I turn the corner and nearly trip over my own very dramatic gown.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4Nxs5U3P9
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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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SZQoDvSmW
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It’s quiet. Too quiet. Like the air’s waiting for me to mess something up.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji0onSB0hb
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Then—187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvYuERUnQJ
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“Ariana!”187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpclKqMZDOU
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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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63599345hc
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She’s staring at me like I just crawled out of her favorite nightmare.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XhuU8vc5B
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“Um… hi?” I say, waving like an idiot.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR4IHaacUH
1234 copyright protection183ＰＥＮＡＮＡefJziYLzo9 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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrhUDnbX64
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“You’re… back,” she says, voice all soft and trembling. “After all this time.”187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo89SXW7oCR
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“Yeah,” I say. “Back from… the bathroom?”187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ulpXt0B3V
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Her eyebrows pinch together. “The bathroom?”187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kPLqnftMc
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“Never mind,” I mutter. “Long story. Anyway, you are…?”187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3MZNfb8Yn
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Her smile twitches, just for a second. “It’s me. Clara.”187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfp6AoEmvP
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She says it like it should mean something.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDm0zYUUlS
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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.”187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HCOKeod6e
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Clara’s eyes narrow slightly. “You’ve changed,” she says. “You used to… not say things like that.”187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ6Fva7BXE
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“Yeah, well,” I shrug, “new skincare routine. Improves personality.”187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPnBwvFdTX
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Something unreadable passes through her gaze — half confusion, half… irritation? She hides it fast with another sweet smile.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErun6gjLXL
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“Well, everyone will be so happy to see you,” she says smoothly. “They thought you’d been… taken forever.”187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi2FzA3r5N
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“Taken? Like… kidnapped?”187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW6AkGYvcv
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Her eyes flick to the floor, then back up. “Something like that.”187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOzT0ZvkG6
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Cool. Great. Totally normal. I love conversations that sound like plot twists.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLKIvqyklP
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“So,” I say brightly, “since I’m apparently Ariana, kidnapped royalty, and you’re my… sister?”187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqgMmRqWhi
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Clara’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “Half-sister,” she corrects softly.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStxO3PBobK
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Ouch. The “half” lands like a dagger disguised as a word.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5ILx2NZIm
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“Right,” I say. “Of course. Half. Wouldn’t want to overclaim family.”187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSEBvCvAyS
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Her lips curve slightly — too polite, too practiced. “Come,” she says. “Father will want to see you.”187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61hmkpVa9A
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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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4JrnkQL0S
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