All Chapters of My Fake Sister Took Everything: Now It’s My Turn : Chapter 11 - Chapter 18

FLASHBACK CONTINUES I looked at the dress sprawled on the bed—absolutely Claire’s style. I picked it up and scrutinized it. Everything about the dress screamed extravagance. It was a fitted red gown that flowed down, exuding elegance and class. The butterfly-cut neckline was bold. Paired with Louboutin heels, Bulgari accessories, and a Bottega Veneta clutch, it was a complete ensemble. I had spent enough time with Claire to gain a glimpse into the fashion world, as it was the only thing she ever seemed to talk about.I discarded my clothes and stepped into the shower, my mind restless. Closing my eyes, flashes of running, covered in scratches, filled my head. Gasping, I snapped back to reality and realized I was still in the tub. After drying off and applying lotion, I faced the mirror briefly, wrapped in a towel, and then quickly changed without looking at myself because I hated seeing the scars and branding engraved on my body. The harsh reality of all I was, ‘used and tossed’. A

**1 Month Later**“Do you really have to go?” Anne tugs at the hem of my dress, her voice trembling with emotion. It's classic Anne—always overreacting. Normally, I’d find her tear-streaked face amusing, but today, I’m sobbing right alongside her.“I have to,” I wail, pulling her into a tight embrace as we both cry. This place has become home to me; I never knew what it was like to be cared for so completely. They’ve made me feel like I’ve belonged here forever.“Are you *sniffs* sure?” she asks, her voice breaking. I nod vigorously, biting my lip hard to keep it from trembling. “Please, take… *sniffs* care of baby Alex for us.”“I will, Anne. I promise.”“Are you ready?” Andrew’s voice calls from the next room, and I call back a shaky “Yes.”Anne pulls me in for one last tight, warm hug. “Oh, come here, my miracle child.” That’s what she calls me—her miracle child.“I will miss you,” I say, tears flowing freely as I bury my face in her neck.“Alright, ladies, it’s time,” Andrew says,

The journey has not been an easy one at all. It has been over a day since the bus left me. I walked miles on the highway, looking for help. I had no choice but to hitchhike. For over every stop, I stood by the roadside hoping for another ride to the next town. Luckily for me, I had gotten closer to Los Angeles but the town seemed to stretch so far away, the hunger in my stomach was clawing at me, and blisters appeared on my feet, my shoes were worn out. I would stare at cars as I watched them whizz by without a second glance, I had become four shades darker due to the tanning of the hot sun. I had managed to catch a few short rides here and there, but none that would take me far enough to make a real difference. The last trucker who’d stopped left me stranded just outside a small town, promising he couldn’t take me any further. I thanked him, even though my legs felt like they couldn’t carry me any longer.At night, the cold air would pierce through my thin clothes. I found an old

56, 57, 58... I counted exactly 6 dollars and 58 cents. That was all the money I had left. What do I do? Where do I start from? I squeezed the money back into my pocket and strolled around the cramped space.It's been a day since the incident with the Hawthorne man happened, and it is pointing toward one thing: I have little to no hope of finding Liv in this big city.So instead, I am on a job hunt. I hastily brushed my teeth, styled my hair in a bun, took a quick bath, and sprayed my body mist that was given by Sarah, a kind lady.After zipping my bag and locking it with a padlock, I stepped outside. You can't trust anyone here at the refugee camp. There are a lot of miserable people, addicts among them. I wouldn’t dare leave my few belongings unsecured.The sun blazed overhead, and I squinted, wiping the sweat off my brow. I better be fortunate today. But how could I make the money last? It wasn’t even enough to cover three meals, and after today and tomorrow, I’d be out of options