Chapter 2 The Unexpected act

ZOE'S POV

I didn't wait. I couldn't.

Chloe said she'd come to Melbourne tomorrow. But I can't trust her. Not after she had succeeded in decieving me, ignored my calls and text messages. She probably got scared. She had no idea I was coming to Australia today.

I booked the next flight to Sydney.

As the plane flew through the darkness, the city lights of Melbourne faded behind me, but the betrayal still lingered on me. Chloe, my twin sister–had taken my name, the father of my son and build a life that wasn't hers. She erased me like I didn't exist anymore.

And now, I'm going to erase her lie.

It was almost 10pm when I checked into the Grand Hyatt hotel. I stood by the window of my room watching the lights, my phone clutched in my hand.

My fingers hesistated for a second, then I typed the message.

Zoe: I'm in Sydney.

That should get her attention.

My phone rang few seconds later.

"Where are you?" she asked, breathless.

I almost laughed. "Now you want to talk?"

"Zoe, please... just tell me where you are. I'll come meet you there. Don't go anywhere, please."

She sounded really desperate but I don't feel an ounce of sympathy for her. Not after what she did.

I paused for a moment before responding. "I'm staying at the Grand Hyatt, Room 109."

"I'll meet you there soon." She said before dropping the call.

*****************

Twenty minutes later, she was knocking at my door.

She looked thesame. Just like me, of course.

But different, too. Her hair looks shinier, her clothes more expensive, her eyes a little more tired. She walked in carefully, as if she was afraid I'd lunge at her.

Honestly, I wanted to.

I crossed my arms across my chest, narrowing my eyes at her as soon as she came in. I was fuming with anger.

"What the hell did you do Chloe?"

"I did it for Jamie." She said closing the door slowly behind her. "I know you're angry–furious, but I swear.. I didn't do this to hurt you."

I stood there, arms crossed. "Really? Chloe. You took my name. Married my former boss who didn't even know he has a son. Lied to the Perkins family, everyone. Completely deceived me for months. And you think that's not supposed to hurt?"

She sighed. "Listen, I know how this looks. But I promise, I meant no harm to you, Zoe. I just wanted Jamie to be happy. To live the life he deserves. You need to see how happy he is now. He has a father who loves him–adores him. Jamie has a real chance now–private school, vacation, love, everything he wants."

"He's my son." I snapped, my voice low but firm. "My life. It was not your decision to make, Chloe. I do everything I can to provide for him."

She moved closer. "You left, Zoe. You ran to another country. You didn't even want Austin to know about his own son. You were going to rob Jamie of his father. You were going to let him suffer because of your decision. I couldn't let that happen."

"I never ran. I would never. I love my son more than anything. I took the job outside the country because of him. I didn't tell Austin about Jamie because I didn't want my son to be taken away from me. You should understand that better than anyone."

"I'm really sorry, Zoe. She said, her voice shaking. I never meant to hurt you. I was only trying to help save us. Help relieve you of the burden of raising Jamie alone all for five years. And I wanted Jamie to be happy."

"You could've told me! I called you every now and then but you never said a word about it. You had the chance to let me know what you had in mind but you chose to do what you wanted behind my back, Chloe. You used my son. Stole my name and took my place like I no longer existed!"

"I was scared you'd say no. She said, with tears streaming down her eyes. And I did it all for Jamie. I love him too, Zoe."

I looked away, going back and forth in the room.

"I'm going to tell them the truth." I said flatly.

Chloe froze. "What?"

"I'm going to Perkins right now. I'll tell Austin everything. That you lied. Stole my identity. And I'm taking my son back with me."

Chloe quickly grabbed my arm. "No, please, Zoe. You can't do that. Think of what that will do to Jamie. He'll be confused. You'll ruin everything for him."

"And whose fault will that be?" I yanked my arm away from her. "Yours."

She looked crushed. "Please, Zoe. Leave it. For Jamie's sake. Let him have the life he deserves. I'll raise him like he's mine. I've been doing that for a while now."

I shook my head. "That doesn't make it right. I'm not leaving him and I'm not letting you live my life."

Something snapped in her eyes. Panic.

Then she moved fast. Really fast.

The wine bottle on the table shattered against my head with a sharp cracking sound before I realized what she had grabbed.

I gasped stumbling backward. My eyes went wide with shock before I collapsed and fell to the floor.

The room was spinning above me as I struggled to keep my eyes open.

Everything was still, for a moment. Then darkness.

I felt Chloe shaking me. "Zoe? Can you hear me? Zoe...Zoe, please..wake up. Don't do this to me. I didn't mean to-I didn't-" Her voice sounding very faint in my ears.

I wanted to move. Scream. Breathe.

But I couldn't.

I could feel Chloe's hand on my neck, her words echoing in my ears.

I felt cold. Distant. Like I was floating just outside of my own body.

Then it was total silent. And I could no longer feel anything.