Chapter 2 2: Emily Hills

NORA

Damn it.

I still couldn't believe what I was seeing as I stared at my own reflection in the mirror.

Two days ago, I woke up in this hospital-and even now, the truth refused to fully sink in.

I was inside someone else's body.

Emily Hills' body.

And the two people who had been crying endlessly for me weren't my parents. They were hers-Esmeralda and Rod Hills.

I should have left.

The moment I realized what had happened, I should have walked away and disappeared before things became even more complicated. But I couldn't.

I couldn't, because aside from sharing the same name as my mother, Esmeralda looked eerily familiar.

The only memory I had of my mother was a single photograph-the only one that existed. It was the three of us together: Papa, Mama, and me, still a baby in her arms.

In that picture, my mother was young.

But I was certain-absolutely certain-that if she were still alive today, her face would be identical to Esmeralda Hills', Emily's mother.

I stepped out of the bathroom, still lost in thought, when I suddenly froze.

A man and a woman were standing beside my bed.

Both of them turned toward me at the same time.

"Emily, what kind of stunt are you pulling now?" the man snapped angrily, his irritation obvious not just in his voice but in his expression as well. "Why did you have someone text Corrine and ask her to come here?"

I placed my hands on my hips and glared at him.

"Who the fuck is Corrine, and who the hell are you?" I shot back.

The man stiffened, clearly shocked, as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.

"What did you just say?" he demanded.

"Asher, maybe she's just confused," the woman beside him said.

I raised an eyebrow at her.

More or less, I already knew-this woman had to be Corrine.

"Get the fuck out of here," I said coldly as I walked toward the bed.

"Emily!" the man shouted.

Asher. That was his name.

"One more shout," I said quietly, locking eyes with him, "and I swear I'll rip that mouth of yours apart."

His eyes widened-completely round.

What the hell? Was this the first time he'd ever been threatened?

Granted, it was only a threat. In my current condition, I didn't have the strength to actually carry it out.

"Emily, where did you learn to talk like that?" the woman scoffed. "Have you been pretending to be all nice and pitiful all this time?"

"So," I asked slowly, raising an eyebrow as I sat down on the bed, "I've been nice and pitiful all this time?"

I met her gaze without backing down.

"Whatever you're planning," Asher said sharply, "don't drag Corrine into this. She had nothing to do with you falling down the stairs."

"I see," I replied calmly. "But that's not for you to decide. I don't remember anything-and my parents have been doing their best to cooperate with the police."

"Don't drag Corrine into our mess," he snapped. "She has nothing to do with our divorce."

I paused.

So this man was Emily's husband-ex-husband, while this Corrine woman clung to him shamelessly?

"We're divorced?" I asked flatly. "Then what are you doing here?"

Then his earlier words came back to me.

"Oh," I added slowly, "you said I asked someone to text Corrine. But how could I do that when I don't remember anything?"

"Maybe you're just acting," Asher muttered.

"Alright," I said. "Then explain this-how did you even know I was awake? As far as I know, my parents asked the hospital not to release any information because of my memory loss and the ongoing police investigation."

"You didn't tell anyone about-" he began.

I cut him off.

"Exactly. Only my nurses, doctors, and parents knew," I said coldly. "Don't tell me the hospital called you. Because while I was unconscious, I vividly heard nurses talking about how my husband never visited me even once."

"Emily, maybe you just misunderstood-"

I shot Corrine a sharp look before bursting into laughter.

"Don't tell me," I said mockingly, "Corrine told you I texted her too?"

Asher turned to look at her, confusion and suspicion flickering across his face.

I didn't bother listening to whatever excuse they were about to give.

"You said we're divorced," I said firmly, my voice flat and emotionless as my eyes met Asher's. "So stop showing your face in front of me."

"It's still in process," Asher replied.

"Get out."

I lay back down on the bed, dismissing them completely.

But before they turned away, I noticed Corrine smiling.

So I smiled back-then casually pointed at the camera mounted beside my bed.

Her eyes widened in shock.

Mr. and Mrs. Hills had it installed because they were worried about me.

And honestly? I didn't mind letting this bitch know it was there.

More or less, I already understood Corrine's role in Emily and Asher's marriage. And I'd bet my next life-if I even had one again-that she was the very reason for their divorce.

Whatever.

They were no longer my problem.

I had my own war to fight.

There was no way Andres would escape what he did to my parents and me.

I would make him pay-with his life.

The problem was... I still didn't know how.

With the two parasites gone, my thoughts only grew heavier.

How was I supposed to face Dante?

How was I supposed to tell him that I was Nora Dumont?

I grabbed my head and closed my eyes in frustration.

I should be grateful. I was alive. I was breathing.

But I couldn't even use my own identity anymore.

I had a different face. A different body.

"Emily, dear... are you in pain?"

I looked up and saw Esmeralda Hills approaching, worry etched deeply on her face.

"Tell us anything, dear," Rod Hills added gently. "Whatever it is, we'll help."

My frustration deepened.

How was I supposed to make these two stop worrying?

Technically, they were my parents now-because I was in Emily's body.

But I wasn't Emily.

I was Nora.

So what was I supposed to do?

"Dear?" Esmeralda called again, studying me closely.

"Damn," I muttered softly after letting out a deep breath. I looked at her and forced an awkward smile. How do you push away someone who genuinely cares for you?

"Your words, Emily," Esmeralda said, concern evident. "Since when did you start talking like that? Are you angry? Did something happen while we were gone?"

"A certain Asher came here," I said honestly. "He said he's my husband-and that we're din the process of divorce. He brought a woman named Corrine with him."

The couple's jaws tightened in anger.

"That bastard and that bitch!" Mr. Hills burst out. "No wonder our daughters have learned to talk like that-it's because of them!" he said to his wife.

"Calm down, Rod," Esmeralda said firmly. "Don't let our daughter hear words like that."

I studied her carefully.

She was angry too-but she still chose restraint.

I shook my head slightly, smiling.

I liked them.

"You're smiling, dear," Esmeralda said softly. "You probably remember how I scold your father whenever he talks like that."

Not wanting to hurt her feelings, I nodded slightly.

"I guess so," I replied. "I felt... strangely happy watching you."

Damn. I didn't even know where that genuine sincerity came from.

I had never spoken like that-not even to my own father.

"Dear daughter, don't mind that Asher anymore," Rod said gently. "If you're already separated, then maybe it's for the best. Our company may not be doing well at the moment, but I can promise you-we won't starve."

I nodded and stayed silent.

They were good people.

That made it harder for me to show my true nature.

I wanted to go back to my organization-but how would Dante accept me?

For now, I had no choice.

I had to remain, Emily, while I figured out my next move.

I needed this couple to survive.

And while I was at it... Why not give justice to whatever Asher and Corrine did to the real owner of this body?

But before I could do anything-

I needed to understand her world first.

And these two... would be a great help.