Chapter 3: Chasers of Dreams

Evelyn stepped into the grand hallway of her family's home, the silence enveloping her like a cold, suffocating blanket. The pristine white walls, expensive artwork, and marble floors gave the illusion of perfection. To anyone on the outside, the Evergreen estate was the pinnacle of luxury. But to Evelyn, it was a hollow shell. A large, empty house that held nothing but memories of a life that wasn't truly hers.

As she made her way up the wide staircase, her footsteps echoing in the vastness of the space, Evelyn couldn't help but wish she lived somewhere smaller, cozier. A place that felt warm, full of life. She had grown up in this mansion, but it had never felt like home. And now, after learning the truth about her birth, it felt even more foreign.

Just as she reached the top of the stairs, a familiar voice rose from the living room below. She paused, turning her head toward the source. It was Alice—her older sister, or rather, the one she had believed was her sister for so long.

"I can't do this anymore!" Alice's voice was sharp, angry. "You promised me a life of stability, and instead, I'm stuck in this mess!"

Evelyn stayed frozen at the top of the stairs, listening as Alice's frustrations spilled over the phone.

"You think you're struggling? I'm the one who has to deal with this! You're not the one who was forced into a marriage with someone you don't even love!" Alice's voice grew louder, more bitter.

The conversation ended abruptly, followed by the sound of Alice slamming the phone down. But the argument wasn't over. Her voice, now directed at their parents, echoed through the hall.

"This is all your fault!" Alice yelled. "You pushed me into that marriage, and for what? So you could save face? And all while Erin—your real daughter—was living in poverty, you let me live a lie! You let Evelyn live a lie!"

Evelyn's heart clenched as she heard her name. She knew Alice harbored resentment, but hearing it so blatantly was still a punch to the gut.

Alice stormed up the stairs, her eyes wild with anger. When she saw Evelyn standing at the top, she pointed an accusing finger at her. "You! You're nothing but an impostor! A fake! You got everything that wasn't meant for you, and Erin—she had to suffer because of it!"

Evelyn's lips parted, but no words came out. There was nothing she could say. Alice's rage had been simmering for months, and now it was boiling over.

Their father appeared at the bottom of the stairs, his face red with frustration. "That's enough, Alice," he barked. "Evelyn didn't ask for this, and neither did you."

"Don't act like you're defending her," Alice shot back. "You've already written her off. You treat her like she's a burden. You don't even care about her!"

With a swift motion, their father's hand struck Alice across the face. The slap echoed through the hall, leaving a stunned silence in its wake. Alice's face twisted with anger, but this time, she didn't yell. She simply glared at their parents, eyes filled with disgust.

"All you care about is the family's reputation," Alice said coldly. "I'm done with this. I'm done with all of you."

She stormed down the stairs and out the front door, slamming it behind her. Evelyn watched her leave, feeling a deep emptiness settle in her chest. She knew Alice's words weren't entirely wrong. Since the truth had come out about her being swapped at birth, her relationship with her family had crumbled. She wasn't the real daughter, and that had changed everything.

Her parents' cold indifference made her feel like a stranger in her own home, like a tenant who had overstayed her welcome.

Evelyn walked quietly to her room and shut the door, locking it behind her. She leaned against the door for a moment, taking a deep breath. The feeling of isolation was overwhelming, but she had learned to suppress it. She had to.

Crossing the room, she went to her closet and pulled out a small, locked box from the back. Inside was the only thing that gave her hope—a stash of cash she had been saving for years. This was her way out. Her plan to leave this life behind, to get a small apartment somewhere quiet, and finally pursue her passion for painting.

But as she counted the money, her heart sank. It wasn't enough—not yet. She needed more. She needed a job, and she needed to survive long enough to make her dreams a reality. Her fingers trembled as she placed the cash back in the box, locking it again. She wiped away the tears that had started to fall, taking a deep breath. She had to stay strong. She had to find a way to make this work.

Her phone buzzed beside her, pulling her from her thoughts. A video call from Maria. Evelyn quickly wiped her face, trying to pull herself together, and answered the call with a forced smile.

"Hey!" she greeted, her voice a little too bright.

The screen flickered to life, and Maria's face appeared, beaming. In her arms was a chubby baby with wide eyes and a playful smile.

"Look who's saying 'mama' now!" Maria grinned, bouncing the baby in her arms.

Evelyn's face lit up with genuine joy. "Oh my gosh, he's adorable! He's grown so much!"

"Meet Leo," Maria said proudly. "He's the reason I get up every morning."

Evelyn's heart softened at the sight of Maria's son. Seeing her friend so happy, so fulfilled, made her own loneliness feel even heavier. But she pushed it aside, focusing on the joy of the moment.

"How's life?" Maria asked, adjusting Leo on her lap.

Evelyn hesitated. "It's… complicated. Things with the family aren't great, but I'm managing."

Maria's eyes softened. "I figured. You've been through a lot lately. But you're tough. You'll get through it."

Evelyn smiled, grateful for the support. She looked at Leo again and couldn't help but think about how much Maria had changed. Back in high school, Maria had been the rebellious one—always pushing boundaries, always getting into trouble. But now, she was a loving mother, completely dedicated to her son.

"You know," Evelyn started, a smile tugging at her lips, "I still can't believe how much you've changed. Remember in high school when you were the wild one? Always skipping class, getting into fights with teachers?"

Maria laughed, shaking her head. "Oh God, don't remind me. I was such a mess back then. But yeah, I guess motherhood changed me. Leo changed me."

Evelyn leaned back, her eyes soft with nostalgia. "You were so angry at the world. I remember you telling me you'd never settle down, never live a 'normal' life."

Maria smirked. "Yeah, well, life has a funny way of humbling you. I thought I knew everything back then. I was so sure I'd spend my life fighting against the world. But when Leo was born, all of that just… melted away. He became my world."

Evelyn nodded, feeling a pang of envy mixed with admiration. "You're a great mom, Maria. I can see it in how you talk about him."

"Thanks, Ev. It's not easy, though," Maria admitted. "I'm doing it all on my own, and some days, it feels like I'm drowning. But then I look at him, and I remember why I'm doing it. He's my reason."

Evelyn smiled warmly, though the ache in her chest lingered. "You're doing an amazing job. And hey, if you ever need a break, you can always leave him with me for a while."

Maria's eyes brightened. "Actually, I was thinking about that! If you get your own place soon, maybe I could leave Leo with you for a couple of months. I'm thinking of taking a temporary job that pays better, but I can't do it with him around all the time."

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. "I'd love that! It would be great to have him around. I mean, I'm still working on getting my own place, but I'm saving up."

Maria's smile widened. "I know you'll figure it out. You're strong, Ev. You've always been. I don't know how you've managed to keep it together with everything going on, but you've always had that strength in you."

Evelyn's throat tightened with emotion. "I don't feel that strong sometimes," she admitted softly. "I feel like everything's falling apart, and I don't know how to put it back together."

Maria's eyes softened. "You're stronger than you think. You've been through so much, and you're still standing. That's strength, Ev. And I know you'll make it. You've got big dreams, and I believe in you."

Evelyn swallowed the lump in her throat, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you, Maria. That means a lot."

Maria's voice grew softer. "It's crazy, isn't it? How life can throw so much at you. One minute, you think you have it all figured out, and the next, everything changes. But you're still chasing your dreams, and I admire that. You're going to make it."

Evelyn nodded, her resolve solidifying. "Yeah… I'm going to make it."

As the call ended and Evelyn sat alone in her room once again, she thought about Maria's words. It was strange how life worked. Here she was, feeling like she had lost everything—her family, her sense of belonging, her dreams hanging by a thread. And yet, there was Maria, someone who had once been lost, now finding her way, chasing her dreams with everything she had.

It was crazy, Evelyn thought, how some people lose their dreams while others chase them with everything they've got. But maybe, just maybe, she could be one of the dream-chasers too.

With that thought, Evelyn lay down on her bed, her determination burning brighter than before.