Chapter 3

"What is that girl doing? Why is she on the floor barking like a dog?"

"Is she insane?"

Brianna whispered in my ear, "Elena, your boyfriend's friend is seriously mental. First she copies your dress, now she’s ruining your birthday party."

My guests whispered and laughed, enjoying the free drama.

Only Carter looked panicked. He rushed over to Chloe, shouting, "Chloe! What’s wrong with you? What's happening?"

Carter knew today was supposed to be the first stage of the soul-swap. Chloe was supposed to suddenly inherit my grace, charisma, and intelligence. Why on earth was she acting like this?

He held her tight, trying to calm her down. Even when Chloe suddenly bit his arm, he endured the pain, begging her to snap out of it.

"Carter, you seem awfully concerned about Chloe. Have you forgotten who your actual girlfriend is?"

The moment I spoke, his eyes turned bloodshot, and he hissed at me, "If anything happens to Chloe, I will make you pay!"

I let out a cold laugh.

"Fine. Let's make this official in front of everyone. We are over. Go live your happy life with your rabid dog of a bestie. Don't ever look for me again."

I cuddled Cooper. I noticed he wasn't his usual chaotic, hyperactive self anymore. He was calm, quiet, and snuggled peacefully against my chest.

As for Chloe, the moment Carter managed to quiet her down, she suddenly bolted. She ran on all fours, sprinting out of the mansion at lightning speed.

She ran exactly like my Beagle used to when he slipped his leash.

"Chloe!"

Carter screamed, running after her. But before he left, he glared at me. "You did this, didn't you? Why is she acting like this?!"

I didn't even need to answer. My friends immediately laughed him out of the room.

A poor boy from the slums who only got into high society because I funded him—without me, he wasn't even fit to carry my bags.

After the breakup, Carter spent his days taking Chloe to various clinics while working overtime to pay off her massive debts.

After all, to bait them, I had purposely bought the most expensive luxury items. Even if Chloe only copied a fraction of them, it was enough to drown her in debt.

A few days later, Carter showed up at my door. He looked exhausted and pathetic. The moment he saw me, he dropped to his knees. "I'm so sorry, Elena. It was all my fault."

"I... I do care about Chloe, but only because she’s like a sister to me."

"I actually had a younger sister who died when she was ten. Since then, I’ve projected her onto Chloe. I was just stressed and took it out on you."

Saying this, Carter pulled out a necklace and forced it into my hand.

"I handmade this shell necklace. One for you, and one for Chloe. Can you please forgive me?"

I didn't even want to look at it. He practically forced it into my palm before running off.

I turned around and casually tied the necklace around Cooper’s neck.

The next second, Carter, who had been hiding in the bushes, sprang out like a maniac.

"Elena Vance! I knew it was you!"