Chapter 3

The SATs were tough, but I felt prepared. I was a good student, always had been.

When I got home, Olivia was practically glowing, a smug look on her face. She clearly thought her plan to make me fail, first by disabling my alarms and then by the tainted bar I refused, had somehow worked despite my eating Mom's breakfast.

A little while later, the Baxters arrived. Mark and Susan, my biological parents, and Leo, my younger brother.

Dad Ashton had called them, explaining the situation, that Olivia was their biological daughter and I might... need some space.

It was all playing out, just like the dream.

Olivia watched, triumphant, as I hugged Susan.

"It's probably for the best, Chloe," Olivia said, her voice dripping with false sympathy. "You need to be with your real family now."

I nodded, playing along. "Yes, I think so too."

As I was about to pick up my small bag, Olivia stepped forward.

She reached out and snatched the silver locket from my neck, the one Mom Ashton had given me for my sixteenth birthday.

"This should have always been mine," she hissed, her eyes gleaming.

I didn't fight her. I let her take it.

Mom Ashton looked distressed, but Dad Ashton put a hand on her arm.

Later, as I was saying goodbye, Dad Ashton pulled me aside, his face etched with guilt.

He pressed a set of car keys into my hand. "Chloe, I... I bought this for you. An early graduation present. Please take it."

It was a brand new sedan, parked in the driveway.

In my dream, I had taken the car. It had only fueled Olivia's resentment, made her more determined to destroy me.

I gently closed his hand over the keys.

"Thank you, Dad," I said softly. "But I can't. I want a fresh start. No lavish gifts."

He looked heartbroken, but he nodded.

As I was walking to the Baxters' car, I saw Olivia showing off the locket to Mom Ashton.

"Chloe gave it to me," Olivia said brightly. "As a sign of goodwill. Isn't that sweet?"

Mom Ashton frowned. "Olivia, that was a gift I chose specifically for Chloe on her sixteenth birthday. I remember picking it out."

Olivia's smile froze.

I got into the car with the Baxters, my real family, and we drove away.

The first part of the dream was over. Now I had to change the ending.