After A Coma, My Twin Sister Returns For Revenge

Flashback

Zoella POV (Flashback)

I turned the page of the diary, and a grin spread across my face. It was the first time Chloe had brought Alex home, and while my dad was always in a foul mood, my mom seemed to just go along with it all. I was perched by my window, soaking in the bright blue sky and chatting with Eva on the phone. Suddenly, I heard a car pull up and park in front of our mansion. It was Saturday, and Chloe, even at just seventeen, had a knack for partying and hitting the clubs. My dad didn't bat an eye at her late-night escapades, but I couldn't even invite a friend over without a lecture. I wouldn't call her a brat since she's my twin, but I had my suspicions about her romantic escapades. My dad was a master of juggling secrets, and only our family knew about his mafia ties.

In our house, guns were stashed away in secret spots, especially since Chloe could be a real piece of work sometimes. A handsome guy stepped out of the car and helped my sister out, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of hope. Chloe had partied hard the night before and was now rolling in with a guy in the morning. She was definitely Dad's favorite, and it seemed like he would let her get away with anything she wanted. On the other hand, my dad saw me just like my mom, weak and too good for a person, he saw me as someone that couldn't even hold a gun properly then one day I decided to make him notice me.

When we were kids, I was always the one Chloe looked up to, her little hero who swooped in to save her whenever our dad lost his temper. He was a hard worker, sharp-minded, and decisive, but above all, he had a serious drinking problem. My father was this imposing tall figure, and there were times when I couldn't help but wonder why he chose to marry someone as timid as our mom, who never seemed to stand up to him. After hanging up the phone, I wiped away a tear and made my way down the stairs to get a better look at the guy who had caught my sister's attention.

My dad was eyeing him with a certain approval, and I could see that he was already taken with Alex, who had introduced himself while Chloe snuggled up to him like he was her prince charming. Back then, Chloe and I weren't exactly the best of friends; I resented her for stealing our dad's focus and for having a handsome guy by her side. She was living in her own little fairy tale, with her room decked out in pink and smelling like vanilla ice cream. I let out a sigh when my father called my name, and I noticed Alex's eyes widened in surprise as he took in how much Chloe and I resembled each other. He flashed a small smile and reached out to take my hand, which caught me off guard.

It was definitely one of those moments where you feel like you've been hit by a truck—love at first sight, but the catch was that it was my sister's boyfriend. I might have my issues with her, but I never wanted to hurt her feelings. In that instant, I realized I needed to toughen up, be bolder, and expand my horizons. I stepped outside, grabbed the gun, steadied my stance, and aimed at the dartboard, but my shot still missed the mark. It was frustrating because Chloe was improving every single day, and I felt like I was lagging behind. I was furious with myself for feeling weak; how could she be the one taking charge now? I remembered when she used to look up to me as her hero, and now I found myself envying her confidence and the way she attracted all the good-looking guys, while I was stuck with the nerds.

I quickly retreated to my room, plopped down on my bed, and reached for my phone to call Eva. She was going through her own struggles with her parents, one was an alcoholic. Growing up without a dad and being raised by two moms—one of whom was always sober while the other was perpetually drunk—was no walk in the park, even if they were wealthy. It baffled me how two people who seemed to have such a hard time with life could end up rich. Eva had been my best friend since we were ten, right after I met Z. She was always there for me, especially during my lowest moments. I felt like I was living in Chloe's shadow, while everyone else adored her, but Eva understood what it was like to feel overlooked.

I slipped out of my window and dashed over to the lake, where Eva was waiting for me at our little hideaway. It felt like ages since I last heard from Z— 6 years, to be exact—and I really hoped he was doing okay. I picked up a stone and tossed it into the water, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me as I compared my body to Chloe's; she always seemed to attract all the guys. We had spent countless hours at that lake, and honestly, I figured no one would even notice if I disappeared for two years. That's just how little I felt valued in my own home.

My father, Mr. Max Calabetti, was a man I couldn't stand; he turned my childhood into a nightmare. While other kids enjoyed family dinners, I was stuck at home surrounded by guns instead of toys, living in a fortress of fear. The only bright spot was when Grandma came to celebrate Christmas with us. She was my only friend in that house, and I resented my mother for her silence, always just answering my father with a simple yes or no. I often wished I had been born into a normal, happy family instead of this one. Grandma made the best brownies, and even though she had her own way of keeping things in line, she wasn't as intimidating as Dad. He respected her, and I knew I was her favorite. She would tell me that my father loved me and that everything he did was for my own good, but deep down, I struggled to believe it, even though I desperately wanted to.

It was remarkable how she managed to sidestep every single one of my inquiries, leaving me with nothing but vague reassurances like "your father loves you."

Each time I sought clarity, she skillfully redirected the conversation, providing no substantial answers. She even picked up on my feelings for Alex and cautioned me to tread carefully, reminding me that love cannot be forced; it must be given willingly. Those words resonated deeply within me, yet my affection for Alex felt intertwined with a desire to outshine Chloe, who always seemed to bask in the adoration of others. I was fragile and deeply scarred, acutely aware that my life was far from ordinary. Finding my place in this world felt like an uphill battle, especially when I compared myself to my seemingly perfect sister. I longed for someone to value me as much as they did her, and while I hesitated to admit it, jealousy coursed through me. Chloe's presence often dulled my own light, and in a moment of defiance, I resolved to pursue the one thing she held dear—Alex.

We were still navigating the halls of high school, a time when college seemed like a beacon of hope. We had access to the best tutors and attended a prestigious school, where Chloe was a well-known figure, while I often felt like the overlooked sibling. Our home was a fortress, with only Alex and Chloe's affluent friend, Charlie, allowed inside, further isolating me in my struggle for recognition.

She had blonde hair and wasn't conventionally beautiful, but there was something about her that drew attention. Despite her flaws, she had a magnetic charm that often led others astray, and her well-known family provided her with a level of freedom that many could only dream of. Unfortunately, she introduced Chloe to a world of drugs, including cocaine, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for my sister as she spiraled into a life of late nights and drunken escapades.

Our father, who seemed to favor her boldness and fearlessness in public, turned a blind eye to her reckless behavior, while I struggled with my own feelings of resentment towards her. I often found myself longing for Z, who had a calming presence in my life; his absence made everything feel more chaotic, and I couldn't shake the thought that my father's aggression was becoming more pronounced as he aged. I found myself wishing for an end to his reign of terror. In a moment of desperation, I decided to take a risk that could change everything. I crept into Chloe's room and swiped Alex's number from her phone, even going so far as to duplicate her SIM card. This way, I could impersonate Chloe and engage with Alex, hoping to forge a connection that would bring me some semblance of happiness, all while praying that he wouldn't catch on to my deception.