I turn the corner and nearly trip over my own very dramatic gown.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS23QQEV8Zs
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0Ss96nxqO
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It’s quiet. Too quiet. Like the air’s waiting for me to mess something up.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCpNF8OZsd
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Then—204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlcwfgODdN
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“Ariana!”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8eujoEGIY
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8k6AhSvkJ
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She’s staring at me like I just crawled out of her favorite nightmare.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtvWD3AYuy
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“Um… hi?” I say, waving like an idiot.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8icaMNVaCL
1234 copyright protection200ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoqzm0sCu5 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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2IYYaiTPi
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“You’re… back,” she says, voice all soft and trembling. “After all this time.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAloKv20ek
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“Yeah,” I say. “Back from… the bathroom?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyWKXaRGII
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Her eyebrows pinch together. “The bathroom?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDaq8GhO51
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“Never mind,” I mutter. “Long story. Anyway, you are…?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qdcWQ1vFM
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Her smile twitches, just for a second. “It’s me. Clara.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErwhHKRxsu
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She says it like it should mean something.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW1g28Kqm9
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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.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPVoz1LKh2
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Clara’s eyes narrow slightly. “You’ve changed,” she says. “You used to… not say things like that.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlv8zBW7yX
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“Yeah, well,” I shrug, “new skincare routine. Improves personality.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqN8rPLq3fp
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Something unreadable passes through her gaze — half confusion, half… irritation? She hides it fast with another sweet smile.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU58Cb8KT4h
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“Well, everyone will be so happy to see you,” she says smoothly. “They thought you’d been… taken forever.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbohuvQqxa
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“Taken? Like… kidnapped?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mnv5435Oy
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Her eyes flick to the floor, then back up. “Something like that.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoxxcXE2X0
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Cool. Great. Totally normal. I love conversations that sound like plot twists.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L8bHoJbJj
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“So,” I say brightly, “since I’m apparently Ariana, kidnapped royalty, and you’re my… sister?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRu1ryCPWv
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Clara’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “Half-sister,” she corrects softly.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MbAYItYca
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Ouch. The “half” lands like a dagger disguised as a word.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4TQJn9wC2
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“Right,” I say. “Of course. Half. Wouldn’t want to overclaim family.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8YCmRbshb
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Her lips curve slightly — too polite, too practiced. “Come,” she says. “Father will want to see you.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx2O8OONPh
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgy6iiDEGh
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