mention of my name, he hesitated, searching for the right words. But my mother cut in, her voice laced with venom.
"She owes this to Tina! If she hadn't been such a coward back then, Tina would've never been taken! Now that Tina's finally home, it's time for Ria to make things right."
Valentina had been kidnapped when we were two—too young to even understand. But instead of blaming themselves for their negligence, they pinned the guilt on me.
And now, to protect Valentina, they were ready to throw me away without a second thought.
Valentina dabbed at her eyes, her voice trembling with fake hesitation. "I don't want to hurt my sister, but..."
Kevin ran his fingers through her hair, his voice tender. "This has nothing to do with you, Tina. All you need to do is be happy."
Valentina's eyes sparkled, and the dining room erupted in cheerful laughter.
I'd been standing too long. My legs gave out slightly, my knee knocking against the railing with a faint thud.
"Ria, you're awake?" Valentina turned toward me with a bright smile, waving me over.
A flicker of guilt crossed my parents' faces.
Kevin, however, reacted the strongest. He bolted up the stairs in three strides, steadying me with false concern. "Ria, when did you wake up?"
Swallowing the bitterness rising in my throat, I gestured that I'd just gotten up.
The tension in his shoulders eased instantly. "You were sleeping so soundly—I didn't want to wake you for dinner." He searched my face. "You're not upset, are you?"
A wave of nausea rolled through me. Wolves in sheep's clothing. Devils in angel's skin.
I said nothing, just waved him off and turned back to my room.
Kevin followed, even closing the door behind me like some thoughtful gesture.
Laughter and chatter resumed downstairs as if nothing had happened.
But I no longer cared.
Ignoring the noise, I pulled out my phone and checked the message I'd just received.
"Everything is ready. In five days, Valeria will no longer be in this world."