Chapter 3

3 I called Mom, telling her I had scored tickets to her favorite country concert.

Three tickets.

I told her that she and Dad needed to pack their bags and get ready for a road trip.

"What about Lindsey?" Mom asked, hesitant.

I knew she'd bring her up.

I played it cool. "She's staying at her friend's house tonight. She won't even notice we're gone."

After finalizing the plans with Mom, I called Lindsey's real mom, Stacy Miller.

Lindsey always knew she was adopted, and Mom and Dad had invited Stacy over a few times growing up.

That's how I ended up with her number.

When she picked up, I invited her to Lindsey's party that night.

"Stacy, Lindsey hasn't seen you in ages. She misses you," I said, layering on the sweetness.

"Just don't tell her you're coming. It'll be a total surprise!"

Without missing a beat, she said yes.

After the concert, Mom, Dad, and I decided to stay overnight before heading home.

The next day, I went home as planned.

I saw my house burned, before I even got to the front yard. The firefighters had just put out the flames.

I saw a covered body pulled from the rubble.

Neighbors whispered.

"What happened? That fire was huge."

"Oh my god, someone died."

I was about to ask what happened when the scene from my past life came back to life.

Lindsey ran over, grabbed me, and dragged me in front of the body.

Her face was pale, streaked with tears.

"Lindsay! Why would you DO this?!" she shrieked. "Mom's dead because of you!"

Chad rushed to her side, backing up Lindsey's accusations.

"Lindsay! She was your mother! How could you do this to her?!"

Their voices were loud, attracting attention.

I feigned innocence. "What are you talking about? I didn't do anything to Mom!"

Lindsey sobbed. "I can't believe you! You just had to light fireworks inside, and Mom didn't want you to!"

She threw herself onto the covered body, weeping.

"And you still won't admit it!" she wailed, her words coming faster and faster.

"You always ruin everything! Were you trying to destroy our family? Is that what you wanted?"

"What did I do wrong? What did Mom do wrong? Why would you hurt her like this?!"

"You're just jealous because Mom and Dad like me better!"

"Lindsay, you have to take responsibility for what you've done!"

Lindsey's voice was shrill and cutting.