Chapter 3: The Secret Behind the Smile
Mia stopped looking angry.
She looked scared.
That was the first time I had ever seen it.
Not fake sadness.
Not the dramatic tears she used whenever she wanted sympathy.
Real fear.
My father held his phone tightly.
Nobody spoke.
Finally, Rachel whispered, “What is that?””
He didn’t answer her.
He looked at Mia.
“Explain.””
Mia crossed her arms.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.””
My father placed the phone on the dresser.
“You want to try again?””
I stepped closer.
“What is it?””
My father looked at me.
“I found out something this morning.””
The room felt smaller.
“Mia has been using your identity to apply for things.””
I froze.
“What?””
Mia immediately snapped.
“That’s a lie.””
My father shook his head.
“No, it isn’t.””
He turned the phone around.
I saw documents.
Applications.
Emails.
My name.
My information.
My hands started shaking.
“She used my information?””
Mia looked away.
Rachel stepped forward.
“Maybe there’s a misunderstanding.””
My father looked at her.
“Is there?””
Silence.
Then he said the words that made my stomach drop.
“She applied to several scholarships using Emma’s academic records.””
I stared at Mia.
“You did what?””
She finally exploded.
“Oh, please.””
Her voice was sharp.
“You act like you’re the only person who deserves anything.””
I couldn’t believe her.
“You stole from me.””
“No,” she said.
“I borrowed.””
“Borrowed my identity?””
She rolled her eyes.
“You had more opportunities.””
I laughed quietly.
Not because it was funny.
Because I couldn’t believe someone could think that way.
“More opportunities?””
I looked around the room.
“Mia, I worked every weekend. I studied until two in the morning. I saved every dollar.””
She shrugged.
“Maybe you shouldn’t have been so selfish with your success.””
My father’s face hardened.
“Enough.””
One word.
But Mia went silent.
He turned toward her.
“You don’t understand what you did.””
“Yes, I do.””
“No.””
He shook his head.
“You don’t.””
He picked up the phone.
“You embarrassed Emma. You destroyed her property. And now I find out you have been pretending to be her to get rewards you didn’t earn.””
Rachel looked uncomfortable.
“Mark, maybe we should discuss this privately.””
“No.””
His answer was immediate.
“This involves Emma.””
For once, someone was choosing me.
Not because I was crying.
Not because I begged.
Because I mattered.
My father walked downstairs.
I followed.
The house felt strangely quiet.
A few hours earlier, I had been excited about graduation.
Now my dress was destroyed.
My stepsister had betrayed me.
And my family was falling apart.
My father sat at the kitchen table.
“Emma.””
I looked at him.
“I’m sorry.””
That surprised me.
My father rarely apologized.
“I should have noticed sooner.””
I looked down.
“I thought you didn’t care.””
His face changed.
“Why would you think that?””
Because I had spent years feeling invisible.
But I didn’t say it.
Instead, I whispered:
“Because every time Mia hurt me, everyone told me to ignore it.””
He looked devastated.
Then he reached across the table.
“You’re right.””
The honesty hurt.
But somehow, it also helped.
“I failed you.””
A tear fell before I could stop it.
Not because I was weak.
Because I had needed to hear those words for years.
Then my father’s phone rang.
He answered.
“Hello?””
His expression changed.
“Wait… what?””
I watched his eyes move toward me.
“What did you say?””
A long silence.
Then he stood.
“Send me the file immediately.””
He hung up.
“What happened?”” I asked.
He looked at me.
And the fear in his eyes scared me.
“Emma…”
He swallowed.
“The scholarship committee just contacted me.””
My heart dropped.
“What about?””
He stared at the phone.
“They found another application.””
My stomach twisted.
“Another one from Mia?””
He shook his head.
“No.””
A pause.
May you like
Then he said:
“An application submitted under your name… after you already turned eighteen.””
