Chapter 498
I approached Colin, my gaze softening as I saw the sorrow etched deeply into his features.
His head was bowed, the rims of his eyes tinged with the unmistakable shade of red that spoke volumes of his inner turmoil. Was he crying in secret? There was something pitiful yet endearingly cute about his demeanor.
"Colin..." My heart ached to embrace him, yet my arms fell limply to my sides in resignation.
The evidence was undeniable. I was Foebe Larson, not the Phoebe Caldwell he yearned for.
His love was meant for someone else.
"Caleb, who's that woman staying at your place?" Stella emerged from the doctor's office, relief washing over her face knowing I was out of danger, only to be replaced by a pressing curiosity as she confronted Caleb.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
Caleb had brought Phoebe No. 2 home, and Stella must've caught wind of it.
But it was unlikely Stella had met Phoebe No. 2 in person. Given her close bond with Phoebe, the truth would surely shake her.
"Why won't you speak? Phoebe gets taken away by Naomi, and you just coolly move in with that woman?" Stella's anger was palpable as she questioned Colin.
Colin remained silent.
"Hey, hey, hey, I told you not to pry..." Robin rushed over, attempting to whisk Stella away with one arm.
"Let go of me! What's his deal? I thought Dexter was the worst, but he's just as bad. If Phoebe doesn't wake up, I swear I'll hammer him!" Stella struggled vehemently. "Who is that woman exactly?"
As Stella persisted in her quest for answers, her words were abruptly cut short.
Her body stiffened, straightening up as her face registered shock and disbelief at the sight of the newcomer.
It was Phoebe No. 2, making a bold appearance before the crowd.
I had thought she'd prefer to remain hidden by Colin.
Yet here she was, stepping forward, but under what guise?
Ah, right... as Naomi's daughter.
"Phoebe..." Stella's voice was laced with surprise as she took in Phoebe No. 2, then glanced back at me lying unconscious in the hospital bed, lost in confusion.
"Phoebe?" Pushing past Robin, Stella stood before Phoebe No. 2, her eyes wide with panic.
Phoebe No. 2's expression was one of cold indifference as she avoided Stella's approach, her voice stern. "Who are you?"
Stella was taken aback. This was Phoebe, no doubt about it...
Why didn't she recognize her?
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"She's not Phoebe..." Robin quickly intervened. "Not the Phoebe you know, anyway. She's Naomi's daughter, Phoebe's identical twin clone, sharing the same genes."
Stella's eyes dimmed with disillusionment. "I knew it... She couldn't be Phoebe. No matter how similar they look."
"I am indeed not Phoebe," she
J
admitted openly. "Phoebe and I aren't twins in the traditional sense but gically identical clones. You can call me Mini One."
She lacked a real name, another subject of experimentation.
Subject 21.
"Naomi's not waking up, and the organization will eliminate any threat. She's going to die," Mini One stated, looking at Robin. "The police can't stop it."
"Kill someone right under our noses? As if we'd let that happen," Finn scoffed.
Mini One shook her head, then moved closer to Colin. "She isn't Phoebe."
She was emphasizing that I was only Foebe Larson, not Phoebe Caldwell. Colin didn't budge.
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"If you insist on having a Phoebe that's exactly alike, I'm evidently more suitable than Foebe. I possess all of Phoebe's memories; if you wish, can mimic Phoebe more calmly. Content belongs
convincingly," Mini One vel
She wanted Colin to stop deluding himself.
Standing aside, I suddenly felt my confidence wane.
Indeed... Mini One was much more like Phoebe.
More like the woman he loved.
"So... come home with me," Mini One extended her arms towards Colin, yearning for his embrace.
I stood frozen, discomfort settling in my heart.
Was this what jealousy felt like?
I found Mini One unbearable, an eyesore from head to toe, even her resemblance to Phoebe.
"Don't embrace her..." My voice was a mere whisper, laden with unspoken grievances.
But what right did I have to influence Colin's decision?
If Phoebe was truly gone, in choosing a replacement between me and Mini One, I was clearly at a disadvantage.