Chapter 2

I spent a restless night, tossing and turning, my skin clammy with fever sweat on the sheets.

At dawn, Castro tried to coax me out of bed. When I mumbled protests and pushed him away, he leaned in with an amused smile to kiss me.

For the first time in seven years, his kiss made me flinch. My hand Instinctively rose to slap him but I

just a brief 1 peck.

caught myself. Thankfully, it was

a

“Awake yet, sleeping beauty?” he teased.

I turned away, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. “It’s Saturday. Why can’t you let me sleep?”

His expression softened with concern. “You were running a fever last night. Come on, we need to get you to the hospital.”

Though I felt better, his insistence won out and I reluctantly got dressed.

In the hospital corridor, we ran into Oriana. She was hobbling along alone, clearly having injured her

ankle.

Castro’s gentle demeanor vanished instantly. His brow furrowed with worry as he rushed to her side, steadying her with his hands.

“What happened to you?”

Oriana gave him a warm smile, then glanced meaningfully at me. “Just twisted my ankle. What a coincidence seeing you both here.”

tensed, throwing me

look.

my friend’s sister wasn’t feeling well.

was long used

all his friends as his best friend’s sister

knew the truth

99.16

C

Be His Perfect Replica. I

nodded sympathetically. Well,

toward a clinic door further

again. Castro didn’t hesitate. He swept her up into

he said eagerly, “Aveline, wait here for me,

seemed to return

the cold hospital wall, not bothering to respond. The stark white corridor suddenly felt

wait for my response – he was already carrying

around his neck.

well he played his part, his true feelings always surfaced around Oriana,

completely oblivious to his own transparency.

and headed to my own

my temperature was 106°F. The doctor explained that my untreated burns, combined with emotional stress, had led to an infection.

Castro’s number out of habit before I caught myself. Habits really are terrifying things,

a self–deprecating smile, I handled everything alone – getting the prescription and finding the IV

treatment room.

nearly collapsing as I tried to

Castro hadn’t returned not even a text

I called him.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I was going to drop home

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