The Imposter in my bed

THE LIES~TARA’S POV~A week has gone by since I woke up, and I'm now finally discharged after my laboratory tests showed positive results. Lea stayed by my side, telling me stories of the past, helping me recover the memories I lost.She told me about the mansion where we lived, the chores I did daily, and the life I spent with her family. I believed everything she said, because what else I coul do?Lea said I’m an orphan and that’s why she’s treating me like her real sister, thinking of me as her family. She’s kind and sweet, though I couldn’t help but notice some things about her that makes me wonder if it’s truly okay to trust her words. But Lea didn’t abandon me all this time and even paid for my hospital bills. How heartless I’ll be if I doubt the only person who treats me kindly despite losing my memories about her?As we leave the hospital, I wonder how my life will be from now on. With stories that Lea told me, I figured out my role in the mansion. However, I know it won't be

THE TRUTH~TARA’S POV~After the couple leaves, I go back to the kitchen and start cleaning. I don’t want to spend another hour getting nag at my Lea when she comes back and in a bad mood. Recently, she’s been releasing her stress through yelling at the staff and mostly at me.I don’t knwo why she suddenly becomes like that. She’s not talking to me the way she did when I first met her after the accident, so I don’t have any idea. While I can endure the humiliation whenever she looks down on me in front of others, the staff starts talking behind Lea’s back.“Are you alright, Tara? I’m glad the madam left,” Sophia, one of the staff asks as she walks in the kitchen.“I’m fine,” I smile, offering her a glass of water which she happily accepts.“Ah! That feels so good. I thought my throat would dry up from stress just listening to the madam making a scene in the morning,” Sophia sighs, shaking her head. “If I were you, I'd quit. How can you endure her attitude? It’s becoming her hobby to y

The Morning After the Vow 1~TARA POV~I wake up before the alarm, my heart racing as if it knows something I am trying to ignore. My tongue is pressed against my teeth. There's no blood now, just a memory of it. I can still taste the screams I held back yesterday.The light mattress in the servant room feels uncomfortable—too small, too scratchy, and like a punishment I never agreed to. This whole mansion feels wrong.The walls I used to walk through holding Alexander's hand now seem to close in on me, as if they are laughing at me. They seem to remember who I was and think it's funny that I am now cleaning their floors.The ring is back in the safe. It's hidden. I couldn't wear it on my finger all night. If Lea saw the diamond shine, she would realize things have changed, and I don't want her to know that yet. I need her to feel relaxed and confident, so she makes mistakes I can remember and use later.I am not the maid. I am Tara Jackson. And I am still wearing the same ugly uni

A WHITE LIE~TARA JACKSON~The kitchen smells like dish soap and something burning that nobody wants to admit they forgot about. I walk back in and everyone's grinning at me like I just won the lottery or slapped someone they all hate. Which, I guess I kind of did."Did you see her face?" Sophia asks, her whole face lit up like Christmas. "I swear I thought she was going to combust right there."Eva's laughing so hard she has to lean against the counter. "The way that water just—" she makes a splashing sign with her hands, "all over that ridiculous dress. I could die happy now, honestly."The other maids are huddled around, whispering and giggling like we're all in high school again and someone just pulled the best prank on the mean girl.They're looking at me like I'm some kind of hero. Like I just did something brave and important.I force a smile and try to match their energy, their excitement, but inside, I feel nothing.Well, not nothing. I feel angry. I feel empty. I feel like t

THE FIRST CRACK 1~TARA POV~I manage to pull myself off the ground outside the bank.My legs feel shaky. My chest still hurts, like someone reached in and squeezed my heart until it stopped working right.I decide to walk. Just walk off the anger and frustration stirring inside me like poison.The streets are busy. People rushing past with coffee cups and briefcases, talking on phones, living their normal lives while mine is burning down around me.I walk without direction, my feet moving on autopilot, until I find myself standing in front of a library.It's a big stone building, old and beautiful, with wide steps leading up to the entrance, and then it hits me.A memory.It was quick and sudden, like someone just stabbed me in the temple. I stumble, catching myself against a pillar, my hand pressed flat against the cold stone.The world spins.I hear church bells ringing, loud and beautiful. The sound filling the air. Me sitting by a window. Sunlight streaming in. A book in my lap.