Chapter 2

The face in the mirror was both familiar and strange. It was Liam's face. My twin brother's face.

Three months ago, Liam had jumped from the roof of his research lab without leaving a word. A week ago, I removed the last bandage from my face, becoming him.

"Perfect. Looks just like him," my father, Frank, said excitedly behind me.

My mother fussed with the ill-fitting suit I wore. Her voice trembled with barely contained excitement. "Liam, don't be nervous. Rachel will be here soon."

My name is Lucas, not Liam. But now, no one remembers Lucas anymore.

My identity, my education records, every trace of my existence had been quietly erased a week ago.

"She's here," my father announced as the sound of high heels echoed from outside.

A woman in a Chanel suit walked in. When she saw my face, her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

This was Rachel, my brother's fiancée, a woman as outstanding in family background as she was in beauty.

"Liam..." she whispered, throwing herself into my arms. Her body shook slightly.

I could smell her expensive perfume. My body stiffened, unsure how to respond.

My father immediately stepped forward, patting my back with satisfaction. "Rachel, dear, you see? Liam is fine. He just had a little accident, hurt his brain, forgot some things. But he's all better now."

"Your engagement, his project, everything can continue as planned."

Rachel lifted her tear-stained face, examining me closely. "Really... you remember everything now?"

My mother pinched my arm hard.

Suppressing the pain, I mimicked my brother's smile - warm yet distant. "Rachel, it's been a while."

Rachel's eyes flickered for a moment, then broke into a smile. "I knew you wouldn't leave me."

My parents exchanged relieved glances.

They took Rachel to the study, discussing how to restart my brother's "Genesis" project.

I stood alone in the spacious living room, surrounded by Liam's trophies and awards on the walls.

He had always been a genius, the pride of our parents.

And I? I was the twin of a genius, the shadow no one cared about in his brilliant light.

We had the same face, but walked completely different paths in life.

He was the star, I was utterly ordinary.

I thought we would continue like this forever.

Until he decisively jumped from the research building he had built with his own hands.

My parents' world collapsed.

Then, they placed that fallen sky on my shoulders.

My phone vibrated. It was a message from my only friend.

"Lucas, where have you disappeared to?"

I stared at those two words - my name - and slowly typed a reply.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

Then, I blocked him.

From today on, Lucas no longer exists in this world.

There is only Liam.