When the Heart Remembers

My twin sister, Audrey Goodwin, was obsessed with romance novels about rich heirs. All she wanted was to marry into money and live like some perfect socialite.

She set her sights on the silver-spoon scion in Jezelton, Michael Strickland, who'd been blind after a car accident. Audrey got close by becoming his private nurse.

But she got tired of the work really quickly. So, she asked me to cover for her.

When Michael finally got his eyesight back and held a huge celebration, Audrey decided to drug him so she could slide right into the role of Mrs. Strickland.

I didn't stop her this time. I even went as far as booking her a luxury suite so she could carry out her plan.

In my last life, I had begged Audrey not to go through with it. I told her romance novels weren't real life, and guys like Michael were way too powerful to mess with. She had actually listened and canceled the plan.

But a little while later, the news broke: Michael secretly got married. It turned out that he'd been with someone else that very night. Just like that, Audrey's big fantasy was gone.

She blamed me for ruining her "dream". My parents blamed me as well; they beat me and yelled at me, saying Audrey couldn't marry Michael now because of me.

One night, Audrey snapped. She came into my room with a hammer and beat me to death.

Now, I had been given another chance. I woke up right on the night of Michael's recovery party.

"Since he's better now, you don't have to pretend to be me anymore."

My twin sister, Audrey Goodwin, stood in front of me, her lips curled into a smug smile as she held a tiny pink pill bottle, acting as if it were a treasure. "This stuff's amazing. It took me a lot of effort to get it, but if I just slip a pill into his drink, I'll become Mrs. Strickland in no time!"

She looked so pleased, as if she had succeeded in her plan to sleep with Michael Strickland, the most wanted rich heir in Jezelton. She was already picturing herself living the high life as his wife.

I stayed calm. I didn't try to talk her out of it like I had in my past life.

"Okay," I said lightly. "Good luck."

But Audrey wasn't letting me off that easily. She grabbed my arm and leaned in close, whispering, "Don't forget. You've been pretending to be me for a whole year. There's so much I don't know about him and the people in his circle. Until I reach my goal, you're sticking by my side."

Then she tossed me a pair of sunglasses and a mask. "Cover your face. If anyone finds out the truth and ruins my plan, you're dead."

I just gave her a little smile. "Got it."

After a year of being Michael's caretaker, I knew the truth: He wasn't some clueless rich boy. As the heir to a wealthy family, he was sharp and ruthless. Audrey thought she could outsmart him, but she was walking straight into her own grave. And I wasn't gonna stand in her way.

Audrey strutted toward him with that special glass of wine. Michael drank it without a second thought, and within minutes, his handsome face turned red, his body unsteady.

Audrey, now back as his nurse, rushed to help him upstairs.

I slipped her a hotel keycard on the way. "I got you Room 800."

Her eyes lit up. "Guess you're not totally useless. Once I'm Mrs. Strickland, I'll hook you up with a driver or a bodyguard. That should keep you comfortable for life.

"Help me stand guard outside. Don't let anyone ruin this. If I fail, I'll make sure Mom and Dad tear you apart."

I didn't argue. I just followed upstairs, then quietly stood across the hall instead of by her door.

Minutes later, there was a loud thud from inside. Then the door swung open, and Michael stumbled out.